AGD Productions shows off their new stereo amplifier, we monitor the situation with Ocean Way Audio. The beauty of tubes but in a small efficient package that might fool even the most skeptical of listeners.
The Story
Ocean Way Audio Eureka monitors are large and play large. Coming from Allen Sides of Ocean Way Studios, these 45 lb monitors are considered a “smaller package” and way to deliver the famed Ocean Way Studio sound. Based on the heralded Sausalito floorstander, this “smaller” monitor version retains the 1-inch dome tweeter and 8-inch aluminum mid-woofer, eschewing the lower cabinet and 12-inch woofer reinforcement.
Be not wary, this is an audiophile speaker in every sense of the word. Fancy high-gloss finishes, a slew of wood veneer and paint options, along with a low end frequency response rated at a conservative 35 Hz.
New from AGD Productions the TEMPO Di GaN Stereo Amplifier based on ADG’s GaN Power MOSFETs, rated at 200 wpc into 4-Ohm loads, and half that power at 8-Ohms. It also can output 400 watts in total when configured in bridged mode. Technology borrowed from the pioneering AGD Vivace amplifier is used in this new stereo amplifier. Compact in size it almost gets lost in the display.
The Sound
Convincingly un-class-D is how I would describe the sound of this monstrously modest stereo system from Ocean Way and AGD. The first time Dave and myself heard this system we did a double-take when the news was broken to us that it was a GaN amplifiers and not truly tubes. As the pictures convey, this is a close to full-range sounding system that does way more right than one would expect. Such large monitors you don’t expect to fade away and disappear, but they do.
The System
AGD Productions Andante Pre/DAC/Phono/Streamer
AGD Productions TEMPO Di GaN Stereo Amplifier
AGD Productions Vivace Monoblock Amplifier
AGD Productions The Audion Mini-Monoblock Amplifier
Ocean Way Audio Eureka Monitor
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