#1
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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. |
#2
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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" Last edited by Randy Myers; 02-25-2016 at 01:11 AM. |
#3
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By the way, that Wyred looks really nice in your rack....
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#4
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Quote:
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... |
#5
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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. |
#6
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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. |
#7
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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... |
#8
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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... |
#9
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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... Quote:
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. |
#10
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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 .... |
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