Dan D'Agostino's Momentum Monoblocks

[cmalak]

Philip...how much do the stands go for?

[psjl]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Philip...how much do the stands go for?

Cyril.....Although the final pricing has yet to be released, I was told (unofficially) that the stands will probably be priced somewhere between USD 1,000-1,500 per pair.....personally, I think it would be great if the stands were part of the USD 45,000 U.S. M.S.R.P price tag ......Philip

[cmalak]

I agree

[psjl]

Originally Posted by cmalak

I agree

Cyril.....I just heard that the Momentum stands will even have Dan's logo/signature etched into them.....nice touch!......not crazy about having to fork out another wad of cash for the stands, but [sigh], if I do end up getting the Momentums, the stands are a "must have", now that I've seen them .....Philip

[PHC1]

Not at liberty to mention numbers but I've heard Dan is doing quite well with his Momentum monoblocks in terms of monthly sales.

But wait, there is more....

Expect a preamp, an integrated and a stereo amp with very similar styling from the D'Agostino workshop.

[piolaxo]

Is it me or the amp has a certain look taken from Jules Verne's 20000 leagues under the sea submarine Nautilus? Don't get me wrong I like a lot, retro in a purpusely way. The meter in green does look very good.

An integrated and a preamp too? Cool, that would make a sweet combo.

[chessman]

Originally Posted by piolaxo

Is it me or the amp has a certain look taken from Jules Verne's 20000 leagues under the sea submarine Nautilus? Don't get me wrong I like a lot, retro in a purpusely way. The meter in green does look very good.

An integrated and a preamp too? Cool, that would make a sweet combo.

It's not just you. I have been calling it the "Captain Nemo" style since it came out. The looks do not do it for me.

[Still-One]

Don't forget Dan's son has come out with a line of Class A amps at a much lower price point that are supposed to sound very good. I know someone who has ordered a pair.

Jim

[TOGA]

PHC1, it's nice to read your review. My system set up is very similar to what you heard the Momentum with, only CD player is different. If the sound is really worth $45,000 then it's worth investing, but if the sound is $30,000 and the extra $15,000 is for that fancy chassis then I better stay with my current amp. I use Esoteric transport/DAC > ARC Ref Anni > Moon amp > Salon2 or Sophia3. I am looking for new amp, it will be either Moon's new 880M or Momentum, or ARC Ref 250. But using Ref 250 will require me to send my Transparent Reference MM2 back to recalibrate the network, so Momentum will be easier for me except that it is so unbelievably expensive.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by TOGA

PHC1, it's nice to read your review. My system set up is very similar to what you heard the Momentum with, only CD player is different. If the sound is really worth $45,000 then it's worth investing, but if the sound is $30,000 and the extra $15,000 is for that fancy chassis then I better stay with my current amp. I use Esoteric transport/DAC > ARC Ref Anni > Moon amp > Salon2 or Sophia3. I am looking for new amp, it will be either Moon's new 880M or Momentum, or ARC Ref 250. But using Ref 250 will require me to send my Transparent Reference MM2 back to recalibrate the network, so Momentum will be easier for me except that it is so unbelievably expensive.

As nice as the Moon amp is, it does not possess the body and liquid, engaging, presentation of the D'A's Momentum monos. At least not that I have heard in the past. While it is impossible to put a price tag on any of the audio components, I mean how can I tell you if it is $30k or $45k worth of sound??? I can only compare it to something in similar price range and even then only in the context of similar systems... I can tell you this, I have owned 3 pairs of Wilsons and have heard them all (at least the current lineup). I obviosly have not heard the Wilsons with every possible combination out there....

Given the stuff I have heard, the Lamm and Ayre pairing were my 1st and 2nd favorites, the Momentum does offer more grip, control and resulting bass qualities over the Ayre and just about matches the Lamm M1.2's in density/body and richness of tone and harmonics while offering even better focus/imaging.

The ARC stuff is nice for sure and I have played around with REF5 and 210s. For my own taste and these are the key words, "my own taste", the ARC still lacks the body and richness that I prefer to hear in a system. Liquid? Yes. Transparent? Yes. Superb palpable and three dimensional imaging? Yes. Enough weight and body? Not for my own taste. I like more meat on the bones of the musical skeleton.

You should audition both! At this price, I would not want to sway you one way or the other nor should you even take a guess and a chance based on anything anyone says! Good luck and happy listening!