Up for sale; is my excellent ARC DS-450 power amp.
This amp, is a real outlier in my opinion. It has all of the
pluses of class-D: HUGE power, quiet as a whisper. Cool and efficient; yet...it doesn't sound, like any of the other class-D amps I've tried.
I even had a 300.2 before this; there is NO comparison! Then again...I've never had a class-D unit, this big and heavy before; so I can only assume, the fact that ARC uses a big, honking ANALOG power-supply (thus, it's Hybrid designation)...results in it being different and superior, to any class-D I've tried before.
Here's how
ARC puts it:
The DS450 is a blend of two design approaches. The power supply is a classic linear, analog supply, heavily regulated
and scaled up to provide explosive dynamics and impact. Its 1239 joules of energy storage are twice that found in the
DSi200. Dynamic power is 900 watts into 8 ohms, 1800 into 4 ohms, and 2800 into 2 ohms, meaning the DS450 can
control those big, tough-to-drive speaker systems.
The output stage is a high-speed pulse-width modulated (analog) switching design that also builds on the proven formula
in the DSi200, but with twice the number of 500W power-mosfet output devices in each channel. With a 400 kHz
switching duty cycle, the output stage stays cool under the toughest loads. With approximately 93% power efficiency,
the DS450 is "green" and has earned an ENERGY STAR certification. Want a high-power amp that you can safely store
inside a cabinet without worrying about heat buildup? The DS450 is the answer. Because it idles at only 55 watts, the
DS450 can be left on continuously for best performance.
That's not a misprint; this thing, has a TON of power. It NEVER sounds strained or flustered, no matter how hard you push it. But...does that mean it's all muscle, and no music(ality)? Not at all. I won't dare say "iron fist in a velvet glove"...lol; velvet glove sounds too dainty anyway. I've had gear, that's was a little too finesse. That ain't me. I like tone, and body; and some PRaT (or as I like to call it; BOOGIE!)...and the DS-450 gives you that, in spades.
Mates perfectly, with ARC pre-amps (I'd recommend LS-26 or up); but I also used it with a very nice Ayre...and even drove it decently, with my DAC. It also mates well, with a variety of speakers. I tried Dynaudio, Harbeth, PMC, KEF; and it absolutely kicked the sh*t, out of a pair of Aerial Acoustics 6Ts I tried!
You get the idea: it's great...try it! This one is in near perfect condition. I can't find a mark; but I'll look close, when I take more pics (these are just from when I snapped a few, when I first un-boxed it). 8/10 is to be conservative (hence my perfect feedback...at Audiogon; I under-promise, over-deliver...not the other way around)...and because I am not the first owner (though I'd have to check; I think I bought it as a demo).
$9,000 list; I'll take
$4k, after expenses. Buyer to pay actual s&h; add 3% for PayPal, unless you want to discuss FnF. Drop me a line, to talk turkey...or shop; never mind, shooting the breeze...with a fellow 'phile.
