The BEST CLASS D Amplifier I've Heard!
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- Опубліковано 29 кві 2024
- Mola Mola's Perca amplifier is a total charmer!
Then again, the NAD M23 Class D amp is very decent! Watch my review • NAD M23 Amplifier: Cla...
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Steve's videos are always worth watching, even when the gear in question is priced up in the stratosphere. He's turned me on to a lot of cool music over the years, so i always stick around for the discussions of what he played.
Yes! Exactly! I get so many great music recommendations from Steve, and from his buddy Herb Reichert, too! Herb's columns, especially, at the Stereophile website, are crazy good for pointers to music that is _way_ "off the beaten path." Come to learn about the audio gear, stay for a tremendous musical education!
I would love a comparison between Mola Mola and the AGD Ganfet amplifiers.
I was connecting AGD audions to vivid giya, wilson yvette and guys asked me to disconnect it as they just bought new amps 😂 ( AGD was overperforming their more expensive ones).
don't forget the Atmospheres
@@artemnadozhyn3697 Try listening to the Orchard Audio ones then... I was sold and bought 2 monoblocks myself!
Such a great review Steve. Thanks for taking the time to dig in and make it so thorough.
Great review! The joy of hearing music you know well, at a higher resolution, is fun, doubly so with rock!
Thank you for another great show, Steve! I always look forward to watching your latest videos.
I’m so glad you featured this Percussion Music recording on your show today! I am a huge fan of this record. When I was studying percussion 24 years ago, I got to meet Ray DesRoches (the director of the ensemble on this recording). He was a stalwart champion of contemporary percussion music in NY in the 1970s. He played percussion on two other ground-breaking recordings for the Nonsuch label: George Crumb “Ancient Voices of Children” and “Music for a Summer Evening”. This music is spooky, strange, yet beautiful, with an amazing sense of atmosphere. Turn off the lights and light the candles. There is so much great stuff on the Nonsuch label from the 70s!
cool gunnarfolsome! i was trying to get the name of this percusion artist but didnt. can you say his name please. all i heard was Charles Warrenen.thanks!
Wow! With your review and Mola Mola’s credentials I’m really excited about this one
Saludos Steve, como siempre la sacas del estadio, que análisis tan mesurado de la clase De, genial, son muy valorados y apreciados sus comentarios y apreciaciones, sigue adelante, abrazos desde Bogotá, Colombia
You look excited Steve! Thanks for posting this video
Stunning VSOTD! I 've never seen these components but I am seriously impressed!
Great show! Love it!
Tommy Grrr-air-oh is an original member of the Bones Brigade from the early 80s. The same skateboard team that launched Tony Hawk's career.
I would love a comparison between Mola Mola and the Orchard Ganfet amplifiers.
I am going for a Nad M33. That suits my needs perfectly
Hey Steve! Great bumping into you at Axpona in front of the elevators. Could you please review a Nuprime class D amp? Word on the street is that they offer a fantastic value. They make their own power module and typically use a torodial transformer. Casework is quite unique too.
Such a great review. I am happy to see your smile and enthusiasm after the sad news about Mr. Singer. I am sure you hear this a lot, but your reviews make my day. I like that you review a wide range of audio equipment from different price levels. Keep on truckin’.
Thanks Lee!
A big contrast that all who care must be relieved to see...
Sorrow to exhilaration
You look good with your hair slicked back....makes you look younger.
Keep up the great honest reviews.
Hi Steve, love Your reviews! Did you try to use the Tambaqui as both DAC and Preamp directly to the Perca? Would make a neat and stylish combo 👍🏻
Yes, I use it both ways. Sanded better direct from the Tambaqui
I wanted to put together a new combination that is a high detail esp in transients and yet still not harsh (and doesn't make not so good tracks sound bad, even if they will never quite sound good) -- and ended up with the Perca. Also, I wanted to get out of power hungry A / AB - another plus for Perca. It is my first class D. Hesitated to make the jump until now.
My one nit is that the power button isn't the smoothest - sometimes a gentle tap doesn't turn it on/off. But switching to the trigger input rig (my DAC doesn't have a trigger out) removes the stress over the fragile feeling power button.
Could you do a top ten amps that you like, Steve? For those who like a warm sound?
Would love your take on the latest Orchard Audio amp offerings 🙏🏼👍🏼
Great name
@@markorchard2272 indeed! 👍🏼
In case you're wondering, this amplifier costs $9850 (retail price).
Now you can watch the video.
Insanity
I love Steve's reviews because the emphasis is on the music and the emotion, almost like the equipment is secondary. This is the way it should be!
Well said.
Fun review
Great review as always! Love modern class D so I’m sure this is a hit. I have Parasound Halo equipment so on the look for a good class D amp! Purifi is my #1 choice but it his is good to know off as well!
Great review！ I'm wondering how would you compare it with Kaluga. Since I own two pairs of kaluga😂I'm very interested. Thanks 🎉
Is a review of the Clayton Shaw speakers coming up, Steve? Thanks.
Hope so
I wonder how it Compares to Nilai (you can get a pre/power combo as diy kit for 3000 or just 1500 for the power amp or 1000 for a mono block (so 2000). Sold by Hypex which also the mother company of Mola Mola.)
You likely can’t hear any difference in a blind test, they all messure so well that I wouldn’t go high here anymore. Spent the money on something else!
@@Nickhifi88 I will spend my money as I see fit.
What a hell of a system of the day!!
A really good friend has an actual photograph taken with an actual camera of him self and Robert P at the Chiropody festival. He had it printed onto a cup which is pretty cool if you call in for a cup of tea!
Steve, thank you again for another great review! I'm always interested to watch and learn. But, I also have that fascination because a few years ago, you did a review of my Rogue Audio Sphinx V3 - which I purchased partially based upon your review. I LOVE my Sphinx! However, this particular review you are on your game! Your thoroughness in description, in all regards is stellar sir. Well done!
****So, I have an ignorant question to ask. I'm not electronically educated, not in the least. How, if it's possible, would, or can I connect a power amp to my Rogue Audio tube-hybrid integrated? How would one go about that connection? I told you, I'm ignorant. What connects to what? My integrated to the power, with my sources going to my integrated, or the power amp to my integrated and the sources into the Perca? Thanks for anyone who can clarify in layman's terms. Thanks!
Are you talking about Rogue Audio Pharoah? If that is the case, there is no pre-out on that gear to connect to a power amp.
I would enjoy more reviews of class D amps, especially of those with more affordable pricing (like the NAD you mentioned). My not so golden ears are liking them so far.
I hope someday that uou can review an LFD integrated amp. As always, U enjoyed this review.
Thumbs up for the English Beat! A must have record.
Steve!!!!!!! You have to get another intro tune😂 it makes me feel like i’m about to watch a game show from the 60’s about the everyday cleaning products of a household😅
Hi Steve , how does compare to the mola mola Kula , it sounds as though they are very similar
The class D design have revolutionary the market because it can sound very transparent, so for example a cheap Crown class D model XLS-1500 have the transparency in the territory of a Krell but without the bass authority of the Krell
Shout out to the Beat! Saw them a couple months ago, but sadly only Dave Wakeling is the only surviving member of the original band. A bit slower in tempo, but so am I! Great review on some gear I'll never be able to afford, but that doesn't keep me from desiring jewelry grade binding posts!
Steve: "I am totally lost" hahaha. That got me. Yeah some people go a little off the deep end with the tone arms. Thanks for another great review!
Mola Mola Tambaqui is a fantastic clean sounding Dac likely would pair with this amp. I like some class d amps like the cherry audio monoblocks
Listening to you talk about this i thought wow you could easily be describing the specs, performance, and characteristics of purifi 1et400a...low and behold who's the designer behind Mola Mola but none other than Bruno Putzeys. I'm sure extra care and quality was put into this model but I'd love to hear you A/B it with the M23 or even a straight up Purifi Eval 1.
Putzeys is not behind this amp. He has stopped co-operating with Mola Mola since some years now when he left Hypex to co-invest in Purify. Hypex own Mola Mola.
Hi Steve…. I owned a Spectron class D 20 years ago.. it was very good and it replaced my GAS Ampzilla… maybe I will consider this..
Steve, please contact Alberto Guerra to get some pair of AGDs.
Class D certainly has come a long way. I know the amp is expensive (is a relative term in the audiophile world these days), but, hey, it cost less than their DAC. As always, interesting music choices instead of the usual run of the mill stuff a lot of reviewers use, that Percussion Music album is really cool!
They still sound like Class D... Even the new Hypex units.
As stated above listen to a pair of Orchard Audio Premium Gan-Fet identical specs. A FRACTION of that cost... Gan-Fet rocks...
True!
would love to hear comparison with Daniel Hertz maria amp
Daniel hertz Maria probably beats this in the preamp/amp section, plus gives you a top of the line DAC conversion that would probably beat Mola Mola top of the line DAC(I've had it in my system paired to a Grimm MU1), and give you the analog feel at the same time. And you won't even need cables. Wait till more people hear it. Downside is no remote and it's basically plastic, but once you hear it you won't go back. I own the Maria 50
@@Ivy13276 I’ve been hearing a lot about this Daniel Hertz very intrigued about it but the build quality for plastic I feel it’s gonna get scratched up and look like shit and a couple years but I know the sound is extraordinary what people are saying
@@stephencosta6814totally agree I thought about sending it back it's basically a 15lb plastic box.
After break-in you realize it can compete to best of the best systems and see what a bargain it actually is, not exaggerating. Almost a year now and never thought about upgrading, just enjoying music since!
Steve, with the glasses and the shirt saying 'Heil' absolutely made my day!
The TEAC ap505 and ap701 hypexNcore is the best bang for the buck class D. Superb quality
Very interesting
Hey Steve , so my question is at the base price point or with phono pre what advantage is there over a Luxman , Pass or even D'Agostino ?
Since I never compare those things I cannot tell you the advantages at least for the sound quality. But I will say this amplifier runs cooler than the other amplifiers. And therefore consumes a lot less energy.
Love all your reviews Mr. G. But you must listen to Jan Garbarek's 'I Took Up The Runes'!
This album doesn't get talked about enough, I think it's freaking incredible and some of his most powerful playing!
Ralph at Atmasphere has Class D monoblocks that people really like. Perhaps a review of it? Thanks!
They’re lower output. I’d love to hear a set sometime though. It seems like the design is intended to emulate a SET?
Audiophonics from France makes a great E-Purify based Class D amp for around 1200 USD with no import, no tax, and FAST shipping. Powers my sonusfabers stand mounters where the MC75 monoblocks never really had the umph.
To @petekutheis3822 : Hello fellow music/audiophile.😊 I'm responding to your comment because I was curiously surprised. Considering their build quality and reputation I thought the vaunted McIntosh amplifiers could drive any speakers regardless of make or model, especially monoblocks!??
@@williamcampbell3868 I biamp and just use them to drive the tweeters; the MC75s just did horrendous with the Olympica 1s as a sole amp.
I’m trying to find your amp on the web. Do you have the model number or whatever I need to locate it?
@greenbeginner3353. Try searching for AUDIOPHONICS HPA-S400ET Power Amplifier Class D Stereo Purifi 1ET400A. It may be this amp that’s being referred to above. It was also reviewed by Amir at Audioscience review.
@@greenbeginner3353 Googling the first dozen words in the original post gets you the answer. And, nope, I'm not gonna do it for you. 😉
Between the Perca and the Kalugas, which do you think sounds ''better''? Should someone wait for the new Mola Mola Monoblocks?
Mola Mola has already introduced the Kaluga monoblock amps that are the big brothers to the Perca Stereo Amp.
I understand, the new monos have a different name.
Kaluga monos were the first product of Mola Mola, they are being replaced this year by Ossetra. Kaluga's will be retired. Ossetra and Perca are 5 generations beyond Kaluga.
Did you ever listen to any of rhe new GaN FET designs from AGD, Java, Technics and more?
Orchard
Steve, i am interested in the NAD m23.......is it most likely to be reliable and last me say, 20 years? Or is class D not going to last as long ? Many thanks....top vids
I don't know, but I would expect the M 23 to last 20 years.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac cool, thanks Steve.....🤙
Mine lasted 18 months
@@rolandopenshaw571 do you know what went?
Aavik U280 is a Class D amplifier that bests the Mola Mola.
Very likely. It costs significantly more after all and it's Aavik, arguably the leading Class D manufacturer.
can't rest a coffee cup on that bad boy! Hilarious!!! My SVS prime wireless pros have 4x50Amp class D amps for the drivers, and they sound - to my savage ears - great - and with the Class D 3000micro sub - it all sounds wonderful. Class D FTW
Let's be honest, it's childish fun to say, "Mola Mola."
Steve how about a review of the McIntosh MI502 500 watts into 8, 800 watts into 4 ohms. It’s class D and it retails for $4500, has meters and if it has a bit of the McIntosh warmth it could be a great amp to have! And it only weighs 40lbs. I am so ready to sell my 130 lbs McIntosh mc352!
The Class A input stage is the secret sauce that fixes the Class D sound.
Fixes what? Have you heard it?
@@offtom fixes the sterile sound from the distortion components of switching amps…Class A adds third and second harmonic distortion
Class A input stages are the norm, I have yet to see an input stage that's not class A and don't understand why it's a point of the review.
Nad c268 for 999....or less. Put a tubed anything into it, problem solved, if there is even a problem. Mine sounds pretty darn good for class d. Plus it has oodles of flexibility. Buy a second c268 and bridge the two, you get 300 watts per channel!.
@@stevesmyth4982 not having an input stage is actually the norm for hypex and ice power modules…the gain is set inside of the module…they are not hybrid amps…like this mola mola example is.
Hey, shout out to the English Beat. One of my favorite bands!
Anyone heard the Riffaud Classique II turntable ?
They already have the Mola Mola Kaluga monoblock.
Different design.
Great review, but i will keep my Gryphon Diablo 120
Hey Steve want to bet 100 bucks the Daniel Hertz Maria at about a third of the price will beat this amp+your best preamp+mola mola tambiqui+ the best interconnects you have? I'm from Brooklyn as well I can bring the Maria over!
Suited to the Magnepans?
100%❤ trust he is un corruptible
Looks like Mola Mola are making some excellent gear
“Looks” is all it has going for it here.
@@jon4715 you have to be joking people who hear these mola mola stuff are actually shocked how good they are. That’s a fact.
@@stephencosta6814 It’s a few hundred dollars in parts. And it’s three pre-fabbed modules. A child could assemble it, no expensive parts. Are we paying for bespoke engineering? Who designed the Class-D module? Where is it manufactured? I just don’t understand the cost at all.
Maybe it sounds good, but a lot of things do these days. Add a tube buffer to a Purifi 400 with a linear power supply and I bet people say it sounds incredibly good too.
@@jon4715 you are correct so many things do sound great today. The standard has truly risen, but I guess that is their secret recipe. They don’t want anybody to know where they’re obtaining or manufacturing these parts. That’s OK for me as long as it sounds sublime.
@@stephencosta6814 It would have to be so incredibly performant that it makes Class A obsolete, which it doesn’t. So you’re stuck with a 10,000 dollar amp made up for the cheapest parts on the market. There is no way it wouldn’t benefit from a linear power supply. It’s bonkers that they couldn’t spring for that.
Did I hear you correctly? Is Mola Mola coming out with new monoblocks at Munich this year?!!
YES Ossetra which will be the successor to the Kaluga.
Well done steve. We trust your assessment.😮
I want there mono block amplifiers yet this is supposed tonsound even better. I have heard some are buying two and running them bridged as monoblocks. Nice to see the gear even if i am not able to buy it yet lol. Good review as always and the music suggestions are always appreciated.
can’t bridge these, steve said first thing
@@jon4715 I have been told differently by a store
@@patrickgeorge141 maybe steve was wrong. but why would you even want to buy these? you can get an actually good amp for that kind of money. or a lot less. Schiit Tyr monoblocks would wipe the floor with these. That would cost you 3,200. Two of the Molas would cost like 17,000…and they can’t possibly compare. And they probably sound crap bridged.
@@patrickgeorge141I’ve got one. No option to bridge. GTT ran a pair in vertical bi-amp into Vivid speakers at a recent show.
@ChrisMag100 it has been a while an maybe that is what they meant. Did you have the monoblocks before? I heard this sounds better, it just does not have as much power.
YES YOU can special ORDER A PERCA WITH 600 watts Bridge from the factory. My friend has a pair of them monoblocked.
No you can not. That was done only a few times but has stopped with the introduction of the Ossetra.
Hey, right off the bat- you look really healthy Steve I missed Axpona- Steve you still blow my mind Great stuff. had a comment on Led Zep but it got deleted.
I will keep my Vincent sv 500 , 50 wpc that blew away a Purfi 400 wpc. I understand it is not a Purfi but I can’t drop $10,000 to experiment. I’m sure it’s good but not in my neighborhood.
What speakers do you run it with?
@@EMP698 tekton lores. 50 watts clean a/b and I can rock the house.
@@terryhu57 Telkton have high sensitivity, don't they?
@@EMP698 yes I believe it is 96.
Is Luxman not better?
That's for people that love music like I do , most high end gear ( outpriced )is made and sold for and to udiophiles who are rarher looking for the kick and for performance....until listening fatigue sets in. ( impressive but not natural)
I can listen to my very old Luxmans and other gredat vintage amps the whole day ( or night ) and feel sorry and sad when I have to switch them off ....
Your videos are ok and interesting, but the prices are absurd, I purchased Edifier speakers and using amplifiers from Fosi and Prozor with excellent results, mind you I do have a hearing problem, but with passive speakers I have been able to fine tune the sounds of music without investing thousands of $$$$, maybe at one point I would like to hear an upgraded version , but I wonder of it makes a huge difference. The sound from my TV, PC, and laptop are excellent to listen to.......an 81-year-old senior.....
Hi Steve, always enjoy your thoughtful reviews, especially the “value systems” combos you create as thought exercises. I’m in the market to build a well rounded value system that embraces typical inputs- turntable, receiver
Thank you James. Unfortunately I haven't reviewed any receivers or integrated amplifiers with the features you require. Sorry I can't be of much help.
Hi Steve, thanks so much for your quick reply. I wondered if there might be all-in-one electronic box😂 I know you like Schitt components. Might there be a combo that hits the mark? Thank you as always for your thoughts and deep insights into the field.
Steve, several UA-cam frames down from this Perca review was a frame advertising the Audiophiliac Steve Gutttenberg merch store under a banner with Asian script and the word ProAc. It didn’t have the air of legitimacy of an Audiophiliac outlet. FYI. Thought you’d like to know.
8:10 my prefered The english Beat was I confess jeje
RIP Andy Singer
As much as I love my Parasound 2125v2, my upgrade to the NAD C298 (similar to NAD M23) sounds better because it's more balanced between the vocalist and the instruments/band.
As a result, the soundstage sounds wider and there's better placement of instruments throughout the stage.
Apple Music lossless
My video: ua-cam.com/video/ncwCopnHJqA/v-deo.html
What size shirt do you wear Steve?
His wife makes his shirts so he has to wear them - I feel sorry for him. ;)
@@007EnglishAcademy I like Steve's shirts. His wife seems like a sweetie. I'm married to a Brooklyn girl too. But she won't make me shirts.
Guys - now THAT I didn't know. I wanted to know because my wife and I found a "Steve Style" shirt that we were sure he'd like - but we didn't know what size he is. We were gonna give it to him at AXPONA.
@@arthurward6997 ha ha, I call them a Steve shirt too and have thought about sending him one. He probably wears a medium, but it depends on his height.
@@chrish.4067 Ha!!! You know how it is - you have to "do more" then "maybe" she'll make YOU a shirt Man. You know how it is...
I guess agd amps would be still better but i would love a comparison.
Stevie G - what a guy. Since when did he become a Class D convert ? I know - when the price tag is over $20 K.
David, very odd comment. This amp is half that price. $9850, it is a stereo amplifier. Not convertible to Mono. So there!
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac You're slumming it Steve. What next glamping ?
How much is it?
More than double what you would think.
10k USD
It's good to know about gear. It doesn't mean that I have to buy it. I'm secure enough in my handmade triode amp to not judge everything that I hear about just because it's different, and pricey. It's interesting. Thank you Steve!
Well put, thank you.
CAN YOU DIG IT!!!!!! YES !! NICE!!!
Great video. But Mola Mola's customers seem to be more concerned with the casing than the technology. Like art. Otherwise they wouldn't be so crazy as to buy this thing.
Love Steve, he's such a mensch.. BUT!! I tried almost every high end class d brand, and nothing has yet been able to outclass my 805 single ended monoblocks, just sayin' ;-)
I don't believe you! Wake up and smell the coffee.
At thta price it should sound that good.
At $10K for 150w/ch, the Co should call themselves; Moola$Moola😳😂. I own an Aavik U300, I’ll never return to any linear amp. It got even better when I installed a $300 Audio Magic M-1 fuse. Interesting to see that a new proprietary processor module has been created👍. The Furutech binding posts are cheesy🙈. You neglected to mention the holographic image quality which the Class D recreates. Try reviewing a Jeff Rowland or Aavik integrated amp, you’ll no longer need that Viagra script😎.
this is class D
Class D is the future...
I use the periFi class D from BUCKEYE amplifiers
Looks like my Hypex kit amp.
Hypex owns Mola Mola, but the modules aren’t off the shelf Hypex.
Heard price and said Nola Nola eff that
Btw still waiting on Caladan review
It's coming
I bet it's way more than Orchard Audio Starkrimpson; like absurdly more expensive. I bet it can't beat them in SQ & dynamic performance though.
You have a different approach. Most audiophile people have some mental dictat. Thanks for !
What is mental dictat?
@@offtom Diktat Is an order or decree imposed by someone in power without popular consent.