The Warwick Acoustics Sonoma M1 Amplifier is an electrostatic headphone amplifier with a DAC. It features benchmark ESS SABRE DAC, premium-class AKM ADC, and a special 64-bit fixed-point double-precision DSP, providing flawless operation and high precision with ultra-low noise and distortion levels. The Sonoma M1 supports all high-resolution audio formats that an audiophile would expect from a top-tier audio product.
Features:
- Electrostatic headphone amplifier
- Class A amplification on field-effect transistors
- Signature HPEL technology
- Benchmark ESS SABRE DAC
- 64-bit DSP processor
- Supports formats: 32 bit/384 kHz, DSD128
- 32-bit/382 kHz ADC
- Amplifier power:
- High-purity 6063 aluminum body
Discrete asymmetric Class A amplifier
As with all electrostatic transducers, the HPEL technology requires a high-voltage amplifier. In the case of the M1, amplification is done by a high-performance asymmetric Class A amplifier on field-effect transistors, with very low distortion levels and wide bandwidth, which is optimally matched with HPEL. The amplifier is designed and optimized to handle the capacitive load inherent in an electrostatic transducer, and the Class A output stage works with high bias levels to provide very high slew rates. Operating at such high bias levels ensures improved linearity.
Benchmark ESS SABRE DAC
The Sonoma M1 system was designed to provide truly high resolution. At the crucial stage of digital-to-analog conversion, engineers turned to a recognized leader in the field. ESS Technology is a world leader in DAC chip production, and Warwick Acoustics chose their 32-bit benchmark DAC. Two stereo DAC chips are used in a special monophonic mode to achieve a measured signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 129 dB.
Customizable 64-bit fixed-point digital signal processing
Anyone familiar with speaker or amplifier measurements has surely seen flat frequency response graphs from a few tens of Hz to 20+ kHz. The ultimate goal of these components is a flat frequency response, which is relatively easy to achieve in an amplifier but harder in a speaker, especially in a real listening room (as opposed to an anechoic chamber).
Precision CNC-machined aluminum body
Unlike the M1 headphones, where efforts were made to minimize weight, the M1 amplifier is a very substantial device. First, a solid blank of high-purity 6063 aluminum is made, then the material is extruded and mechanically processed on a CNC machine to create a shallow U-shaped form consisting of the base and side walls of the amplifier. The remaining metal walls are 5/16 inch thick. Similarly, the top plate of the same thickness is made, as well as the end plates half an inch thick, forming the complete body. The base and top plate are then inscribed with a special 3D wave pattern using a CNC machine to facilitate heat dissipation.
Package includes:
- Amplifier
- Power supply
- Documentation