Aug 20, 2009 12:59 AM
19591 Views
(Updated Aug 20, 2009 01:07 AM)
This is an article who listens to pure music and can clearly distinguish the difference of audio coming from digital or analog amplifier. In case you are satisfied with the 5.1 you get in general market at 10 k , suggest not to spend 25 K and think you did not get value for money and be under wrong perception.
Quality of music to be judged based on inputs from an original CD or a CD / DVD format and not mp3 / mp4 or any form of compressed format.
Please refer to the Sonodyne's sites for technical specification of this amp. The scope of my write up will be in two section :- a) For and b) Against .
a) For :- Excellent value for money for those two want to listen to natural stereo music . Option to connect 4 speakers in case you think that Two stereo speakers provided are not generating the complete audio frequency ( 20 to 20k Htz ) . In fact the 2 way speakers( 80 Watt at 4 Ohms each ) provided by Sonodyne are underrated for the amp's performance.
The matching speakers provides good midrange but low on Bass and high frequency. I play this with a set of matching sonodyne 2 way bass reflex speakers ( Model I do not remember ) with a old pair of a second hand 3 way three way Jamo speakers . The quality of Jamo speakers are excellent ( Of cource the new one are very expensive and I was lucky to get a second hand from my friend) . The combination of these two produces perfect music . To get a similar quality I think you have to shell out nearly 50 K in case you are looking Denon / Yamaha / Nakamichi / Cambridge audio / Marantz or other world leading brands who deal with stereo amps.
I have a set of 3 way Philips DH-638( 40 Wrms at 8 Ohms each ) speakers too which are matching speakers for 50 WRMS ( 500 W PMPO ) of Philips powerhouse . This gives an excellent combination too with the Sonodyne speakers.
Many input feeds , can be use as a pre amp in case you plan to buy a power AMp in future . ( Quite a sclable model which can handle most of the requirement like plugging in a MIC , headphone and inputs from your computer , and other musical instruments ).Gold plated connectors for minumum signal loss .Quite amp and no distortions at high volume .
Against :- All analog amp will have a very low humming . The disturbance is not captured by the Sonodyne matching speakers , but with a good 3 way speakers you will hear a very low humming of high frequency at the tweeters which is near to negligible. The amplitude of the humming is low and does not increases with the increase in volume . ( may be something to do with the earth or the amp transformer , or some induction . Not sure what )
Suggest to market this with a good 3 way speakers to ensure the complete audio range is produced . ( perhaps it is their marketing strategy to keep an average speaker and push the sub woofer for people who want better quality sound ). A good 3 way will eliminate the requirement for a subwoofer I presume .Should have a analog graphic analyzer or Sonodyne should market a separate analog graphic analyzer to match with this amp .
Note :- Picture Quality is not applicable as this is a stereo product.
Swarup Sarkar
Bangalore
