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Update: The Audio Research DSi200 integrated amplifier

Update: The Audio Research DSi200 integrated amplifier

At this year’s RMAF I blogged about the first US appearance of Audio Research’s DSi200, a high-power solid-state integrated amp equipped with remote control, three single-ended inputs and a pair of balanced inputs. To recap: It’s a beauty, with ARC’s classic chunky lines. “The heavy front panel features volume and input selectors flanking a vacuum-flourescent display. The brightness of the display can be adjusted to one of six levels, plus off—nine small pixels remain lit as a discreet reminder that the unit is powered on. Control functions under the display are actuated via four small, roundaluminum buttons; functions include Power, Mono, Invert, and Mute. The supplied remote control accesses these functions, plus a Left-Right balance control, and Display Up and Display Down controls. Silver handles are standard, but the most striking visual update may be the silver chassis that matches the handles and knobs. The DSi200 is also available with a black front panel, handles and knobs, but the chassis and wraparound cover will only be available in silver.” It combines a hefty analog, linear power supply with a discrete MOSFET-based switching output stage of ARC’s own design.  Terry Dorn of ARC describes it as a different kind of “hybrid” that uses a regulated analog power supply with a high-speed switching output stage— but all solid-state.  And the DSi200 does not rely on any OEM modules or pre-manufactured components such as those found in designs from other “Class D” manufacturers. The resulting amplifier puts out 200Wpc continuous into 8 Ohms (300W into 4 Ohms) with very high efficiency energy conversion — over 90% — and almost no heat. And, says Dorn, it draws very little power at idle.  In fact, it’s so efficient that it achieved an “Energy Star” rating — unusual for this industry and for a high-powered amplifier ($5995). It’s currently breaking in via track 2 of the Isotek disc set on repeat. Believe me, I won’t wait the full 600 hours before reporting some general impressions!Update: The Audio Research DSi200 integrated amplifierUpdate: The Audio Research DSi200 integrated amplifierUpdate: The Audio Research DSi200 integrated amplifier

Note that ARC places a US Postal “Forever” stamp on its Warranty card-nice touch ARC!Update: The Audio Research DSi200 integrated amplifier

Tags: AUDIO RESEARCH

Neil Gader

By Neil Gader

My love of music largely predates my enthusiasm for audio. I grew up Los Angeles in a house where music was constantly playing on the stereo (Altecs, if you’re interested). It ranged from my mom listening to hit Broadway musicals to my sister’s early Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Beatles, and Stones LPs, and dad’s constant companions, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. With the British Invasion, I immediately picked up a guitar and took piano lessons and have been playing ever since. Following graduation from UCLA I became a writing member of the Lehman Engel’s BMI Musical Theater Workshops in New York–working in advertising to pay the bills. I’ve co-written bunches of songs, some published, some recorded. In 1995 I co-produced an award-winning short fiction movie that did well on the international film-festival circuit. I was introduced to Harry Pearson in the early 70s by a mutual friend. At that time Harry was still working full-time for Long Island’s Newsday even as he was writing Issue 1 of TAS during his off hours. We struck up a decades-long friendship that ultimately turned into a writing gig that has proved both stimulating and rewarding. In terms of music reproduction, I find myself listening more than ever for the “little” things. Low-level resolving power, dynamic gradients, shadings, timbral color and contrasts. Listening to a lot of vocals and solo piano has always helped me recalibrate and nail down what I’m hearing. Tonal neutrality and presence are important to me but small deviations are not disqualifying. But I am quite sensitive to treble over-reach, and find dry, hyper-detailed systems intriguing but inauthentic compared with the concert-going experience. For me, true musicality conveys the cozy warmth of a room with a fireplace not the icy cold of an igloo. Currently I split my time between Santa Fe, New Mexico and Studio City, California with my wife Judi Dickerson, an acting, voice, and dialect coach, along with border collies Ivy and Alfie.

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