New Toy - Can you identify?

You would be allowed if I did. Check the properties of the teddy bear picture and you'll find it was taken from somebody's blog, found it via Google pictures.

 

You knew there would be Jessye Norman fans here, right?

Favourite story:
Ms Norman on a sleeper train up to Scotland, having trouble with the beds, asks guard (or train attendant as they probably are now) for assistance,
He: Has madam tried sideways?
She: Honey - there ain't no sideways!

 

Markus ,it's OK, honestly. I understand it's perfectly acceptable over there.

The Berning's looks are forgiveable. It's got flashing LED's anyway!

 

Are they BLOOO?

 

Be still, or I'll tell everybody about your cheap flights to Amsterdam.

 

How cheap? (sounds interesting)

 

Not cheap sadly. And there is a nine month waiting list!

It works out about £3K, but I'm running the sources directly into it so it is almost an integrated. Put it this way, to my ears, it will make most of the competition at that level sound broken, but as ever YMMV etc.

It's a pretty well kept secret, no doubt aided by it's failure in the looks department.

 

Running a TT direct?

Must say, looks doesnt really bother me much, if the sonics make up for it..

 

The Berning has a volume pot and two inputs. I have the CD player going into one and the TEAD into the other.

You'll have to drop by at some point. I think you will be surprised.

 

Didnt realise you had a pot on it, so it is power amp with passive volume by the sound of it.

Wouldnt mind a listen tbh.

 

That's it, and there's more than enough gain to be honest into the Proacs.

You are more than welcome any time, just PM me.

 

Mind if I quote you on that in 6months time when it's in the for sale section?

Michael.

 

Of course Michael - the last amp I bought was of course two years ago, so it might last.

You'll hate this one though - it's got some semblence of science behind it!

 

Heard this wee beastie tonight.

I dont feel qualified to make comparitive comments to the MAC, as although I've heard both at SM's, I havent had the opportunity to try them at home and really get the feel for the differences between the two amps.

My impression was of high-powered solid state definition in the bass, combined with the natural mid-range of a valve amp. In short it sounded powerful, clean, and generous in the mid band without having bloom.

I liked the feedback switch, which makes it a bit like having 3 amplifiers - choosing the amount of feedback on the fly is great for tailoring the amp to the speakers, or even the recording.

The looks arent that bad to be honest, a little like an early audio research amp. It doesnt scream 'Im a five grand amp' - it rather reminds me (looks wise) of an audio innovations amp. It has the same chicken grill style top casing. The front plate is a nice solid lump, and the carrying handles are groovy. The perspex window is a nice way to see the valves without exposing them to inquisitive fingers.

Im not in the market for an amplifier in the 3-4k price range, but if I was this would be on the short list on the basis of what I've heard today.

Very very nice. I would certainly love to hear it at home one day.

Cheers
Chris

 

Paul,

obfuscatory? Could you possibly clarify for others exactly how the ZOTL amplifiers work? Blurb? Are you suggesting that you could build something similar very easily? I'm intrigued.

Technically, there are no output transformers operating at audio frequencies, so I don't see a contradiction, more a reluctance to consider alternative methods of acheiving the same goals.

Thanks to Chris for dropping over tonight and spinning some tunes.

 

The blurb on the manufacturers web site is obfuscatory so I cannot clarify how the amplifiers work. The patent documents imply mosfets as output devices so presumably refer to a different amp topology.

Paul

 

Paul,

The mosfets are not employed as output devices. Have a read of Charles Hansen's informative review here

As you probably know, Hansen has designed a number of well known amplifiers, including the current Ayre and Theta range. I think we can assume he knows what he's on about.

 

I refer you to fig10 of that review. And the glib 'only full on or full off' comment. And how completely dependent the amp is on its PSU regulation

It's an intriguing idea but it seems to be a solution in search of a problem.

Obviously if you like it then that's all that matters.

Paul

 

Hmm. I was under the impression that output transformers in valve amplifiers were the problem, and there appears to be a mass of evidence to back this up, both objective and subjective.

The Berning seeks to use modern technology to remove this problem. Judging from both the subjective listening results and the THD and power outputs it would seem to accomplish that.

At what cost? I don't know. I do know that many consider it to be the ultimate amplifier for use with Quad electrostatics given their high impedence in the bass. So it would seem the technology acheives it's aims and sounds rather good in the process.

The bottom end is undoubtedly superior to the valve amps I have listened to with the most esoteric and over built output transformers. The background is deadly quiet and there is a total absence of tube glare. Apparent advantages are tube life of c.20,000 hours and low power consumption compared to traditional OTL's.

 

Hmmm. Maybe this could be described as a tubed switching amp?