Apollon 1ET6525SA ST Amplifier Review

[Jukka]

Can you me explain in short words what you exactly mean and how and why this impacts 'better sound'?!
Thx in advance!

I personally buy only devices that have XLR connectivity. It has two important advantages over RCA: being balanced it eliminates power hum and it has shielding against external radio noise.

Hum elimination makes life so much easier that I haven't bought anything without XLR in 10+ years (except one all-in-one device). I wonder why people put up with RCA in this day and age...

Having noise shielding doesn't usually improve things in a home, but it has its uses for long runs and when using devices very quietly, like at night. When the environment is quiet, hearing gets more sensitive and even small noise can become nuisance. It may not bother with music, but can bother with other kind of content, like computer sounds.

 

[Julf]

I personally buy only devices that have XLR connectivity. It has two important advantages over RCA: being balanced it eliminates power hum and it has shielding against external radio noise.

I am OK with balanced even if it doesn't use XLR connectors. A properly differential balanced connection rejects common mode noise, and avoids ground loops. It is what all the professional gear (and high-speed data connections) uses - for a reason.

 

[sharky_7]

I personally buy only devices that have XLR connectivity. It has two important advantages over RCA: being balanced it eliminates power hum and it has shielding against external radio noise.

Hum elimination makes life so much easier that I haven't bought anything without XLR in 10+ years (except one all-in-one device). I wonder why people put up with RCA in this day and age...

Having noise shielding doesn't usually improve things in a home, but it has its uses for long runs and when using devices very quietly, like at night. When the environment is quiet, hearing gets more sensitive and even small noise can become nuisance. It may not bother with music, but can bother with other kind of content, like computer sounds.

This was not exactly the question... but yes! My first Stereo SetUp, > 15 years ago, with a Vincent PreAmp and also a Vincent 6 Channel PowerAmp, only 2 Channels in use, a 45kg Beast, only XLR...
New SetUp building up since a couple of months, Anthem AVM 70 8k, NAD C298 and the Vincent PowerAmp should be replaced most likely by an Apollon 5 Channel Amp and yes, also only XLR. Surrounds new, Focal Nearfield aktiv Monitors, ST6 Solo6, also XLR.

PS: in german: offene Türen einrennen... to preach to the choir
PPS: still have to read about gain staging...

 

[Julf]

Small nit/reminder: "XLR" is a type of connector. It can carry any kind of connection. "Balanced" (or "differential") and "unbalanced" are types of signals/connections. They can use XLR connectors, but also other kind of connectors.

I know a lot of people refer to balanced connections as "XLR", but that is like referring to the positive plug of a power supply as "red" and negative as "black". Yes, they often are, but...

 

[Sokel]

Small nit/reminder: "XLR" is a type of connector. It can carry any kind of connection. "Balanced" (or "differential") and "unbalanced" are types of signals/connections. They can use XLR connectors, but also other kind of connectors.

I know a lot of people refer to balanced connections as "XLR", but that is like referring to the positive plug of a power supply as "red" and negative as "black". Yes, they often are, but...

Yep, it's far better to know what's going on before the signal reaches (whatever) connector.

 

[sharky_7]

Small nit/reminder: "XLR" is a type of connector. It can carry any kind of connection. "Balanced" (or "differential") and "unbalanced" are types of signals/connections. They can use XLR connectors, but also other kind of connectors.

I know a lot of people refer to balanced connections as "XLR", but that is like referring to the positive plug of a power supply as "red" and negative as "black". Yes, they often are, but...

in what felt like 99% of all XLR Connections, in HiFi maybe 100%, they're all symmetric... or I'm wrong?!

PS: mierenneuker! (NL)

 

[Julf]

in what felt like 99% of all XLR Connections, in HiFi maybe 100%, they're all symmetric... or I'm wrong?!

Balanced rather than symmetric, but mostly yes. On the other hand, there are lots of balanced connections using 6.3 mm jacks instead of XLR connectors.

PS: mierenneuker! (NL)

Guilty as charged. Using precise and correct terminology is essential in things like engineering, software and aviation.

 

[sharky_7]

Balanced rather than symmetric, but mostly yes. On the other hand, there are lots of balanced connections using 6.3 mm jacks instead of XLR connectors.

Guilty as charged. Using precise and correct terminology is essential in things like engineering, software and aviation.

As I understand, they are balanced and symmetric in the same time... by Design.
Of course there are other symmetric Connectors, TRS for example, saw also combined Connectors XLR/TRS (was searching for a new Sub)
BUT(!) all XLR Connections (>= 99%) are balanced/symmetric or whatever you like... or I'm wrong?!

PS: aaah, you're from Amsterdam, so you understood everything...
PPS: englisch is not my native language... but you're absolutely right; Using precise...

 

[Julf]

As I understand, they are balanced and symmetric in the same time... by Design.

XLR connectors? They are symmetric by design, but a connector is not balanced or unbalanced, that is a property of the signal and active circuitry, not the connector.

BUT(!) all XLR Connections (>= 99%) are balanced/symmetric or whatever you like... or I'm wrong?!

Almost all, but nothing prevents using an XLR connector for unbalanced connections. My point is that the other way isn't true. A lot of balanced connections don't use XLR connectors. A TRS connector is not symmetric, but can carry a balanced or unbalanced connection.

PPS: englisch is not my native language... but you're absolutely right; Using precise...

English is my third language too - Dutch my fifth.

 

[Jukka]

Balanced rather than symmetric, but mostly yes. On the other hand, there are lots of balanced connections using 6.3 mm jacks instead of XLR connectors.

Yes, I mean balanced, but I sometimes use XLR as synonym depending on context.

As for connectors, XLR is better than plug/jack, because you can connect it while active without the connectors shorting each other. XLRs only downside is size. I'd like to see a smaller but similar connector being enrolled.

 

[Dimitrov]

I'm looking at the 3ch version. I hope the power output as claimed is what they deliver. I don't think there are any third party measurements of the 3 channel version.

 

[Apollon Audio]

I'm looking at the 3ch version. I hope the power output as claimed is what they deliver. I don't think there are any third party measurements of the 3 channel version.

The 3-channel version is equipped with a 3,000 W power supply. It delivers identical performance to our stereo models, with full rated power available from every channel, even when all three channels are driven simultaneously at maximum output.

 

[Dimitrov]

The 3-channel version is equipped with a 3,000 W power supply. It delivers identical performance to our stereo models, with full rated power available from every channel, even when all three channels are driven simultaneously at maximum output.

Thank you for chiming in, appreciate it! I have a Marantz SR-5011 AVR. Was thinking of adding the 3 channel power amp to power the LCRs only.

I'm a complete layman so I don't know if the preamp section will provide enough juice to get full output on your amps?

 

[Matias]

That's where the gain slider comes in, just set to a higher gain if you need more volume.

 

[Usatencu]

I read it 22 pages about this amplifier and absolutely everybody it s talking about measurements, components, power consumption etc. Guys, you are all engineers?! I just want to know how this amplifier sound? How it s comparing to other amplifiers? You are playing music tru this gear, or you just measure? I hope you will enjoy more music and emotions, than measurements. Happy listenings!

 

[Matias]

Well here is some generic blurb: It will sound sweet, natural and organic. Great dynamics, transparent. Veils will be lifted and toes be tapped. Will remind you of your young musical experiences, along with great pride of ownership. Even the wife in the kitchen will hear the difference, and you will want to increase the volume and hear details you never heard before in familiar songs. /s

I think this covers most if not all generic subjective descriptions one would expect.

 

[Julf]

I just want to know how this amplifier sound?

Depends on what you hit it with, and what surface it is on.
If you are asking about the electrical signal that comes out of the outputs, then the answer is "the same as the signal that goes in the inputs, but louder".

How would you describe an amplifier that simply amplifies the signal accurately, without adding any coloration, noise or distortion?

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

I read it 22 pages about this amplifier and absolutely everybody it s talking about measurements, components, power consumption etc. Guys, you are all engineers?! I just want to know how this amplifier sound? How it s comparing to other amplifiers? You are playing music tru this gear, or you just measure? I hope you will enjoy more music and emotions, than measurements. Happy listenings!

It doesn't sound like anything!
Connect some speakers and a source to get some sound.

 

[Hapo]

...I bought a buckeye amp after reading this review...I was going to buy NCx500MC amp but got 6525 amp instead...

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

Depends on what you hit it with, and what surface it is on.
If you are asking about the electrical signal that comes out of the outputs, then the answer is "the same as the signal that goes in the inputs, but louder".

How would you describe an amplifier that simply amplifies the signal accurately, without adding any coloration, noise or distortion?

Quad Acoustics?