France’s totaldac, best known for their totally lovely DACs, has been offering complete systems from source to speakers for years. The new Amp-1-Sublime trades the original Amp-1’s triode stage for a solid state solution.
From totaldac:
The triode stage used in the previous generation of Amp-1 is now upgraded by an innovative transistor gain stage, using very low component count (all discrete) and no global feedback. A very high voltage (240Vdc) is used to give the maximum dynamic to the signal and its power supply is based on a discrete regulator as well.
The all discrete Amp-1-Sublime puts out 150 Watts into 8 Ohms, 300 Watts into 4 Ohms, and 500 Watts into 2 Ohms while the Monoblocks up that to 300 Watts into 8 Ohms. The totaldac Amp-1-sublime power amplifier (stereo or monobloc) comes with a price tag of 26000 euros/each ex-VAT or about $26,600 USD and is available now.
The company has also released the matching d1-driver-sublime. An active gain stage albeit without a volume control, the d1-driver-sublime is sit in between one of totaldac’s DACs, that include a volume control, and the Amp-1-Sublime. According to the company, the d1-driver-sublime “improves the dynamics, bass control, articulation, presence, soundstage and life” of your music.
The matching d1-driver-sublime comes in at 6600euros ex-VAT (about $7100 USD).
Here’s the complete press release from totaldac:
A New Amplifier and Matching Driver Have Just Been Released by Totaldac
The Amp-1-sublime is the new Totaldac reference amplifier, using solid state components exclusively.
The triode stage used in the previous generation of Amp-1 is now upgraded by an innovative transistor gain stage, using very low component count (all discrete) and no global feedback. A very high voltage (240Vdc) is used to give the maximum dynamic to the signal and its power supply is based on a discrete regulator as well. The circuit uses 0.01% VAR Bulk Metal® Foil resistors from Vishay in the critical voltage gain stage.
The gain stage is then followed by an equally innovative and powerful transistor buffer, using no global feedback as well. This design combines no global feedback, low noise (0.2mVrms), high gain (33dB), high bandwidth (400KHz) and high current (driving 1ohm) thanks to its 2500VA/25kg live-power transformer. These characteristics produce a transparent, fast, live and natural sound without harshness and at the same time with punch and weight in bass
The Amp-1-sublime amplifier is available as stereo amplifier with RCA inputs or as fully balanced monobloc with XLR input.
A new d1-driver is also released to perfectly match the quality of this new amplifier.
The d1-driver-sublime has no volume control because it relies on the DAC volume control but in case the complete system gain is too high (DAC + amp + speakers + room) an analog -15.5dB attenuation can be activated using a switch at the back panel. This attenuator uses 12 pieces of 0.01% VAR Bulk Metal® Foil resistors from Vishay. In case the complete system misses some gain with some tracks recorded very low, the latest Totaldac DACs offer a +12dB digital gain option.
This 2 selectable gain in a Totaldac system allows optimization of all configurations.
Pricing
d1-driver-sublime: 7200euros incl VAT in Europe, 6600euros excl VAT out of Europe
Amp-1-sublime power amplifier (stereo or monobloc): 26000euros incl VAT in Europe, 24500euros excl VAT out of Europe
Company Website: totaldac
totaldac Amp-1-Sublime Specifications
Stereo Version
- stereo power amplifier
- zero global feedback
- fully discrete design
- fully solid state
- using 0.01% VAR Bulk Metal® Foil resistors from Vishay in the critical voltage gain stage
- class AB with medium level of class A for moderate power consumption and for moderate heat in the room
- 2500VA, 26kg LIVE-POWER transformer with separate windings for left and right channel
- separate left/right power supply rectifications and capacitor banks for an almost dual mono configuration (like two monoblocs in one chassis)
- designed on Magico M6, on a 105dB large coax horn system and on Totaldac speakers
- RCA inputs
- largest Mundorf binding posts
- 2x150W under 8ohm
- 2x300W under 4ohm
- 2x500W under 2ohm
- stable under 1ohm
- 33dB gain
- 0.77V sensitivity
- input impedance: 47Kohm
- frequency response at -3dB: 0.06Hz to 400KHz
- very low noise tested in real life on very high efficiency speakers (no hum on 105dB bass horns)
- input offset tolerance without lowering the signal quality: +/-100mV
- power consumption when music level is moderate: 175Watt @ 230V
- dimensions: 230mm height x 483mm width x 453mm depth including connectors
- weight: 54kg
Monobloc Version
- XLR input
- fully balanced from the XLR input to the speaker output
- an Amp-1-sublime monobloc can also be used as a stereo amplifier with RCA inputs
- 600W under 8ohm
- 1000W under 4ohm