Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems Introduces Second Generation Progression Amplifiers
Improved sound, higher power, and greater thermal efficiency highlight the new models –
Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems today announced the second generation of Progression Series Amplifiers. First shipped in 2016, the new Progression models take advantage of technology advancements and circuit concepts utilized in the flagship Relentless Mono Amplifier. There is no mistaking the D’Agostino family styling of the new Progression M550 Mono Amplifier and the Progression S350 Stereo Amplifier. Immediately grabbing one’s attention is the new heat sink design. Drawn directly from the Relentless Mono Amplifier, this highly efficient elliptical form dramatically improves the cooling ability of the design and assures that the Progression Amplifiers run safely and reliably even when delivering its full rated power. Sporting the flair of the original Progression Series, the new Progression M550 Mono Amplifier features upgrades to the input stage, output stage, and heat sink design. The greater cooling ability of the heat sink structure permits greater output power. The Progression M550 Mono Amplifier delivers 550 watts into 8 ohms, doubling to 1,100 watts into 4 ohms and doubling again to 2,200 watts into 2 ohms. Similarly, the Progression S350 Stereo Amplifier outputs 350 watts per channel into 8 Ohms and then doubles to 700 and 1,400 into 4 and 2 Ohms, respectively. Both amplifiers employ 48 output transistors powered by a nearly 2,000 VA power supply transformer and 100,000 microfarads of power supply storage capacitance.
A new power device provides the foundation for an upgraded output stage. This new transistor, first used in the Relentless Mono Amplifier, extends high frequency response, increases power handling by a factor of four and features tighter tolerance gain matching between complementary NPN/PNP pairs. A wider safe operating area and superior gain linearity provides greater thermal stability throughout the amplifiers’ power delivery. Coupling the new output device to the high efficiency heat sink design affords an increase in operating bias. The higher bias specification has increased the Class A operating range of the amplifiers to 70 watts for the Progression M550 and 45 watts for the Progression S350. The result is improved instrument timbre and tonal reproduction for a great percentage of listening.
“I am thrilled with the outcome of the new Progression M550 and S350 Amplifiers. Our senior engineer, Burhan Coskun, led this development and he exceeded the sonic and power performance enhancements I specified.” Said Dan D’Agostino, Co-Founder and Chief Engineer.
The Progression M550 and S350 include major revisions to the input topology. The new Progression amplifier’s distortion, signal/noise ratio, channel separation, and bandwidth measurements have all improved. New transistors handle six times the power of the previous components and a new DC coupling circuity has improved low frequency performance and extended the bandwidth of the amplifiers. Coupling this advanced front end to the enhanced output stage has improved the dynamic impact, detail retrieval, and spatial integrity of the amplifier’s playback.
Maintained from the original amplifier is the Super Rail topology. Simple in description but complex in execution, the Super Rail, counterintuitively, uses additional higher voltage power supplies in the input stage as compared to the main output stage. This higher voltage front end provides exceptional headroom for the output circuitry. Nearly ideal output stage operation results.
The iconic look of the D’Agostino power meters, inspired by the elegant faces of classic Swiss watches, continues with the Progression series. The Progression amplifiers include a 180-degree needle swing meter design driven by a high-speed ballistic circuit that enhances the meter’s responsiveness. The longer swing allows the needle to cover the amplifier’s entire output range.
The Progression amplifiers are available immediately and are available in silver, black, or custom painted finishes. The Progression M550 Mono Amplifier is $44,950/pr and the Progression S350 Stereo Amplifier is $25,950.
Conceived and built entirely in Switzerland, ournew Reference Ultime Two speaker offers the proven design approach, components and materials used so successfully in our Reference Ultime models, in a more compact product that is easier to accommodate.
Like all of the existing Reference models, the Reference Ultime Two is a full d’Appolito design, with an off-set symmetrical driver layout. Internally, the similarities continue, with the passive crossover sharing the same essential electrical characteristics and quality as our existing designs. Rather than the two, rear-firing bass units of the existing Reference Ultime models, it employs a pair of rear-facing laminar flow reflex ports (similar to those developed and so successfully used in the Alumine Five models), to load the front-mounted 12” drivers.
The Reference Ultime Two delivers audio performance that honours the musical performance, a listening experience that captures the energy and atmosphere of a live concert, that encapsulates the excitement and emotional response of a live audience.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
High-sensitivity Reference Ultime loudspeaker system
Full d’Appolito array with 2×12” woofers, 2×6 1⁄2” midrange and 1x 25mm tweeter
Massive aluminium cabinet with six independent, internal chambers.
Sealed chambers for each midrange, the tweeter and crossover
Separate bass chambers loaded with rear-facing laminar flow ports
Passive three-way crossover, using audiophile grade components, sealed in an airtight chamber
The latest in Siltech’s Classic series of cables, Legend represents the culmination of over thirty years of research into conductor and insulation materials. Our engineers have achieved a massive improvement in technology, sound quality, and accurate timing. Despite its moderate pricing, the Classic Legend range has low capacitance, excellent high-frequency characteristics, and the least possible distortion. This translates to a superbly resolved sound with a smooth, balanced tonality and exceptional stereo imaging properties.
A new Legend is born
Classic Legend offers three different models within the series: 380, 680, and 880. The line includes interconnects, speaker, and power cables. The new G9 silver-gold conductors, the revolutionary 3-layer high-tech insulation together with the improved super silent shielding increase the already superior quality that audiophiles have come to expect from our cables. All of these innovations result in a superbly resolved sound with a smooth, balanced tonality and exceptional stereo imaging properties. Using technology trickled down from the flagship Crown range, the Classic Legend series outperforms previous Classic cables in technical measurements by 2.5 times. Legends are timeless and these cables are no exception. Investing in these cables will bring you legendary performance for years to come.
Siltech’s bespoke G9 pure solid silver-gold conductors
Military grade triple layer insulation
Exceptional price-to-performance ratio
G9 silver-gold
Classic Legend employs improved metallurgy – G9 is the 9th generation of Siltech’s proprietary silver-gold alloy with up to 2 times larger conductors than previous generations. This new range uses the company’s new G9 silver-gold conductors, the latest in a long line starting with the G1 which was a 99.99% pure solid silver wire found in the first cables. Silver boasts the best conductivity of any metal, and this actually improves over time. The new G9 wire alloys silver and gold together to fill in the micro-cracks of the crystal structure, as well as offering improved cable run-in. Far less time is now needed for the conductors and insulators to achieve their optimum performance – under 100 hours is now required, depending on the connectors. Classic Legend also introduces a new 3-layer high-tech insulation system. Its new revolutionary insulation package combines DuPont Teflon and PEEK for exceptionally low distortion and unlimited dynamics and results in 1.5 times increase in insulation with super silent shielding. It comfortably surpasses all previous Classic cables in technical measurements and subjective sound quality, with an uncannily natural, musical performance.
Bluesound New NODE and POWERNODE ・Re-engineered with an even better quad-core processor ・All-new DAC design ・Beautiful touch screen controls
NODE
Wireless Multi-Room Hi-Res Music Streamer
The Bluesound NODE unlocks the world of hi-res music streaming and multi-room audio to create a modern addition to existing HiFi systems or your favorite set of powered speakers. Discover all the music ever recorded with access to hundreds of internet radio stations, dozens of streaming music services, or even your own digital music library, with a few taps of the BluOS Controller app for iOS, Android, or Mac or PC computers.
Connect to any existing stereo amplifier, AV receiver, or powered audio system. Powered by state of the art Quad-Core 1.8ghz ARM® Cortex™ A53 processor and a 32-bit/384khz premium DAC design. HDMI eARC connectivity, digital, optical and analog input/output options, with wired and wireless headphone and subwoofer outputs. Hi-res audio streaming with access to Internet radio stations, cloud music services, and your own local music library. Dual band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet and support for 2-way Bluetooth aptX HD Bluetooth ensures music playback without interruption. Create and control a seamless multi-room system with the intuitive BluOS Controller app. Top panel touch controls with presets. IR input and remote learning capability – Control it with the optional Bluesound RC1 Remote Controller. Connect with the BluVoice skill in the Alexa app and use Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant to control Players around the home. AirPlay 2 lets you play music or podcasts from wireless stereo components throughout your house — all in sync.
POWERNODE Wireless Multi-Room Music Streaming Amplifier
The BLUESOUND POWERNODE is the HiFi amp reinvented for the streaming age, combining audiophile-grade componentry and multi-room music capabilities to create an intuitive “just add speakers” hi-res sound system for modern music lovers. The compact minimalist exterior disguises 2 x 80 watts of award-winning HiFi amplification, a premium hi-res DAC design, and access to all the music ever recorded with a tap in our BluOS Controller app for smart devices and laptops.
Easily drive your existing pair of premium speakers. 80 Watts per channel of HybridDigital™ amplification technology A state of the art Quad-Core 1.8ghz ARM® Cortex™ A53 processor and a 32-bit/384khz premium DAC design ensure flawless playback with precision and clarity. HDMI (ARC & eARC) connectivity. Featuring digital, optical and analog input options, wired and wireless headphone and subwoofer outputs. Wireless Dolby® surround sound. Dual band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet and support for 2-way Bluetooth aptX HD Bluetooth ensures music playback without interruption. Hi-res audio streaming with access to Internet radio stations, cloud music services, and your own local music library to multiple Bluesound Players. Create and control a seamless multi-room system with the intuitive BluOS Controller app. Top panel touch controls with presets. IR input and remote learning capability – Control it with the optional Bluesound RC1 Remote Controller. Connect with the BluVoice skill in the Alexa app and use Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant to control Players around the home. AirPlay 2 lets you play music or podcasts from wireless stereo components throughout your house — all in sync.
