David berning zh-230

[Gregadd]

A good match for the David Berning. 36 Watts into for for less than $8.5 k. Of course David is one of the great names in audio amplifier design. This is ZOTL design David Bernings version of the OTL amp. I have not heard it yet.
The review is in theabsoulte sound 2/2011-issue 210,pp.79-81.


For those who can't afford the $140k Lamm.

 

[caesar]

Roy Gregory LOVED his bigger amps. In part, the glowing Martin Logan CLX review he wrote was due to the amps.

The problem is this seems like another garage operation. How would one go about auditioning these in his system?

 

[fas42]

Good Aussie TT there ...

Frank

 

[Gregadd]

Roy Gregory LOVED his bigger amps. In part, the glowing Martin Logan CLX review he wrote was due to the amps.

The problem is this seems like another garage operation. How would one go about auditioning these in his system?

He has been around for along time. Getting an audition is not easy.

 

[KeithR]

I'll be honest (and I've heard a Z270 in my old system in NYC which I liked quite a bit, but they had discontinued production at the time)---this looks like a garage built amplifier at a cadillac price. I respect David Berning, but the cost should be less than 5k for this thing.

 

[egidius]

garage??

I'll be honest (and I've heard a Z270 in my old system in NYC which I liked quite a bit, but they had discontinued production at the time)---this looks like a garage built amplifier at a cadillac price. I respect David Berning, but the cost should be less than 5k for this thing.

hi everybody,

I must admit, I am biased, running both a ZH270 and a new ZH230 (albeit in prototype form):

this is great gear, way over the usual Conrad Johnson or Audio Research Field. I do not know every gear, so I try and be careful; lets just say, I am a professional violinist, and this is it for me as monitoring device as much as for pleasure!

and as much as David may be not easily reachable, why not try the official website approach ;-)
there is always a prompt response in my experience.

Egidius

 

[KeithR]

here is the amplifier in question---picture from last month's TAS:

 

[egidius]

here is the amplifier in question---picture from last month's TAS:

View attachment 1459

I wonder if more people have heard this amp?
I was in the absolutely fortunate position to have it for a year in my system, albeit at the moment it is waiting, as I am smitten by the Audio Consulting MIPA amplifiers. There are people who seriously say, that these are among the 5 best amps in the world - I could imagine they are not far off, but I get the same impression with the Berning. So which other three amps would be among those "5 best"????

 

[Gregadd]

David Berning received an award from tas.
http://www.avguide.com/review/the-2...rds-power-amplifiers-under-10k-tas-211?page=4

 

[mep]

here is the amplifier in question---picture from last month's TAS:

View attachment 1459

That case is the basically the cheapest type of enclosure you can build. It’s just a piece of sheet metal with two bends. It’s not very sturdy (it can’t be by design), and it probably involves some pushing and pulling to get the fasteners lined up when installing the top/sides.

 

[hvbias]

Has anyone heard his Quadrature Z amps? Also very expensive, and the chassis isn't much different from the above amp. I've read a couple of reports saying they will drive hard loads like electrostats without the problems that OTLs might have (without autoformers).

 

[audioarcher]

I have heard the Quad Z mono's in a friends system. They were driving Coincident Pure Ref Extreme speakers. The sound was very good. Very transparent and clear. Right up my alley sound wise. The Coincident speakers are not a tough load though. I would like to try them out on my stats someday.

Sean

 

[LL21]

Has anyone heard his Quadrature Z amps? Also very expensive, and the chassis isn't much different from the above amp. I've read a couple of reports saying they will drive hard loads like electrostats without the problems that OTLs might have (without autoformers).

I have spoken to someone with Alexandrias and he swears by his Quad Zs. Again, not an especially hard load as i understand, though i am no techie.

 

[egidius]

zh230/270

I have spoken to someone with Alexandrias and he swears by his Quad Zs. Again, not an especially hard load as i understand, though i am no techie.

Same here: I have used the ZH 230 and the ZH270 for years now, very satisfied. But no experience with the Q'z..
But judging from their behaviour, i'd say yes go for it, they punch way beyond their Wattage, especially what bass control concerns absolutely tight!

e

 

[Worldcat]

Yes i own a pair of QZ's. They will drive most anything out there.

 

[LL21]

Yes i own a pair of QZ's. They will drive most anything out there.

Nice! If i may ask, what do you drive with your Quad Zs?

 

[Worldcat]

Aerial 20T's and i have never had anything close to drive them the way they do. Amazing....

 

[flez007]

A good match for the David Berning. 36 Watts into for for less than $8.5 k. Of course David is one of the great names in audio amplifier design. This is ZOTL design David Bernings version of the OTL amp. I have not heard it yet.
The review is in theabsoulte sound 2/2011-issue 210,pp.79-81.


For those who can't afford the $140k Lamm.

I can't tell which speakers are these (getting old....)

 

[Worldcat]

I can't tell which speakers are these (getting old....)

Aerial Acoustic 20t's series 2...aerialacoustics.com

 

[flez007]

Thanks Worldcat!