My post about the new revision of the Analog Domain M75 integrated created quite surprising stir. Based on this article views and your questions and responds I’ll try to sum up my experiences. I’ll follow up with more in depth article when revised M75 arrives here in a good week or two, but this should summarize first impressions…
This new upgraded version pushed performance to the completely new level. This was my initial respond and few others, that also heard the original version. I’m never too comfortable raving about the upgrades too blindly since the changes are usually more or less very subtle. New Analog Domain 75D integrated amplifier, that Angel brought along shifts sonic performance to a very different plane. It feels like only chassis is the same and the guts were completely revisited. Angel was in his relaxed mood and let that product speaks for it self while quiet revolution was on active display :). We went into prolonged talks afterwards and Angel revealed how M75 implements a lot of trickle down tech from the Analog Domain flagship power amplifiers along with few other “tricks”. It took him and his team seven month to come out with this upgrade and it shows where engineering time went. Music flow reassembles unrestrained sense of easiness and delicacy that is normally strict domain of the state of the art separates and even monoblocks.
Along with other changes M75 revision comes with the completely new and rebuild preamplifier module. I’ll still have to wait that upgraded M75 returns in a good week time and compare the new preamp section with my trustyRobert Koda K-10 preamplifier in order to objectively lay down a clear and honest conclusion, but there was something special, gain related happening with the M75 still resonates with me.
Angel seems to have finally refined the preamplifier circuit and design to the level that opens up the solid foundation for the dedicated Analog Domain stand alone preamplifier. I’ve told Angel in the past, that he cannot go wrong with the Analog Domain preamplifier and he told me that this is why its taking more then three years to get it right. Despite dealers, distributors and customers repeated requests Angel took his time. You can quickly put the brand into formidable situation with the release of mediocre product once you established your self with the certain product like for example Analog Domain with their amplifiers. In a longer run its not even worthy for taking the risk is particular products cannot be brought to the expected level dispute of the market demand…
Three years of R & D combined with more then half year of hard work on M75 revision materialized in a push forward performance that puts me into a very funny position. I was already enthralled by the original version of M75. Now, new revision redefines not only the M75 sole standing but also the general expectations of the high end audio integrated amplifier. New M75 comes with set of sonic advantages, that will and should push competition back to the labs and drawing boards…
Properly executed electronic engineering is always awarded with potent results. By combining highly contemplating, daring and profound mind alongs with with proper high end audio engineering something different and wonderfully sounding can happen.
Angel Despotov has an impressive life’s mileage and out of the box thinking where his passion is always challenged by his highly determined and efficiently provoking mind set.
Throw any question towards Angel and you’ll get wit and expert reply in the matter of milliseconds. Angel cannot stand BS are his answers and approach to the electronic design. Ask the same questions and expect very different response from the “typical” high-end engineer or brand’s representative… Angel do not mind explaining the actual technology in use and how and why something particular part is working the way it does. There is no excuses or silly answers on the table.
This should cover my first impressions and excitement. I’ll go more in depth with elaborated take on the inner workings with the follow up and ask Angel to join with the exact technical descriptions.
Anyhow, another exciting visit and more then a positive outcome… Stay tuned!
Text: Matej Isak