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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 12, 2022 11:28:11 GMT -5
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Post by 405x5 on Jan 12, 2022 12:20:57 GMT -5
Sunfire beat those specs. (with half the weight )25 years ago….so, what’s the big deal except handing over a Kings ransom for this? |
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ttocs
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I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with. (Elwood P Dowd)
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Post by ttocs on Jan 12, 2022 12:51:35 GMT -5
So this is a dual-mono design?
It should handle my speakers that dip to 0.7Ω pretty well then, right? They're "rated" at 4Ω, but dip at the higher frequencies.
Makes me want one!
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 12, 2022 13:47:58 GMT -5
I cranked up the band at a 2 ohm load and not only did they stay cool, but also didn't change their voicing. If you haven't heard them, don't knock them. They amazed me. I can't afford them but that's OK.
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ttocs
Global Moderator
I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with. (Elwood P Dowd)
Posts: 8,161
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Post by ttocs on Jan 12, 2022 14:23:55 GMT -5
I just checked deeper into the specs and found the Minimum Load Impedance to be 0.1Ω. Very nice!
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Post by jbrunwa on Jan 21, 2022 16:14:19 GMT -5
No bench tests were performed for a review of an expensive power amp. Not a credible review IMHO. I would not believe any of their power ratings based on ASR measurements of power ratings of other Starke Sound amps. At least Emotiva power amp ratings are credible. |
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Post by geebo on Jan 21, 2022 16:22:08 GMT -5
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 21, 2022 16:30:32 GMT -5
Hi jbrunwa - I can't argue with you about that. I didn't have the equipment to perform bench tests. Per the ASR measurements of other Starke Sound amps, I'd suspect that Starke Sound may, indeed, overstate their amplifier's power output. But note that my review never claimed that the amp was good or bad based on its ultimate power output. I claimed that it was "good" based on how it sounded with multiple speakers. On that basis, I'd dispute your claim that my review wasn't "credible." My modified Heathkit amps put out a maximum of 12 watts per channel (probably not even that) - but they're some of the best amps I've heard. A lot of audiophiles define amplifier "goodness" based on various things: Does the amp meet its specifications? Does the amp use the latest technology? Is the amp a good value for the money? Is the amp from a prestigious manufacturer? Does the amp use premium parts? I don't really care about any of those things. My only metric for the "goodness" of a component is how much it makes my recordings sound like real music. This is a totally subjective metric that defies quantification. I can't tell you how an amp would rate on a scale of one to a hundred, but I can tell you if the sound impresses me or not. I use an Emotiva PT1 preamplifier because of how the thing sounds. I like it! I don't care that it costs "only" $400. In my system, the thing sounds great! The Starke Sound amplifiers that I've reviewed also struck me as sounding great. The fact that I can't afford one is academic. I say what I hear. That being the case, I don't really care how ASR reviewed the brand. If that makes my reviews less than credible to you, then I'm OK with that. We can agree to disagree. Cordially - Glenn Young |
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ttocs
Global Moderator
I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with. (Elwood P Dowd)
Posts: 8,161
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Post by ttocs on Jan 21, 2022 17:02:10 GMT -5
I agree with Boom. I also care about how a system sounds.
I've tried lots of amps with the 3 pair of stereo speakers I've owned over the last 42 years, and simply stated, specs have not been the determining factor in finding amplifiers that work well with the speakers. I'd say that when amplifiers cost over a few thousand that they are gonna be pretty good to start with, but until all the doodads are all hooked up it's not a sure thing.
I go way back to the tv commercial with the tag line: "Try it, you'll like it". Well, I'm willing to try, but when a friend brought over his amps he was very proud of, and they cost multiple times more than my Krell, I had to tell him that his amps and my speakers aren't on speaking terms. But the specs are great!
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Post by jbrunwa on Jan 21, 2022 17:55:08 GMT -5
Either Starke Sound outright lied about the specs of one of their amps or never bothered to bench test product before shipping. Both ASR and audioholics found problems with the performance of the AD4.320 specs. Now the product has suddenly disappeared from their web site. I understand that amps with good specs can sound bad in certain systems, and amps with lesser specs can still sound good in certain systems. But a manufacturer that IMO either lies about their specs or doesn’t bother to bench test product before shipping is not going to get any of my money.
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Post by geebo on Jan 21, 2022 18:01:33 GMT -5
Hi jbrunwa - I can't argue with you about that. I didn't have the equipment to perform bench tests. Per the ASR measurements of other Starke Sound amps, I'd suspect that Starke Sound may, indeed, overstate their amplifier's power output. But note that my review never claimed that the amp was good or bad based on its ultimate power output. I claimed that it was "good" based on how it sounded with multiple speakers. On that basis, I'd dispute your claim that my review wasn't "credible." My modified Heathkit amps put out a maximum of 12 watts per channel (probably not even that) - but they're some of the best amps I've heard. A lot of audiophiles define amplifier "goodness" based on various things: Does the amp meet its specifications? Does the amp use the latest technology? Is the amp a good value for the money? Is the amp from a prestigious manufacturer? Does the amp use premium parts? I don't really care about any of those things. My only metric for the "goodness" of a component is how much it makes my recordings sound like real music. This is a totally subjective metric that defies quantification. I can't tell you how an amp would rate on a scale of one to a hundred, but I can tell you if the sound impresses me or not. I use an Emotiva PT1 preamplifier because of how the thing sounds. I like it! I don't care that it costs "only" $400. In my system, the thing sounds great! The Starke Sound amplifiers that I've reviewed also struck me as sounding great. The fact that I can't afford one is academic. I say what I hear. That being the case, I don't really care how ASR reviewed the brand. If that makes my reviews less than credible to you, then I'm OK with that. We can agree to disagree. Cordially - Glenn Young I see your point but if you spent that much on an amp that was advertised as producing over 300 watts and sounded great would you be okay to later find out it could barely produce even 100? I would be a little peeved over it. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 21, 2022 21:58:47 GMT -5
Either Starke Sound outright lied about the specs of one of their amps or never bothered to bench test product before shipping. Both ASR and audioholics found problems with the performance of the AD4.320 specs. Now the product has suddenly disappeared from their web site. I understand that amps with good specs can sound bad in certain systems, and amps with lesser specs can still sound good in certain systems. But a manufacturer that IMO either lies about their specs or doesn’t bother to bench test product before shipping is not going to get any of my money. Fair enough. I won’t defend Starke if their specs are wrong. It is what it is. |
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Post by drtrey3 on Jan 22, 2022 11:02:11 GMT -5
It is what it is. But the amp sounded like it sounded. I am glad you had some time with it, sounds fun!
Trey
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