Trinnov Amplitude 16 Amplifier Review

[Cbdb2]

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.

Don't forget about the $17,000 for the processor. $30k for the pair, and most subs, where you need the power, have there own power. Who needs that much power? Whats this for a 200 seat home theater with inefficient speakers?

 

[restorer-john]

This photo of the amplifier does it more justice IMO.

The potential expandability of the amplifier is also a compelling attribute.

 

[Cbdb2]

is this kind of equipment that movie theaters use?

Probably not. There more worried about reliability and cost than noise and distortion.

https://professional.dolby.com/siteassets/products/dolby-audio-products/dolby-multichannel-amplifier/17-dolby_multichannel_amplifier_english_technical_specification_sheet_v4.pdf

More power, drives 2 ohms, more reliable (runs 8 hours a day, every day) more flexible, more kinds of inputs, built in x-overs and DSP, and half the price! And No one will hear the difference. Why would you buy this Trinov?

 

[AaronJ]

The comparisons between this amp and other amps where multiple units are required to obtain the same number of amplification channels serve little purpose. This is a 16 channels in one (very attractive) box solution. That is its selling point. Doesn’t matter that two ugly amps with 8 channels each can be had for much less money.

 

[AaronJ]

Probably not. There more worried about reliability and cost than noise and distortion.

https://professional.dolby.com/siteassets/products/dolby-audio-products/dolby-multichannel-amplifier/17-dolby_multichannel_amplifier_english_technical_specification_sheet_v4.pdf

More power, drives 2 ohms, more reliable (runs 8 hours a day, every day) more flexible, more kinds of inputs, built in x-overs and DSP, and half the price! And No one will hear the difference. Why would you buy this Trinov?

How many hoops do you need to jump through to buy one of these things? Looks like every vendor need to be contacted to request a quote. That’s obnoxious, and also not worth the time to the person who can spend $12k on an amp.

 

[Sokel]

The potential expandability of the amplifier is also a compelling attribute.

View attachment 397499

So ,they don't take advantage of icepower's control,monitoring and status abilities as is,it needs the board to do so.
That's unfortunate as it's dead easy to do so and they already have a nice screen.

 

[voodooless]

So ,they don't take advantage of icepower's control,monitoring and status abilities as is,it needs the board to do so.
That's unfortunate as it's dead easy to do so and they already have a nice screen.

I think the point is that this offers remote monitoring via network. That doesn't mean it can't use the controls and monitoring that are already provided by the modules.

 

[prerich]

I hate responses like these. I’m a general contractor and occasionally I’ll have a client tell me the prices materials at X so why am I charging so much. Vehicles, time, insurance, equipment, payroll, accountant, attorney, expertise etc… wholesale pricing a single component is absolutely ridiculous, it’s like saying there’s only $1.32 of cotton in your jeans.

Custom is a beast of a business - especially when you don't get fully paid until the work is finished (i.e. new construction - you'll get paid after the house is done)

 

[Sokel]

I think the point is that this offers remote monitoring via network. That doesn't mean it can't use the controls and monitoring that are already provided by the modules.

By the description I found in avsforums it's not a screen,but leds.So no reporting as is I guess.

The amp contains LEDs on the front that display the state of each of the 16 channels, including any that are bridged, as well as an illuminated Trinnov logo that indicates whether the amp is in standby (red), booting up (green), or full power (white). These LEDs are visually appealing, but they can be turned off if you want to keep your theater as dark as possible.

 

[voodooless]

By the description I found in avsforums it's not a screen,but leds.So no reporting as is I guess.

Yes, the interface on the device is just a bunch of LEDs.

But what @restorer-john was talking about is an extra module to add AOIP. This would also add remote monitoring.

 

[Sokel]

Yes, the interface on the device is just a bunch of LEDs.

But what @restorer-john was talking about is an extra module to add AOIP. This would also add remote monitoring.

Yes,I got that,that's why I commented the "as is" status of the amp and why I think it's unfortunate that they didn't included it in the stock configuration.

Of course on the other hand leds are the safest it can be,no burn-in -ever,etc.

 

[Olli]

Thanks for the review Amir.

Personally I see much better value in say a Buckeye 8 channel Hypex NC502MP combined with a Buckeye 8 channel Hypex NC252MP (for surround channels) for US$4,000 in lieu of US$12,500, i.e. same performance for a third of the price. I appreciate it will be two boxes in lieu of one but IMO that is not worth the extra money and certainly not going to cause any issues if placed in a well ventilated cabinet.

From Amir's review of the Buckeye / Hypex NC502MP:

"The Buckeye NC502MP is a perfect amplifier for home theater duty. It provides incredible amount of power from each module to drive even the most inefficient speakers to ear piercing levels. It does so with extremely low noise and excellent distortion at modest levels. At higher powers, distortion does climb. While I wish this was lower, I don't think there is an issue at all for home theater applications. Even with music, I think you will be fine but the purist may want to have better. Then again, if you are going to lose power to get there, this amplifier may be a better choice."

Buckeye NC502MP 8-Channel Amp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Buckeye Hypex NC502MP 8-channel class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $2,295. There is not a whole lot to look at here. Sheet metal is rather thin and fitment not that great. So put it in a cabinet and forget about...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Buckeye Amps

Buckeye Amps utilizes the most advanced audio amplifier technologies available. Authorized seller for Hypex and Purifi Class D amplifiers. Based in the US. Free shipping and worldwide service!

www.buckeyeamp.com

Buckeye Amps

Buckeye Amps utilizes the most advanced audio amplifier technologies available. Authorized seller for Hypex and Purifi Class D amplifiers. Based in the US. Free shipping and worldwide service!

www.buckeyeamp.com

Unfortunately the gain structure of the Hypex 502 and 252 modules don't match the Trinnov AVP output gain, but for Denon AVPs etc they are a great match.

 

[Ajax]

The comparisons between this amp and other amps where multiple units are required to obtain the same number of amplification channels serve little purpose. This is a 16 channels in one (very attractive) box solution. That is its selling point. Doesn’t matter that two ugly amps with 8 channels each can be had for much less money.

I don't think I could disagree more.

The purpose of this unit is simple, provide high quality power to a vast array of speakers in a home theatre system, that's it, job done.

If you want something to look at shouldn't you be looking at the screen?

 

[Open Mind Audio]

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.

Coming from @restorer-john, this is a high compliment!

 

[GXAlan]

Who needs that much power? Whats this for a 200 seat home theater with inefficient speakers?

Home theater owners with rooms up to 184 cubic meters of space and up to a 6-meter viewing distance go for THX Dominus.

Even a 90 dB efficient speaker at a 20 ft listening distance only reaches 104 dB with 1000W of power.

Someone decided that reference level should be 105 dB peaks, and you couldn’t achieve that in the setup described.

 

[AaronJ]

I don't think I could disagree more.

The purpose of this unit is simple, provide high quality power to a vast array of speakers in a home theatre system, that's it, job done.

If you want something to look at shouldn't you be looking at the screen?

The function of this unit (high quality amplification) is simple. The purpose of this unit to exist (16 channels of high quality amplification in one attractive box) is not its function. This is not the same as many ridiculously priced components whose sole purpose for existence is to be expensive.

You're not the target market and that’s fine. I’m definitely not the target market either. But I can totally understand why someone would want this for their dedicated home theater, and in the grand scheme of outrageously priced components the asking price of the Trinnov seems quite fair to me.

 

[617]

How many hoops do you need to jump through to buy one of these things? Looks like every vendor need to be contacted to request a quote. That’s obnoxious, and also not worth the time to the person who can spend $12k on an amp.

It is, however, worth the time of someone contracted by someone spending 12k on an amp.

 

[SoundsGood2Me]

Thank You Amirm!
You've really been churning out some good content lately. This amp has very interesting potential as an individual speaker driver for tri amping or as many as you need, and running it balanced you still have 8 channels at 800W into 8 ohms! That's a HUGE AMOUNT and it really would've been nice to see measurements of its' balanced output but their spec states 0.001 THD, same as single ended, and that's pretty decent.

Thanks again for giving John Atkinson a run for his money!

Pic not related

 

[Ajax]

The function of this unit (high quality amplification) is simple. The purpose of this unit to exist (16 channels of high quality amplification in one attractive box) is not its function. This is not the same as many ridiculously priced components whose sole purpose for existence is to be expensive.

You're not the target market and that’s fine. I’m definitely not the target market either. But I can totally understand why someone would want this for their dedicated home theater, and in the grand scheme of outrageously priced components the asking price of the Trinnov seems quite fair to me.

Hi AaronJ,

If "The purpose of this unit to exist (16 channels of high quality amplification in one attractive box) is not its function" then what are you saying is its function? This statement doesn't make sense to me.

Both you and restorer-john are on the same page as you both feel this is a good unit for the price. I know John, he is very knowledgable about all things audio having recently repaired some gear for me. We live within an hour of each other on Australia's east coast.

However, I disagree with you both. The only job of the power amplifier is to drive the speakers. It is the work horse of a home theatre system. A simple analogy being that of a car engine whose job it is to drive the car by providing power to the driveshaft, which turns the wheels. It doesn't need to be seen either.

Not trying to be rude or dismissive, but I don't get spending an extra $8k to provide an "attractive" power amp. If you need good looking gear you can buy a processor, which will have plenty of lights and knobs you can look at and play with.

This is the beauty of this site, and why I am a member, as it helps me discover "fit for purpose" high quality gear at reasonable prices.

 

[Sokel]

Hi AaronJ,

If "The purpose of this unit to exist (16 channels of high quality amplification in one attractive box) is not its function" then what are you saying is its function? This statement doesn't make sense to me.

Both you and restorer-john are on the same page as you both feel this is a good unit for the price. I know John, he is very knowledgable about all things audio having recently repaired some gear from me. We live within an hour of each other on Australia's east coast.

However, I disagree with you both. The only job of the power amplifier is to drive the speakers. It is the work horse of home theatre system. A simple analogy being that of a car engine whose job it is to drive the car by providing power to the driveshaft, which turns the wheels. It doesn't need to be seen either.

Not trying to be rude or dismissive, but I don't get spending an extra $8k to provide an "attractive" power amp. If you need good looking gear you can buy a processor, which will have plenty of lights and knobs you can look at and play with.

This is the beauty of this site, and why I am a member, as it helps me discover "fit for purpose" high quality gear at reasonable prices.

We have to see things under their content.
Apart from looks,gain structure optimization,personalized support,5 years warranty,etc,etc is what Amir says at the end of the review,we can't compare apples to oranges.
I quote him:

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.