eAR 202 Acoustic Reality $499 vs other digital amps

lirender · « **on:** 6 Jan 2005, 09:29 pm »

Anyone heard/ordered this amp? I know many Acoustic Reality posts are controversial, but at $499 this ICEpower amp (around twice cost of the JVC F10 on clearance at amazon for $230 shipped) seems worth the risk.

The specs are:

ear 202: Specifications per channel
• 200W @ 0.2% THD+N, 10Hz – 20kHz, 4 ohm
• 230W @ 1% THD+N, 10Hz – 20kHz, 4 ohm
• 290W @ 10% THD+N, 10Hz – 20kHz, 4 ohm
• 100W @ 0.2% THD+N, 10Hz – 20kHz, 8 ohm
• 130W @ 1% THD+N, 10Hz – 20kHz, 8 ohm
• 110dBA dynamic range, 200W @ 4 ohm
• THD+N = 0.006% @ 1W, 8.,1kHz
• THD+N < 0.2%, 0.1W – 200W, 4 ohm.
• Input Impedance = 11 kOhm.
• 79 % total efficiency @ 200W, 4 ohm.
• Upper bandwidth limit (-3dB): 65kHz @ 8 ohm, 45kHz @ 4 ohm
• Lower bandwidth limit (-3dB): 3,5 Hz
• Abs. output impedance: 10 mOhm
• CCIF Intermodulation distortion: 0.0005%, 10W/4ohm 14kHz/15kHz
• Transient intermodulation (TIM): 0.004%
• Damping factor: 4000, 100Hz, 8 ohm
• Minimum load impedance: 3 ohm
• Gain: 27 dB
• Output referenced idle noise: 90 µV
• Intelligent Universal mains select: 85 to 265 Volt AC
• Stand-by power consumption: 0.5 Watt per channel

• Size (w x h x d): 215mm x 65mm x 350mm
• Size (w x h x d): 8,4 x 2,56 x 13,8 inch
• Weight: 2,5 kg (5 lbs)

JVC RX-F10:
100 watts per channel x 2 (into 8 ohms, 40 Hz to 20 kHz, with less than 0.8 percent THD); 100 watts per channel x 6 (into 8 ohms, 40 Hz to 1kHz, with less than 0.8 percent THD)

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Jan 2005, 10:06 pm »

If specs-per-$ were the only thing that mattered, we'd all own Kia's for vehicles.

The ear 202 may be excellent (don't know); the JVC is just one great value at that cost. Don't worry about the specs, no on yet has detected any serious deficiency vis-a-vis the cost outlay.

Enjoy your choice, either way

_scotty_ · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Jan 2005, 10:49 pm »

Sorry all, I just proved that I really can't see or read with my new glasses.
Nevermind. Scotty

lirender · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Jan 2005, 11:49 pm »

Thanks for the input and nice reviews on the JVC ChairGuy. Scotty, I appreciate the feedback, but the eAR 202 spec indicates 100W into 8 ohm and 200W into 4 ohm (for the same THD).

• 200W @ 0.2% THD+N, 10Hz – 20kHz, 4 ohm
• 230W @ 1% THD+N, 10Hz – 20kHz, 4 ohm
• 290W @ 10% THD+N, 10Hz – 20kHz, 4 ohm
• 100W @ 0.2% THD+N, 10Hz – 20kHz, 8 ohm
• 130W @ 1% THD+N, 10Hz – 20kHz, 8 ohm

Quote from: _scotty_

Some things to consider, the amp does not double its output into 4ohms.
This means it behaves less like a voltage source amp than one that keeps
doubling its power as the load impedance is cut in half. This may impact its ability to drive difficult loads. It may also affect the bass reproduction and dynamic life the amp has. Just guessing here but the amp appears to be current limiting at about 15amps or so into the load. This is more than enough to melt most drivers on a steady state basis. On a d ...

Rocket · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Jan 2005, 12:43 am »

Hi,

I've read a lot of Peter's posts and personally i wouldn't bother purchasing a product from him. If you have any problems you will have to ship the amp back to Europe.

The price is right but....

Regards

Rocket

Jay S · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 Jan 2005, 12:54 am »

I am guessing that this amp uses the latest version of the ICEpower modules with switching power supplies and doesn't have the circuit tweaks or linear power supply that Peter's more expensive amps have. But, even stock versions of the latest ICEpower modules have gotten good reviews. I would love to know how this $499 amp compares with his 1st generation amps... which were over $2k.

I am a fan of Peter's amps since I've had mine for 2+ years now and have found it to be an excellent performer. Many people have been unhappy with the service from Peter but its not all bad - I've had a positive experience. My amp was actually DOA since a connector somehow managed to work itself loose during shipping. Peter sent me a replacement amp via DHL at his cost even before getting the first one back from me (which I shipped to him at his cost). Shipping between Hong Kong and Denmark is not cheap...

By the way, if you want bang for the buck, its hard to beat the JVC. Not only is it half the price, you also save on buying a preamp, an interconnect and a power cable. I am planning on getting a used JVC for a tv room. A friend of mine just got one and he's quite happy with it.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 Jan 2005, 03:12 am »

I can't believe Peter's selling those amps that cheap. Are you sure? He used to boast he was gonna charge so much us "losers" wouldn't even be able to afford to look at the pictures. Has he fallen on hard times?

Sure seems worth a try for that price. Hopefully you won't need to have them serviced.

JLM · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 Jan 2005, 11:00 am »

Peter is nothing if not wildly inconsistent.

This is the sort of product offering (midrange power rating at a reasonable price) I'd hoped would become available as the digital technology matured a bit.

jpsartre · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 Jan 2005, 01:30 pm »

Why get scammed by Peter for $499? I'll scam you for only $199.95. Seriously, the guy would yell at you if you asked for support at $2K, I can't imagine what he'll do to you if you ask for support at $499 (send in a Danish dominatrix to punish you?)

doug s. · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 Jan 2005, 04:30 pm »

i'd be a buyer, if they were free. but only if the seller picked up the shipping costs.

doug s.

jackman · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Jan 2005, 05:26 pm »

If shipping isn't crazy, I may just get one of these. The price is right and I like the look. Won't work well with my current speakers, however. I left peter an email, we'll see what happens.

J

doug s. · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Jan 2005, 05:40 pm »

Quote from: jackman

If shipping isn't crazy, I may just get one of these. The price is right and I like the look. Won't work well with my current speakers, however. I left peter an email, we'll see what happens.

J

yure dealing w/the devil, j-man!

good luck,

doug s.

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 Jan 2005, 05:42 pm »

I have not heard the AER amps and am not familar with any issues regarding customer service but if you are concerned with geogrpahy and shipping why not try the flying moles, the channel islands digital monos or even the Boulder cable amps.

I bought the moles on a lark as a temporary replacement and they have stayed in my system for over a year.

good luck

DeanSheen · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 Jan 2005, 05:59 pm »

Jackman prob. want to go with the EARS since he heard ver 1.0 of the 2k implementation @ Marbles a couple years ago.

Those rocked, hard.

Please someone buy these. I would love to hear that Peter got them right. I think we have all been waiting for the trickle down of good cheap digital amps and uhhh I'm quite sure these are much better sounding than the Pannys. I have a stock Panny, ehhh not so good...... & I'd rather buy a finished dedicated seperate than pump $600 into a cheapie all in one box.

...... but thats just me!

DS

jackman · « **Reply #14 on:** 7 Jan 2005, 08:26 pm »

Guys,
Don't get me wrong, I'm in no hurry go get a new amp. I'm perfectly happy with my AVA Fetvalve, but those silver boxes and dual mono Acoustic-Reality amps look very cool. Plus, on paper, they look very good. I'd love to hear them first, and Peter's track record with some people scares me a bit, but we're not talking about $3,000. These are $499 and pretty cheap to deliver because they are compact and lightweight. They also use normal speaker connectors. Unless they blow up upon delivery, you could easily use these and sell them for close to what you paid.

I would like to try some of the others, but some are twice the price and others are not powerful enough. If this amp sounds anything like his Gen 1 amps, it looks to be a great value. Compared to the other Ice amps on the market, it's a steal. It would be difficult to DIY an amp with similar performance, on paper, for this price. Plus, it looks cooler than 99% of the DIY amps I have seen. Just thinking out loud.

Dean: why don't you get it and save us from taking the chance!

I'm close to making some major changes in my system and this doesn't fit in at the moment!

J

DeanSheen · « **Reply #15 on:** 7 Jan 2005, 08:45 pm »

Well Jackman, my system isnt near optimized yet. Next up are IC's, Speaker Cables, JR Box and have the electrician finish hooking up the 2 dedicated circuits..............

But once I get that done......... look out!

Jay S · « **Reply #16 on:** 8 Jan 2005, 12:38 am »

Jackman,

I agree with you. I have a Mk 1 and would love to get an idea of how this $499 amp compares.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #17 on:** 8 Jan 2005, 07:37 am »

Website link for Acoustic Reality.

albee · « **Reply #18 on:** 9 Jan 2005, 02:41 am »

I attempted to calculate shipping to my address at Audiogon's listing for the 202. I chose fedex and it gave me around $250 without customs! Could this thing be a $Kilobuck item depending on how fast you want it?

cjr888 · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 Jan 2005, 09:09 am »

I wouldn't worry about it based on your FedEx quote. For international, at least when I had my EAR2, Peter relied on DHL. From Denmark to NJ, it was an overnight afair from order, and with a second order, there was an address mixed up DHL's part and they much, much more accomadating than FedEx or UPS has ever been.

Outside of this shipping was much cheaper than what FedEx quoted you.