MasterSound - Evolution 845 Integrated Amplifier ... Anyone hear one or have one ? ...

joeinid

joeinid

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evo2.jpg


Specifications:
Parallel Single Ended Dual Mono
Class: "A"
Power: 2 x 55 Watt
Finals tubes: 4 x 845
Pre-drivers tubes : 2 x ECC802
Drivers tubes: 2 x 6SN7
Input impedance: 50K OHM
Inputs: 3 x Line + 1 Direct
Output transformer: MASTERSOUND
Load impedance: 4 – 8 Ohm
Negative feedback: 0 DB
Volume with remote control
Bandwidth: 8 Hz / 40 kHz – 0dB
Dimensions: 54 x 47 x 27 cm. (21.2 x 19.7 x 11.1 in)
Weight: 53 Kg. (117 lbs)
Warranty: 5 years (excluding tubes)
 
Parallel single ended output stages are simply a way of providing more power than a single tube can supply while maintaining single ended operation. Manley Labs has a 300B power amp that uses such an output stage configuration, but it is also switchable to push-pull operation. I'm sure that some single ended purists may dismiss such designs as not being truly single ended, since there are likely some additional issues introduced like if the pair of tubes are not closely matched.
 
Parallel single ended is just that. A single ended amp that has two tubes per channel wired in parallel. Grid to grid, plate to plate etc. This can give quite a bit more power than one tube alone (about 50% more).
To the amp in question. One of the nicest single ended amps out there. Crisp clean highs, very low noise and distortion. Only problem - It weighs like a small car.
 
I'd love to Joe. But the heat scares me away as does the price- its like 15k right? You can basically get Audion Monos and a nice preamp for the same price.

I've owned the Due Venti EL-34 PSEP amp and it was a joy to use. There was a Compact 845 up for sale recently at a great price.
 
Hi Paul,

Did you like it?

I love my LM-219IA but have a wandering eye.
 
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KeithR said:
Paul- did you find it lacking grunt? Thats why i never picked one up.
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Not with the Arden but with SF Elipsa. It was great piece If I knew I would ended with the Westies I would kept it :)

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joeinid said:
Hi Paul,

Did you like it?

I love my LM-219IA but have a wandering eye.
Click to expand...

Hi Joe,

I also have a LM-219IA. Mine is paired with Acoustic Zen Crescendo speakers 90db efficient. I've not listened to music in such a deeply satisfying way in some time. Suffice to say I'm very happy with it, but I wander sometimes if I could benefit from a little extra wattage and too have looked into the Mastersound Evolution 845.

Are te you still using the Line Magnetic? I love it to, but have a wandering eye as well.
 
Hi Eric,

Welcome to the forum.

Thank you for joining.
 
I was just watching some videos of Diapason Italia Adamantes and Astera. One vid had the Astera mated with a Mastersound unit, not sure which one. That promted me to find the Evolution 845 which does look like a nice unit. I also suppose it couples well with Diapason??
 
This is old but I ran across it while tracking down reviews. The Evolution was recently redesigned and improved upon. This is my main demo amplifier and it is intoxicating.
 
joeinid said:
evo2.jpg


Specifications:
Parallel Single Ended Dual Mono
Class: "A"
Power: 2 x 55 Watt
Finals tubes: 4 x 845
Pre-drivers tubes : 2 x ECC802
Drivers tubes: 2 x 6SN7
Input impedance: 50K OHM
Inputs: 3 x Line + 1 Direct
Output transformer: MASTERSOUND
Load impedance: 4 – 8 Ohm
Negative feedback: 0 DB
Volume with remote control
Bandwidth: 8 Hz / 40 kHz – 0dB
Dimensions: 54 x 47 x 27 cm. (21.2 x 19.7 x 11.1 in)
Weight: 53 Kg. (117 lbs)
Warranty: 5 years (excluding tubes)
Click to expand...

A friend of mine has the below in his system (believe it is currently in for repair). Sounds really nice.

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Hi Joe!

I own the Mastersound Reference 845 that was the model that was discontinued when they released the Mastersound Evolution 845. Like the Evolution 845, the Reference 845 uses a quad of 845 tubes in parallel-single-ended configuration. The main differences are the Reference 845 as 40W/ch and after the Tungsram 12AU7 I use are Bendix 6900 driving the 845 tubes instead of the 6SN7 the Evolution uses. I can tell you that I purchased it new in 2001 and haven't found anything I'd replace it with yet. If you have any specific questions for me, please ask...


I'm listening to: Rossiter Road by Ahmad Jamal


Thetubeguy1954 (Tom Scata)


Central Florida Audio Society -- SETriodes Group -- Space Coast Audio Society -- Full-range/Wide-range Drivers -- Front & Back-Loaded Horns -- High Sensitivity Speakers

My System: Musical Paradise tubed DAC, YBA Genesis CD4 CDP/Transport, Mastersound Reference 845 Integrated SET amp, Beauhorn Virtuoso Speakers w/Lowther DX4 drivers.
 
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