SONCOZ SGP1 Stereo Amplifier Review

[restorer-john]

The other big positive is the idle noise. It's extremely low at around 25uV. It is this, plus the decent power output that gives the excellent S/N ratio you are seeing. You will not hear annoying hiss like you do with many of the Class Ds.

 

[TK750]

Looks great and measures great as well. Only thing I worry about is the age old reliability conundrum, saw a few complaints/issues when it first came out and then haven't heard anything at all (positive or negative) since then really. Hopefully the assurances they have given Amir are accurate about fixing the problems. It's well past the price range where I'm happy to take a risk and write it off if necessary and sending it back is likely to be fairly expensive due to size/weight I imagine. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't quite tempted though...

 

[Michael Fidler]

Always nice to see a well-executed 'blameless' class B amplifier in the wild. Voted great!

 

[ZolaIII]

Unfortunately they dropped a lot from early prototype like bridge mode and unbalanced inputs. Would have been a even nicer little Pine Cone with those.

Soncoz SGP1

Soncoz upcoming new power amp: SGP1, no other info available. Only these renders. Looks good to me ...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Wolf measured it last year.

Measurements of SONCOZ SGP-1 PowerAMP (Prototype） - L7Audiolab

台式设备 早上时候我贴了SONCOZ SGP-1的照片，其实这台 SONCOZ SGP-1 是手焊的工程样机，据我所知最后成品之前还会进行一些调整。但是我个人觉得目前存在的测量上的问题影响不是非常大，于是在和松果沟通之后还是先放出这台工程机的测量

www.l7audiolab.com

Anyway If reliability turns out to be good it's a winner. There is a better price for it on HiFiGO of 970 $.

 

[frabor]

SMSP power supply and perfect specs in a AB. This is good and a refreshing addition to the AB land. Also, when it comes to longevity, assuming it does not self destruct in the first year, the boards look like highly serviceable.

 

[staticV3]

The other big positive is the idle noise. It's extremely low at around 25uV.

Actually, just 16μV with 20kHz BW:

sqrt(5W*4Ω)*10^(-109dB/20dB)≈15.9μVrms

 

[SuicideSquid]

Most likely will be faulty after a few months and with of course no after sale services. Very nice.

Do you have experience with the company?

 

[Matias]

Thanks for the review, @amirm.

Small typo:
"I feel regret in not testing..."

 

[Kevinfc]

Just when I thought I’d never have interest in an A/B amp again. Very nice.

 

[Highvolt60]

Output impedance/dampening factor Vs frequency would be nice to see in amp reviews.
Less important in the modern Class D since it is usually extremely low (Purify or Hypex for example).

 

[beeface]

Wow, I mean not much more you can really ask for at this price (except maybe knockoff McIntosh‘s color scheme for the meter). Just amazing.

I think this look's much nicer than McIntosh's colour scheme, personally

 

[staticV3]

Even prettier in Silver imo:

 

[dsnyder0cnn]

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 20Hz issue is disconcerting. I hope you'll have an opportunity to re-test a device that has been fixed.

 

[amirm]

The 20Hz issue is disconcerting. I hope you'll have an opportunity to re-test a device that has been fixed.

It is actually not that bad. It looks that way because the higher frequencies look so good.

 

[TK750]

The 20Hz issue is disconcerting. I hope you'll have an opportunity to re-test a device that has been fixed.

Worst case scenario we are much more insensitive to distortion at low frequencies

 

[Rivet Head]

I like the sensible gain of not too high, not too low (you need 2.5 volt for max power).

Voltage needed for max power -- can someone show the math for how this is calculated?

 

[TonyJZX]

yeah the only worries are about reliability... both initial and running ie. long term

which shouldnt be the case in a $1,000+ unit

the original discussion thread details the teething issues which unforunately seems to be passed onto some customers

i'd love to hear their justifications for removing features in production models

but to me bridging isnt a big loss and neither is losing rca

 

[Ben1987]

@amirm Thank you very much for your patient review and testing, respectful as always.

 

[CleanSound]

Well, just when I was about to pull the trigger on a Nord, this guy comes out.

*Sigh* decisions, decisions, decisions.

 

[amirm]

Voltage needed for max power -- can someone show the math for how this is calculated?

You can do the math but my values are experimental. I adjust that until I see the waveform clipped and report that.