Four years after setting the benchmark for amplifier excellence with his Relentless Mono Amplifier, D’Agostino has unveiled the upgraded Relentless Epic 1600 Amplifier. This evolution in amplifier design combines cutting-edge circuit sections and components, resetting the standard for power amplifier performance.
The Relentless Epic 1600 Mono Amplifier is a marvel of engineering, featuring a true balanced design that distinguishes it from conventional bridged amplifiers. Unlike typical designs that utilize two front-end circuits, D’Agostino has engineered a single front-end topology based on current mirror circuitry. This innovative approach allows for symmetrical plus and minus rails, ensuring that distortion artifacts on one half of the signal cancel each other out on the other half. The result? An amplifier that delivers phenomenal power output with impressively low distortion levels.
Unmatched Power and Efficiency
The technical prowess of the Relentless Epic 1600 Mono Amplifier is evident in its specifications. With a robust 5.5-kilowatt power supply and over 100 output devices, this amplifier can effortlessly deliver 1,600 watts into 8 ohms. When connected to a 220-volt or greater AC mains outlet, it doubles its output to an astounding 3,200 watts into 4 ohms and 6,400 watts into 2 ohms. Remarkably, this power is maintained with the same musical composure at full output as it is at just 1 watt.
A critical component of the new circuit is the bipolar transistors that power the amplifier’s front end. With a new bias stability circuit providing a nearly 50% increase in operating bias, the Relentless Epic 1600 enhances Class A operation, directly correlating to superior sound quality. The innovative Copper/Aluminum heatsinks ensure that thermal issues are virtually nonexistent, allowing for consistent performance even under the most demanding conditions.
Precision Engineering for Absolute Fidelity
The design of the Relentless Epic 1600 is a testament to D’Agostino’s relentless pursuit of perfection. The amplifier’s driver section features upgraded transistors that handle 33% more power, and the transistor count has doubled to minimize demand on each individual device. This design choice reduces overall amplifier output impedance without resorting to global negative feedback, ensuring that the amplifier maintains its integrity across a wide range of conditions.
D’Agostino’s exclusive Super Rail concept further enhances performance by employing higher voltage rails prior to the output stage. This technique maximizes the musical signal’s swing, improving dynamics and lowering distortion while tightening the amplifier’s grip on the speaker. The output stage features new high-output transistors that ensure sonic and technical consistency, with each of the 112 transistors undergoing rigorous performance testing.
Striking Elegance Meets Functionality
Beyond its technical specifications, the Relentless Epic 1600 Mono Amplifier is a strikingly elegant piece of audio equipment. The power meter, measuring over eight inches in diameter, adjusts its range and response automatically to the incoming signal, making it user-friendly regardless of volume levels. The unique heat sink design, combining copper and aluminum, effectively dissipates heat, ensuring reliable operation even under full power.
The chassis is meticulously machined from solid aluminum, providing superior shielding, thermal stability, and vibration damping. High-precision milling ensures a seamless fit with no visible fasteners, while a 1 µm-deep diamond cut finish adds a touch of sophistication.
An Amplifier Like No Other
Staying true to the tradition established with the Momentum amplifiers, the Relentless Epic 1600 Mono Amplifier features a single XLR balanced input and custom-made gold-plated brass binding posts for speaker connections. Each amplifier is designed for longevity, with the ability to upgrade to the Relentless Epic level while retaining the original metalwork.
Dan D’Agostino’s relentless pursuit of audio perfection has culminated in the creation of the Relentless Epic 1600 Mono Amplifier—a power amplifier designed and built to an unparalleled standard. For audiophiles seeking both performance and elegance, the Relentless Epic 1600 is truly a velvet hammer ready to conquer the world of high-fidelity audio.
