On the Bench

Without a voltage regulator, the Savoy output a maximum of 207 watts RMS per channel with two channels driven, and 128 watts RMS per channel with all seven channels being driven. THD at maximum output before clipping (clipping is defined as occurring when THD is 1% or more) was 0.08%. The seven channel output was less than spec (specified at 150 watts RMS per channel with all channels driven). These results are due in part to voltage sag in the AC line during demand. We use a balanced transformer to boost the initial voltage to 125 volts, and the voltage drops to between 115 and 120 volts during the test. What we are looking for is the power output a consumer can expect in a typical home, since most of us do not have voltage regulators.

Using a voltage regulator (Staco 22 ampere variable transformer) to keep the voltage at 120 volts during the test, we measured a maximum of 233 watts RMS per channel with two channels driven, and 161 watts RMS per channel with seven channels driven, continuous, and at less than 1% THD. This exceeds the spec. I had to set the transformer at 130 volts initially, with a resulting drop to 120 volts during the load. So, from a practical standpoint, you can expect about 130 watts per channel x 7 during peaks, with typical voltage sag in your home. This is plenty of power.

Using a 1 kHz sine wave input test signal, THD was less than 0.02%, which is within spec. I also used this test to determine the S/N, which came in at 95 dB. The input voltage was 0.25 volts RMS to produce an output of 5 volts into 8 ohms with the 1 kHz test signal.

With 1 kHz and 1.5 kHz signals, the A+B peak at 2.5 kHz is 85 dB below the fundamentals, as is the B-A peak at 500 Hz.

For 5 kHz and 6 kHz signals, A+B at 11 kHz is 78 dB below the fundamentals, while the B-A peak at 1 kHz is 84 dB below.

A 10 kHz sine wave input signal produced less than 0.03% THD, still within spec.

For 10 kHz and 11 kHz input signals, A+B at 21 kHz was 73 dB below the fundamentals, and B-A at 1 kHz was 87 dB below. All in all, very good performance.

The measured frequency response was 10 Hz to 70 kHz ± 1 dB.

Conclusions

The AudioControl Savoy Power Amplifier is an excellent product. It puts out plenty of power, and it sounds great. I really like the power meter feature on the front panel that indicates what each channel is delivering.
 

- John E. Johnson, Jr. - 

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