SONCOZ SGP1 Stereo Amplifier Review

[daniboun]

Yes, they sold the SGP1 but when I asked them about it they said it had some reliability problems, so I guess they'd need some convincing. It's a good looking amp for sure, and I'm in need of some VU meters!

Let's put Soncoz to the test and await the ASR test )

 

[PristineSound]

Everything is relative... there are good Class AB implementations as well as good Class D implementations... but also less good ones, let's see the Soncoz SGP1 VS the Purifi 1ET9040BA in this test...
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But we can't just assume if Soncoz decided to engineer a class D amp it will be as good as a Purifi or Hypex. In fact, it is possible that Bruno Putzeys and those who worked with him and learned from him, may be the only ones in this world who have the expertise and know-how to engineer class D amps with this level of performance. Soncoz's expertise is in class AB, if they pivot to class D they have to have the talent and expertise in engineering class D. And then they have the growing and learning pains in doing so, it will probably take few poorly design and highly unreliable class D amps for them to learn before they can make decent ones. Why would they go through all of that trouble when class AB amps are a superbly excellent topology?

Not to mention, the absolute best measuring amp to-date is a class AB amp; I only mention to reinforce the idea that class AB are superbly excellent topology and the best class D has nothing on the best class AB (except for power). BTW, I own both the Benchmark AHB2 and an Apollon Hypex.

 

[daniboun]

Not to mention, the absolute best measuring amp to-date is a class AB amp; I only mention to reinforce the idea that class AB are superbly excellent topology and the best class D has nothing on the best class AB (except for power). BTW, I own both the Benchmark AHB2 and an Apollon Hypex.

That's not wrong; the ASR reviews have demonstrated it, and the Sinad list is proof of that.

Amplifier SINAD list ASR + 3rd parties

docs.google.com

But in all honesty, the race to Sinad is only observable with the eyes.

 

[PristineSound]

But in all honesty, the race to Sinad is only observable with the eyes.

I agree and as such it makes further zero difference what topology is used. With the caveat that some topology may offer different abilities for different use cases.

 

[PristineSound]

Yes, they sold the SGP1 but when I asked them about it they said it had some reliability problems,

That is a pitty shame.

It's one thing if they have bad design and branding decisions like "Silence engineers the soundscape." or poor taste UV meters, but it's a different thing when the reliability is not there, that is a complete and immediate deal breaker.

 

[daniboun]

That is a pitty shame.

It's one thing if they have bad design and branding decisions like "Silence engineers the soundscape." or poor taste UV meters, but it's a different thing when the reliability is not there, that is a complete and immediate deal breaker.

If I were to go back to a class AB amplifier, I would probably go for the NHB-108 Pro, which I have read very good praise for on other forums.

Price : 518€
Signal-to-noise ratio: 126.4 dB (RCA and XLR are the same)
Dynamic range: 126.4 dB
THD distortion: 0.00086%
THD+N distortion: 0.005%
Power 150W/8R
Power 300W/4R

https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005007413075487.html