[mr_bill]

Any comments on the son of ampzilla and how it performs?
What is the cost of this amp and how much power into 8, 4, 2 ohms?
Can it drive a bigger floorstander such as Revel Studios?
Thanks,
Bill

[Brian Cheney]

Price $3250
125W/ch in 8 Ohms
200W/ch into 4
not rated into 2 Ohms

Drives the VMPS 40 very well.

[John Casler]

Hi Bill,

As Big B, states it drives large speakers quite well and is definately the best amp I have heard with VMPS.

I have one on order (should arrive any day now) and when it does a couple friends and I will be doing a "shoot out" between it and the Rowland 201's.  One of them will have RM/x speakers and the other Wilson Sophias.

From what I have heard in the past, from top to bottom it has a very natural tone quality.

The transformer is "directly wired" to the power cord so it does not allow for aftermarket power cord experimentation.

[JoshK]

Excuse my somewhat frank question, but why the h**l did he choose the connectors he did?   I mean I thought that 1/4" phone connectors were pretty poor connectors but were used only for convenience.   What not XLR or RCA instead.  Just seems really odd and non-standard for what seems like no good reason.

[jgubman]

Comes w/ XLR and 1/4" phono. I agree, the choice of phono input seems strange and more typical of "pro" gear than "audiophile" gear.

However, I've listened to the amp on several occasions on Big B's reference rig (Krell/Wadia front-end -> SOA -> RM-40) and it is the real deal.

[John B]

I mean I thought that 1/4" phone connectors were pretty poor connectors but were used only for convenience. What not XLR or RCA instead. Just seems really odd and non-standard for what seems like no good reason.

From what I understand the Ampzilla monoblocs used a switch to go between XLR and RCA functionality, however this switch was not good for the overall sonics.   The phone connection on the SOA allowed for a dual purpose XLR/un-balanced input slot, that was much better for the overall sonics.   I have an unbalanced tube pre-amp that has killer sound quality, so I use a custom built RCA to Phone IC that was made for me by Grover Huffman.   There was a significant leap in sound quality once I replaced the IC I was using, with the screw on Phone adaptor, with the custom job.   One of these days I'm going to experiment with a balanced pre just to see if there's much difference.

[JoshK]

Oops!  I took a closer look at the pictures of the back of the Son on the ampzilla website.



I see now that this connector allows for either a XLR or a 1/4" phono plug.  I thought this was just a 1/4".  Ok, so now it looks reasonable and I understand the logic.

[KJ]

John (Casler),

If I recall correctly, you have used Bryston in the past with VMPS speakers as well.  Any chance you could add one of the SSTs to your "shoot out" or is that not really an apples to apples comparison?  I've never had the luxury to hear either the Rowlands or SOAs (just the good reviews).  If it's not appropriate to comment on that publicly, my apologies.

-KJ

[ctviggen]

Are you going to switch amps between VMPS and Wilsons?  That would be an interesting shootout.   The amps are an interesting shootout, as I like Jeff Rowland gear.  Comparing a VMPS with a Wilson would be fun, too.

[mr_bill]

Thanks for all the info so far.
I had a pair of Rowland 201's and would love to hear how the SOA compares to them.
Thanks,
Bill

[ctviggen]

My Bryston has those same connectors.

[DVV]

Just a wee bit o' history here.

James Bongiorno started out as an engineer with Dynaco. He later cofounded SAE (the elders here will remember, we all coveted them!), left them, cofounded GAS (Great American Sound, most famous model Ampzilla), left them, had a stint with cancer, beat the bugger, founded another company, Sumo, had another stint with cancer and beat the bugger again, and is now back with his Ampzilla range.

While I've never met him in person, I have been exchanging messages with James for some years now. He's an old grouch, but in essence, he has a stupendous mind, leaves you breathless sometimes.

For example, he invented fully complementary circuitry some 33 years ago, something we take for granted today, not to mention such trifles as DC servo and quite a few other circuits, again taken for granted today.

In short, this is a truly extraordinary man, and one I most gladly take my hat off to. Probably because of my better than usual knowledge of the man behind the product, one thing I'll guarantee is that there is NOTHING on that product that doesn't need to be there. He's too smart, too experienced to throw in something he's not convinced of. And what James thinks of audio fashon of today is best not repeated in polite company.

So, while all this should make it clear that James has a right to be respected, by the same token, don't expect the usual fare from him. Expect the unexpected, and these days, truly great amplfiers appear at the rate of wisdom teeth. But when they do appear, you can bet your last cent one of the two or three best ones will be from James Bongiorno. Most probably THE best one.

One of the last audio giants.

Cheers,
DVV

[John Casler]

John (Casler),

If I recall correctly, you have used Bryston in the past with VMPS speakers as well.  Any chance you could add one of the SSTs to your "shoot out" or is that not really an apples to apples comparison?  I've never had the luxury to hear either the Rowlands or SOAs (just the good reviews).  If it's not appropriate to comment on that publicly, my apologies.

-KJ

Hi KJ,

Well you may get your wish (sort of) since KeithR, my friend with the Sophias also has a Bryston.  I tried to call James tonight, but he was on the other line to the Orient, where his amps are selling like hotcakes, and couldn't talk.

I don't think (as with most other components) that our comparisons will define a clear cut "winner", but we may be able to hear the differences, strenghts and weaknesses of each.

We will also be able to see which one(s) feed our personal listening preferences.

[John Casler]

Are you going to switch amps between VMPS and Wilsons?  That would be an interesting shootout.   The amps are an interesting shootout, as I like Jeff Rowland gear.  Comparing a VMPS with a Wilson would be fun, too.

We won't be able to quite do that.  The Sophias and the VMPS system (mine) are in two different rooms, but we should be able to compare the amps "switched" back and fourth on each speaker.

[zybar]

Hi KJ,

Well you may get your wish (sort of) since KeithR, my friend with the Sophias also has a Bryston.  I tried to call James tonight, but he was on the other line to the Orient, where his amps are selling like hotcakes, and couldn't talk.

I don't think (as with most other components) that our comparisons will define a clear cut "winner", but we may be able to hear the differences, strenghts and weaknesses of each.

We will also be able to see which one(s) feed our personal listening preferences.

John,

There is a Keithr on Audiogon selling a pair of 201's:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1098546705

Is this your buddy?

Has he compared the 201's to something and decided he liked the other amp better?

Just curious as always...

George

[KJ]

Well you may get your wish (sort of) since KeithR, my friend with the Sophias also has a Bryston.

I don't think (as with most other components) that our comparisons will define a clear cut "winner", but we may be able to hear the differences, strengths and weaknesses of each.

Sounds great!  Looking forward to everyone's review(s).

-KJ

[John Casler]

John,

There is a Keithr on Audiogon selling a pair of 201's:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1098546705

Is this your buddy?

Has he compared the 201's to something and decided he liked the other amp better?

Just curious as always...

George

Yes he is the one, however Shokunin also has some 201s we can use if KeithR's sell before the comparison.

And he hasn't even heard the SOA yet!!

I'll let KeithR detail what amp he is keeping (or going to) and why, if he stops in to this thread.

[Horizons]

With all due respect to the Ampzilla/VMPS dealers, I would humbly suggest trying a 30 year old GAS Son on any high end rig. These old Sons are NOT embarrassed by anything made today.

James B. is a genius. The simple truth is that amp design has changed very little over the last 30 years and most of the parts improvements do not have a major sonic impact.

I'll tell you what would make a good shootout - any and all high end amps competing with a rebuilt GAS Son. Prepare to be stunned!!!

[JoshK]

George,

He is the same Keith.   Keith is a cool dude, we used to have get togethers over at his place back when he lived here in NYC.  That is how I already know Jetson.

[alotaklipsch]

With all due respect to the Ampzilla/VMPS dealers, I would humbly suggest trying a 30 year old GAS Son on any high end rig. These old Sons are NOT embarrassed by anything made today.

James B. is a genius. The simple truth is that amp design has changed very little over the last 30 years and most of the parts improvements do not have a major sonic impact.

I'll tell you what would make a good shootout - any and all high end amps competing with a rebuilt GAS Son. Prepare to be stunned!!!

Man oh man, ampzilla, son of ampzilla, theobe, brings back a lot of memories from my college days.  2 sons bi-amped with Dalquist dq10's was pretty hot back then, ampzilla with Klipsch Cornwalls kicked A$$ .

When an ex girlfriend packed up and left in '86' she took my beloved sons, ampzilla, theobe, dalquist, and klipsch with her, along with my lp collection of 3500 mint vynal....makes me sick to think about it forget about my clothes, and furniture, those were more easily replaced.  

Really, how good is the NEW Ampzilla's?  I have been using tubes recently, but would love to check THESE out. I live in the Chicago area..
anyone around here wanna email me for a listen?

Steve