ZERO Feedback talk. Monarchy amps.

I have listened to the Monarchy amps in my system and did not like them. But I have a Krell amp that has no negative feedback that I love. You will find that most amps that run in class A do not need the neg.feedback.

Ayre Acoustics also builds exemplary specimens of solid state zero feedback class A designs; I own one - it's power hungry but very smooth indeed

Be careful about negative feedback. I do not believe that the Monarchy amps have no negative feedback, nor the Krells.
It is possible to build an amp with no overall LOOP feedback but that requires either "local" loop feedback or else multiple stages with relatively low gain, since each stage has to be "degenerated" (read: feedback within a stage) to permit that stage to be linear enough.

I've been told that Rowland uses some techniques like the latter two in their amps - although they may also use "current" amplification in their stages.

Class A design does NOT in an of itself permit you to remove feedback in any way. It just means that there is no built-in "crossover notch" distortion in the output stage.

_-_-bear

I own the Monarchy SM-70s which are 25 w/ch. stereo amps. The also are switchable to mono-operation at 70w/ch. and also support balanced operation.

Personally, I think these amps are GREAT. I have had maybe 10 different amp setups in the last 2 years and in most respects, the Monarchys are my favorite. I don't know about the technical aspects of the "zero feedback" design, but I know that CC Poon would "educate" you if you called or sent e-mail. Go to Monarchy's website for contact information

www.monarchyaudio.com

I'm currently running the SM-70s with either Tyler Acoustics Taylo Reference monitors or Adire HE10.1s. Either way, they sound great.

Enjoy,

TIC

I feel that Bear is getting to the right point. Far not every brand giving out circuitries but yet I'll get in touch with the manufacturer as suggested to educate myself.
I remember a long time ago reading a Bryston 3B-ST ciruitry that is using an active neg. feedback stages that do not reduce the input impedance(more sophisticated than gain stages)!
In SS case most of the powerfull amps are multistaged especially class A designs since they tend to keep all amplification elements in the small signal operation(prepare to manufacture some power plant for such amps!)