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SONCOZ SGP1 Stereo Amplifier Review

Rate this amplifier:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 6 1.8%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 7 2.1%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 63 18.6%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 263 77.6%

  • Total voters
    339
Incredibly nice. Great performance and beautiful looks for a very solid price. This is essentially what the topping LA90 should have been.

Gain choice is a bit strange. It’s an XLR-only amplifier, thus I would have liked to see max power at >3.5v or so (lower gain). 2.5v doesn’t really make sense, as unbalanced sources connected via adapters/cables couldn’t manage that, and it’s a quite excessive gain for balanced sources which should do 4v+. It’s sort of a no-man’s land which benefits no-one.

Soncoz should release a sister model with switchable RCA/XLR (and proper gains respectively) and a the ability to mono-bridge the amplifier.

Regardless, this further proves there is no excuse to pay more for a worse performing amp. If I went back to a passive/external amp system something like this would be high up on my list of contenders.

Linear power supplies has its own advantages, it all comes down to proper design.
Please read this article.
 
No hate, love for better music reproduction for all of us, thanks to tech evolution.

Do you think a 100W class A amplifier will be available at chinese prices?
Lots of Chinese class A amps exist and have been semi popular in the west.
 
This is essentially what the topping LA90 should have been.

The SGP1 is similar to a bridged LA90:

Soncoz power 4 Ohms.JPGTopping power 4 Ohms.JPG

The SGP1 has slightly more power, the LA90 lower distortion and noise.

I'm currently running three fully active 3- and 4-way systems and am always on the lookout for 'nice' amps at reasonable prices. The low-powered LA90s are perfect for high-sensitivity horns. I can see myself ending up with a pair of SGP1s to add to the mix at some point, probably for upper-bass drivers.

Mani.
 
The SGP1 has slightly more power, the LA90 lower distortion and noise.

Both of them hit the fidelity wall hard and that's a function of the relatively regulated SMPS supply rails. Clipping is brutal with these designs.
 
Most likely will be faulty after a few months and with of course no after sale services. Very nice.
Here in Europe, Audiophonics sells the brand online and Audiophonics have an excellent customer service reputation. Once bought a little DAC and had a once channel issue and was swapped swiftly.
 
What's the output source impedance? This is an important thing to measure as an amp with high output source impedance can have audible Ohm's-law interactions with speaker impedance.
 
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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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

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It seems that this is not some one-off fluke for this company. <https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/soncoz-sgd1-audio-dac-review.10295/>
 
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It’s tough to know without a true reliability database. $1K gets you in the range of vintage Bryston and Boulder amps, which at least have a track record of performance — but you also don’t know if you have used up the 30 years of longevity in the previous 30 years.
Even after 20 years, I can still get service from the manufacturer for my Bryston gear. This amp is a nice option under $1500, but I’m still partial to a long track record. Manufacturers compete in different ways; Soncoz competes on bang for buck; Bryston competes on reliability and longevity.
 
The SGP1 has a voltage selector switch on the back. Never come across this with an SMPS before.

Mani.

Have a look at your ATX PC power supply. See the voltage switch?

1693570015541.png


There's two ways of doing 'world' voltage on SMPSs. Automatic and manual. Manual is safer, more reliable and cheaper, but it requires a modicum of intelligence from the end user. Sadly, that is missing in a significant proportion of adults the world over.

Automatic requires relays/switching and trigger levels/hysteresis along with added complexity.

Basically, all modern SMPSs are designed to run primarily on 220-240V with switchable voltage doublers for 110-120V. That's why, they will offer better performance in a lot of cases on world voltages (220-240V). Losses (I²R) are greater at lower voltages like the US's 120V.
 
Even after 20 years, I can still get service from the manufacturer for my Bryston gear. This amp is a nice option under $1500, but I’m still partial to a long track record. Manufacturers compete in different ways; Soncoz competes on bang for buck; Bryston competes on reliability and longevity.
Same preference here. I'm content to stick with my Parasound amp (2200II). It's been serviced once since I got it and I've had to clean the relays (it has a dust cover now :)) and that's it.

Edit: If Soncoz sticks to this design and sorts out the problems I think they'll have no problems selling. It sounds like the company is committed to that with Amirm's mention of issues fixed.
 
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Nice amp :) besides the exterior design flaws in the VU's as noted they might need a professional industrial designer for the cosmetics .

Well said. . .but by having a professional industrial designer will increase the cost.
 
Honestly, I am not so picky... send'em all! :D
 
Read carefully:


Both meters work as expected when listening to audio.
Only when nothing is connected to the Amp's inputs, one meter is pegged at max.
Furthermore, the company has since identified the issue and fixed it.
They wouldn't "fix" it, if it wasn't broken. And I'm supposed to trust the company fixed it? How many did they produce that were faulty that are currently in the distribution chain?
 
Dead right. They need to go back to the design board and clean it up.

They've clearly tried to copy the basic look of the Benchmark AHB-2, and even some old Hafler designs, but they've missed the mark.

View attachment 309094

Look at how they label their meters with this text "The Power of Original Sound" WTF were they thinking? Put your silly tagline on a clear sticker if you must- like the Japanese* did so people can peel it off. It just looks glaringly cheap and goes a long way to ruining the look of what is otherwise a very nicely constructed product.
View attachment 309098
The meter markings are weirdly linearly spaced. All power meters have been log forever.
Mark the meter with the reference impedance! The are obviously using 4 ohms as it doesn't do 200W at 8 ohms. Write it on the meter...
What are the horizontal arrows all about- get rid of them!
And these other markings either side of the dB scale- they look stupid.
Label the power switch with "Power" not the LED with PWR. The shortened capitalized markings look cheap. Go with capital and lower case word like the "Left" and "Right" on the meter above.
OUT L and OUT R? You don't need it. Make it Clip or Clip/Fault so it is off, not default lit up. Again, this is basic chit.

Here's how a power meter is done properly (log markings, 10dB jumps until around 0dB with +/-3dB points).
View attachment 309099

*Sony used to put "It's a Sony" on everything HiFi back in the day. Their longest running tagline. But the stickers were designed to easily come off...
LOL...LMAO. thx for the laughs.
 
Do you think a 100W class A amplifier will be available at chinese prices?

That is a loaded and tricky question.

I will try to answer it with my utmost honest opinion.

First, we have to consider what goes into the cost of HiFi (This is not meant to be an exhaustive list):
1) Proper, professional market research (I have ranted on about Topping's lack of understanding of international markets)
2) The R&D costs (talents' time and effort, industrial equipment and precision tools, materials, facility)
3) Industrial design (not cheap if you want world class talent doing this work for you)
4) QA and testing during design
5) Manufacturing (facility, equipment, labor and materials)
6) QC during manufacturing
7) Marketing
8) Logistics (shipping, warehouse, etc.)
9) Overhead (returns, warranty, overstock, accounting, rent, etc.)

The natural factors that enables the cost of Chinese brands' products to be cheaper than Japanese, North American and European brands are the following:
I) Cheaper labor cost
II) Easy and *more direct* access to supply chain
III) If the brand was originally an OEM/ODM then even lower cost, because (a) they have gain design knowhow's from their customers and let's be brutally honest here, they can and will patent and trade secret infringe and (b) lower cost since they can design and manufacture under one roof.

What the Chinese brands cut out to lower cost even more:
A) Proper, professional market research (hence, we are complaining about the gaudiness of their UV design, they have no idea how put off their UV design is, so cheesy and cheap)
B) Industrial design
C) QA and testing during design (hence a lot of reliability issues), I don't think they skimp out too much on manufacturing QC though.
D) Marketing (most of us are perfectly OK with this)
F) Overhead (hence no local support)

The short answer is, of course Chinese brands can offer a low cost Class A amp as a result of (I) - (III) and (A) - (F) above.
But the question is: are you ok with (A) through (F)?

I personally am NOT OK with (A), (B), (C) and will reluctantly accept (F) so long as the product is reliable.
 
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