The Audionet products are
developed, produced and distributed by Idektron, located in Bochum-
Germany. Idektron GmbH & Co
was founded in 1994 as a spin off of Ruhr University Bochum, one
of the leading Universities in Germany.In a very short period of
time they have managed to build up a strong brand name in
Audionet. To sum up the philosophy of the manufacturer I will
quote the Managing Director Mr. Thomas Gessler: “What we are
doing is information engineering, which means that we are trying -
ongoing from the source (vinyl, CD, DVD) - to give you as
much information as possible, and this information contains all
what music is: dynamic, control, ambience, transparency,
resolution and rhythm and in the result: emotion.”
Design
My first impression when unpacking
this 22 kg of mono power amplifier was solidity. My eyes curiously
wandered over the amplifier to see if the impression lasts.
The front panel is made of 10 mm
brushed aluminium that has been anodised in black or silver
(nature) if preferred. The chassis is made of black varnished
steel, the sides and top are made of anodised and brushed
aluminium. AudioNet have used a minimalistic design with straight
and pure lines that will make this mono amplifier fit into a
modern home also as a decorating detail.
Audionet uses SMD techniques. No
couplings capacitors, coils and relays are located in the signal
path. The input stages are double-difference- amplifiers with
low-noise monolithic dual FETs. An 80 VA toroid-core transformer
powers them with separate windings for each channel. Their
gain-bandwidth-product is higher than 1 GHz. Double-boot-strapping
decouples them from the power-stage. The power-stage consists of
six power MOSFETs. Their bias current is 0.6 A, and it is actively
controlled. The signals at normal volume level are handled in pure
class A .
They are supplied by two 700 VA
toroid-core transformers and four fast and impulse-stable high
current capacitors with a total of 80.000 uF. Distortions are
compensated locally by a real-time correction-stage. The voltages
are smoothed by discrete and optimised MOSFET-regulators.
On the front you can see a display
and a power on button to start up from stand by mode.
Back of the amplifier there is one gold plated RCA line input and one gold plated
symmetric Neutrik XLR. Furthermore I found two sets of high
quality gold plated WBT loudspeaker terminals and one main socket
with accompanied power on button. There is also the possibility to
communicate with other Audionet products through an optical
Audionet Link.
With a child's eager I powered up
this mono amplifier to see what more I could find out before I
start to listen.
Features
When powered up there is a main
phase recognition. If the polarisation of the main lead is wrong
you will get a message in the display that reads "Attention:
Main Phase Incorrect". Through the multifunctional power on
button on the front you will be able to adjust the AMP II G2
settings and features.
You have to start with
adjusting your input selection: Cinch or balanced input. The AMP
II G2 can also show you if the temperature is ok, or the peak
level when the amplifier is in action and playing your favourite
records.
If you find the display too bright you will be able to
set the brightness in five steps from off to 100%. There is an
"Auto On" function if you want it to power up when you
start to play your music. It can also work in a reverse way if you
choose. When no signal is presented to the amplifier you can set
"Auto Off" in 30 seconds up to 120 minutes.
If you don't
want to leave your AMP II G2 with power on when you are not at
home, you can put it in stand by and use the "Warm Up
Countdown". This is a timer that will switch on your AMP II G2
automatically and pre-heat the amplifier so it will be ready for
some serious listening when you come home from a hard days work.
So did the impression of solidity
last after the visual inspection? I have got a short answer for
this one: Oh Yes!
Set up
The amplifier was located close to
the speakers, so I was able to use short speaker cables. Make sure
there is plenty of air around the power amp, because it runs hot.
As preamp, AudioNet's PRE 1 G2 and the power supply EPS was used.
AudioNet ART V2 played those silver discs and VPI Aries Scout
played the vinyl. Solid Techs Feet of silence was used under the
preamp and CD player. Following speakers had the pleasure of
feeling the power from AMP II G2: Amphion Xenon, JM Lab Electra 905,
JM Lab Mezzo Utopia, Pe Leon, Von Schweikert VR-4SE (Gen III) The
speakers were resting on Soundcare spikes. Various cables supplied
the signal, and here is the list: Harmonic Tech, Acoustic Zen,
Neotech, Kimber
Musical Experience
The Swedish distributor, P.L. Audio strongly advised that I should let the AMP II G2
be powered on at all times and let it run for one week before some
serious listening where done. To my experience, this is
information that has to be taken seriously.
My
first listening session was not really a listening session. The
AMP II G2 where powered up at the side of the loudspeakers and I
was playing on the very fine Bel Canto Evo 200.2 power amp. On
that Saturday morning I was drinking my coffee and reading the
newspaper. In the CD player Jewel's- This Way was spinning. For
some reason I was too curious to just read the paper. Hmmm, I
wonder why. I just had to feed that AMP II G2 with a signal. Well,
said and done, back to the newspaper. It was not time for a
listening session yet, not until the afternoon. I had
a very hard time concentrating on the newspaper, and I could not
keep my foot from moving. I just had to let the paper fall down on
the table and let myself be taken by the pure music presented to
me by this set up. The first week I let the music play for fun
with no analytical listening. I just could not come around to it.
What was it that captured my interest in a way that no power amp
has ever done until this date? I will try to guide you through my
musical journey with AMP II G2. Let's start the joyride.
Lisa Ekdahl and Peter Nordahl Trio-
'Back to Earth' is the first CD I will use to illustrate the sound
of this amplifier: I let the cd player start with track 2- 'Nature
Boy'. Lisa's voice came right at me and it was so brittle and
fragile. The rhythmic bass played by Patrik Boman, supports that
unsecured voice. You could really hear every note played by the bass
and the modulation was absolutely spectacular.
I continued with Anne Sofie Von
Otter- 'The Artist's Album'. Track 1- 'Mahler- Serenade'. Here we
are confronted with a voice that is filled with confidence. Anne
Sofie's voice is crystal clear and very dynamic. She has a strong
support from the belly and I was able to hear that dynamic
impact on this recording. The piano was distinctly reproduced by Ralf
Gothoni, you could feel his passion as he let his fingers dance
over the piano keys.
I just had to play one of my
favourite records, Diana Krall - 'Live In Paris'. I chose track
11- 'A Case Of You'. This is a live recording and it really comes
to live. The ambience was spooky, the music just breathes. The note
that comes from the piano was filled with authority. I
heard the whole note before it rolls of. Details in the recording
were so natural and it created a feeling of being there. On this
recording it was so obvious that a good amplifier also can present
you with air around the music. I wonder though, if anybody can do
it in the same effortless way.
Now I was starting to get the
picture, but had to play more music, and I mean, "I have
to play more music". When the night came and I had to go to
bed, I coudn't push myself to do so. Just wanted to play that
record, and the next one and so on. Then had to admit; I
have become a HiFi addict and I blame it on AudioNet.
Next CD was music from motion
picture 'The Million Dollar Hotel'. Track 10 - 'Tom Tom's room'. I
played this track with the intent of listening to the dialog. But
when the cd started there was a strange bumping. What was that? It
was late in the evening and it sounded as if someone was redecorating my
bedroom upstairs. I stopped and started again. Yes, there was that
bumping noise again. Unbelievable. It was crystal clear. It
really sounded as if it was coming from the left corner of the ceiling.
The dialog started up and you could feel the intimacy of the dialog.
I only wish that this dialog could have been as good at the movie,
because it would have given the movie another dimension.
It was time for some music with a
little more energy. I decided to play Ryan Adams - 'Heartbreaker'.
Track 9 - 'Come Pick Me Up'. This recording brought me right to the
Rock Club. The impact of the drums caught me off guard and I jumped
up as if I had been to a scary movie. Once again the room ambience
was so obvious that you could feel the smoke
in the room and start walking towards the bar to order a beer.
There was a perfect control all the way. The soundstage size
remained
the same even when played very loud. The dynamic was fantastic; there
was no limit. I just wanted to crank it up more and
more. This was a rock concert. Sorry -- what did you say? I cannot
hear because of this ringing in my ears.
And to bed we go with one happy
smile. After the experiences with Ryan Adams I could not help
myself. I had to get down and dirty. It was time for Buddy Guy - 'Sweet
Tea'. Track 1 - 'Done Got Old'. This is a naked and raw
recording. I could feel the paint coming down from those moisten
cement walls. In the beginning of the track there was some burring
noises. You could actually hear the traffic from outside the
building. This helps to give the recording that raw and unpolished
sound. When hearing Buddy telling us his blues there was nothing
that could stop that foot from tapping and you may even feel like
singing the blues yourself.
Under this review I have been able
to partner this mono amplifier with different electronics,
loudspeakers and cables. Not at any time did I notice a
mismatch. But you must remember when you are dealing with highly
revelling instrument like the AMP II G2 that it is very easy to
get it wrong. Just as any fine tuned equipment this amplifier is
extremely sensitive.
Sound
Balance: Neutral.
Resolution: World
class. Very detailed throughout the whole spectra but not at the
expense of the music.
Transparency: Crystal clear like a mountain
creek, as we say in Sweden.
Treble: Very detailed. It feels
almost like there is no stop in that high frequency. You will also
be able to hear that sparkling top.
Midrange: Very natural. Voices
are filled with body. Piano is presented in an unstrained way.
Lower register/Bass: The words that come to mind will be control,
modulation and impact.
Dynamics: This is one of the strong points.
The dynamic will even scare you if you are not prepared.
Soundstaging is exceptional. It gives 3D a new meaning
to me.
Visceral impact: This is the truth and nothing but
the truth. Listening to a full-scale classical concert will give
you goose bumps. The impact of those entire instruments playing
together in a crescendo is something I hope everyone will
experience some day.
Conclusions
To get every bit of music out of
this amplifier I strongly recommend it to be used with high
quality electronics and full register speakers. In my set up I got
the best results with AudioNet electronics, Von Schweikert
loudspeaker and Acoustic Zen cables. There is no typical sign to
the sound that will be presented at you by the AMP II G2. When I
look back and read my notes, I see the same remarks used
repeatedly: dynamic, control, ambience, transparency, resolution
and rhythm.
Is there really no backside to the
coin then? I cannot see anything besides the price. Unfortunately
it will cost you quite a bit to get this performance. It will also
make you want to upgrade the rest of your system if it is not up
to the amplifiers standard.
How good is this mono amplifier from
Bochum in Germany? Well, I can tell you that I cannot imagine
myself having a HiFi life without this mono amplifier. So until
someone convince me otherwise, this pair of mono amplifier will
remain in my listening room as my reference. I consider myself to
"have seen the light at the end of the tunnel".
Technical Details:
- Function
microprocessor-controlled mono power amplifier
- Output power
- 200 Watts into 8 ohms
- 350 Watts into 4 ohms
- 550 Watts into 2 ohms
- 750 Watts into 1 ohm
- Frequency range 0 - 300.000 Hz
(-3 dB)
- Damping factor
- > 1800 at 10 kHz
- > 10.000 at 100 Hz
- Intermodulation
- < -110 dB SMPTE 100 Hz: 20
kHz, 4 : 1, 50 W/4 ohms
- THD + N < -105 dB at 1 kHz,
35 Watts into 2 ohms between 20 Hz and 20 kHz
- Harmonic distortion k2 typ. -117
dB for 25 Watts into 4 ohms k3 typ. -140 dB for 25 Watts into
4 ohms
- Signal to noise ratio > 110
dB at 10 Veff
- Input impedance coaxial Input
impedance symm. 37 kohms, 220 pF 3 kohms, 170 pF
- Inputs 1 RCA line, gold-plated 1
Neutrik XLR symmetric, gold-plated
- Outputs 2 stereo loudspeaker
terminals, gold-plated for comfortable bi-wiring
- Mains 120 V or 230 V, 50...60
Hz
- Power dissipation 5 W Stand by,
max. 1000 W
- Dimensions 215 mm * 190 mm * 500
mm (W * H * D)
- Weight 18 kg
- Finish Front brushed aluminium,
black anodised, white printing or aluminium nature, anodised,
black printing
- Display: Red or Blue Cover
Chassis Aluminium, black anodised sheet-steel, black
varnished
- Features -
- Effective output power
display -
- Remote switch-on via
Audionet-link (optical) or signal (3 sensitivity levels) -
Timer - microprocessor-controlled protection circuit
Manufacturer: Audionet,
Bochum Germany
Price: €7000 per pair
(List Price in Finland, incl 22% Sales Tax/VAT)
