The NEW DCA 33 amplifier is high performance audio that was cutting edge with design concepts a decade ahead of everyone else. Forget those battery powered chip amps that are good for 30 or 40 watts a channel, but cannot drive low impedance loads. This amp is based on the Nelson Pass A40 circuit, which is a constant current source design and discrete output devices that can handle real world impedance loads....not a chip. Here is a link to Nelson discussing the simplicity and beauty of this circuit.
http://cygnus.ipal.org/mirror/www.passlabs.com/a75pass.htmThe DCA 33 is a pure Class A design good for 33 wpc into 8 ohms, 66 wpc into 4 ohms and 120 wpc into 2 ohms. This is a two piece amplifier package where four SLA batteries are held in a cabinet that sits under the amplifier. The beauty of the battery system is that you get pure power supplied to the amplifier which sets the foundation for remarkable sound quality. With this amplifier you do not need an expensive power conditioner, as the batteries take care of that job. Most affordable power conditioners cannot handle the current draw of a large solid state amp, or a Class A one, so you have to spend a significant amount of money to get one that can. This amp has as low a noise floor as can be achieved, with excellent imaging properties, and a very balanced tonal presentation. In many ways it is on par with my expensive tube amp, but with stronger and more solid bass response.
This amp is in excellent shape, the amp chassis is as close to perfect as I have seen. No dings, dents, or scratches. Actually the previous owner stored it for quite awhile as he fell on difficult times and did not have a stereo set up. The wood base is made of painted MDF, and there are some scratches on the top, and a chip on the bottom. Still very presentable, and nothing that will be noticed when installed in the system. Giving it a quick refinish is an easy job if you choose to do so. The batteries have been replaced and are six months old.
Shipping this amplifier is a bit more complicated than sending out a traditional amp. With the batteries installed the entire amp package weighs around 90 pounds. from previous information I have read, there is a good chance the batteries will damage the box if left inside during shipping. The best way to facilitate this is to ship the batteries in two large USPS Priority boxes, and send the amp and battery box on via USPS or Fed Ex Ground. The batteries will arrive before the amp. Yes shipping costs are a bit higher for this amp than a traditional one, but the sound quality you get versus the price you are buying this amp for makes it worth it.
Price is $450
This amp originally sold for $1900 in the early 1990's. Build it today with a fancier battery case and amplifier chassis and you are talking a $5000 amplifier. Perhaps their would be some refinements added to the circuit, but at quite a cost hike. For a modest price you get a pure Class A amp with a Nelson Pass designed circuit and a wicked power supply.. Yes shipping costs are a bit more, its going to be 70 or 80 bucks, maybe a bit more depending on where you live. But you get high performance sound for a fraction of what a current production amp would cost. Sorry about the quality of pics, the cell phone camera is just not up to snuff for sharp detail.
You can check my feedback under Audiogon as I am Neonknight there.
