innoxx OTL, any experiences?

[MJ Dijkstra]

Hello al,

I came along the site of innoxx (innoxx.com).
They produce high voltage amplifiers for directly driving an esl ( without the trannie)
Looks professional to me.
The upper frequency limit is somewhat moderate at 25 to 30 kHz compared to conventional amps, but would be better than most esl-trannies driving an esl.
Are there any people round here who have tried innoxx amps to their esls, did you like the sound?

[HVfanatic]

I tried to get a demo. But they offer only inhouse demo with your own equipment.
I don't know of any dealer where I can get a A/B comparison (Stepup against HV amp) I don't even know about their prices. So finally, if I find the time, I will build a solution of my own, using PL519, lower valve triode, upper as pentode, driven by a solid state diff amp, and digitally linearized with a T.A.C.T preamp...

I guess, the innox doesn't sound better than a twinstatic does, because it uses a commercial HV driver stage. But I'm interested in any comments...

Dirk

[Calvin]

Hi,

the INNOX is kind of a ´somewhere in between´ amp.
Because of voltage limitations it can´t drive larger panels with slightly increased d/S to the fullness and high-efficiency high capacitance panels are limited (and bandwidth limited) by the current limitations. It is probabely well useable for smaller, low capacitance panels and headphones.
What bothers me is that the tubes are driven beyond their voltage specs and tube life is shortened (stated to be ~500h).
If You want to drive ESLs like Audiostatics or Quads which need high drive voltages, or unsegmented panels like ML either the amps voltage capability or current drive capability max out far before the panel´s limitations.
Within those limitations the amp looks very professionally made.

jauu
Calvin

[Capaciti]

hi,

I had the chance to "enjoy" the innoxx amps connected to my largest Model E2.5.

After a certain warm up time of 20 minutes (music starts after 1 Minute) the sound experience is really something special. At once you recognize that your well known speaker suddenly sounds more unlimited in any aspect (transparency, breathing,staging........)

Unfortunately the limitations show up, when listening to specific music, which needs some sound pressure for fun. At the point where e.g. percussions starts to provide the fun factor, the OTL tube amp reaches its volatge capability.

The design, handling and very important safety, operating and build quality is very professional.

A pair of them isnt cheap, about 6000 Euro, but for a listener enjoying at lower sound levels definetely the first choice for a fullrange-ESL. Up to now no conventional amp system (Tube, Class A, Class-D.....) made me diving into the music like this amp.


Capaciti

[MJ Dijkstra]

Originally Posted by Calvin

Hi,

the INNOX is kind of a ´somewhere in between´ amp.
Because of voltage limitations it can´t drive larger panels with slightly increased d/S to the fullness and high-efficiency high capacitance panels are limited (and bandwidth limited) by the current limitations. It is probabely well useable for smaller, low capacitance panels and headphones.
What bothers me is that the tubes are driven beyond their voltage specs and tube life is shortened (stated to be ~500h).
If You want to drive ESLs like Audiostatics or Quads which need high drive voltages, or unsegmented panels like ML either the amps voltage capability or current drive capability max out far before the panel´s limitations.
Within those limitations the amp looks very professionally made.

jauu
Calvin

Hi all,

In case of a hybrid ESL (which is what I am thinking about, 1,5 mm spacing, 0,2 m2 area) these innoxx would probably be happy??
The limited life span of the tubes is something to think about.....


To have a fair comparison, you would have to compare the innoxx with a similar priced amplifier (+trannie) of 6000 euro..............

[Calvin]

Hi,

Your proposed panel means a capacitance of ~1.1F (non-segmented).
There is measurement data for the ML Aerius Panel (with similar capacitance value) and specs of the amp on the INNOX-site which might give You an orientation.

jauu
Calvin

[rok-n-rol]

For those interested in the USA I heard back from INNOXX that there is no dealer or client here, but they are working on that. They have mentioned a higher voltage amp to be produced, wonder if that is based on the same PL519.