Rowland 625 versus Audio Research DS450

07-25-11: Audiozen
The two factor's I look at for class D is the ampere output, and the db level the amp can achieve before signal break up occurs. The Bel Canto's can be taken all the way up to 130 db's before strain occurs. That's damn impressive. Sonically, class D amps that have high DB and ampere numbers will always sound sonically superior especially on the bottom.

07-26-11: Audiozen
Correction...the db level of the Bel Canto is 120 db's, not 130 db's..my mistake

I think you are referring to the dynamic range spec provided at the Bel Canto website, which is indicated as 120 db for the REF1000M.

That has no direct relation to maximum sound pressure level, which of course is speaker-dependent. It apparently refers to the ratio of maximum rated output power (1000W into 4 ohms, 500W into 8 ohms) to the power level corresponding to A-weighted rms output noise (90 uV).

Those numbers calculate, btw, to 117db of dynamic range into either load impedance, not the 120db which is indicated.

In any event, maximum sound pressure level in db should be calculated based on the maximum power rating, speaker efficiency and impedance, listening distance, and speaker wavelaunch characteristic (planar, box, line source, etc.). Dynamic range has no direct relation to that; it just indicates how far below maximum spl the amp's output noise level will be.

Regards,
-- Al

OK Al..Its my understanding the 120db level has nothing to do with SPL but the limit the amp can reach equivalent to the current output that equals a 120 db level. This has nothing to do with speakers, just the current level the amp puts out equal to 120 db's. Beyond that, the amp could not sonically perform.

My apologies. I had no idea this thread was revived in July!

- Audiozen, Guido or others:
Just curious, what are the key sonic differences between the Bel Canto 1000M and Rowland 625, other than raw power...?

I'd be curious if anyone has had a chance to listen to both amplifiers. Appreciate your thoughts.

Perhaps the 1000M is a bargain, in comparison?

Optimus, Bel canto Ref1000M and Rowland M625 are both magnificent amps... They are in fact among my very favorite amplifiers, and they both deliver their own special kind of musical grace, in a way that is largely consistent with their price difference... Perhaps they are both "bargains" in their own right.

However, I have not heard yet the new ARC DS450, monoblocks, and I am admittedly extremely intrigued .... as DS450 amps are priced exactly in the middle between Ref1000M and M625.

G.

Guido,
Appreciate your comments, as always. I have the Rowland 201 monoblocks. I like them, but my main complaint is they seem a little bit "sterile". The music seems to have less guts.

Just curious, do 1000M's seem to have "soul" like the Rowland 625's, which keeping the musical detail...? As far as you're aware, are there big sonic differences between the Bel Canto "M" and "non-M" versions? Tks!