SONCOZ SGP1 Stereo Amplifier Review

[mike70]

doubt that anyone with an ASR account is into ear-gospels.

The only true "gospels": my ears/preferences, my wallet .. and the waf

No one in ASR is into "ear gospels" but your gospel is your ears and preferences? (The other facets aren't relative to SQ) ...

I don't understand it very well

 

[lashto]

No one in ASR is into "ear gospels" but your gospel is your ears and preferences? (The other facets aren't relative to SQ) ...

I don't understand it very well

someone else summarized it very well in a diff thread.

There is still stuff that measures (suposedly) "bad" but sounds "good". There is still stuff that measures (suposedly) "good" but sounds "bad". At least to my ears. Measurements are a "very good to know" for me, but not a K.O. criteria. Ears/prefereces/waf are KO-s.

 

[andrew]

You obviously don't have CD horns.

The LA90 (<2µV noise!) is the only amplifier that produces no audible noise whatsoever from my 109dB/W@1m horn tweeters at idle. With the Neurochrome (28µV noise), there is audible noise (just a bit of hiss) sitting nearfield.

I like my listening room dead silent at idle when listening to music at night. I think it's a real accomplishment that a power amplifier (200W in bridged mode) can match the noise (and THD) of the very best DACs.

YMMV.

Mani.

Are you running the LA90 in bridged mode on your horns? How does the combination sound? A fair number of amps are quiet on my midrange horn (100ddB) but then failed when driving the 108dB compression driver / horn. A Purifi class-d amp did well but still some noise when Nearfield to the horn.

 

[Head_Unit]

And get rid of the silly tagline and arrows on the meters, along with the unnecessary second SONCOZ- it's already engraved directly above.

They must have hired someone from Saleen...or Shelby...

 

[manisandher]

Are you running the LA90 in bridged mode on your horns? How does the combination sound? A fair number of amps are quiet on my midrange horn (100ddB) but then failed when driving the 108dB compression driver / horn. A Purifi class-d amp did well but still some noise when Nearfield to the horn.

I tried the LA90 on my horns when I first got them only to test how quiet the amps were. I can't recall exactly, but am pretty sure I kept them in stereo mode. But they were never intended for my main (horn) system.

I use Neurochromes with my horns. You can hear some slight hiss from the CD horn tweeter with your ear right next to it, but otherwise all is dead quiet.

It's worth mentioning that I run my horns fully active, so one amp connected directly to each driver. The amount of power bridged mode offers just isn't required, even for my upper-bass horn. The subs in my main system... now they're a totally different matter, and even a bridged LA90 would stuggle, I suspect.

Mani.

 

[Genpattonj]

Not interested in experimental products with issues that may or may not have been fixed.

Had mine since January 2024. It seems to have a huge amount of reserves. My speakers are hand built by a Company in Langley BC, Raw Acoustics. They are transmission line and he told me there hard to drive. Impedance can drop below 4 ohms and not very efficient. Tried them with a 250 watt class D. Kept shutting down at loud volume. The Soncoz just kept going, at a lower wattage it actually sounded louder. just my experience. Yes, I know this is an old thread. Sorry

 

[rdytro]

Anyone else received recent units? Retailers are claiming the issues have been fixed. Soncoz themselves don't respond to e-mails (as per usual with small chinese companies). Also, would there be any easy way to swap the LEDs illuminating the dials to a slightly less candle-light-like color temperature? Has anyone opened it up to see what they are?

Gave up on getting an AHB2 as used units all turned out to be ancient and the local distributor is awful and very expensive.

Now choosing between a Kinki Studio EX-M1 and Soncoz SGP1. On paper the Soncoz looks brilliant, but teething problems ... I believe Kinki's not dissimilar issues were all solved after the revision 2 or 3 years ago.

 

[restorer-john]

Also, would there be any easy way to swap the LEDs illuminating the dials to a slightly less candle-light-like color temperature? Has anyone opened it up to see what they are?

Unless the dials themselves are yellow (they look like they might be).

It's really unlikely they are using 2700K warm LEDs for illumination- I bet they are white/daylight 4000-6000K LEDs and the dial material is yellow. Unlikely they would be actual incandescent bulbs, but you never know.

 

[rdytro]

Unless the dials themselves are yellow (they look like they might be).

It's really unlikely they are using 2700K warm LEDs for illumination- I bet they are white/daylight 4000-6000K LEDs and the dial material is yellow. Unlikely they would be actual incandescent bulbs, but you never know.

I think you're right. Most of the unlit images I saw of it were renders rather than the real thing. Real thing does appear to be yellowish. Wish they'd gone for a cleaner white look like on the new Technics Class D amps. It looks so much prettier.

 

[Labjr]

I wouldn't buy anything from them. If they don't answer emails now, what do you think they'll do if you have issues?

 

[rdytro]

I wouldn't buy anything from them. If they don't answer emails now, what do you think they'll do if you have issues?

Nothing but I'd be buying from a local retail presence.

 

[Labjr]

Also, Soncoz is not a new manufacturer anymore. They are several years old and their CS is still terrible. Every product has had issues. They don't seem to thoroughly test products.

 

[Dougey_Jones]

Unless the dials themselves are yellow (they look like they might be).

It's really unlikely they are using 2700K warm LEDs for illumination- I bet they are white/daylight 4000-6000K LEDs and the dial material is yellow. Unlikely they would be actual incandescent bulbs, but you never know.

IDK if I've ever disagreed with a post more, lol.

There's no chance in hell they're using incandescent bulbs, but there's a great chance that they just chose 2,700k LED's because it's actually a common choice for meters and other illumination in the HiFi world. Have you not seen TEAC, Yamaha, Accuphase, Luxman meters and illumination?

 

[TK750]

Have you not seen TEAC, Yamaha, Accuphase, Luxman meters and illumination?

Of all the people to pose this question to lmao, perhaps it was tongue in cheek?

 

[TonyJZX]

in the year of our lord 2023 you would guess the Chinese have invented the safe and cheap and reliable 2,700k LED - i mean what an engineering marvel... like the mythical blue LED

 

[Dougey_Jones]

Of all the people to pose this question to lmao, perhaps it was tongue in cheek?

I was being sarcastic. But Restorer John does make preposterous statements on here quite often and rarely gets any push back.

 

[TK750]

I was being sarcastic. But Restorer John does make preposterous statements on here quite often and rarely gets any push back.

My apologies, I thought that might be the case! I will neither agree nor disagree with the second part of your statement (yes this fence is lovely)!

 

[AlbertoGpunto]

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SONCOZ stereo class AB power amplifier. It was sent to me by the company about 5 or 6 months ago and costs US $1099.
View attachment 309036
As you see, the unit comes in gorgeous packaging with custom and VU meters befitting of some of the highest end audio products of 1980s when such feature was popular. The meters also seem to have acceleration and autoscaling as they seem very responsive during my testing. But as you see, one is pegged to max. This only happened when there was no cable attached to that input (it only affected the meter, I measured and nothing comes out of the amp that way). Company says this problem was found and is fixed.

The unit feels extremely sturdy and heavy for its size (medium). Back panel sports high quality connectors and a trigger input:

View attachment 309037

Notice the rounded over heatsinks so they don't tear your skin open as you lift the unit. Really, this is A+ execution.

In use, the unit only got warm despite me pushing it a lot. It may get warmer if you left it on longer though.

If you are new to these reviews, please watch my video on understanding amplifier measurements.

SONCOZ SGP1 Amplifier Measurements
As usual we start with our dashboard:
View attachment 309038
I like the sensible gain of not too high, not too low (you need 2.5 volt for max power). SINAD of 106 dB easily lands in our top tier category of all amps tested:
View attachment 309039
View attachment 309040

Dynamic range is superb:
View attachment 309042

As is distortion with multitone:
View attachment 309043

Same for 19 and 20 kHz:
View attachment 309044

Frequency response is one of the flattest I have seen:
View attachment 309045

Crosstalk was excellent:
View attachment 309046

Unlike some other compact amplifiers, we have plenty of power, matching company spec:
View attachment 309047
View attachment 309048

View attachment 309049

Finally, here is our sweep vs frequency:
View attachment 309052

I asked the company about the 20 Hz response and I am told this was an issue with the loading of the switchmode power supply and it has since been fixed. Otherwise, performance is once again superb.

The amp was essentially ready to go on power up:
View attachment 309050

I like to see less than 1 mv pop on/off noise:
View attachment 309054

Conclusions
What a delightful product from SONCOZ: it nails both aesthetics and performance at the same time. The gorgeous VU meters give the SGP1 style and functionality while the traditional class AB delivers extremely low noise and distortion with lots of power. We have had amplifiers with such performance characteristics but not with this much power. I feel regret in not testing this amplifier sooner.

It is my pleasure to recommend SONCOZ SGP1 amplifier. It is a model of how you deliver a product to both please the ear and the heart!

Manufacturer PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:​

Dimensions 350*260*125mm
Weight 8 Kg
Rated Out Power 240Wx2@4,120Wx2@8
SNR 130 dB, A-Wt., 20 ~ 20k Hz
THD+N < -110 dB (< 0.0003%), A-Wt., 20 ~ 20k Hz
Output Current 8.5A Peak Output Current per Channel
Output Voltage 95 Vpp Peak -to-Peak Output per Channel
Output Configuration Bipolar 4-Parallel Push-Pull per Channel
Frequency Response +0.12dB @82; +0.13dB @42,@20~20kHz
Crosstalk -145~-120dB
Input Sensitivity 2.5Vrmsor28dB
Input Impedance 20kΩ
Environmental 0C to 50 "C Ambient Temperature; Up to 80% Humidity, Non-condensing

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Could I ask you suggestion: which pre-amp to use with this Soncoz sgp1, please?

 

[daniboun]

Could I ask you suggestion: which pre-amp to use with this Soncoz sgp1, please?

I would have logically answered that one))

SONCOZ SGA1 Amplificateur Casque Préamplificateur Symétrique - Audiophonics

Soncoz dévoile avec son SGA1 un combo amplificateur casque et préamplificateur totalement symétrique extrêmement performant et musical. Profitant d'une architecture intelligente et soignée ainsi que d'un design sobre et élégant.

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[AlbertoGpunto]

I would have logically answered that one))

SONCOZ SGA1 Amplificateur Casque Préamplificateur Symétrique - Audiophonics

Soncoz dévoile avec son SGA1 un combo amplificateur casque et préamplificateur totalement symétrique extrêmement performant et musical. Profitant d'une architecture intelligente et soignée ainsi que d'un design sobre et élégant.

www.audiophonics.fr

I thank you very much! As preampli has only one input, if I'm not wrong. Something with multiple inputs?