So my favorite Power 2 accessory is a sheet of paper accessible on the top of the box.
#Sonic frontiers power 2 manual#
The amp also comes with the most comprehensive owner's manual I've ever seen-an entire page is dedicated to the proper method of installing tubes.ĭon't you hate manufacturers who list detailed unpacking instructions in their owner's manual-which, of course, you can't read until after you've unpacked the amp? What I hate even more is packing up the stuff-especially the heavy stuff-and shipping it back to the manufacturer. Convenience features also abound: In addition to balanced, single-ended inverting and single-ended non-inverting inputs and individual power-tube biasing, the Power 2 has a standby function (to extend tube life) as well as a mute function (to enable interconnect changes while the amp is fully powered, as well as to facilitate tube biasing).įor $4495, the Power 2 purchaser will also receive a set of screwdrivers, a biasing tool, tube coolers with O-rings, an extra fuse, and a set of cotton gloves to keep from tainting tube glass with body oils during installation. The Power 2 is no exception, sporting parts from MIT MultiCap, Solen, Vishay, Roderstein, Cardas, and Kimber. Sonic Frontiers is fanatical about providing very high parts and construction quality for the money. Finally, the amplifier uses an inner positive-feedback loop, which serves to lower the amp's output impedance and which, the company claims, further results in a higher damping factor and lower midband distortion. Sonic Frontiers claims this eliminates any influence the feedback has might have on the input signal and results in lower distortion than conventional feedback techniques. Balanced feedback from the secondary of the output transformer is returned to the first voltage amplifier, but the input signal is isolated throughout the input cathode follower. Next, the cathode followers are capacitor-coupled from the second voltage amplifier, and these are in turn direct-coupled to the output tubes. The second voltage amplifier is direct-coupled to the output of the first, and uses both positive and negative power-supply voltages. The input voltage amplifier configuration allows balanced as well as single-ended inputs, and balanced feedback to be used. The amplifier is fully balanced throughout, including the output transformer.
#Sonic frontiers power 2 driver#
The overall topology of this 110Wpc push-pull amplifier comprises an input cathode follower (6922) and two differential plate-loaded voltage amplifiers (6922s) in cascade, followed by a driver cathode follower (5687WB) direct-coupled to the output tubes (KT88). And my easy-to-drive Alón V Mk.IIs sing quite happily on 100Wpc, thank you very much. Both of these guys are very picky and can afford anything on the market.Ģ) Sonic Frontiers' President, Chris Johnson, claims that the designs of the Power 2 and 3 amplifiers are so close that, if one owns speakers that require no more than 100W per side, he would not be able to tell the difference between the 2 and the 3. Aside from the fact that I enjoy reviewing four-6550/KT88-pentodes-per-side tube amplifiers because they tend to be very versatile and cost-effective, I was especially interested in the Power 2 because:ġ) I have two well-heeled audiophile friends who constantly rave about their Power 3 amplifiers. Ultimately, I was able to squeeze the Sonic Frontiers into my review schedule. "Well, let me discuss it with Wes Phillips." "But this is a direct trickle-down from our Power 3 200W monoblock! What we've done is make a 110W stereo version on one chassis. Johnson's facial expression resembled that of the young executive who's just been told he's not getting the promotion he'd expected. It looks like a very interesting design, but maybe you'd be better off having it reviewed by someone who could get to it a bit quicker."
#Sonic frontiers power 2 full#
"Uh, well, actually, I have quite a full plate of review samples in-house, so I really wouldn't be able to get to your amp for quite some time. A review sample will be ready for you in two weeks. So you're still looking for your dream amplifier under $5000? Well, here it is! The Sonic Frontiers Power 2. "Hey, Bob Reina! I enjoyed your review of the Cary SLM-100 amplifier in the May 1996 Stereophile. I was attacked by Chris Johnson of Sonic Frontiers at HI-FI '96.
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