Some of y'all may have heard a small set of monoblocks at the NY Rave this last weekend. So what is the deal with those, you ask.
We have made several custom 5-channel amps for our private customers. We had the idea one day to take the guts of one channel, put it into a small, inexpensive chassis, and see if it had legs. The idea was primarily for Home Theater systems. Not everyone has the room, or desire, to mount a large box for 5 channels. We felt that perhaps some people would rather have a small monoblock that they could mount next to their speakers, with short speaker leads, and concealed from view. They might want to run 5 interconnects around their HT room, as opposed to 5, big, fat, thick speaker cables that can be a pain when it comes to WAF. Since the amp would be out of view, aesthetics would not be a major issue. This would allow us to sell a 5-channel system for around $2500, as opposed to $3500 for an "all-in-one" 5-channel version. So, that is how it came about.
The next logical progression was to see if had legs for a "budget" stereo system. So, we enlisted the help of TV Yankee, or "Krusty the Clown" if you prefer. (I haven't asked Dave which he prefers, but we all watch every episode of The Simpsons whenever one comes on......................)
So there you have it: a small monoblock for $500. Or $2500 for all 5 channels. Let me anticipate some of your questions:
"How does it sound? Compare it to your expensive model."
It sounds very similar. It uses a different module. Not because of sound, or performance, or stuff like that. It is because it is the only technology we found that will work in a very small enclosure.
"How can it sound close if it is a different technology?"
We feel that a lot of the new generation Class D modules share a family resemblance. The guys who design the modules don't like me saying that, but let us assume that after I work on them that they do.
Yes, there are subtle differences. While you may hear them, you would be challenged to say which is which. Or which you prefer. The differences are not as great as you might expect. The biggest difference, as it stands today, is that the small monoblocks will sound a bit brighter (or less laid back) when compared to the Velluto series. That is something that I designed in, as our experience leads us to believe that the HT crowd wants a more forward presentation than the stereo crowd does. So, if you get the chance to audition them, you should keep that in the back of your mind. (Whether it will stay that way, or if there will be toned down version.........we are getting ahead of ourselves.)
"So, are you going to put this into production? And speaking of which, when are you ever going to finish all the various 5-channel versions that you have been promising?"
This should be in production soon. The 5-channel ones............well.........
I have made my share of chassis with screw holes in the wrong place for one year. So, let me use circumlocution to sidestep that issue by stating that first and foremost that we are a stereo equipment company. That will eventually migrate to the Home Theater market. We have built stereo equipment for around 20 years now, and sometimes change takes longer than one would hope. Did I dodge that question sufficiently?
There is a brief description of the new amp, which we call the Vellutino, on our site. It is not long on description, probably contains some errors, just like the rest of the site. But when you turn EEs loose, stuff like that happens. (Would you rather that I spend my time writing html, or finishing chassis designs? Or doing it myself, and taking the money a professional web designer would want to buy parts to develop new stuff?)
http://www.analogresearch-technology.com/vellut~1.htmlAny other questions????
Pat
