Should I go with ATI Class D or Cherry MEGAschino?

[Movie2099]

I'm sold on ATI amps at the moment, but have really started liking what Cherry amps has out there. Does anybody have some hands on with Cherry amps?

 

[shadyJ]

I'm sold on ATI amps at the moment, but have really started liking what Cherry amps has out there. Does anybody have some hands on with Cherry amps?

Cherry amps are very nice and likely outperform the ATI amps on a technical level, plus they are made in the USA. In practice, the differences aren't likely to be obvious though, unless you are using high sensitivity speakers that could make the background noise of the amp audible. If you can afford it, I would say go for the Cherry amps, but if money is tight, you might just stick with something like ATI which are still quite good.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah give Tommy some business if you can, he's a good egg. Can't go wrong either way tho.

 

[Movie2099]

Cherry amps are very nice and likely outperform the ATI amps on a technical level, plus they are made in the USA. In practice, the differences aren't likely to be obvious though, unless you are using high sensitivity speakers that could make the background noise of the amp audible. If you can afford it, I would say go for the Cherry amps, but if money is tight, you might just stick with something like ATI which are still quite good.

I have two setups I'm going back and forth with for my next home theater. Each setup will be a 9.4.6. First setup will be all RBH and second setup will be all JTR. With RBH I would use 9 of their SV-831R's and 6-SI-760R's for Atmos and use 4-JTR 4000 Subs. With JTR I would use 3-215RTs behind the screen, 6-215RM's for sides and surrounds and 6-110HT's for atmos. And of course use 4-4000 subs.

Decisions, decisions....

 

[shadyJ]

I have two setups I'm going back and forth with for my next home theater. Each setup will be a 9.4.6. First setup will be all RBH and second setup will be all JTR. With RBH I would use 9 of their SV-831R's and 6-SI-760R's for Atmos and use 4-JTR 4000 Subs. With JTR I would use 3-215RTs behind the screen, 6-215RM's for sides and surrounds and 6-110HT's for atmos. And of course use 4-4000 subs.

Decisions, decisions....

Those are a hell of a couple of setups. I think the JTR 215s may actually merit the Cherry amps on account of their very high sensitivity. The ATI amp's noise floor may well be audible on those. Cherry amps aren't cheap, of course, but their noise floor is extremely low. You can't really do better for higher wattage amps. Audioholics does have a Cherry amp review coming out eventually. I don't know of its current status though, so it might be a while before it's published.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Looks like ASR measured the ATI AT522NC Class-D. THD+N was 0.001%, SINAD was 99dB.

ATI AT522NC Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the ATI AT522NC Stereo power amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member. The 522NC costs US $2,195 but I see it on Amazon for US $1,995. The AT522NC is part of a series which starts with 2 channels of class D amplification and goes up to 4...

www.audiosciencereview.com

ATI: Built in California, 7YR warranty.

I doubt anyone is going to hear any noise from either amp or other amps in the same price class.

 

[lovinthehd]

Looks like ASR measured the ATI AT522NC Class-D. THD+N was 0.001%, SINAD was 99dB.

ATI AT522NC Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the ATI AT522NC Stereo power amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member. The 522NC costs US $2,195 but I see it on Amazon for US $1,995. The AT522NC is part of a series which starts with 2 channels of class D amplification and goes up to 4...

www.audiosciencereview.com

ATI: Built in California, 7YR warranty.

I doubt anyone is going to hear any noise from either amp or other amps in the same price class.

Assembled from foreign modules, tho....Cherry does their own.....

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Assembled from foreign modules, tho....Cherry does their own.....

Cherry makes all their own parts for the amps? How many years of warranty is Cherry amps, 3 YR?

 

[lovinthehd]

Cherry makes all their own parts for the amps? How many years of warranty is Cherry amps, 3 YR?

Not likely, they design and make their own modules rather than buying from Hypex....just a different level of origin, that's all. Didn't know about the warranty, just looked....that is a bit surprising but then it's made in the US

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Not likely, they design and make their own modules rather than buying from Hypex....just a different level of origin, that's all. Didn't know about the warranty, just looked....that is a bit surprising but then it's made in the US

I'm willing to bet most people will favor the 7YR warranty over 3YR warranty if the price is the same or less.

I wonder if Bryston is going to do class-D also. And if so, will they still offer their 20YR warranty on the class-D?

 

[Movie2099]

I'm willing to bet most people will favor the 7YR warranty over 3YR warranty if the price is the same or less.

I wonder if Bryston is going to do class-D also. And if so, will they still offer their 20YR warranty on the class-D?

Right now just going off their (Cherry) website, my cart has a total of $29k for 6 amps. 3-mono amps, and 3-5 channel amps. They don't have the selection like ATI has, so was limited with my selections.

If I go with ATI I'm looking at $11k(ish) range for what I need.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Right now just going off their (Cherry) website, my cart has a total of $29k for 6 amps. 3-mono amps, and 3-5 channel amps. They don't have the selection like ATI has, so was limited with my selections.

If I go with ATI I'm looking at $11k(ish) range for what I need.

Wait, really? $29K for 3YR warranty???

What's the rationale? The ATI has THD+N of 0.001% and SINAD of 99dB. Does the Cherry have THD+N of 0.0000000000001% and SINAD of 199dB or something?

 

[Movie2099]

Wait, really? $29K for 3YR warranty???

What's the rationale? The ATI has THD+N of 0.001% and SINAD of 99dB. Does the Cherry have THD+N of 0.0000000000001% and SINAD of 199dB or something?

The 2-5 channel amps are actually reasonably priced $2500-$3500. It's the Megascheno mono/two channel amps that boost up the price. They drive 1000w into 4ohm per channel. You can also beef up the transformers to 1500w instead of the 750w they put in there. That of course if a big upcharge.

THD+N: 0.001%
SNR: 120dB

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The 2-5 channel amps are actually reasonably priced $2500-$3500. It's the Megascheno mono/two channel amps that boost up the price. They drive 1000w into 4ohm per channel. You can also beef up the transformers to 1500w instead of the 750w they put in there. That of course if a big upcharge.

THD+N: 0.001%
SNR: 120dB

Those specs don't look like anything special. Also, they specify the THD+N at 1W, but they did not even specify the SNR at what power output. The ATI is about 122dB SNR at full power.

The ATI AT544NC amp is 900W into 4 ohm per Channel. I doubt any speaker is going to need more than that.

 

[ryanosaur]

Those specs don't look like anything special. Also, they specify the THD+N at 1W, but they did not even specify the SNR at what power output. The ATI is about 122dB SNR at full power.

The ATI AT544NC amp is 900W into 4 ohm per Channel. I doubt any speaker is going to need more than that.

Is the ATI Hypex Amp rated for 2-ohms? I know the modules themselves are; am curious about the ATI implementation, please.

 

[Movie2099]

Those specs don't look like anything special. Also, they specify the THD+N at 1W, but they did not even specify the SNR at what power output. The ATI is about 122dB SNR at full power.

The ATI AT544NC amp is 900W into 4 ohm per Channel. I doubt any speaker is going to need more than that.

Yeah, those Cherry's are nice but damn expensive. If the mono was half the price I would consider it more, but since specs are almost similar to ATI Class D, it's hard to beat ATI price to performance.

 

[ryanosaur]

Another option is to look at any of the other Hypex or Purifi Amps out in the wild. Nord, Apollon, KJF, Buckeye... I know there are a few others doing these, too. As to whether they are suitable for your intentions is another topic, but I would at least look into them. 1-, 2-, and 3-channel monoblock builds are available as options.

 

[Cos]

As I am looking to make the move to Class D and rid myself of the 70 & 90lb monsters. I have been researching a majority of Class D Amps. Here is what I am finding;

The ATI Amp I am looking at the AT523NC is rated extremely well, and has a 7 year warranty. I have had my Halos for at least 10+years, so warranty is important. A vast majority of amp manufacturers in this segment are only going with 2 years and for me, that is kind of a deal breaker. I can't justify paying money for an amp who may measure better (most likely won't hear a difference) and sacrifice 5 years of warranty coverage. Makes me question if this amp tech is reliable.

Granted the ATI is not anywhere close to sexy looking as my Halos, but I would rather take the lightweight average girl that the overweight one that is wearing a pretty dress. (I apologize for that Non PC Joke)

I spend a lot of time researching companies and going to Audiosciencereviews.com

• Nord is UK Based, 2yr Warranty, seen a lot of positive feedback... but 2yr warranty? really?
• NAD Purifi Amps, highly rated on Audiosciencereviews, but I want a 3 channel version didn't see one again 2yr warranty, I really had to dig through to find the information, did not like that.
• Apollon, again great reviews, gobs of power, 2 year warranty
• DSonic, gobs of power, not super expensive, 3 year transferable warranty

I have spent way too much time researching, but since I keep my amps for the long term, even a 2-3K investment is important to do my homework.

So, unless I decide to open up my coin purse and get the Benchmark Amps, my choice has become much easier.

 

[flyboylr45]

I have an ATI AT544NC AT542NC and ordered an AT527NC. Absolutely awesome amps. Lots of power for my SVTRS. 7 year warranty. Can't go wrong with the ATI. Measures as good as anything out there.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[Irvrobinson]

The ATI Class D amps use linear power supplies, so they are rather heavy, just like their Class AB products. Other than lower average power consumption and much lower output impedance, the advantages don't seem to outweigh the disadvantages compared to a Class AB amp with a linear power supply. While I like to see the lowest possible output impedance, it doesn't wow me enough to drive a purchase decision versus "low enough". I continue to think the Benchmark Media amp is still the best compromise, albeit a somewhat pricey one per watt.