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Review Summary
2024-10-03T10:28:45
I had to try this amp out at the great price. I've been researching some class D options, and was willing to find out what this type of pro audio amp could do in a home audio application. As I indicated in my review title, I really wanted this amp to sound great. And for the most part, it sounds quite solid, has great balance across all frequencies, and had no problem powering a pair of Q Acoustics tower speakers. In the end, its performance was harsh, perhaps in a subtle way, but harsh none the less. Harsh, over time, really means fatiguing. I've often wondered about when other reviewers talk about class D, when they refer to the sound of the amplifier being "dry". I think I may have discovered first hand what they're referring to here with this amp. It's analytical to the point of sounding as if you're listening to the device the music is being played on, rather than the music itself. It's really kind of a strange experience, to like an amplifier for its resolving capability, and then to hate it for the very same reason. In the end, it wasn't the right fit for my home application. I haven't given up on class D completely, but I have been effectively steered back in the direction of class A/B a little more decisively. I still clicked on the option of recommending this product, but it might take some softening of the signal path by using "warmer" electronics (tube preamps), as some have recommended, to reduce the harshness. Perhaps for pro audio usage, which is obviously for what this amp is truly intended, powering less than resolving monitors, this may be an incredible amplifier.
ROBERT W.
2022-03-26T03:58:15
Good power and punch. Used both with balanced and unbalanced inputs. Very clean each way but I prefer the sound from the balanced connection. Driving some vintage JBL 4210 Control monitors
STAN G.
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220 W at 8 Ohms per channel, stereo
400 W at 4 Ohms per channel, stereo
800 W at 8 Ohms bridged mono
2x XLR
2x 1/4" (6.3mm) TRS
2x RCA
XLR, 1/4" (6.3mm) TRS: 20 kOhms, balanced / 10 kOhms, unbalanced
RCA: 10 kOhms unbalanced
2x locking-style speakON professional speaker
connectors
2x binding posts
Output Circuit Type: Class-D
Circuit Protection: Short-circuit current, DC fault, AC fuse, thermal cut
Distortion: < 0.08% (4 Ohms at 150 W, 1 kHz)
Damping Factor: > 160 at 8 Ohms
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0/-1 dB (-10 dB below rated output power)
Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 30 kHz (-3 dB)
Signal-to-Noise: > 100 dB (A weighted, 20 Hz to 20 kHz)
Voltage Gain at Level Control Max, Balanced: 30 dB / RCA: 41 dB
Input Sensitivity at Level Control Max: XLR +4 dBu /RCA -10 dBV
Front: Power switch gain controls (channels A and B)
Rear: Mode switch (stereo / bridge mono)
Power: Amber LED
Signal: Green LEDs -30 to -6 dB
Signal: Yellow LEDs -3, 0 dB
Clip: Red LEDs
Protection: Red LEDs
USA / Canada 120 VAC, 60 Hz (T 10 A H 250 V)
3.7 x 19.0 x 8.7" (9.4 x 48.3 x 22.0cm)
7.1 lbs (3.2kg)
192223287082, 653341317834, 192223075498
Clean and Good Punch
By STAN G.
Good power and punch. Used both with balanced and unbalanced inputs. Very clean each way but I prefer the sound from the balanced connection. Driving some vintage JBL 4210 Control monitors
The Reference Amplifier A800 is the ideal choice for home and professional recording studios, post-production suites, or anyone seeking audiophile-grade performance -without the audiophile-grade price tag! A professional 800-Watt ultra-linear power amplifier, the A800 provides stunningly-accurate audio reproduction -without the slightest hint of distortion or artificial coloration common to many competing products. Thanks to its ingenious servo-controlled design, and the high-level components used throughout, the A800 boasts remarkable specs and unrivaled sonic performance.
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A precise level meter with input clip and channel protection LEDs are provided for accurate performance monitoring. Input connections are provided in the form of balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS connectors, as well as unbalanced RCA sockets, ensuring you have loads of input options. Plus, the speaker outputs give you the choice between professional twist-lock and binding post connectors.
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