Steve's videos are always worth watching, even when the gear in question is priced up in the stratosphere. He's turned me on to a lot of cool music over the years, so i always stick around for the discussions of what he played.
Yes! Exactly! I get so many great music recommendations from Steve, and from his buddy Herb Reichert, too! Herb's columns, especially, at the Stereophile website, are crazy good for pointers to music that is _way_ "off the beaten path." Come to learn about the audio gear, stay for a tremendous musical education!
I was connecting AGD audions to vivid giya, wilson yvette and guys asked me to disconnect it as they just bought new amps 😂 ( AGD was overperforming their more expensive ones).
Ganfet are very interesting mosfets, because of clean switching when body diode is absent, even open loop can reach -80 dB hd figures. Momentum I busy with a design who use a modulated triangle generator wipe out intrinsic distortion. See in sim -110dB hd with normal mosfets.
Thank you for another great show, Steve! I always look forward to watching your latest videos. I’m so glad you featured this Percussion Music recording on your show today! I am a huge fan of this record. When I was studying percussion 24 years ago, I got to meet Ray DesRoches (the director of the ensemble on this recording). He was a stalwart champion of contemporary percussion music in NY in the 1970s. He played percussion on two other ground-breaking recordings for the Nonsuch label: George Crumb “Ancient Voices of Children” and “Music for a Summer Evening”. This music is spooky, strange, yet beautiful, with an amazing sense of atmosphere. Turn off the lights and light the candles. There is so much great stuff on the Nonsuch label from the 70s!
cool gunnarfolsome! i was trying to get the name of this percusion artist but didnt. can you say his name please. all i heard was Charles Warrenen.thanks!
When I first saw this video, I laughed for minutes straight as I turned the channel. But with time and some wisdom I have come to understand that things are moving forward. Class D amps are not a joke any longer. There are some real good ones out there now, and Steve thinks this is one of them. The best he's heard, he says. Steve is a guy who knows a thing or two about audio, so I accept his assessment. This thing sounds like a winner! I know there are those that don't care for the aesthetic. I reacted negatively at first, but it's growin on me! I am appalled at the price, of course. But it would be fascinating to actually get to listen to one just once so I could understand what it is about a piece like this that commands such a price. Personally, I don't think it's worth it regardless.
Saludos Steve, como siempre la sacas del estadio, que análisis tan mesurado de la clase De, genial, son muy valorados y apreciados sus comentarios y apreciaciones, sigue adelante, abrazos desde Bogotá, Colombia
I wonder how it Compares to Nilai (you can get a pre/power combo as diy kit for 3000 or just 1500 for the power amp or 1000 for a mono block (so 2000). Sold by Hypex which also the mother company of Mola Mola.)
You likely can’t hear any difference in a blind test, they all messure so well that I wouldn’t go high here anymore. Spent the money on something else!
Such a great review. I am happy to see your smile and enthusiasm after the sad news about Mr. Singer. I am sure you hear this a lot, but your reviews make my day. I like that you review a wide range of audio equipment from different price levels. Keep on truckin’.
Audiophonics from France makes a great E-Purify based Class D amp for around 1200 USD with no import, no tax, and FAST shipping. Powers my sonusfabers stand mounters where the MC75 monoblocks never really had the umph.
To @petekutheis3822 : Hello fellow music/audiophile.😊 I'm responding to your comment because I was curiously surprised. Considering their build quality and reputation I thought the vaunted McIntosh amplifiers could drive any speakers regardless of make or model, especially monoblocks!??
@greenbeginner3353. Try searching for AUDIOPHONICS HPA-S400ET Power Amplifier Class D Stereo Purifi 1ET400A. It may be this amp that’s being referred to above. It was also reviewed by Amir at Audioscience review.
So over $10,000 with tax and I look at the insides and it's like "where's the beef?". That seems like $4,000 would be generous. There are way too many great amps under that price. It seems like these days there are almost more boutique audio outfits making overpriced products than there are Taylor Swift colored vinyl albums, if that is possible.
I wanted to put together a new combination that is a high detail esp in transients and yet still not harsh (and doesn't make not so good tracks sound bad, even if they will never quite sound good) -- and ended up with the Perca. Also, I wanted to get out of power hungry A / AB - another plus for Perca. It is my first class D. Hesitated to make the jump until now. My one nit is that the power button isn't the smoothest - sometimes a gentle tap doesn't turn it on/off. But switching to the trigger input rig (my DAC doesn't have a trigger out) removes the stress over the fragile feeling power button.
Class D certainly has come a long way. I know the amp is expensive (is a relative term in the audiophile world these days), but, hey, it cost less than their DAC. As always, interesting music choices instead of the usual run of the mill stuff a lot of reviewers use, that Percussion Music album is really cool!
Hypex' private brand. Also build Nilai diy kits, NCore and lot's of high-end OEM amps. Very small unobtrusive headquarters with R&D. Cycled past their building for years without even noticing them. Less than a mile away there is another high-end audiocompany, MC systems. They produce speakers up to the price of a decent SUV.
A really good friend has an actual photograph taken with an actual camera of him self and Robert P at the Chiropody festival. He had it printed onto a cup which is pretty cool if you call in for a cup of tea!
I would enjoy more reviews of class D amps, especially of those with more affordable pricing (like the NAD you mentioned). My not so golden ears are liking them so far.
Listening to you talk about this i thought wow you could easily be describing the specs, performance, and characteristics of purifi 1et400a...low and behold who's the designer behind Mola Mola but none other than Bruno Putzeys. I'm sure extra care and quality was put into this model but I'd love to hear you A/B it with the M23 or even a straight up Purifi Eval 1.
Putzeys is not behind this amp. He has stopped co-operating with Mola Mola since some years now when he left Hypex to co-invest in Purify. Hypex own Mola Mola.
Hey Steve! Great bumping into you at Axpona in front of the elevators. Could you please review a Nuprime class D amp? Word on the street is that they offer a fantastic value. They make their own power module and typically use a torodial transformer. Casework is quite unique too.
That's for people that love music like I do , most high end gear ( outpriced )is made and sold for and to udiophiles who are rarher looking for the kick and for performance....until listening fatigue sets in. ( impressive but not natural) I can listen to my very old Luxmans and other gredat vintage amps the whole day ( or night ) and feel sorry and sad when I have to switch them off ....
As much as I love my Parasound 2125v2, my upgrade to the NAD C298 (similar to NAD M23) sounds better because it's more balanced between the vocalist and the instruments/band. As a result, the soundstage sounds wider and there's better placement of instruments throughout the stage. Apple Music lossless My video: th-cam.com/video/ncwCopnHJqA/w-d-xo.html
This looks like an identical design of the 2016 release of the Audio Alchemy DPA-1/DPA-1M by Peter Madnick. Same Class A Discreet input and Class D output using Bruno Putzys Hypex UcD module rather than Ncore.🙃
I will keep my Vincent sv 500 , 50 wpc that blew away a Purfi 400 wpc. I understand it is not a Purfi but I can’t drop $10,000 to experiment. I’m sure it’s good but not in my neighborhood.
Daniel hertz Maria probably beats this in the preamp/amp section, plus gives you a top of the line DAC conversion that would probably beat Mola Mola top of the line DAC(I've had it in my system paired to a Grimm MU1), and give you the analog feel at the same time. And you won't even need cables. Wait till more people hear it. Downside is no remote and it's basically plastic, but once you hear it you won't go back. I own the Maria 50
@@Ivy13276 I’ve been hearing a lot about this Daniel Hertz very intrigued about it but the build quality for plastic I feel it’s gonna get scratched up and look like shit and a couple years but I know the sound is extraordinary what people are saying
@@stephencosta6814totally agree I thought about sending it back it's basically a 15lb plastic box. After break-in you realize it can compete to best of the best systems and see what a bargain it actually is, not exaggerating. Almost a year now and never thought about upgrading, just enjoying music since!
Nad c268 for 999....or less. Put a tubed anything into it, problem solved, if there is even a problem. Mine sounds pretty darn good for class d. Plus it has oodles of flexibility. Buy a second c268 and bridge the two, you get 300 watts per channel!.
@@stevesmyth4982 not having an input stage is actually the norm for hypex and ice power modules…the gain is set inside of the module…they are not hybrid amps…like this mola mola example is.
Shout out to the Beat! Saw them a couple months ago, but sadly only Dave Wakeling is the only surviving member of the original band. A bit slower in tempo, but so am I! Great review on some gear I'll never be able to afford, but that doesn't keep me from desiring jewelry grade binding posts!
The new Mola monoblocks are based on the same tech (Trajectum), will output slightly more than 2x the power (over 300 into 8), price not announced. I suspect Kalugas will be phased out.
@@stephencosta6814 It’s a few hundred dollars in parts. And it’s three pre-fabbed modules. A child could assemble it, no expensive parts. Are we paying for bespoke engineering? Who designed the Class-D module? Where is it manufactured? I just don’t understand the cost at all. Maybe it sounds good, but a lot of things do these days. Add a tube buffer to a Purifi 400 with a linear power supply and I bet people say it sounds incredibly good too.
@@jon4715 you are correct so many things do sound great today. The standard has truly risen, but I guess that is their secret recipe. They don’t want anybody to know where they’re obtaining or manufacturing these parts. That’s OK for me as long as it sounds sublime.
@@stephencosta6814 It would have to be so incredibly performant that it makes Class A obsolete, which it doesn’t. So you’re stuck with a 10,000 dollar amp made up for the cheapest parts on the market. There is no way it wouldn’t benefit from a linear power supply. It’s bonkers that they couldn’t spring for that.
Great review as always! Love modern class D so I’m sure this is a hit. I have Parasound Halo equipment so on the look for a good class D amp! Purifi is my #1 choice but it his is good to know off as well!
Kaluga monos were the first product of Mola Mola, they are being replaced this year by Ossetra. Kaluga's will be retired. Ossetra and Perca are 5 generations beyond Kaluga.
can't rest a coffee cup on that bad boy! Hilarious!!! My SVS prime wireless pros have 4x50Amp class D amps for the drivers, and they sound - to my savage ears - great - and with the Class D 3000micro sub - it all sounds wonderful. Class D FTW
Hey Steve want to bet 100 bucks the Daniel Hertz Maria at about a third of the price will beat this amp+your best preamp+mola mola tambiqui+ the best interconnects you have? I'm from Brooklyn as well I can bring the Maria over!
Since I never compare those things I cannot tell you the advantages at least for the sound quality. But I will say this amplifier runs cooler than the other amplifiers. And therefore consumes a lot less energy.
It's good to know about gear. It doesn't mean that I have to buy it. I'm secure enough in my handmade triode amp to not judge everything that I hear about just because it's different, and pricey. It's interesting. Thank you Steve!
Your videos are ok and interesting, but the prices are absurd, I purchased Edifier speakers and using amplifiers from Fosi and Prozor with excellent results, mind you I do have a hearing problem, but with passive speakers I have been able to fine tune the sounds of music without investing thousands of $$$$, maybe at one point I would like to hear an upgraded version , but I wonder of it makes a huge difference. The sound from my TV, PC, and laptop are excellent to listen to.......an 81-year-old senior.....
Steve, i am interested in the NAD m23.......is it most likely to be reliable and last me say, 20 years? Or is class D not going to last as long ? Many thanks....top vids
Steve, thank you again for another great review! I'm always interested to watch and learn. But, I also have that fascination because a few years ago, you did a review of my Rogue Audio Sphinx V3 - which I purchased partially based upon your review. I LOVE my Sphinx! However, this particular review you are on your game! Your thoroughness in description, in all regards is stellar sir. Well done! ****So, I have an ignorant question to ask. I'm not electronically educated, not in the least. How, if it's possible, would, or can I connect a power amp to my Rogue Audio tube-hybrid integrated? How would one go about that connection? I told you, I'm ignorant. What connects to what? My integrated to the power, with my sources going to my integrated, or the power amp to my integrated and the sources into the Perca? Thanks for anyone who can clarify in layman's terms. Thanks!
Steve how about a review of the McIntosh MI502 500 watts into 8, 800 watts into 4 ohms. It’s class D and it retails for $4500, has meters and if it has a bit of the McIntosh warmth it could be a great amp to have! And it only weighs 40lbs. I am so ready to sell my 130 lbs McIntosh mc352!
Guys - now THAT I didn't know. I wanted to know because my wife and I found a "Steve Style" shirt that we were sure he'd like - but we didn't know what size he is. We were gonna give it to him at AXPONA.
@@arthurward6997 ha ha, I call them a Steve shirt too and have thought about sending him one. He probably wears a medium, but it depends on his height.
I want there mono block amplifiers yet this is supposed tonsound even better. I have heard some are buying two and running them bridged as monoblocks. Nice to see the gear even if i am not able to buy it yet lol. Good review as always and the music suggestions are always appreciated.
@@patrickgeorge141 maybe steve was wrong. but why would you even want to buy these? you can get an actually good amp for that kind of money. or a lot less. Schiit Tyr monoblocks would wipe the floor with these. That would cost you 3,200. Two of the Molas would cost like 17,000…and they can’t possibly compare. And they probably sound crap bridged.
@ChrisMag100 it has been a while an maybe that is what they meant. Did you have the monoblocks before? I heard this sounds better, it just does not have as much power.
Hey, right off the bat- you look really healthy Steve I missed Axpona- Steve you still blow my mind Great stuff. had a comment on Led Zep but it got deleted.
Steve!!!!!!! You have to get another intro tune😂 it makes me feel like i’m about to watch a game show from the 60’s about the everyday cleaning products of a household😅
Great video. But Mola Mola's customers seem to be more concerned with the casing than the technology. Like art. Otherwise they wouldn't be so crazy as to buy this thing.
I've tried so many 'high end' Class D amps such as Bel Canto etc and always walked away feeling cold and fatigued. At this stage it's the Boy who Cried Wolf for Class D reviews. At $14,000, I'd take the Class A Pass Labs every time. YMMV!!!
Only the very cutting edge of class D can compete with the very best of Class A & AB. This wasn't the case 5 years ago or so. In 10 years or so, I predict Class D will begin to overtake the market even at the high end and start becoming the norm.
You need to moonwalk back to the listening studio and get a demonstration of the AGD class D amplifiers. Expensive, but will change your view of the moon.
Ninety-Eight Benjamins for a Class D amplifier??? Yikes. At least the connectors on the back appear gold plated. I'll take your word about the amplifier. I'd love to compare it with my $200 Dayton Audio Class D amp, which sounds totally awesome.
Love Steve's videos. This one lost me at $9000.00 so I skipped to the system of the day, that lost me as soon as I saw the turntable which was probably $9000.00 also. Not mad at those who can afford, just like to watch for things that reasonable. I guess you never say never but if I become a millionaire, a $9000.00 amp really?
Well because people care about it, plus a lot of these companies aren't using computer guided CNC machines to do their Mill work on these chassis. A lot of times these boutique small manufacturers are hand cutting and using lathes To do their metal work. Plus a lot of these small manufacturers in an attempt to differentiate themselves will create something that is so" avant-garde" looking, that it's a wonder how the thing manages to stay together.
The class D design have revolutionary the market because it can sound very transparent, so for example a cheap Crown class D model XLS-1500 have the transparency in the territory of a Krell but without the bass authority of the Krell
Apples to oranges. I own both a JC5 and a Perca. I’ve owned a HCA-2200mkii, 1200mk2 and multiple HCA-600’s also. JC5 is not as resolving as the Perca but is a great sounding powerhouse.
The sound determines the price to a large degree. Cutting edge class D offers aspects of sound that no A or AB can reach and vice versa. The thing though is that most if not all of the "baby diseases" associated with Class D are fixed in the best Class D constructions.
@@phetmoz I don’t ordinarily claim that the price should be directly proportional to the cost of the components, but most Class D amps are composed of pre-assembled off the shelf modules, and don’t require huge power supplies. This design is different in that a solid state Class A input stage was used, but other Class D designs with a tube input stage exist for one third the price this amp. The most expensive part of this amp is probably the rather controversial case and looks to me like their units (including their DAC unit) are not stackable. Hopefully we will see other much less expensive Class D amps with Class A input stages.
Jon I came to the conclusion many many moons ago that we live in a World where money does not buy quality anymore regardless of what it is It is very rare indeed in 2024 to find anything that will outlast its owner..😆 No one or company wants to be held accountable that would be a good start..🙏.
Steve's videos are always worth watching, even when the gear in question is priced up in the stratosphere. He's turned me on to a lot of cool music over the years, so i always stick around for the discussions of what he played.
Yes! Exactly! I get so many great music recommendations from Steve, and from his buddy Herb Reichert, too! Herb's columns, especially, at the Stereophile website, are crazy good for pointers to music that is _way_ "off the beaten path." Come to learn about the audio gear, stay for a tremendous musical education!
Great review! The joy of hearing music you know well, at a higher resolution, is fun, doubly so with rock!
Such a great review Steve. Thanks for taking the time to dig in and make it so thorough.
I would love a comparison between Mola Mola and the AGD Ganfet amplifiers.
I was connecting AGD audions to vivid giya, wilson yvette and guys asked me to disconnect it as they just bought new amps 😂 ( AGD was overperforming their more expensive ones).
don't forget the Atmospheres
@@artemnadozhyn3697 Try listening to the Orchard Audio ones then... I was sold and bought 2 monoblocks myself!
Ganfet are very interesting mosfets, because of clean switching when body diode is absent, even open loop can reach -80 dB hd figures. Momentum I busy with a design who use a modulated triangle generator wipe out intrinsic distortion. See in sim -110dB hd with normal mosfets.
Thank you for another great show, Steve! I always look forward to watching your latest videos.
I’m so glad you featured this Percussion Music recording on your show today! I am a huge fan of this record. When I was studying percussion 24 years ago, I got to meet Ray DesRoches (the director of the ensemble on this recording). He was a stalwart champion of contemporary percussion music in NY in the 1970s. He played percussion on two other ground-breaking recordings for the Nonsuch label: George Crumb “Ancient Voices of Children” and “Music for a Summer Evening”. This music is spooky, strange, yet beautiful, with an amazing sense of atmosphere. Turn off the lights and light the candles. There is so much great stuff on the Nonsuch label from the 70s!
cool gunnarfolsome! i was trying to get the name of this percusion artist but didnt. can you say his name please. all i heard was Charles Warrenen.thanks!
In case you're wondering, this amplifier costs $9850 (retail price).
Now you can watch the video.
Insanity
😮
Mola Mola means thumbs down in Dutch
thank you verry much, i can stop now watching the video :)
When I first saw this video, I laughed for minutes straight as I turned the channel. But with time and some wisdom I have come to understand that things are moving forward. Class D amps are not a joke any longer. There are some real good ones out there now, and Steve thinks this is one of them. The best he's heard, he says. Steve is a guy who knows a thing or two about audio, so I accept his assessment. This thing sounds like a winner! I know there are those that don't care for the aesthetic. I reacted negatively at first, but it's growin on me! I am appalled at the price, of course. But it would be fascinating to actually get to listen to one just once so I could understand what it is about a piece like this that commands such a price. Personally, I don't think it's worth it regardless.
I am going for a Nad M33. That suits my needs perfectly
Saludos Steve, como siempre la sacas del estadio, que análisis tan mesurado de la clase De, genial, son muy valorados y apreciados sus comentarios y apreciaciones, sigue adelante, abrazos desde Bogotá, Colombia
You look good with your hair slicked back....makes you look younger.
Keep up the great honest reviews.
I wonder how it Compares to Nilai (you can get a pre/power combo as diy kit for 3000 or just 1500 for the power amp or 1000 for a mono block (so 2000). Sold by Hypex which also the mother company of Mola Mola.)
You likely can’t hear any difference in a blind test, they all messure so well that I wouldn’t go high here anymore. Spent the money on something else!
@@Nickhifi88 I will spend my money as I see fit.
Such a great review. I am happy to see your smile and enthusiasm after the sad news about Mr. Singer. I am sure you hear this a lot, but your reviews make my day. I like that you review a wide range of audio equipment from different price levels. Keep on truckin’.
Thanks Lee!
A big contrast that all who care must be relieved to see...
Sorrow to exhilaration
Wow! With your review and Mola Mola’s credentials I’m really excited about this one
Stunning VSOTD! I 've never seen these components but I am seriously impressed!
Audiophonics from France makes a great E-Purify based Class D amp for around 1200 USD with no import, no tax, and FAST shipping. Powers my sonusfabers stand mounters where the MC75 monoblocks never really had the umph.
To @petekutheis3822 : Hello fellow music/audiophile.😊 I'm responding to your comment because I was curiously surprised. Considering their build quality and reputation I thought the vaunted McIntosh amplifiers could drive any speakers regardless of make or model, especially monoblocks!??
@@williamcampbell3868 I biamp and just use them to drive the tweeters; the MC75s just did horrendous with the Olympica 1s as a sole amp.
I’m trying to find your amp on the web. Do you have the model number or whatever I need to locate it?
@greenbeginner3353. Try searching for AUDIOPHONICS HPA-S400ET Power Amplifier Class D Stereo Purifi 1ET400A. It may be this amp that’s being referred to above. It was also reviewed by Amir at Audioscience review.
@@greenbeginner3353 Googling the first dozen words in the original post gets you the answer. And, nope, I'm not gonna do it for you. 😉
Tommy Grrr-air-oh is an original member of the Bones Brigade from the early 80s. The same skateboard team that launched Tony Hawk's career.
I love Steve's reviews because the emphasis is on the music and the emotion, almost like the equipment is secondary. This is the way it should be!
Well said.
As stated above listen to a pair of Orchard Audio Premium Gan-Fet identical specs. A FRACTION of that cost... Gan-Fet rocks...
True!
So over $10,000 with tax and I look at the insides and it's like "where's the beef?". That seems like $4,000 would be generous. There are way too many great amps under that price. It seems like these days there are almost more boutique audio outfits making overpriced products than there are Taylor Swift colored vinyl albums, if that is possible.
So, spend $4000 on an amp, and the rest can go on Swift LPs (probably approaching $6000).
@@DrOz-007
That's one of the most disgusting things I've ever heard, lol. 😉
Yep, my thoughts too.....how on earth does that small amount of physical matter cost £10000?!?!
Nobody should take this channel seriously anyway. This guy is doing this for the free stuff. I have no respect for his opinion.
@@TexasCorgiGunare you jealous?
You look excited Steve! Thanks for posting this video
Thumbs up for the English Beat! A must have record.
I wanted to put together a new combination that is a high detail esp in transients and yet still not harsh (and doesn't make not so good tracks sound bad, even if they will never quite sound good) -- and ended up with the Perca. Also, I wanted to get out of power hungry A / AB - another plus for Perca. It is my first class D. Hesitated to make the jump until now.
My one nit is that the power button isn't the smoothest - sometimes a gentle tap doesn't turn it on/off. But switching to the trigger input rig (my DAC doesn't have a trigger out) removes the stress over the fragile feeling power button.
Hi Steve , how does compare to the mola mola Kula , it sounds as though they are very similar
Would love your take on the latest Orchard Audio amp offerings 🙏🏼👍🏼
Great name
@@markorchard2272 indeed! 👍🏼
Class D certainly has come a long way. I know the amp is expensive (is a relative term in the audiophile world these days), but, hey, it cost less than their DAC. As always, interesting music choices instead of the usual run of the mill stuff a lot of reviewers use, that Percussion Music album is really cool!
They still sound like Class D... Even the new Hypex units.
Hypex' private brand. Also build Nilai diy kits, NCore and lot's of high-end OEM amps. Very small unobtrusive headquarters with R&D. Cycled past their building for years without even noticing them.
Less than a mile away there is another high-end audiocompany, MC systems. They produce speakers up to the price of a decent SUV.
Aavik U280 is a Class D amplifier that bests the Mola Mola.
Very likely. It costs significantly more after all and it's Aavik, arguably the leading Class D manufacturer.
Pascal module?
The TEAC ap505 and ap701 hypexNcore is the best bang for the buck class D. Superb quality
A really good friend has an actual photograph taken with an actual camera of him self and Robert P at the Chiropody festival. He had it printed onto a cup which is pretty cool if you call in for a cup of tea!
I would enjoy more reviews of class D amps, especially of those with more affordable pricing (like the NAD you mentioned). My not so golden ears are liking them so far.
Great show! Love it!
Listening to you talk about this i thought wow you could easily be describing the specs, performance, and characteristics of purifi 1et400a...low and behold who's the designer behind Mola Mola but none other than Bruno Putzeys. I'm sure extra care and quality was put into this model but I'd love to hear you A/B it with the M23 or even a straight up Purifi Eval 1.
Putzeys is not behind this amp. He has stopped co-operating with Mola Mola since some years now when he left Hypex to co-invest in Purify. Hypex own Mola Mola.
Could you do a top ten amps that you like, Steve? For those who like a warm sound?
Hey Steve! Great bumping into you at Axpona in front of the elevators. Could you please review a Nuprime class D amp? Word on the street is that they offer a fantastic value. They make their own power module and typically use a torodial transformer. Casework is quite unique too.
Is a review of the Clayton Shaw speakers coming up, Steve? Thanks.
Hope so
Is Luxman not better?
That's for people that love music like I do , most high end gear ( outpriced )is made and sold for and to udiophiles who are rarher looking for the kick and for performance....until listening fatigue sets in. ( impressive but not natural)
I can listen to my very old Luxmans and other gredat vintage amps the whole day ( or night ) and feel sorry and sad when I have to switch them off ....
As much as I love my Parasound 2125v2, my upgrade to the NAD C298 (similar to NAD M23) sounds better because it's more balanced between the vocalist and the instruments/band.
As a result, the soundstage sounds wider and there's better placement of instruments throughout the stage.
Apple Music lossless
My video: th-cam.com/video/ncwCopnHJqA/w-d-xo.html
This looks like an identical design of the 2016 release of the Audio Alchemy DPA-1/DPA-1M by Peter Madnick. Same Class A Discreet input and Class D output using Bruno Putzys Hypex UcD module rather than Ncore.🙃
I will keep my Vincent sv 500 , 50 wpc that blew away a Purfi 400 wpc. I understand it is not a Purfi but I can’t drop $10,000 to experiment. I’m sure it’s good but not in my neighborhood.
What speakers do you run it with?
@@EMP698 tekton lores. 50 watts clean a/b and I can rock the house.
@@terryhu57 Telkton have high sensitivity, don't they?
@@EMP698 yes I believe it is 96.
would love to hear comparison with Daniel Hertz maria amp
Daniel hertz Maria probably beats this in the preamp/amp section, plus gives you a top of the line DAC conversion that would probably beat Mola Mola top of the line DAC(I've had it in my system paired to a Grimm MU1), and give you the analog feel at the same time. And you won't even need cables. Wait till more people hear it. Downside is no remote and it's basically plastic, but once you hear it you won't go back. I own the Maria 50
@@Ivy13276 I’ve been hearing a lot about this Daniel Hertz very intrigued about it but the build quality for plastic I feel it’s gonna get scratched up and look like shit and a couple years but I know the sound is extraordinary what people are saying
@@stephencosta6814totally agree I thought about sending it back it's basically a 15lb plastic box.
After break-in you realize it can compete to best of the best systems and see what a bargain it actually is, not exaggerating. Almost a year now and never thought about upgrading, just enjoying music since!
The chifi Class D sound good but how long will they last?
Can I refurbish one in 50 years as I can a vintage 1972 receiver?
The Class A input stage is the secret sauce that fixes the Class D sound.
Fixes what? Have you heard it?
@@hbg70 fixes the sterile sound from the distortion components of switching amps…Class A adds third and second harmonic distortion
Class A input stages are the norm, I have yet to see an input stage that's not class A and don't understand why it's a point of the review.
Nad c268 for 999....or less. Put a tubed anything into it, problem solved, if there is even a problem. Mine sounds pretty darn good for class d. Plus it has oodles of flexibility. Buy a second c268 and bridge the two, you get 300 watts per channel!.
@@stevesmyth4982 not having an input stage is actually the norm for hypex and ice power modules…the gain is set inside of the module…they are not hybrid amps…like this mola mola example is.
Shout out to the Beat! Saw them a couple months ago, but sadly only Dave Wakeling is the only surviving member of the original band. A bit slower in tempo, but so am I! Great review on some gear I'll never be able to afford, but that doesn't keep me from desiring jewelry grade binding posts!
Let's be honest, it's childish fun to say, "Mola Mola."
Hi Steve, love Your reviews! Did you try to use the Tambaqui as both DAC and Preamp directly to the Perca? Would make a neat and stylish combo 👍🏻
Yes, I use it both ways. Sanded better direct from the Tambaqui
Between the Perca and the Kalugas, which do you think sounds ''better''? Should someone wait for the new Mola Mola Monoblocks?
The new Mola monoblocks are based on the same tech (Trajectum), will output slightly more than 2x the power (over 300 into 8), price not announced.
I suspect Kalugas will be phased out.
Looks like Mola Mola are making some excellent gear
“Looks” is all it has going for it here.
@@jon4715 you have to be joking people who hear these mola mola stuff are actually shocked how good they are. That’s a fact.
@@stephencosta6814 It’s a few hundred dollars in parts. And it’s three pre-fabbed modules. A child could assemble it, no expensive parts. Are we paying for bespoke engineering? Who designed the Class-D module? Where is it manufactured? I just don’t understand the cost at all.
Maybe it sounds good, but a lot of things do these days. Add a tube buffer to a Purifi 400 with a linear power supply and I bet people say it sounds incredibly good too.
@@jon4715 you are correct so many things do sound great today. The standard has truly risen, but I guess that is their secret recipe. They don’t want anybody to know where they’re obtaining or manufacturing these parts. That’s OK for me as long as it sounds sublime.
@@stephencosta6814 It would have to be so incredibly performant that it makes Class A obsolete, which it doesn’t. So you’re stuck with a 10,000 dollar amp made up for the cheapest parts on the market. There is no way it wouldn’t benefit from a linear power supply. It’s bonkers that they couldn’t spring for that.
Steve: "I am totally lost" hahaha. That got me. Yeah some people go a little off the deep end with the tone arms. Thanks for another great review!
Great review as always! Love modern class D so I’m sure this is a hit. I have Parasound Halo equipment so on the look for a good class D amp! Purifi is my #1 choice but it his is good to know off as well!
Mola Mola has already introduced the Kaluga monoblock amps that are the big brothers to the Perca Stereo Amp.
I understand, the new monos have a different name.
Kaluga monos were the first product of Mola Mola, they are being replaced this year by Ossetra. Kaluga's will be retired. Ossetra and Perca are 5 generations beyond Kaluga.
Steve, please contact Alberto Guerra to get some pair of AGDs.
Steve, with the glasses and the shirt saying 'Heil' absolutely made my day!
can't rest a coffee cup on that bad boy! Hilarious!!! My SVS prime wireless pros have 4x50Amp class D amps for the drivers, and they sound - to my savage ears - great - and with the Class D 3000micro sub - it all sounds wonderful. Class D FTW
What a hell of a system of the day!!
Hey Steve want to bet 100 bucks the Daniel Hertz Maria at about a third of the price will beat this amp+your best preamp+mola mola tambiqui+ the best interconnects you have? I'm from Brooklyn as well I can bring the Maria over!
YES YOU can special ORDER A PERCA WITH 600 watts Bridge from the factory. My friend has a pair of them monoblocked.
No you can not. That was done only a few times but has stopped with the introduction of the Ossetra.
Ralph at Atmasphere has Class D monoblocks that people really like. Perhaps a review of it? Thanks!
They’re lower output. I’d love to hear a set sometime though. It seems like the design is intended to emulate a SET?
Hey Steve , so my question is at the base price point or with phono pre what advantage is there over a Luxman , Pass or even D'Agostino ?
Since I never compare those things I cannot tell you the advantages at least for the sound quality. But I will say this amplifier runs cooler than the other amplifiers. And therefore consumes a lot less energy.
Mola Mola Tambaqui is a fantastic clean sounding Dac likely would pair with this amp. I like some class d amps like the cherry audio monoblocks
It's good to know about gear. It doesn't mean that I have to buy it. I'm secure enough in my handmade triode amp to not judge everything that I hear about just because it's different, and pricey. It's interesting. Thank you Steve!
Well put, thank you.
Great review！ I'm wondering how would you compare it with Kaluga. Since I own two pairs of kaluga😂I'm very interested. Thanks 🎉
Your videos are ok and interesting, but the prices are absurd, I purchased Edifier speakers and using amplifiers from Fosi and Prozor with excellent results, mind you I do have a hearing problem, but with passive speakers I have been able to fine tune the sounds of music without investing thousands of $$$$, maybe at one point I would like to hear an upgraded version , but I wonder of it makes a huge difference. The sound from my TV, PC, and laptop are excellent to listen to.......an 81-year-old senior.....
Steve, i am interested in the NAD m23.......is it most likely to be reliable and last me say, 20 years? Or is class D not going to last as long ? Many thanks....top vids
I don't know, but I would expect the M 23 to last 20 years.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac cool, thanks Steve.....🤙
Mine lasted 18 months
@@rolandopenshaw571 do you know what went?
How much is it?
More than double what you would think.
10k USD
Steve, thank you again for another great review! I'm always interested to watch and learn. But, I also have that fascination because a few years ago, you did a review of my Rogue Audio Sphinx V3 - which I purchased partially based upon your review. I LOVE my Sphinx! However, this particular review you are on your game! Your thoroughness in description, in all regards is stellar sir. Well done!
****So, I have an ignorant question to ask. I'm not electronically educated, not in the least. How, if it's possible, would, or can I connect a power amp to my Rogue Audio tube-hybrid integrated? How would one go about that connection? I told you, I'm ignorant. What connects to what? My integrated to the power, with my sources going to my integrated, or the power amp to my integrated and the sources into the Perca? Thanks for anyone who can clarify in layman's terms. Thanks!
Are you talking about Rogue Audio Pharoah? If that is the case, there is no pre-out on that gear to connect to a power amp.
I hope someday that uou can review an LFD integrated amp. As always, U enjoyed this review.
Did you ever listen to any of rhe new GaN FET designs from AGD, Java, Technics and more?
Orchard
Hi Steve…. I owned a Spectron class D 20 years ago.. it was very good and it replaced my GAS Ampzilla… maybe I will consider this..
They already have the Mola Mola Kaluga monoblock.
Different design.
For almost the price of a 2024 tiny car, I would not be surprised if it will sound great and come in a bullet proof case.
Hey, shout out to the English Beat. One of my favorite bands!
Did I hear you correctly? Is Mola Mola coming out with new monoblocks at Munich this year?!!
YES Ossetra which will be the successor to the Kaluga.
Love all your reviews Mr. G. But you must listen to Jan Garbarek's 'I Took Up The Runes'!
This album doesn't get talked about enough, I think it's freaking incredible and some of his most powerful playing!
Steve how about a review of the McIntosh MI502 500 watts into 8, 800 watts into 4 ohms. It’s class D and it retails for $4500, has meters and if it has a bit of the McIntosh warmth it could be a great amp to have! And it only weighs 40lbs. I am so ready to sell my 130 lbs McIntosh mc352!
What size shirt do you wear Steve?
His wife makes his shirts so he has to wear them - I feel sorry for him. ;)
@@007EnglishAcademy I like Steve's shirts. His wife seems like a sweetie. I'm married to a Brooklyn girl too. But she won't make me shirts.
Guys - now THAT I didn't know. I wanted to know because my wife and I found a "Steve Style" shirt that we were sure he'd like - but we didn't know what size he is. We were gonna give it to him at AXPONA.
@@arthurward6997 ha ha, I call them a Steve shirt too and have thought about sending him one. He probably wears a medium, but it depends on his height.
@@chrish.4067 Ha!!! You know how it is - you have to "do more" then "maybe" she'll make YOU a shirt Man. You know how it is...
Suited to the Magnepans?
8:10 my prefered The english Beat was I confess jeje
I want there mono block amplifiers yet this is supposed tonsound even better. I have heard some are buying two and running them bridged as monoblocks. Nice to see the gear even if i am not able to buy it yet lol. Good review as always and the music suggestions are always appreciated.
can’t bridge these, steve said first thing
@@jon4715 I have been told differently by a store
@@patrickgeorge141 maybe steve was wrong. but why would you even want to buy these? you can get an actually good amp for that kind of money. or a lot less. Schiit Tyr monoblocks would wipe the floor with these. That would cost you 3,200. Two of the Molas would cost like 17,000…and they can’t possibly compare. And they probably sound crap bridged.
@@patrickgeorge141I’ve got one. No option to bridge. GTT ran a pair in vertical bi-amp into Vivid speakers at a recent show.
@ChrisMag100 it has been a while an maybe that is what they meant. Did you have the monoblocks before? I heard this sounds better, it just does not have as much power.
Hey, right off the bat- you look really healthy Steve I missed Axpona- Steve you still blow my mind Great stuff. had a comment on Led Zep but it got deleted.
Steve!!!!!!! You have to get another intro tune😂 it makes me feel like i’m about to watch a game show from the 60’s about the everyday cleaning products of a household😅
Stevie G - what a guy. Since when did he become a Class D convert ? I know - when the price tag is over $20 K.
David, very odd comment. This amp is half that price. $9850, it is a stereo amplifier. Not convertible to Mono. So there!
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac You're slumming it Steve. What next glamping ?
Great video. But Mola Mola's customers seem to be more concerned with the casing than the technology. Like art. Otherwise they wouldn't be so crazy as to buy this thing.
I've tried so many 'high end' Class D amps such as Bel Canto etc and always walked away feeling cold and fatigued.
At this stage it's the Boy who Cried Wolf for Class D reviews.
At $14,000, I'd take the Class A Pass Labs every time. YMMV!!!
Only the very cutting edge of class D can compete with the very best of Class A & AB. This wasn't the case 5 years ago or so. In 10 years or so, I predict Class D will begin to overtake the market even at the high end and start becoming the norm.
You need to moonwalk back to the listening studio and get a demonstration of the AGD class D amplifiers. Expensive, but will change your view of the moon.
Ninety-Eight Benjamins for a Class D amplifier??? Yikes. At least the connectors on the back appear gold plated. I'll take your word about the amplifier. I'd love to compare it with my $200 Dayton Audio Class D amp, which sounds totally awesome.
Class D is the future...
Class D is… a joke
is it ganfet?
No
@@marcus1970 interesting.
Love Steve's videos. This one lost me at $9000.00 so I skipped to the system of the day, that lost me as soon as I saw the turntable which was probably $9000.00 also. Not mad at those who can afford, just like to watch for things that reasonable. I guess you never say never but if I become a millionaire, a $9000.00 amp really?
Fun review
100%❤ trust he is un corruptible
Why is build quality even a thing in the era of computer directed metal work?
Well because people care about it, plus a lot of these companies aren't using computer guided CNC machines to do their Mill work on these chassis. A lot of times these boutique small manufacturers are hand cutting and using lathes To do their metal work. Plus a lot of these small manufacturers in an attempt to differentiate themselves will create something that is so" avant-garde" looking, that it's a wonder how the thing manages to stay together.
The class D design have revolutionary the market because it can sound very transparent, so for example a cheap Crown class D model XLS-1500 have the transparency in the territory of a Krell but without the bass authority of the Krell
Great review, but i will keep my Gryphon Diablo 120
Anyone heard the Riffaud Classique II turntable ?
Well done steve. We trust your assessment.😮
I guess agd amps would be still better but i would love a comparison.
I could buy 20 Parasound amps off ebay for that kind of money.
Apples to oranges. I own both a JC5 and a Perca. I’ve owned a HCA-2200mkii, 1200mk2 and multiple HCA-600’s also.
JC5 is not as resolving as the Perca but is a great sounding powerhouse.
RIP Andy Singer
At almost $10K, a bit pricy for Class D.
The sound determines the price to a large degree. Cutting edge class D offers aspects of sound that no A or AB can reach and vice versa. The thing though is that most if not all of the "baby diseases" associated with Class D are fixed in the best Class D constructions.
@@phetmoz I don’t ordinarily claim that the price should be directly proportional to the cost of the components, but most Class D amps are composed of pre-assembled off the shelf modules, and don’t require huge power supplies. This design is different in that a solid state Class A input stage was used, but other Class D designs with a tube input stage exist for one third the price this amp. The most expensive part of this amp is probably the rather controversial case and looks to me like their units (including their DAC unit) are not stackable. Hopefully we will see other much less expensive Class D amps with Class A input stages.
100£ is to much for D class
Cheap switching power supply. What are you paying for here? The fancy chassis? fancy pelican case?
and furutech binding posts. everything is cheap on the inside, expensive on the outside. shameless.
Jon I came to the conclusion many many moons ago that we live in a World where money does not buy quality anymore regardless of what it is It is very rare indeed in 2024 to find anything that will outlast its owner..😆 No one or company wants to be held accountable that would be a good start..🙏.
Btw still waiting on Caladan review
It's coming