What is the MEGAschino Cherry ?

AmpDesigner333 · « **on:** 24 Apr 2017, 04:19 pm »

Introducing the MEGAschino Cherry Amplifier!

Here's an "old" Cherry PLUS amplifier. It is one of several versions of what we call the "Classic Cherry"....

We started producing the DAC4800A amplifier in 2006. It was a pro-sumer type product with a Run/Stand-By toggle button and Power/Clip/Protect/Run LEDs on the front. We later put the LEDs inside (they shine through the lid vent holes) and added a red anodized 3/8" thick brushed aluminum faceplate. This was our first Cherry Amplifier®. Later, we moved to a simple lineup: Stereo or MONO and Standard or ULTRA. Several faceplate options were added, like silver, black, and even cherry wood. We still make these amplifiers today. The ULTRA versions have 1500W transformers and GOLD WBT posts with improved output filters and double power supply capacitance on the MONO ULTRA version.

After years of successful production and great reviews, we introduced the Maraschino Amplifier. The Maraschino was a new circuit design able to reach 100kHz bandwidth with end-to-end DC coupling for response down to 0Hz and no bass phase shift. The ground of the amplifier is locked to the preamp (or DAC) ground to eliminate hum and ground noise. The result? Customers and pro reviewers alike praise the Maraschino for sonics that go way beyond today's cookie-cutter "me-too" module based high-end amplifiers.

The Maraschino Amplifier product line grew to include Desktop Maraschino, a new shape for monoblock amplifiers, In-Line Maraschino, amplifiers so light, you can hang them from your speakers, yet so powerful, they can deliver up to 1000W into 1.8Ω, and Stereo Maraschino, an integrated amp with front and back inputs plus volume control. All of these are powered by external switching power supplies, until now. We are now offering an external linear power supply as part of our rewards on this project, but back to the matter at hand....

Although the Maraschino's power delivery into 4Ω is an admirable 400W (with 60V 1kW power supply), what if you crave even more power with that signature super-clean-and-fast Maraschino sound? How about more than double the power?

Enter the MEGAschino amplifier: Maraschino sound with Classic Cherry power. Through years of R&D, we were able to build a new, high-voltage version of the Maraschino. This was no easy feat. With this new design, we are able to provide all the benefits of the Maraschino design with the voltage and current carrying capability of the Classic Cherry, and MORE! With even lower output impedance and wider pulse differentials, you can get approximately 10% more power into your speakers from the same power supply.

As with the Classic Cherry The MEGAschino uses an internal large toroidal transformer (no external power supply) in a built-like-a-tank 16 gauge steel chassis.

This graph shows the difference in sonic performance versus power output of the Cherry Classic, Maraschino, and new MEGAschino:

The MEGAschino is ONLY available through our current Kickstarter project at this time. The cost of getting yours will go WAY up once we get into production.

PLUS.... You're in luck if you're a Classic Cherry owner! We are also offering a motherboard upgrade reward to convert your amp to a MEGAschino (browse the rewards).

Here's our current Kickstarter project, Maraschino Video Series:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/378044010/maraschino-video-series

Thanks.

-Tommy O

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 May 2017, 11:14 pm »

Preliminary power output of MEGAschino:

These are conservative numbers. We expect between 900W and 1000W with the 1800W transformer (these were available for a limited time, but we may start making them again), and probably 900W+ with the 1500W models. That's into 4 ohms.

n2djazz · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Aug 2017, 01:54 am »

so, is the 1500W transformer equipped Cherry Ultra the same as the MEGAschino?

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Aug 2017, 10:02 am »

Quote from: n2djazz on 19 Aug 2017, 01:54 am

so, is the 1500W transformer equipped Cherry Ultra the same as the MEGAschino?

Had to modify this answer.... No, it's not. The MEGAschino is a new design. It LOOKS the same from the outside, and has similar power output (MEGA puts out more power with the same transformer). However, the MEGAschino has much more bandwidth (150kHz), is DC coupled, has true balanced outputs, and lower output impedance than Classic Cherry Amps. The MEGAschino uses the same modulation circuitry as Maraschino. The sound is like Maraschino, but with higher output power.

Thanks for your post.

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Sep 2017, 03:46 am »

We had to divide the design into two boards. There was just not enough room on one!

So.... The first board is complete, and we're working on the second one now, maybe about 2 weeks from the prototyping phase.

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Nov 2017, 01:10 pm »

Quote from: AmpDesigner333 on 19 Sep 2017, 03:46 am

We had to divide the design into two boards. There was just not enough room on one!

So.... The first board is complete, and we're working on the second one now, maybe about 2 weeks from the prototyping phase.

Quick update: The Channel Boards checked out. Measurements were better than expected. We're getting the Motherboards soon (less than 2 weeks) for testing. So, we're almost there! Just a few things to do on the side, like the faceplates (for new MEGAschinos, not the upgrades which will use the original plates)....

-Tommy O

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Jan 2018, 06:19 pm »

Listening to the first pair of MEGAschino MONOs! This pair (boards and transformers on the table) is already SOLD....

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Jan 2018, 06:20 pm »

Official MEGAschino announcement (prices and more) this week! It will be sent to our newsletter subscribers, so sign up (takes about 10 seconds) here if you're not already:
http://bit.ly/1G8bsxZ

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #8 on:** 2 Jan 2018, 05:38 pm »

Quote from: AmpDesigner333 on 1 Jan 2018, 06:20 pm

Official MEGAschino announcement (prices and more) this week! It will be sent to our newsletter subscribers, so sign up (takes about 10 seconds) here if you're not already:
http://bit.ly/1G8bsxZ

Official release only two hours ago and we're already getting pummeled (in a good way) with inquiries! To those who have contacted us: Thank you for your patience.

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #9 on:** 2 Jan 2018, 05:42 pm »

MEGA Channel Boards ready....

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #10 on:** 2 Jan 2018, 05:48 pm »

Stereo MEGAschino Motherboard with two Channel Boards attached (vertically).

Don_S · « **Reply #11 on:** 2 Jan 2018, 05:52 pm »

Quote from: AmpDesigner333 on 2 Jan 2018, 05:38 pm

Official release only two hours ago and we're already getting pummeled (in a good way) with inquiries! To those who have contacted us: Thank you for your patience.

More information in the email release or on your website would have probably saved you some headaches.

Simple things that I would like to know. e.g. price, weight. No, I do not buy amps by the pound but I have an upper weight limit. Above that I don't give an amp a second thought.

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #12 on:** 2 Jan 2018, 06:06 pm »

Quote from: Don_S on 2 Jan 2018, 05:52 pm

More information in the email release or on your website would have probably saved you some headaches.

Simple things that I would like to know. e.g. price, weight. No, I do not buy amps by the pound but I have an upper weight limit. Above that I don't give an amp a second thought.

We will be sending out a product sheet that covers all the bases. Newsletter subscribers who express interest get the info first. There are customers (also subscribers) that have waited years for this amp. Thanks for posting here.

Oh, weight is 42 lbs max across the MEGA product line.

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #13 on:** 2 Jan 2018, 06:15 pm »

We were asked what brands of speakers have likely symmetry with MEGAschino amps.

Here's a list:
Magnepan
Martin Logan
Von S (I don't dare spell it)
JTR
GR Research
Legacy
KEF
B&W

If someone would like to help out and add the links to these companies, that would be greatly appreciated (:

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #14 on:** 2 Jan 2018, 08:02 pm »

Yes, we are still offering upgrades for Classic Cherry Owners! We simply replace the "guts" (boards), but use the same chassis, transformer, and connectors....

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #15 on:** 5 Jan 2018, 11:11 pm »

Updated Jan 25th.

See here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=149935.msg1661489#msg1661489

KLH007 · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 Jan 2018, 04:21 pm »

Tommy, VSA ( Von Schweikert) are a definite match, and from personal experience the Endeavor brand, which is now a VSA brand, can be added to your list of synergistic speakers. I had your In Line Maraschino (ILM) mono amps in house driving the Endeavor E-3 Mk IIs ($8K/pr), using the 4" ultra short speaker cables you supplied and the results were wonderful. The bass control and dynamic excitement were the best I experienced with the E-3s, they seemed to go deeper with chest pounding impact while delineating the bass lines easily, tight powerful low end is an apt description. The soundstage was wide and deep, instruments separated nicely, vocals were focused dead center at the correct height and sounding real, and the top end had the right amount of sparkle and extension, something no Class D amp in my home had done before, nice design Tommy. The ILMs I had were paired with the 48V power supply, not the big boy 60V, so even more performance is available, and now Tommy announces the MEGAschino line, I'll have to hear these sometime. Thanks Tommy for not resting on your laurels and pressing onward for uber performance.
Kemper

carmaniac13 · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 Jan 2018, 08:20 pm »

I had a chance to visit Tommy last week and listen to the new MEGAschino monos. He had them hooked up to JTR Noesis 210RTs, speakers that can readily take advantage of the tremendous power on tap.

The combination produced an effortless and invisible reproduction of everything we listened to. The JTRs offered razor sharp imaging, and the MEGAschinos got out of the way and just delivered to the JTRs whatever was sent to them from the DAC DAC HS and Squeezebox Touch source. Regardless of the volume, from whisper quiet to deafeningly loud (110dB measured at the listening position, and we didn't turn it up all the way), the system maintained a realistic finesse that sets this equipment apart from the competition. The sound pressure this setup can reach is deceptive, because there's absolutely NO strain or distortion. Lows remain tight and well controlled, maintaining tonal balance and good punch at any volume, and highs stay articulate and refined, with zero harshness.

Tommy has another winning product, delivering on his goal of complete transparency and ultimate control of whatever speaker load you decide to feed, with a bottomless pit of power to play at any volume you dare.

GETRDUN · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 Jan 2018, 09:06 pm »

It would be interesting to know how these MEGAschino amps would compare to Mike's (Mavaria Audio) Icepower 1200AS2 amps being offered at this link: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=153645.0

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #19 on:** 11 Jan 2018, 11:02 pm »

Once people start receiving Mike's amps I suspect you'll hear some good things about them... But how good are they compared to the Maraschino's and MEGAchino's is another question. Tommy has been doing Class D for a long time. And he doesn't source off the shelf chips from anyone.