New digital amp?

warnerwh · « **on:** 11 Jan 2005, 03:45 am »

What's the word on this. Power, price and input impedance. Please keep that input impedance high for my ARC pre.

mdconnelly · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Jan 2005, 01:07 pm »

I'll second that request... I had hopes to hear Henry Ho's iceH20 amp in my rig until I discovered that it's low 10K input impedance would be a bad match for my ARC SP9 preamp. I'm eager to hear more about the Odyssey digital amp as well.

Regnad · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Jan 2005, 06:50 pm »

I am discovering (only from reading) that the best switching amps seem to have linear power supplies (like the H2O). Is this even known about the upcoming Odyssey amp?

Does the ICE module have its own input stage, or is it added/modded? What do you think that Henry has done to cause this "low" input impedance?

mdconnelly · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 Jan 2005, 07:00 pm »

While I don't pretend to understand the details, Henry did attribute the low input impedance design to the ICE modules he's using.

warnerwh · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 Jan 2005, 10:05 pm »

I know I've emailed Klaus about this twice this last year and he's spent alot of time on R&D. Took him a long time to get it to sound what he was happy with. Don't quote me but I believe a 500wpc amp was to be priced around 1500. Input impedance on my LS 16 is my main concern. Balanced in's would be nice. Input impedance needs to be at least 40k.

mdconnelly · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 Jan 2005, 10:19 pm »

Right... my SP9 specs state:

Recommended load: 60k-100k ohms in parallel with 100pF (20k ohms
minimum and 1000pF maximum)

rosconey · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Jan 2005, 05:14 pm »

a few weeks ago klaus told me he was waiting for the boards-

muralman1 · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Jan 2005, 01:58 am »

I don't think any two H2O owners have the same preamp. Also, as much as one might be in love with a preamp, the H2O is worth the sacrifice, IMHO.

BTW, I believe the impedance of an ICE amp is governed by the ICE module, just like all the specs.

Watch to see if Klaus uses the ASP module, with it's built in digital power supply.

zybar · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Jan 2005, 02:29 am »

Quote from: mdconnelly

I'll second that request... I had hopes to hear Henry Ho's iceH20 amp in my rig until I discovered that it's low 10K input impedance would be a bad match for my ARC SP9 preamp. I'm eager to hear more about the Odyssey digital amp as well.

The Rowland 201 amps had an impedance of 40k and worked very well with a passive preamp (Bent NOH).

Personally, I liked the 201's over the H20 in a very limited comparison in my system (under less than optimal conditions).

Why not check with Klaus and see about an in-house audition to be sure? Klaus makes excellent gear and I am sure his digital amp will be quite good.

George

muralman1 · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 08:40 pm »

Zybar,

You heard the H2O briefly using a passive preamp. The H2O sounds much better with an active preamp. I'm glad your Rowlands work well with your passive preamp.

The H2O amps will be powering Analysis speakers at the NY Home Electronics Show. I hope you can attend. Clement Perry, of Stereo Times, heard the Analysis/H2O combo. He was very impressed by the sound. So much so, he called just about everyone he knew. A friend of mine received one of those calls. He said Clement was excited.