The ST-250... What gives?
 

One of my brothers has had a Wyred 4 Sound ST-250 for quite some time now. I just swapped him for my Odyssey Kismet for a while. I just installed it in my system and am quite pleased with the sound so far, though I've only listened to J.S. Bach's Suites & Sonatas transcribed for guitar solo.

Why is there such limited information or reviews (a.k.a. - none) on this particular amplifier? It's a well made, solid unit that's dead silent.

http://charlest.zenfolio.com/img/s11...14750461-5.jpg

http://charlest.zenfolio.com/img/s7/...77693706-5.jpg

The new/current models, ST-500 mkII and ST-1000 mkII won an Absolute Sound Editors Choice award in the new issue, for 2016.

Other reviews on W4S amps...
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Iss...yred4sound.htm

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/wyred/monos.html

http://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/a...ock-amplifier/

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Iss...yred4sound.htm

I wouldn't mind trying a ST-500 mkII because it is a perfect match for my pre-amp and dac, but the Goldmund is so good that..... hmmmmm

RCA and Balanced inputs, 5 year warranties, hand made in America

ST-500 mkII Stereo Amplifier Specs

Typical THD+N 8Ω (10W out): 0.001%
Power Output 8Ω @ 0.2% THD+N: 250W
Power Output 8Ω @ 1.0% THD+N: 277W
Power Output 4Ω @ 0.2% THD+N: 430W
Power Output 4Ω @ 1.0% THD+N: 460W
Output Idle Noise (A Wt.): <125µV
Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz (8Ω @ 10W): ± 0.1db
Lower Bandwidth: 1.5Hz all loads
Balanced Input Impedance: 100kΩ
Unbalanced Input Impedance: 100kΩ
Dynamic Range (A Wt.): 111db
Gain: 30.5db
Sensitivity: 1.31V
Output Impedance: 0.018Ω
Min Load: 3Ω
Max Output Current: 30A
Idle Power Consumption: <28W
Standby Power Consumption: <0.5W
Dimensions: L 13.75" W 15.75" H 4.625"

ST-1000 mkII Stereo Amplifier Specs

Typical THD+N 8Ω (10W out): 0.001%
Power Output 8Ω @ 0.2% THD+N: 460W
Power Output 8Ω @ 1.0% THD+N: 480W
Power Output 4Ω @ 0.2% THD+N: 725W
Power Output 4Ω @ 1.0% THD+N: 775W
Output Idle Noise (A Wt.): <215µV
Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz (8Ω @ 10W): ± 0.15db
Lower Bandwidth: 1.5Hz all loads
Balanced Input Impedance: 92kΩ
Unbalanced Input Impedance: 92kΩ
Dynamic Range (A Wt.): 108db
Gain: 30.7db
Sensitivity: 1.75V
Output Impedance: 0.021Ω
Min Load: 4Ω
Max Output Current: 30A
Idle Power Consumption: <28W
Standby Power Consumption: <0.5W
Dimensions: L 13.75" W 15.75" H 4.625"

By the way, that Wyred looks really nice in your rack....

Yes, but that really doesn't answer the question at hand about the ST-250. I mean, there's virtually no information at all about this amp anywhere online. Heck, I can't even find anything on W4S' own website. That's pretty bad.



Thanks! I think the same thing. I like the fact that it's silver with just a touch of black, and of course that neat thin light bar.

Sound-wise, I'm quite impressed. It has that same "forward" presentation that they claim with the Recovery USB Reclocker. Forward meaning that the sound stage is pushed a tad bit more forward. Not a bad thing at all. There's a little more space around vocals and instruments. The one thing that stands out the most though is that there seems to be a little more air and extension on the top end, though still remaining silky smooth. It's that kind of silky smoothness that I remember from a good matched set of NOS Mullard EL34 tubes.

I'm half tempted to order a pair of WW Oasis XLR's to see if it improves anything, since both the amp and my preamp have balanced inputs and outputs. Hmm... :scratch2:

I believe it is simply a discontinued product. The current models are the mkIIs...

I did find this on their website; it is the owners manual for the ST250, ST500, and ST1000.

https://wyred4sound.com/sites/defaul...ANUAL_v2.1.pdf

Therefore I ascertain that the ST models are now discontinued and the current stereo amplifiers that W4S offer are the ST500 mkII and the ST1000 mkII.

I have no idea how long ago the mkIIs were released but I assume that the ST250 was around shortly after W4S was formed as their own independent company and therefore was not receiving a ton of press yet :).... although it does seem that they did get pretty decent endorsements fairly early on because of the great reputation that EJ and crew had doing OEM work for PS Audio and others with Cullen Circuits.

Randy... You're probably correct about not receiving much press as a young company and amplifier. However, I would still think there would be something out there somewhere on the internet, but virtually nothing at all.

I am glad that I asked my brother if he wanted to swap for a while. This is a really good sounding little amp. This may lead to two different outcomes... Either I'll ask him if he wants to trade permanently, or sell my Odyssey (can't believe I'm considering that again) and get a new ST500 MK II.

And I'm still contemplating purchasing a pair of balanced cables to see if that gives any added performance. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt performance at all.

I really love the Goldmund amp, but I also have also considered selling and getitng a ST500 mkII, if for no other reason then that it is a perfect match to the pre-amp and DAC. I would also consider getting XLR cables if I went down that route.

One other issue for me is that I just don't need that kind of power. The 125 WPC that I currently have is never even pushed... even a little bit...

I was just thinking if I did get a W4S amp I would be all W4S geeked out... Amp, Pre-Amp, DAC, and Recovery, and even more, KEF speakers...

They are huge KEF fans and like to display their gear with KEF speakers at shows. Recently they had a setup with Blade 2's at a show. EJ just bought a pair of Reference 3's to use at shows and in their demos. Dam I would love a pair of those...

You and I are in the same boat, with sort of similar yet very different systems. I too don't need that kind of power, but it's the smallest amp W4S offers anymore. If I want new, that's the only thing to go with.

I guess I'll have to talk to my brother first and see what he thinks about my Odyssey amp in his system. We haven't seen each other in the past few days since I swapped amps with him.

I think I'll be dropping Ivan a line about some balanced Oasis 7 cables... :smoking:



You would have a fully "geeked" out system, that's for sure. Then again, that little Job 225 comes with high praise. It would be interesting to see a side-by-side comparison between it and the ST500 or a pair of mAMP's!

Those Reference 3's are nice, but if I had my choice, I'm pretty sure I'd go with the Reference 1's only because I've really fallen in love all over again for small-ish bookshelf speakers.

In retrospect, I should have bought those slightly used LS50's right before getting my Sonus 1.5's. I passed on them because they didn't include stands. When I was at my brother's place swapping amps, I realized that my old sand filled speaker stands were in the other room still. Oh well, no point in worrying about it now.

Not that I regret buying the 1.5's. I don't. They're great sounding speakers. But you have to admit, the LS50's get a ton more press.

I hear very good things about the speakers you have. I have never heard them but they are supposed to be nice. I am very happy with the LS50's. I was a KEF fan back in my old audiophile days; I had 104aBs.

I think I agree with you about the Reference 1's, but even those are $8k. Maybe some day :)...

I wish they still made the ST250 version. The ST500 mkII is too much power for my use :D....