Sonance DSP 2-150 Amplifier Review

[GWolfman]

If it weren’t for the heat and gain bug, AND if performance didn’t drop with DSP enabled, I might consider it for some installs. But unfortunately the latter is still an unknown.

Thanks Amir!

 

[Vict0r]

I really think Topping should get into the DSP DAC/AMP business. MiniDSP needs a competitor!

 

[jbrown]

Pretty sure this is NOT a MKII as the MKII units are clearly labeled as such on the front and back. Also the home page of the GUI lists the model # and firmware version. Does it say MKII on the GUI?

 

[mga2009]

Lots of Sonance Sonamp DSP for PARTS or AS IS on eBay... maybe there are not good quality?

 

[jbrown]

Lots of Sonance Sonamp DSP for PARTS or AS IS on eBay... maybe there are not good quality?

The MKI amps all had issues. Sonance replaced a lot of them for free with MKIIs within the first few years, but they don't do that any more. The MKIs will periodically play a fun helicopter sound at high volume even if the system is off. MKIIs appear to be trouble-free.

 

[ocinn]

Not if it's not per channel.

It is. Manual

 

[mga2009]

The MKI amps all had issues. Sonance replaced a lot of them for free with MKIIs within the first few years, but they don't do that any more. The MKIs will periodically play a fun helicopter sound at high volume even if the system is off. MKIIs appear to be trouble-free.

Good to know!

Sadly they look the same!

MKII: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...onance-dsp-2-150-mkii-amplifier-review.45556/
MKI: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...sonance-dsp-2-150-review-dsp-amplifier.26030/

Do we know which module is used in this amp? Maybe an HypeX OEM180LP?

 

[pseudoid]

Thank you for the review, @amirm.
Also thanks for giving us a taste of what the unit does out-of-band in your "wideband FFT showing the switching frequency"...

Seems like Sonance attempted to be a jack of both trades - DSP + PowerAmp - failed in the former but succeeded in the latter!

 

[shuppatsu]

It offends my sensibilities to go Digital Source -> Analog -> Digital -> DSP -> Analog, whether I can hear the difference or not.

It should be Digital Source -> DSP -> Analog. Change my mind.

 

[jbrown]

Good to know!

Sadly they look the same!

MKII: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...onance-dsp-2-150-mkii-amplifier-review.45556/
MKI: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...sonance-dsp-2-150-review-dsp-amplifier.26030/

Do we know which module is used in this amp? Maybe an HypeX OEM180LP?

They do NOT look the same. I believe @amirm has been given a 2nd amp and told it was a MKII when in fact it is a MKI. See attached pictures for an actual MKII (courtesy of eBay).

 

[amirm]

They do NOT look the same. I believe @amirm has been given a 2nd amp and told it was a MKII when in fact it is a MKI

That is exactly the case. We will have to wait for the owner to explain why he thought this was an updated unit. Regardless, we tested the analog input this time so if this is MKI, oddly analog input performs better!

 

[mga2009]

They do NOT look the same. I believe @amirm has been given a 2nd amp and told it was a MKII when in fact it is a MKI. See attached pictures for an actual MKII (courtesy of eBay).

Better yet!

Thanks for your info!

 

[Hipster Doofus]

hi Amirm slow day today so i got my chat bot AI assistant to search out the best amp for SINAD and it returned this...big big brother is watching . next is which Bit coin i should use at the laundry mat.

As I mentioned earlier, there are many amplifiers with high SINAD values, and the best one for you would depend on your specific needs and preferences. One resource that might be helpful is the Amplifier SINAD list on the Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum . They have compiled a list of amplifiers with their SINAD values, which could help you compare different models. Is there a specific type of amplifier you’re looking for?

 

[shuppatsu]

Regardless, we tested the analog input this time so if this is MKI, oddly analog input performs better!

Wild. I bet the digital module was an afterthought, and for convenience they fed it into a DAC to be the same as an analog input.

 

[Rottmannash]

Are those 2 perforated squares on the front plate for internal fans? If not then what are they?

 

[jbrown]

That is exactly the case. We will have to wait for the owner to explain why he thought this was an updated unit. Regardless, we tested the analog input this time so if this is MKI, oddly analog input performs better!

Maybe update the headline of the thread then?

 

[jbrown]

Are those 2 perforated squares on the front plate for internal fans? If not then what are they?

The other models in the line have fans and the grilles serve as inlets. This is just the same industrial design aesthetic, but no fans on this one.

 

[KxDx]

Sonance does not say anything about the topology of the amplifier but I am pretty sure it is switching class D.

They use Hypex UCD low profile modules. The Niles class D amps use them as well.

 

[pseudoid]

Are those 2 perforated squares on the front plate for internal fans? If not then what are they?

Upon my first look at the photo @amirm had posted; those two front-panel cut-outs looked about the correct size to fit two of those 'speakers' which come with the current crop of $2k TV sets.

 

[jeffme]

That is exactly the case. We will have to wait for the owner to explain why he thought this was an updated unit. Regardless, we tested the analog input this time so if this is MKI, oddly analog input performs better!

This was me & I am highly embarrassed. I purchased this from eBay, where was described as a MK II and had it shipped directly to Amir for testing. Be careful out there... [:headless panther emoji:]