UPDATED: 🍒 Maraschino, x-CHerry, and MEGAschino REVIEWS

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maty

Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #160 on: 18 Mar 2018, 02:33 pm »
Very interesting interview!!!

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Sometimes the resulting measurements are used to determine a designer's skill level. This is true if the measurements indicate simply poor performance. There is a performance level below which an amplifier is considered to be solidly "mid-fi" or "lo-fi". Let's say 100dB SNR and 0.1% THD+N as an example. If measurements are in the "green zone", they may be there because the designer chose the numbers over the sound.

What minimum of SNR at 1 watt does Digital Amplifier Company consider reasonable or acceptable in Class-D amplifiers?

Wind Chaser

Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #161 on: 18 Mar 2018, 04:52 pm »
Maty,

Every time I click on a link and read one of your posts I get the impression you are obsessed with measurements, as if there was nothing else to consider. Could you tell us about your wife from that perspective and perhaps post a picture?

maty

Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #162 on: 18 Mar 2018, 05:16 pm »
For me a good measurement is a necessary but not sufficient condition. The world of audio is full of gadgets and somehow we have to make a screen.

I do not understand why I have found so many Class D amplifiers that have such a small SNR. We are not talking about tubes but rather a very advanced solid-state technology.

In the interview you say you are an engineer then you should understand my need for measurements and graphs.

In any case I have only asked a simple question, and what is generic. I do not ask about your amplifiers.

Quote
Could you tell us about your wife from that perspective and perhaps post a picture?

A technical question deserves a technical answer.

Jonathon Janusz

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Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #163 on: 18 Mar 2018, 07:54 pm »
Maty,

Every time I click on a link and read one of your posts I get the impression you are obsessed with measurements, as if there was nothing else to consider. Could you tell us about your wife from that perspective and perhaps post a picture?

I see what you did there...

A technical question deserves a technical answer.

... and this made me laugh! :lol:  Well played, sir.  Well played indeed!

sumoking

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Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #164 on: 18 Mar 2018, 08:07 pm »
For me a good measurement is a necessary but not sufficient condition. The world of audio is full of gadgets and somehow we have to make a screen.

I do not understand why I have found so many Class D amplifiers that have such a small SNR. We are not talking about tubes but rather a very advanced solid-state technology.

In the interview you say you are an engineer then you should understand my need for measurements and graphs.

In any case I have only asked a simple question, and what is generic. I do not ask about your amplifiers.

A technical question deserves a technical answer.


I don't think the Wind Chaser was interviewed nor is he an engineer... :)

maty

Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #165 on: 18 Mar 2018, 08:17 pm »
I thought he was Tommy O’Brien. Do I have to send the question to the company?

https://www.cherryamp.com/contact

AmpDesigner333

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Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #166 on: 19 Mar 2018, 06:24 am »
Very interesting interview!!!

What minimum of SNR at 1 watt does Digital Amplifier Company consider reasonable or acceptable in Class-D amplifiers?
This thread is for posting reviews, not so much for open discussion.  So....  I'll copy this answer here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=58526.msg1674058#msg1674058

The bottom line answer to your question is placed there.... I ask that further discussion of this topic remain on the other thread, please.  Thanks.

That said....

SNR at 1W can be calculated from SNR at rated power.  This is not just for Cherry Amplifier (R) products, but for any amplifier.

If we know the signal level and the SNR, we can calculate the noise level.  This is typically A-weighted, by the way, but not important to the math....

SNR is the ratio of signal to noise, or signal/noise.  These are voltage levels.  Units must match, and we use volts.  SNR = 20 * log(signal/noise).  Since there is more signal than noise, SNR is positive.  If it were noise/signal, the result would be negative, due to the log function.

We start by reversing the log function to get the actual ratio in straight scalar units (no units, actually).  So, we're "un-doing the dB", going from exponential scale to linear scale.

Let's say SNR is 120dB (MEGAschino, Maraschino).  This means 6 = log (x), x being SNR as a linear scalar.  10^6 is 1,000,000.  So, if the signal is 1V, the noise would be 1/1,000,000 V, or 1uV.

Let's also say the rated power is 400W into 4 ohms (KING Maraschino).  Power is V^2/R in this case, so V = sqrt(1600V^2) = 40V.  So, in this case, noise is 40uV.

Now, what is it at 1W (into 4 ohms)?  Well, we know the noise voltage, and 1W is sqrt(4V^2) = 2V, so SNR = 20 * (2V/40uV) = 94dB.

The reverse also works, so if you know SNR at 1W, you can calculate it for rated power.  Almost every amp manufacturer states SNR at rated power, by the way.  Thanks.

-Tommy O

maty

Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #167 on: 19 Mar 2018, 08:52 am »
Deleted
« Last Edit: 19 Mar 2018, 12:37 pm by maty »

maty

Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #168 on: 19 Mar 2018, 08:58 am »
Deleted
« Last Edit: 19 Mar 2018, 12:37 pm by maty »

maty

Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #169 on: 19 Mar 2018, 09:46 am »
Deleted.

Moved to the correct thread.

And I am sorry!
« Last Edit: 19 Mar 2018, 12:38 pm by maty »

AmpDesigner333

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Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #170 on: 19 Mar 2018, 12:02 pm »
I know the maths but I have found too often that the data advertised by the manufacturers do not coincide with the independent measurements. It was something I already knew with class AB but I was surprised that it also happened with Class D amplifiers.

Same problems with speakers manufacturers: sensitivity and nominal impedance. And then some complain that the speakers do not sound as good as many say. Or sell them accompanied by amplifiers that do not have the necessary power to sound with all their splendor.

https://www.cherryamp.com/the-stm-specs

Gain: 22dB

Frequency Response: 0 Hz to >100 kHz

Power Efficiency: 95% !!!!


Very good specs.

And thank you very much.
Repeating what I said above:

This thread is for posting reviews, not so much for open discussion.  So....  I'll copy this answer here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=58526.msg1674058#msg1674058

The bottom line answer to your question is placed there.... I ask that further discussion of this topic remain on the other thread, please.  Thanks.

AmpDesigner333

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Another outstanding MEGAschino review!
"....most powerful and transparent sounding.... ....succulent, detailed, emotionally and musically dynamic sound quality that certainly could emerge as a contender for a “straight wire with gain” award."

Much more:
http://www.jeremykipnis.com/MEGAschino_Review_-_03_18.html

mojave

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Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #172 on: 23 Mar 2018, 07:32 pm »
For the past 8 weeks I've been getting up at 4:50 am and working out for an hour. I get home at 6:20 am and cool down for 20 minutes by listening to my JTR Speakers Noesis 215RT's and King Maraschino's. I love these amps and am currently waiting on 5 channels of MEGAschino's. Jeremy's review has piqued my excitement.

I'll be taking two of my MEGAschino Mono Ultra's to AXPONA next month. They will be in Nirvana C on the 2nd floor. Anyone is welcome to stop by for a listen.

KLH007

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Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #173 on: 23 Mar 2018, 07:42 pm »
Congratulations Tommy on the sensational review of your MEGAchinos! I loved the In-Line Maraschinos you loaned me and I also lamented having to ship them back. Thanks for continuing to research and improve your unique Class D amplifiers.
« Last Edit: 23 Mar 2018, 11:53 pm by KLH007 »

mfsoa

Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #174 on: 23 Mar 2018, 11:48 pm »
I like this part from the Kipnis review - And he's talking about the Maraaschinos, which are noticeably surpassed by the Mega.

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It’s fair to say that compared to most other amps I had on hand, including audiophile favorites like the Crown Macro Reference (1992 / 650 watts Stereo), Carver Black Magic 20 Monoblocks (2013 / Tube 40 Watts), Mesa Boogie Baron (1996 / Tube Stereo Monoblock 160 Watts), McIntosh MC2102 (Stereo 200 watt Tube), McIntosh MC2301 (Monoblock 400 watt tube), Rogers High Fidelity EHF-100 Mk. 2(2016 Tube Stereo 65 Watts), and Mark Levinson No. 53 (150 Watt Quad Balanced Monoblock), the Golden Cherry Amps were as good as the very best parts of any of those very different brands while distinguishing itself for sounding so honest, direct, captivating, and accurate that they were my go to for both audio production work on my audiophile label, Epiphany Recordings Ltd. and simple pure enjoyment. Countless hours of movies, 4k & HD streaming videos, analog records played on high-end tables (including the ELP analog Laser-based turntable), reel-to-reel master tapes, video games, SACDs and CDs, you name it . . . my first choice for listening became the Golden Cherries!

MIKED

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Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #175 on: 30 Mar 2018, 02:54 pm »
I started with the original cherry mono's They were very neutral and musical. The highs sparkled without the negative class-D artifacts.
I then upgraded to the mono ultra's. They were even more musical but with greater punch and authority in the bass.
Now I'm upgrading to the mono Megaschino's and am looking forward to even greater musical enjoyment.
By the way, one of the great attributes of this company is the ability to upgrade when new technology becomes available.

AmpDesigner333

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Stereo MEGAschino REVIEW in Enjoy the Music
« Reply #176 on: 31 Mar 2018, 05:01 pm »
"....compared to most other amps I had on hand, including audiophile favorites like the Crown Macro Reference (1992 / 650 watts Stereo), Carver Black Magic 20 Monoblocks (2013 / Tube 40 Watts), Mesa Boogie Baron (1996 / Tube Stereo Monoblock 160 Watts), McIntosh MC2102 (Stereo 200 watt Tube), McIntosh MC2301 (Monoblock 400 watt tube), Rogers High Fidelity EHF-100 Mk. 2(2016 Tube Stereo 65 Watts), and Mark Levinson No. 53 (150 Watt Quad Balanced Monoblock)...."

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0418/Digital_Amplifier_Company_MEGAschino_Stereo_Amplifier_Review.htm

AmpDesigner333

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KING (60V) Maraschino Cherry Amplifier REVIEW
« Reply #177 on: 25 Apr 2018, 03:54 am »
Copied from here since this is where the reviews are gathered:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=151492.msg1620225#msg1620225

----------------

Review;  King 60v Maraschino Cherry Amplifiers          07-11-2017

Hi Folks, My name is Randy.  I'm 66 yrs. old and currently live in N. W. Michigan.
I was into music at an early age.  Having older siblings, the youngest being 8 years my senior, I always remember the 45's spinning and the wonderful sound of males crooning and women singing of broken hearts.  Then their was more,  The Music.  I was in a church going family and my Mom played the church organ for at least 50 yrs.  The singing and music was about all I was really interested in.  Yea, I know, burn in hell for me. (If I'm boring you, please skip to forth paragraph.)
Anyway,  it was rarely the message of the music but the sound that caught my attention .  How all those different voices sounded.  Together or individually.  All those vibrating vocal cords and the accompanying air, tone and texture.  And that organ, it was like, I was water and it's sound just rippled over me.   Then I became a teenager and everything about music spoke directly to me.   The music was about my world or what I thought was my world.  Camping in the back yard with a buddy.   Struggling to get WLS out of Chicago was not always easy but how rewarding.  To hear the newest music way up here in the sticks.  And Dick Biondi, their provocative DJ. 
Then in 1970 I bought my first real stereo.  Where else, Radio Shack.  I had catalogs for both Radio Shack and Lafayette Electronics and would spend hours pouring of the different package deals they both offered.  Watts, frequency response, IMF distortion and all the other specs they published. (certainly now, to me taken with a large grain of salt.)
I didn't know what it all meant except, lower was better here and higher was better there and wider was better somewhere else.  The packaged setup included ,  a 30 or 40 w.p.c., AM/FM receiver, some model of Garrard turntable w/Shure cartridge, Koss plastic headphones (not bad) , and the piece de resistance; walnut speakers w/10 in. woofers, a mid range and I think a dome tweeters.   Speakers had a Lifetime Guarantee!!!  (And I used it.)  This system lasted me almost through Grad School.  The speakers I kept another 10 yrs. Starting back then, music ruled my world and still does.

Wait.  This is supposed to be an amp review.  My audio bio. will have to wait.

The Digital Amplifier Company was completely unknown to me.  I have been looking at ads and reviews of digital amps for the past few years, but never listened to any, except the stock setup in my car.  It always sound good to me.  Anyway, over the years, reviews got better and top shelf  digital amps started getting better and better reviews, but for me to hear them I would have to drive over 3 hours and further, for more auditions.  And I would be listening in their rooms, with their speakers, etc. etc..   
I had come across the reviews in AudioCircle and was very impressed.   I contacted Tommy O`Brien, the chief cook and amp builder at DAC via email and got a very prompt reply.  I really liked that.  Subsequent emails, for the most part, the same deal.  He's very good at talking to you.  Low hype but confidant he makes a first class product.  I read more about the history of DAC and Tommy and just felt, this guy has something here.  This is not, amp here gone tomorrow, stuff.   He's been in business for 20 yrs.  That counts for something.  Plus, he is a hell of a nice guy.  Buy on line with 30 days to check out, fit me just fine.
So, I ordered the King 60v. Maraschino variety.  Then prepared for their arrival.  I got some CD's together and I had just gotten a June offer from Spotify Pro for 3 mos, for .99 cents.  I was more or less quite happy with Spotify's quality via my solid state amps, and started putting together a playlist of 120 some songs.  Many old faves, along with new things I came across.  All with the recording quality and sonics I was looking for.  (no head banging stuff, sorry)
When they arrived I was all ready.  FedEx dropped off two sturdy boxes covered with bright orange fragile labels everywhere.  They where artfully packed in a kind of puzzle of foam sections so everything fit nicely and securely.  Connectors, cables and cords also packed well and of high quality.  Hookup was a piece of cake.
The first few days I let them go with whatever I felt like for music.  I just let them play with no critical listening.  However the very first thing I noticed, without trying, was more meat coming out of my speakers.  And at low to mid volume levels to boot.  Sure I cranked them up but really tried to let them just cook a wile,.  After 48 hrs. or so, I was ready to go.
Now this is for real.  I have pages and pages of notes.  What was going to be a few evenings of really getting into these babies turned into well over a hundred hours of listening and note taking.  SPL readings, various time marks within a song to listen to so you could experience what I was hearing and on and on.  And as you have read,  I do ramble on.  It was way too much.  Trust me. (Who else says that?)

So here's the scoop.   These amps kick ass!  But there is so much more!  Only one other time in my life did a new introduction to my system cause me to want to hear everything I had all over again.  The music was now so real!
 
My Review:

Background,  BLACK! BLACK!    Soundstage, WIDE & ENVELOPING!       Soundstage depth,  Depending on the manor of recording.   VAST!       Musicians and instruments in space,  BEAUTIFULLY  DEFINED! (On many songs Holographic.  I had the impression that I could stand up and walk among the musicians.)     Bass,  TIGHT, FULL, PUNCHY and filled with all that makes up bass notes and all notes,  TONEALITY and TEXTURE!    Piano, Drums, Horns, Vibraphone (wow), Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Cymbals and Voices all had the inner harmonics and air that made their sound breathtaking.
     
Sorry, I have to stop!!!  I am listening to music as I write.   I'm streaming Tidal with some “Easy Jazz” playlist playing in the background and a song by Thelonious Monk, titled “Straight No Chaser” came on and I lost it.  Those instruments where being propelled out of my speakers like I've never heard. (and this was background listening)  The attack on an note had that nice trumpet bite.  It came out of my speakers like the horns themselves where sticking into my room.  The music will suck you in so easily.  I like to hear the richness and detail of all that makes up music.   These amps are dynamic, soulful,  melodic and rich.  All executed in a most reviling musical way.   Music blossoms from my speakers.  And at low sound levels!

OK. Back to the review;   Overall sound,  TEXTURAL!  AIREY!  DYNAMIC!  SENSUAL and ENVELOPING!
You won't believe your hearing your speakers.  Instead some upgraded ones appeared by magic. 
Fit and finish is first class.  I even made up some granite blocks w/spikes to finish them off.
 
I have a new slogan for Tommy and DAC.

BUY A PAIR OF MY AMPS AND GET NEW SPEAKERS FREE !   (I did.  And much more.)

To be completely up front about everything.   I got a bit of a deal on the Maraschino's in exchange for a review.  May be common, I don't know.   However, Tommy didn't know me and to me that took real confidence in his product! 
I never gush,  my fine arts education has taught me to be critical, but there is a lot of me gushing above.  But, trust me, the deal wasn't that great.             The Maraschino's were!
             
As for negative comments, I have them and it's critical that they be addressed.  Picky, picky me.   The blue LED's are too bright.  I think I may be getting retina damage, just kidding.  However I would suggest 50% dimmer. And that's it.     

Streaming experience:   As I said earlier.  The bulk of my listening was via Spotify Pro.   During my second listening session  I became aware of a shrillness in some highs, that at times made me feel uncomfortable.  (I was listening at high SPL's)   I emailed Tommy and he came back with some suggestions.  I stopped using the,  no name, no specs, DAC in my Marantz  AV7701 Pre, and brought in my PS Audio, Nuwave DAC.  Much better.   Highs were much better controlled .  Only rarely being too bright for my ears during high SPL's.  (I don't believe this brightness is the Maraschino's fault as they faithfully reproduce whats fed them.) 

Tommy also said something about streaming services and how they differ.  That made me wonder. 
Was Spotify's  ogg. encoding responsible of the bright highs.  Even though I had a overall terrific listening experience on Spotify, this matter concerned me.  I read up on the Spotify Pro's sound quality and how their material uses the Ogg Vorbis encoded lossy format at 320 kbps.  I don't clam to be any kind of authority on these matters.  However, it appears the correct balance of components is important to the final output of the Stream you are using.   Spotify is quite good.  Your DAC will determine how good it is to you.  The Maraschino's with the Nuwave DAC made it even more musical.  Highs were sweeter and pure.  Poor DAC output can really effect your streaming experience.
So, just for you folks,  I went to Tidal and signed up for their 30 day trial.  I had always been interested in Tidal but only from what I read.  Tidal has superior musicality but at twice the coin. It's lossless offerings at 1.4 Mbps and MQA are attractive considerations indeed.  Just under $20.00 a month. 
The sound was wonderful.  Certainly on par with my BD player.  Spotify was no chump either.  I may stay with them for a wile.
Spotify Pro. at under $10.00 per month could be your best buy or YouTube if you like free.  Just remember,  if crap goes in crap comes out.  The  Maraschinos will reveal system weaknesses.   Let your ears and DAC be your guide.
For those interested, my playlist is available on Spotify.  It's simply called “Test Music” by swedclas.  Also on Tidal, “Test Music 2”.  Give a listen if you like.

Equipment:       D.A.C. King Maraschino Cherry Mono Amps with 60 volt Power Supplies.   Pre Amp,  Marantz  AV7701 in Pure Direct Mode using balanced outs.  Cambridge Audio, CRX, BD player.
PS Audio, Nuwave DAC and Monster Power Center.   Speakers are Mirage 1295is 6 ohm. (bulk of listening) and Martin Logan SL3's, 4 ohm.  My solid state amps were, Nelson Pass designed, ADCOM, GFA 5800 and Emotiva,  XPA-2, Gen 2.  Both mint and maybe soon for sale.   
Cables:   MIT Proline, balanced cables,  Kimber Kable, Hero, unbalanced interconnects,  Kimber, Illuminance coaxial cable,   Kimber, 4VS speaker cable and Monster USB cable. 
System photo soon.

Thanks for reading.

Randy Nielsen

rodge827

Re: Maraschino and MEGAschino REVIEWS
« Reply #178 on: 13 Oct 2018, 12:23 am »

AmpDesigner333

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MEGAschino featured in HOME THEATER REVIEW
« Reply #179 on: 24 Oct 2018, 03:52 pm »
https://hometheaterreview.com/digital-amplifier-company-megaschino-power-amplifier-reviewed/

“....the MEGAschino is definitely the most uncolored power amplifier I've ever heard. That doesn't mean it sounds sterile or lacking in complexity. No, what you get is music--straight, with no chaser, as Thelonious Monk would say.”
-Steven Stone
Home Theater Review