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#1
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First Audtion of Relentless
Last evening I had the opportunity to see and hear Dan D'Agostino's latest offering the Relentless amps. The evening began with the invitees gathering at a local restaurant for drinks and dinner. There we had time to mingle with Dan D'Agostino, Karen Sumner President of Transparent Audio and Mike Latvis of Harmonic Resolution Systems. When we sat down to eat Dan took the opportunity to explain how the design of the Relentless is unlike any other amp on the market. I am not sufficiently technical to do justice to his explanation.
After dinner we drove back to Paragon where we had our first opportunity to see and hear these amazing amps. Until you have the opportunity to see them in person you probably cannot grasp how massive the Relentless are. I have attached a photo where you can see a Momentum amp sitting just behind these monsters. They look like toys. Volume wise I think you could fit "at least" 6 possibly 8 Momentum amps into that of the Relentless. The industrial design and fit and finish is as fine as "I" have ever seen on a audio product. The amps were sitting on HRS stands custom designed for the Relentless. Mike's team did a excellent job in fit and function. The system we listened to consisted of: D'Agostino Relentless Amps D'Agostino Momentum Pre amp D'Agostino Phono stage Clearaudio Statment Turntable system dCS Vivaldi stack Transparent Opus cabling Wilson XLF's Each small group had the opportunity to hear several different tracks. One of those used was a Dave Wilson recording of "Liberty Fanfare". I have never heard a more realistic presentation of an orchestra. The amps handled it all so effortlessly. They are big, beautiful, brawny and for those fortunate enough to have the space and funds probably their last amps. Last edited by Still-One; 10-04-2018 at 01:12 PM. |
#2
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They look like small nuclear reactors for music! Must have been something special to hear them.
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#3
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Thanks for that update Jim, it must have been quite an impressive presentation. I just heard from my dealer that Dan will be in Seattle next month, I’m looking forward to it.
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Tony D'Agostino Momentum S250 MxV & HD pre; Linn Klimax Organik DSM, SonicTransporter, EtherRegen; Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo, Koetsu RSP, Boulder 1108; Sf Il Cremonese; Shunyata Everest, Altaira, Sigma & Alpha v2 |
#4
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Jim is not overstating the visual impression they leave on you in person. I am not sure I will ever duplicate the experience of last night and the goose bumps I had on a couple different passages. Over the last seven years I have been fortunate to hear some great presentations but that one takes the CAKE. Jim for sure knows what I mean by that.
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Amps:2Ch Dan D'Agostino Progression Monos HT MC452, MC205 Preamps: 2Ch Dan D'Agostino Progression, HT Trinnov Altitude 16 Source: dCS Vivaldi One Apex W/Clock Turntable: Project Extension w/ Pearwood Celebration 2 Speakers: Wilson Alexia V & Watch Center3, Wilson Watchdog Sub, Wilson Watch surrounds Power: Transparent PIMM & Power Isolater x2 Cables:Transparent Reference Speaker & Interconnects 2 Channel , Ultra HT |
#5
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Hi Jim,
I haven't listened to these yet, hopefully soon enough. I imagine you have a similar sound signature compared to what you heard at Paragon and am hoping you could offer any description of what the Relentless brought to the table. I'm guessing an absolute grip on the music and a completely effortless sound. Were the first few watts visceral? I understand its a lot to take in, but I am curious. Dave |
#6
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Dave
One of the points Dan made was that because of this new design they will sound as good at low volumes at they will turned up a bit. Three of the tracks were played at what most of us would say was normal volume, not at all loud. They did turn it up a bit for Dave Wilson's classical recording but it wasn't strained more like what you get when a orchestra hits crescendos in a concert hall. I do think these amps with the XLF's could overpower many rooms. As with any component I would hope potential buyers have a proper sized room for both the power and scale of these amps |
#7
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Quote:
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#8
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Quote:
remember those? |
#9
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Unlikely. If I understood Dan correctly their are actually 4 amps inside the Relentless and the way it is wired makes it truly balanced.
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#10
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The Amp is Balanced but your checkbook won’t be.
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
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