SONCOZ SGP1 Stereo Amplifier Review

[Angsty]

It's a class G (AB+ voltage pump).

Okay, but Benchmark claims Class H:

“Unique features of the Benchmark AHB2

• Linear class-AB amplifier with parallel class-A feed-forward amplifier
• Patented THX AAA low-distortion topology.
• Class-H tracking rails extend output power and voltage while maintaining high efficiency”

Laboratory Use of the Benchmark AHB2 Power Amplifier

SEAS driver test system uses Benchmark AHB2 SEAS, a well-known manufacturer of high-quality loudspeakers, selected the Benchmark AHB2 as a key component for use in testing loudspeakers. They created an innovative test system that measures loudspeaker motor strength and moving mass with higher...

benchmarkmedia.com

 

[Angsty]

Regarding looks, if Soncoz stays around, the looks might get better. As a Bryston fan, I can see a definite improvement from the original 4B to the current 4B^3. The price in real dollars went up, too - by 33%, inflation adjusted from 1978.

 

[JSmith]

Okay, but Benchmark claims Class H

Yes have seen that and quoted same before... however that was prior to @John_Siau from Benchmark making this comment;

Review and Measurements of Benchmark AHB2 Amp

The AHB2 has now been tested in the German trade magazine STEREO 8/2022 and has scored quite well. However, the performance data in bridge mode could not be reproduced. Unfortunately, there are no further details on this. Here is the measured DF at 4ohms (not bridged), which I have not seen...

audiosciencereview.com

The AHB2 has a class-A/B output section with dual bipolar output rails (class-G). A class-A correction amplifier provides feed-forward correction. The main amplifier and correction amplifier are passively summed at the output.

JSmith

 

[Deleted member 48726]

Some of their speakers look nice (but so do other brands) but check out this $250,000 speaker:

This is what you say you would be proud to have in your living room???

Your fringe case of esoteric speaker is exception to the rule.

Sonus Faber IN GENERAL makes nice looking and built speakers.

 

[nawfal07]

Yes, finally a real candidate. Added to my list. Thank you so much @amirm !

 

[alter4]

Might be stupid but how to change volume level for such amplifier without volume regulator?

 

[anome]

uhm, DAC, preamp...

 

[alter4]

I don't think every DAC has true output level regulator, i think they have just digital one.

 

[anome]

Did not say every DAC, nor method of attenuation. I drive a Boxem 4215/E2 from a DO100. I have a Yamaha T1 Tuner I bought back in 1978 with a variable output, I would less inclined to such a setup, but presumably it would work fine with a few constraints.

 

[amirm]

I don't think every DAC has true output level regulator, i think they have just digital one.

And those work just as well if not better.

 

[John Atkinson]

Metric #1: Thermal hotspots
Heat. It would be great if reviewers used a FLIR to assess electronics under standardized conditions. They're not crazy expensive and it's sort of cool that in the USA, we can buy export controlled gear like this as ordinary citizens.

@amirm and @John Atkinson : Flir is having a discount on this right now:

FLIR E8-XT Infrared Camera with Extended Temperature Range | Teledyne FLIR

FLIR E8-XT is the perfect tool for quickly locating and diagnosing electrical, mechanical, and building problems, thanks to its 76,800 (320 x 240) pixel infrared detector and expanded, -20°C to 550°C (-4°F to 1022°F) temperature range. FLIR MSX® image enhancement provides extraordinary thermal...

www.flir.com

I use an inexpensive Mastercool 52224-A-SP infrared thermometer for my amplifier testing - https://www.tequipment.net/Mastercool/52224-A-SP/IR-Thermometers/

As I am only interested in measuring heatsink temperatures, this serves that purpose.

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

 

[Angsty]

Might be stupid but how to change volume level for such amplifier without volume regulator?

Not a stupid question; that’s the difference between a power amplifier and an integrated amplifier. I use a dedicated preamplifier ahead of my power amplifier for this job. Since I have multiple analog and digital connections, a dedicated preamplifier works well for me.

 

[alter4]

Thanks to all for answers! What kind of exact devices from price/value standpoint you could suggest? 2-3 examples that could match this amplifier.

 

[Angsty]

Hypex DIY Preamplifier Kit Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Hypex DIY balanced Preamplifier and headphone amplifier Kit. It was sent by the company and kindly assembled by @Rick Sykora. It costs € 1.225,00 excl. VAT (US $1,331). I very much like the larger form factor here and especially the very large...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping Pre90 Review (preamplifier)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping Pre90 balanced and unbalanced preamplifier. It was kindly sent to me by the company. The base preamplifier with ability to switch between RCA and XLR inputs costs US $599. There is an extension that gives you four (4) more inputs...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Schiit Freya S Preamplifier Review 2

A few weeks ago I reviewed the Schiit Freya S preamplifier. It performed really well in passive mode, providing fully transparency to my ultra low distortion and and noise audio analyzer. In active mode, one channel produced excellently low distortion and noise but the other was some 9 dB...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[da Choge]

Has Soncoz discontinued their English language site? All of my previously saved URLs lead me only to their native Chinese website. They used to have a pretty good English language site (I thought), or maybe it was English webpages from one of their distributors' (online stores) websites. However, as far as Soncoz itself is concerned, I can only find the Chinese language website presently.

 

[Ben1987]

Has Soncoz discontinued their English language site? All of my previously saved URLs lead me only to their native Chinese website. They used to have a pretty good English language site (I thought), or maybe it was English webpages from one of their distributors' (online stores) websites. However, as far as Soncoz itself is concerned, I can only find the Chinese language website presently.

SONCOZ's English website is under construction.

 

[Karl-Heinz Fink]

I just ordered one amp via my engineer in China. I like the concept and the measurements. Let's see how it sounds.

China is building up a very powerful HiFi industry. There are many good brands around, and they are very affordable compared with classic HiFi companies, The reason is that they don't add margins for complicated distribution or big margins for dealers. The engineering level in China is very high nowadays...and don't forget, they work for their own home market, and that market is huge. I enjoy the excellent price, and I don't complain, because the design is not made for Europe or the US. They do something I personally like: they measure AND listen.

ATB KHF

 

[Karl-Heinz Fink]

We tried to find out more about SONCOZ ...... not so easy. They are not well known in the Chinese Audio Community. Looks like only the office is in Shenzhen. They are selling the unit here in Europe via Audiophonics in France and via AMAZON, but neither have any in stock. So far, I'm not sure if this is really a factory or a brand name or a marketing exercise with production elsewhere. Honestly, it makes me a bit nervous to buy a unit without knowing where it is coming from. On the website, you see several units with completely different designs. A company, that is doing its own design and production, would typically try to match the devices and use common parts. So if somebody from SONCOZ is reading here - now it's a good time to tell us more about your company.
So in this case, I have to question my own posting I did before........

 

[GXAlan]

We tried to find out more about SONCOZ ...... not so easy. They are not well known in the Chinese Audio Community. Looks like only the office is in Shenzhen. They are selling the unit here in Europe via Audiophonics in France and via AMAZON, but neither have any in stock. So far, I'm not sure if this is really a factory or a brand name or a marketing exercise with production elsewhere. Honestly, it makes me a bit nervous to buy a unit without knowing where it is coming from. On the website, you see several units with completely different designs. A company, that is doing its own design and production, would typically try to match the devices and use common parts. So if somebody from SONCOZ is reading here - now it's a good time to tell us more about your company.
So in this case, I have to question my own posting I did before........

@Ben1987 is officially affiliated with SONCOZ. Hopefully he'll answer.

In case other ASR readers don't know, Karl-Heinz Fink is a "behind the scenes" speaker designer who has worked for companies like Q Acoustics, Wharfdale, etc.

He was part of the team who designed the Diamond line for Wharfdale

Wharfedale Diamond 220 Budget Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Diamond 220 from the British speaker company, Wharfedale. I purchased the set for this review from Amazon for US $199 including free shipping. The 220 comes with inset covers for each driver, giving it a classy look despite its low cost. Here...

www.audiosciencereview.com

He designed the current Q Acoustics line

Q Acoustics Concept 500 loudspeaker Measurements

Sidebar 4: Measurements

www.stereophile.com

And does a whole lot of other secret stuff

Home

Fink Audio Consulting is one of the most influential and least well-known companies in the global loudspeaker market. It’s an engineering consultancy responsible for some of the finest speakers we’ve heard in the last couple of decades, including multiple Award-winners from the likes of Tannoy...

www.whathifi.com

 

[GXAlan]

So if somebody from SONCOZ is reading here - now it's a good time to tell us more about your company.

It’s been almost a week with no reply, and Ben has logged on since Mr. Fink’s post.

Just tagging @Ben1987 one more time since everyone is interested! This amp seems to be a major step forward for what we have seen from the brand so far.