Preview: Esoteric AZ-1 (Class-D integrated)

[Κώστας Φ.]

"AZ-1 packages a DAC, reclocker, line stage, MM phono stage and analog switching amp all into one compact chassis."

....επίσης:
"The transformer and power stage design of the AZ-1 are 100% Esoteric and not an OEM solution by ICEpower, Texas Instruments, Tripath, uCD or any of the other Class D turnkey providers."

Στα $4500.

Περισσότερα εδώ.

Γιατί όπως είχε πει ένας γνωστός ποιητής του forum:
"Παν' τα νιάτα,
παν' τα κάλλη,
τα 'φαγαν
οι ντιτζιτάλοι"

:respect:

 

[Gebreselassie]

:cool_4:

 

[LUXMAN]

Αντε ...και σε μεγεθος iPod !! :happy_4:

 

[costas EAR]

Αφού είπαμε, αυτά τα "παλιο-ψηφιακά" δε παίζουν καλά!
:crazy_1: :crazy_1: :crazy_1: :crazy_1: :crazy_1: :crazy_1:

analog switching amp = digital amplifier (φωτό).

Για να μη μπερδεύεστε...

 

[Drioannis]

Μπορώ να πω πώς υπάρχει μία τάση και από μεγάλους κατασκευαστές για ψηφιακούς ενισχυτές.

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Απάντηση: Preview: Esoteric AZ-1 (Class-D integrated)

Ανέβηκε το full review εδώ.

Συμπέρασμα:
"As an integrated amplifier, Esoteric's AZ-1 faces stiff competition from the Bel Canto Design PRe3/S300 combo. That comes in at $500 less, 100 watts more and doesn't push ultra resolution into cool and aloof hyper realism quite like the AZ-1. Hence even a value champ like Raysonic's $1,690 CD-128 valved disc spinner could impress listeners more in this context than the AZ-1's own DAC. If so, it'd make its inclusion for advanced 2-channel listeners less of an attraction and a redundant feature.


As it stands, this is the first Esoteric product I've reviewed which I didn't find to be at absolutely the very top of its class. Perhaps at this time,
digital indeed does remain this company's core competency? Based on my first encounter with an Esoteric amplifier, I can't be sure but have to confess to suspect as much. Should Esoteric USA decide to import the big A70 Class A monoblocks, I could well be proven wrong however..."