Arkless Electronics
Trade: Amp design and repairs.
MF AMS 35I is 35WPC in genuine class A... It's going to get hot!
No wonder, idle is about 580 watt.Yes, very hot, mine clicked constantly whilst heating up so I got rid .... the Unison Research S9 made the AMS seem like an ice lolly, really was warmer than a radiator
Thanks for that, appreciated. I’ll give you a shout if/when I get some hot/tweezers (likely as part of a new soldering station, I’m still working with an old-school yellow Antex 25 Watt conventional iron, which I like a lot!).
It’s this kind of SMD can-cap I want to learn to deal with at some point. They have a nasty habit of leaking and I’d like to be able to deal with them pre-emptively the way I can with standard through-hole. I know you can ping them off using two standard irons like my Antex, but I’d prefer to grab the proper tool rather than risk doing damage.
It’s interesting that, given that some, many, people think that the best preamp is a passive volume control, that no one, I mean no one, produces an integrated amp with a passive pre section. Why?
Are there any audio advantages to an integrated amp, as opposed to two boxes? Is it just about saving space and maybe money, and the effort of choosing?
I'd like to know as well !A few votes for the A&R A60.
John Dawson has designed a lot of amps since then. Surely at least one of them must be better than the A60?
A few votes for the A&R A60.
John Dawson has designed a lot of amps since then. Surely at least one of them must be better than the A60?
It’s interesting that, given that some, many, people think that the best preamp is a passive volume control, that no one, I mean no one, produces an integrated amp with a passive pre section. Why?
One would hope so, but the early Arcam stuff (Alpha etc) was definitely a step backwards to my ears, but it was a budget product. To this day I’ve never heard anything more upmarket, though the Arcam CD players were always good. There is something very right about the A60 IMO, it is a really rounded and coherent product.
Was always a bit warm though, wasn't it? A bit cloying?
I didn’t find that, and I had one in a second system under 20 years ago. I felt it gave the Nait 1 & 2 a good run and sounded great through the Heybrook HB2s I had in system two, and also through the Harbeth Compact 7s in the main system at that time. It is a seriously good amp IMO, I liked it a lot. I actively avoid overly bright and ‘attention-seeking’ hi-fi though, my ‘correct’ balance is Quad, BBC, Tannoy etc, and even when I was right into the Linn/Naim thing I always managed to get a far warmer and to my ears more natural balance than most people seem to achieve with that kit.
One would hope so, but the early Arcam stuff (Alpha etc) was definitely a step backwards to my ears, but it was a budget product. To this day I’ve never heard anything more upmarket, though the Arcam CD players were always good. There is something very right about the A60 IMO, it is a really rounded and coherent product.
Those wooden cigar boxes sounded good indeed. Is it nostalgia or is it more that back then, the designers had no other measurement devices/software than their ears ?Slightly off topic as this is an amp thread but the A@R T21 FM tuner is superb.Always puts a smile on my face with weekend Radio 3.
Line Magnetic L5181A - Have an acquaintance who has owned pretty much everything and swears it is best amp he has ever heard.
I must add my favourite one, the GamuT Di150 LE.
A few votes for the A&R A60.
John Dawson has designed a lot of amps since then. Surely at least one of them must be better than the A60?
Yes, he designed my a49, best amp he ever made he said, even signed the circuit board.
I can only compare to my outgoing Nam gear which was a vintage bolt down nap250 (serviced). A Nac82 with two Avondaled tpr4 chrome bumper hicaps (serviced). Prior to that, for many years, I was just moving up the Naim chain.That's what he said to me as well (over dinner, in Munich, during the high end show).
I would be interested to hear what you think to it versus other amps you've heard/owned.