This is a review and detailed measurements of the Episode EA-DYN-12D-100, 12 channel "zone" matrix amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $1,387 although used ones may be available for less.
These would normally go in an equipment rack in custom install (CI) systems. So the front panel doesn't need to be pretty or anything. Here, it is not bad with channel pair indications and power button. Back channel exposes the full capabilities of the amp:
Same or different digital and analog inputs can be distributed to any of the stereo zones. For testing, I only used Zone 1. Toslink digital and analog input is provided as is pass through to increase the number of channels. Subwoofer output is provided which I did not test. There is a gain control for each zone.
Spec indicates ICE class D modules are used for amplification.
Two fans on the side would howl as soon as the amp was stressed, seemingly going by the signal level than any change in operating temperature. Definitely not something you want to use in typical home listening.
Episode EA-DYN-12D-100 Amplifier Measurements
I only focused on testing Zone 1's left and right channels starting with analog input. I adjusted the gain for 25 dB. As you see, there is good bit of channel mismatch here:
They should really provide two pots to allow this to be dialed out as it is unlikely that these small trim controls maintain accuracy. That aside, distortion comprised of third harmonic is quite high, sinking the amp below our competent category.
Digital Toslink input improves noise but since we are distortion bound, SINAD is not changed much:
Using Toslink we see good SNR:
Frequency response test shows that there is no frequency dependence:
But boy, is that too much difference in gain (1 dB).
Channel separation using Toslink is very good:
Multitone reflects the high level of distortion:
It is essentially bad everywhere.
Distortion sets in early and changes in nature:
It is basically bad everywhere:
It meets its power spec however:
And doesn't droop much (likely because it is designed to power a lot more channels than what I am testing):
Paradoxically, it gets worse as it warms up, but not much:
Conclusions
The Episode EA-DYN-12D-100 brings to table a lot of output channels with the typical input matrix functionality. Use of class D modules means it is very light with high channel density. Performance falls far short of what we would for hi-fi use. Then again if you need 12 channels, building a performant of system out of hi-fi gear to match it will be much more expensive and harder to match on capability front. So really a different tool for a different job.
Given that members would most be interested in hi-fi use, I can't recommend the Episode EA-DYN-12D-100.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
These would normally go in an equipment rack in custom install (CI) systems. So the front panel doesn't need to be pretty or anything. Here, it is not bad with channel pair indications and power button. Back channel exposes the full capabilities of the amp:
Same or different digital and analog inputs can be distributed to any of the stereo zones. For testing, I only used Zone 1. Toslink digital and analog input is provided as is pass through to increase the number of channels. Subwoofer output is provided which I did not test. There is a gain control for each zone.
Spec indicates ICE class D modules are used for amplification.
Two fans on the side would howl as soon as the amp was stressed, seemingly going by the signal level than any change in operating temperature. Definitely not something you want to use in typical home listening.
Episode EA-DYN-12D-100 Amplifier Measurements
I only focused on testing Zone 1's left and right channels starting with analog input. I adjusted the gain for 25 dB. As you see, there is good bit of channel mismatch here:
They should really provide two pots to allow this to be dialed out as it is unlikely that these small trim controls maintain accuracy. That aside, distortion comprised of third harmonic is quite high, sinking the amp below our competent category.
Digital Toslink input improves noise but since we are distortion bound, SINAD is not changed much:
Using Toslink we see good SNR:
Frequency response test shows that there is no frequency dependence:
But boy, is that too much difference in gain (1 dB).
Channel separation using Toslink is very good:
Multitone reflects the high level of distortion:
It is essentially bad everywhere.
Distortion sets in early and changes in nature:
It is basically bad everywhere:
It meets its power spec however:
And doesn't droop much (likely because it is designed to power a lot more channels than what I am testing):
Paradoxically, it gets worse as it warms up, but not much:
Conclusions
The Episode EA-DYN-12D-100 brings to table a lot of output channels with the typical input matrix functionality. Use of class D modules means it is very light with high channel density. Performance falls far short of what we would for hi-fi use. Then again if you need 12 channels, building a performant of system out of hi-fi gear to match it will be much more expensive and harder to match on capability front. So really a different tool for a different job.
Given that members would most be interested in hi-fi use, I can't recommend the Episode EA-DYN-12D-100.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
