Trinnov Amplitude 16 Amplifier Review

[amirm]

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Trinnov Amplitude 16 home theater amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $12,500.

We have an on-off switch and a faint display that shows whether the channels are bridged or not. Given the main application of being in a dark room, you wouldn't want any bling on the front. Back panel shows the amazing number of channels crammed into this enclosure, courtesy of ICEPower class D amplifiers and custom power supply:

The binding posts show up impressively. And dual AC input (both must be used) hints at the box delivering 16 concurrent channels of amplification (or 8 bridged -- not tested). Inputs are provided through DB-25 connectors. Trinnov supplied me with a very supple and high quality converter to XLRs which made testing easy.

Trinnov Amplitude 16 Amplifier Measurements
I performed all of my testing on channels 1 and 2 in single ended/non-bridged mode. Let's start with our dashboard:

Nice to see the unit meet and exceed the spec on noise+distortion. Performance is not quite as good as the Trinnov 8m I tested but still quite competent:

Gain is on the low side but that is intentional to maximize SNR by matching the Altitude 16 processor. Speaking of SNR, performance is excellent there:

There is no load dependency which is nice:

I tested using reactive loads and it delivered the same.

Multitone shows some rise in distortion at higher frequencies:

Which then gets reflected in intermodulation distortion using 19 and 20 kHz tones:

Crosstalk is excellent:

Specs are met with respect to power:

Full power is more or less maintained for the full audio range:

We can see the same in our sweeps vs frequency where 20 Hz output is not impacted:

The amplifier impressively doubles down in power up to 20 Hz including with reactive loads:

Noise on power off may be audible on sensitive speakers:

Amplifier is stable on after a few minutes:

Conclusions
It is clear that the Amplitude 16 is competently designed despite including 16 channels of power -- more than I have seen before. This takes away massive amount of clutter in a high-channel ATMOS home theater setup. We give up a small notch in performance from 8m but that is a trade off that I happily accept in not having to have two boxes.

On the cost, please note that this product is sold through the installer channel which requires healthy margins. So please don't compare it to companies selling direct.

I am going to recommend the Trinnov Amplitude 16 amplifier.
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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Appreciate any donations using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/

 

[amirm]

Audio Power & Gain​

---

• One Channel 8Ω:200W (1kHz, 0,1% < THD+N)
• One Channel 4Ω:400W (1kHz, 0,1% < THD+N)
• One Channel Bridged 8Ω:800W (1kHz, 0,1% < THD+N)
• One Channel Bridged 4Ω:1000W (1kHz, 0,1% < THD+N)
• Total Output Power (120 VAC):2800W all channels driven SE or BTL
• Total Output Power (230 VAC):3200W all channels driven SE or BTL
• Peak Power:6080W all channels driven SE or BTL
• Gain:16 dB single ended / 22 dB bridged

Audio Performance​

---

• THD+N Single Ended:0.0015% - 8Ω, 5W (2dBu)
• THD+N Bridged:0.0015% - 8Ω, 20W (8dBu)
• Frequency Response:+0/- 0,6 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, load-independent
• Damping Factor:2340 at 100Hz / 1820 at 1kHz / 354 at 10kHz
• Signal to noise ratio:126 dB ref to rated 1% THD output (A-Weighted)
• Crosstalk:96dB single ended 200W 8Ω
• Intermodulation Distortion:Less than 0.05%

Audio Inputs & Outputs​

---

• Input Connectors:2x DB25 Female, Tascam Analog Pinout
• Input Impedance:47 kΩ, each phase
• Input Sensitivity:6.16V (+18dBu)
• Output Connectors:1x 5 way binding post per channel

Power Supply​

---

• Power Requirement:2x 100/240V (auto-selecting)
• Power Consumption:0,52W Standby; 125W idle; Max 2x 2000W
• Power Input:2x IEC C14
• Inrush current at startup:16A (<100ms, each inlet)
• Thermal Conversion:683 BTU/h MAX
• Mains Fuse:2x 10 Amp slow blow
• 12V Trigger Input:5-15 VDC; Steady State (mini-jack TS)
• 12V Trigger Output:8-10 VDC; Steady State (mini-jack TS)

Weight & Dimensions​

---

• Dimensions (W x H x D) mm, including rack ears:482 x 132 x 452
• Dimensions (L x H x P) inches, including rack ears:19” x 5 1/5” x 17 4/5”
• Shipping box dimensions (W x H x D) cm:54 x 53 x 22
• Weight:20.5kg / 45.3 lbs
• Shipping weight / volume:22.4kg / 0.064 M3

Warranty​

---

• Standard Warranty:5 year
• Transferable:Yes

 

[JSmith]

Decent measurements (cheers @amirm) and power... pricey though.

They do appear to be IcePower modules, pic;

JSmith

 

[restorer-john]

Considering there are 16 amplifier channels in one box, and powerful ones at that, it's actually pretty good value. The peformance with two channels driven is pretty darn good, but how that performance deteriorates with each pair of additional channels driven, and how far, is the key issue. Flexibility in BTL is also a great feaature.

Trinnov needs to rate their amplifiers with at least 2 channels driven for compliant specifications, not just 1 out of 16!

But, if I was building a HT and didn't want a giant 19" rack of hot-running gear, it would be on my list. I see it has two side mounted fans. I'd like to see the processor reviewed too.

 

[GXAlan]

I'd like to see the processor reviewed too.

@amirm , see if you can get the new Alt 16/32 with the ESS DACs. It might actually be more interesting to see if they will send you the Nova since it’s a lower priced 2 ch option powered by an ARM CPU instead of Intel.

@restorer-john

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[Sokel]

Seems that they left nothing to luck and they took care of the details that matter.
Also nice to see how solid it is at the load test and the FTC-like one.

It could do better up-high with the new icepower technology and they will probably include it down the road I guess.

Thanks Amir!

 

[welwynnick]

I believe this amp uses ICEPower 300A2 modules, a step down from the 400A2 used in the Marantz AMP10, though you wouldn't think so from the power measurements.

Both are rather a step down from the NC500 used in the Trinnov 8m, which I think is the real deal.

The doubling down into low impedances is outstanding, but I think the 5W dashboard flatters to deceive. Is this really what Trinnov owners aspire to?

 

[Sokel]

I believe this amp uses ICEPower 300A2 modules, a step down from the 400A2 used in the Marantz AMP10.

Both are rather a step down from the NC500 used in the Trinnov 8m, which I think is the real deal.

The doubling down into low impedances is outstanding, but I think the 5W dashboard flatters to deceive. Is this really what Trinnov owners aspire to?

300a2 don't do 400 W at the knee.I have them and tested them in any way imaginable and I run them at 62V which is borderline absolute max.
They do measure a little better than 400a2 though.

By the pic it seems that it's a custom made board as it seems that are multiple amps on one board but I may be wrong,pics are not that detailed.

 

[voodooless]

it's actually pretty good value

Is it? One of those amplifier modules is about € 150,-, which gives you 2 channels, so all channels are about € 1200, or about 1/10th the asking price (and those are consumer prices). That leaves a lot of cash on the table for a PSU, module redesign, enclosure, connectors, and warranty.

 

[voodooless]

By the pic it seems that it's a custom made board as it seems that are multiple amps on one board but I may be wrong,pics are not that detailed.

Yes, it's definitely a single PCB for the amps, so it's either a custom design job from ICEpower, or they bought the IP and made their own layout.

 

[Haskil]

Remarkable and ultimately not that expensive: 750 dollars per channel for unwavering power in the face of decreasing load impedance and facing the torture of an inductive and capacitive load... 200, 400, 800 watts!
Which puts the quality watt under 4 ohms at 2 euros...

Post scriptume : A question: a friend who suffers from hyperacusis tells me that he hears the noise produced by Hypex and Icepower switching power supplies which have a chopping frequency that is too low and he tells me that he does not hear those used by Sudgen which cut out above... He is an approved repairer for some brands and for him it is a terrible defect. What do you think.

 

[Sokel]

Is it? One of those amplifier modules is about € 150,-, which gives you 2 channels, so all channels are about € 1200, or about 1/10th the asking price (and those are consumer prices). That leaves a lot of cash on the table for a PSU, enclosure, connectors, and warranty.

You have to add the cost for PSU as they don't have one of their own,about double that for sum and that much power.

 

[welwynnick]

Is it? One of those amplifier modules is about € 150,-, which gives you 2 channels, so all channels are about € 1200, or about 1/10th the asking price (and those are consumer prices). That leaves a lot of cash on the table for a PSU, module redesign, enclosure, connectors, and warranty.

Only $80-90 in quantity! I think they went cheap.

 

[voodooless]

You have to add the cost for PSU as they don't have one of their own,about double that for sum and that much power.

ICEpower offers a 1.5 kW PSU. Take two, force cool hem, and they will likely do 2kW each with minor modifications. That's another € 1K probably... There is still a lot of margins left.

 

[welwynnick]

300a2 don't do 400 W at the knee.I have them and tested them in any way imaginable and I run them at 62V which is borderline absolute max.
They do measure a little better than 400a2 though.
By the pic it seems that it's a custom made board as it seems that are multiple amps on one board but I may be wrong,pics are not that detailed

It doesn't add up, but I definitely found a semi-tear-down of an Amplitude 16 on a Chinese website, and it clearly showed 300A2 modules. I was expecting to see 400A2. Neither are fantastic, and both are CHEAP!. I owned some earlier ICEpower amplifiers in the past, and they really weren't good. I think ICEedge are better, but not that much better, and I'm sceptical about whether they're up to this price level, even with 16 channels.

 

[voodooless]

semi-tear-down of an Amplitude 16 on a Chinese website

Links?

 

[welwynnick]

Links?

I've been trying to find them for the last half hour, but in vain. I'm sure it's out there.
Going by Amir's test, they definitely measure like 400A2, so lets assume they're like the Marantz.
They're still only $90 per unit in a carton of 20, though. Bargain.

 

[Sokel]

It doesn't add up, but I definitely found a semi-tear-down of an Amplitude 16 on a Chinese website, and it clearly showed 300A2 modules. I was expecting to see 400A2. Neither are fantastic, and both are CHEAP!. I owned some earlier ICEpower amplifiers in the past, and they really weren't good. I think ICEedge are better, but not that much better, and I'm sceptical about whether they're up to this price level, even with 16 channels.

300a2 and 400a2 are both iceEdge technology (along with 1200as2) and they have near 100dB SINAD.
The older ones were load dependent,that's the worst it can be in an amp.

Newer ones are the sweet spot,they measure just as good at 6.63kHz as at 1kHz.
As for the price,each channel+PSU should be comparable with an NC250MP price,which is not as good down low but better up high (I think) and does not do 400 W by all means.

(let alone 800 W,NC250MP felt into protection at 2 Ohm at Amir's test)

 

[voodooless]

I've been trying to find them for the last half hour, but in vain. I'm sure it's out there.
Going by Amir's test, they definitely measure like 400A2, so lets assume they're like the Marantz.
They're still only $90 per unit in a carton of 20, though. Bargain.

It seems like it is a custom layout, so they had to spend money on a license or custom development cost. Given that these amps are not sold in mass numbers, that will add a significant NRE component, clearly adding to the product's total price.

The same goes for the PCU it seems: it's a single PCB with two SMPS'es on it. Clearly a custom design.

 

[restorer-john]

Is it?

I'm thinking the guy who wants a home theatre, maybe another one driving all the outdoor/pool/garage speakers. Sure it's a lot of money, but if it solves all the amplification with equal power all around (or even doubled in BTL) in a nice neat, active cooled box with hopefully a decent warranty, I reckon that's not bad value.

I've paid ~$2500 for two channel 200+ wpc stereo amplifiers back in the day. So 16 channels in 2024 for $12,500 is OK.