Page 64 - 2022-08-01 Sound & Vision

test report
TRINNOV AMPLITUDE16 16-CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER
sequence of Netflix’s The Adam
Project. While I generally find
the audio on streaming services
to be lacking, this Dolby Atmos
soundtrack seems to be the
exception. The film starts with
Adam Reed (Ryan Reynolds)
fleeing Earth in his spaceship
to The Spencer Davis Group’s
“Gimme Some Lovin.’” The
action-packed scene put every
speaker in the room to work,
including my four subwoofers. (The
Altitude16’s sub output feeds a
Dirac miniDSP 2x4 HD processor
that treats the subs as one, hence
the 7.1.4 designation.) Though the
Amplitude16 ran hot, its ICEpower
modules handled the sequence
with ease: the overhead speakers
came alive as the spaceship
zoomed through the screen.
Reynolds’ sarcastic dialogue
was clear and fully intact and the
backing music was appropriately
powerful and dynamic.
Next up, The Batman on UHD
Blu-ray. This latest incarnation of
the caped crusader’s adventures
has an exception Atmos
soundtrack. The freeway chase
scene (Chapter 9) with its discrete
effects, wide dynamic range, and
copious amounts of deep-digging
bass sounded spectacular and
proved that the Amplitude 16
was more than up to the task of
powering my home theater. Rainfall
was authentic and the crack of
gunshots was crisp and real as the
Trinnov calls the Amplitude16
power amp a “perfect compan-
ion” for its Altitude16 processor. unique 16-channel architecture is
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64 August September 2022
thunderous roar of the Batmobile
POWER OUTPUT: 200 wa s (8 ohms), 400 wa s
enveloped the room. I’ve watched
(4 ohms), 800 wa s bridged (8 ohms), 1,000 wa s
this scene nearly a dozen times Specs bridged (4 ohms), one channel driven (1kHz, <0.1%
and the Trinnov with its ICEpower
THD+N); 2,800 wa s total output, all channels
modules did not disappoint,
driven
handling the mayhem as well as my
AUDIO INPUTS: DB-25/Tascam analog pinout (2)
reference ATI amplifiers.
AUDIO OUTPUTS: Multiway binding posts (16 pair)
Concert Blu-rays were every bit
ADDITIONAL: 12v trigger in/out; dual power inlets; audio-over-IP
as impressive. John Williams Live
input option
in Vienna showcases the work of
DIMENSIONS (WxHxD, inches): 19 x 5.2 x 17.8 (including rack ears)
one of the most accomplished
WEIGHT (pounds): 45.3
music composers of our time, and
hearing the Vienna Philharmonic
with world-class violinist Anne-
Sophie Mu er playing iconic theme
songs from Star Wars, Harry Po er,
Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones in
Atmos was quite a treat. With my
eyes closed, it was as if I had been
transported to one of the finest
concert halls in the world.
My “being there” experience
continued with a sampling of
FLAC music files as the amp drove
my speakers to reference levels
without ever sounding harsh or
fatiguing. Female voices and
string instruments, in particular,
sounded natural and clean, leaving
me with no reservations about the
Amplitude16’s ability to convey the
power and nuance of music.
CONCLUSION a tribute to Trinnov’s engineering Amplitude16 power amplifier is
prowess but there is a trade-off a solid performer that deserves
Traditionalists may scoff at class-D in the abundance of heat that serious consideration.
amplifier technology, but I’ve needs to be dissipated from its
been a fan of the design for nearly cramped enclosure. Still, the
15 years and have found well- amplifier performed up to my high The Verdict
engineered class-D amplifiers to expectations and never once
equal, and sometimes surpass, the shut down or faltered during my Trinnov’s Amplitude16 packs 16
performance of the best class-AB many listening tests. If you’re in channels of serious power in a stan-
amplifiers on the market. Such is the market for up to 16 channels dard size component and brings
the case with the Amplitude16. Its of amplification and are a li le music and movie soundtracks to life
tight on rack space, Trinnov's in a thrilling way.
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