Goodwin's High End is the oldest and most experienced Spectral dealer in the US. We recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of our long association with Spectral and Spectral has become our #1 selling line here in the store. When you hear the sonic purity and sheer naturalness of the current generation of Spectral componentry you will immediately understand why so many people end up choosing to base their system around their components.

Spectral DMA-360 Series 2 monaural reference amplifier

The DMA-360 Series 2 limited production Monaural Reference Amplifier is the new version of the original DMA-360 monaural amplifier from Spectral Audio. The DMA-360 Series 2 is also the most powerful high-speed amplifier ever developed for high-end music applications. An impressive array of engineering "firsts" in the DMA-360 Series 2 culminate over twenty-five years of high-speed FET design to produce the "ultimate" Spectral amplifier.

Spectral engineers pioneered the invention of high-speed FET audio amplifiers in the early 1980s with the wideband DMA-100 Class A instrumentation amplifier. From these innovative beginnings, Spectral has evolved increasingly powerful and sophisticated megahertz amplification for applications in the Spectral component system. Today these high-resolution amplifiers feature greater speed and settling capability combined with higher voltage and current than previously possible. The DMA-360 Series 2 Monaural Reference is now the ultimate realization of this quest to achieve uncompromising amplification true to the live musical experience.

From much listening and design experimentation, Spectral has consistently pursued component systems having ultra-fast settling, high-speed circuit architecture. These have invariably out-performed more traditional often cumbersome high-end design methods to achieve superlative detail, staging and listener involvement. Indeed, test methodology simulating music waveforms and hearing acuity confirm that quickness of response and rapid signal extinction when reproducing complex dynamics are mandatory for accurate music reproduction. Only then can one preserve instantaneous waveform accuracy to prevent cover-up of delicate musical signals by previous events. Construction and performance of the Spectral DMA-360 Series 2 Monaural Reference Amplifier for this demanding criterion and resulting sonic resolution are unmatched among contemporary high-end amplifier designs.

 

UNPARALLELED RESOLUTION, UNPRECEDENTED POWER
 

The very high-speed launch and enormous current reserves of the DMA-360 Series 2 are made possible with the use of Spectral's proprietary "Focused Array" construction. This breakthrough topology aligns high-current vertical FET output devices for rapid, pistonic signal launch. The output section is comprised of eight individual V-FET amplifier modules paralleled to achieve a minimum 350 watt RMS output with 90 amp capability, and full rated power is delivered with absolute load stability at an unprecedented 1 MHz. Except for the original DMA-360, output current is approximately double that of any previous high-speed amplifier design. The "Focused Array" output section design of the DMA-360 Series 2 makes possible the practical use of ultra-fast vertical FET devices for the first time in a high powered audio application. Each device, having vacuum tube like operating character, is energized from its own dedicated high energy storage capacitor, rectifier, and individually powered from an isolated ultra-low coupled transformer winding. Individual teflon bias trimmers calibrate each V-FET output device separately for maximum linearity and precise alignment. Groups of these individually powered output sections utilize field folded RF type construction and electronic shielding to banish noise and eliminate low level propagation of stray interference. The resulting "Focused Array" of eight individually powered output sections performs as one with virtually no cross-coupling or energy storage artifacts reflecting between output devices. During extreme program dynamics, this arrangement can launch an instantaneous high-current drive of over 90 amps to the most sophisticated loudspeakers with unprecedented waveform tracing precision. Gone are performance damaging magnetic and electrical field propagation problems of conventional high-powered amplifier construction. Without stray radiation, critical small signal paths within the DMA-360 Series 2 can perform with lowest possible distortion and settle to signal extinction in millionths of a second. Hence, the DMA-360 Series 2 works with high power and great speed yet behaves inert to other system components. Reproduction is extremely articulate and naturally resolving yet has all the powerful unlimited sonic character of the most brutal high power amplifier designs.

 

THE POWER VAULT   The Focused Power output section of the DMA-360 Series 2 is only one of the many Spectral innovations designed to create the ultimate in amplifier control and resolution. A unique transformer architecture supports the critical requirements for lowest noise and high power capability of the powered output section array. In traditional high-end power amplifiers, output transformers are located away from active amplifier circuitry for purposes of noise isolation and construction ease. This virtually universal method extracts a significant sonic price, however, because of the speed and regulation losses which are imposed by the long power supply wiring harness. In addition, the EMI and noise which radiate from the supply harness invariably contaminate sensitive low level circuitry by noise modulating the musical signal. Spectral engineers have long recognized the problems associated with power supply noise contamination and have proposed a unique solution in the DMA-360 Series 2 Monaural Reference Amplifier. The Power Vault electromagnetic field containment system virtually eliminates EMI radiation to the amplifier signal path circuitry as well as power and regulation losses through the traditional power supply harness. The architecture starts with Spectral's elaborate high performance custom power supply transformers. These unique designs are the result of years of research and development to maximize isolation and regulation. Each transformer features individual isolated windings to support each individual output transistor in the amplifier output section. The twin power transformers are mounted between massive machined mounting plates for damping and resonance control. The combined 38 lb. Transformer structure is then mounted on a constrained rubber floating suspension system similar to a fine turntable suspension. The finished transformer assembly is then suspended inside an EMI, RFI tight welded aluminum containment box located directly beneath the DMA-360 Series 2 output section. The resulting transformer Power Vault containment system results in an uncompromising solution to the universal power supply noise problem. The high-current power transformers are now intimately sited next to their own high-current output devices with extraordinary noise isolation. The high-speed driver circuitry of the DMA-360 Series 2 operates in a pristine environment free of the noise radiation and phantom signals which plague other power amplifiers. Dynamic range limitations are removed with a sonic clarity and quietude which are palpable.

 

ULTRA PREMIUM DISCRETE CIRCUITRY Small signal circuitry is based on Spectral's proven discrete circuit multiple cascode double push-pull FET technology. Premium silicon array construction is applied to the DMA-360 Series 2 to achieve enormous internal dynamic range capability. This reserve is linear class A with many times greater dynamic capability than program demands. It allows high current drive for quick controlled response from the very large output V-FETs as well as isolation from their internal electronic activity. Unhindered by interferences and slow cumbersome response of conventional practice, these parts operate with unyielding control and exacting precision. Reproduction is clean, effortless and highly holographic. Audio amplification paths through the DMA-360 Series 2 are direct, inherently linear and simple. These minimalist configurations have always sounded and measured best but normally become ponderous and overburdened when protection and support functions are added. The DMA-360  Series 2 takes a different route to solve the sonic problems of amplifier protection circuitry. To maintain the pristine signal path, a sophisticated analog computing ancillary system is thermal and opto-coupled within the amplifier. This "hands off" operational management system observes device loading and power dissipation as well as speaker damaging out of range signals. It takes control without circuitous cross interfering connections to electronics in the signal path, leaving the musical signal pure and totally untouched.

 

A REMARKABLE TOPOLOGY The DMA-360 Series 2 utilizes custom FETs and high speed bipolar transistors in a dense, fully balanced topology to achieve high-current launch and ultra-fast settling capability. RF (radio frequency) design techniques are employed to achieve a DC coupled power band with intrinsic bandwidth to almost 5 MHz! Input Stage. The shielded input stage utilizes a balanced, double cascode design using matched differential pairs of J-FETs. The cascode design derives its own ground reference and produces extremely high levels of isolation from the preamplifier and between the stages of the DMA-360 Series 2 itself. Gain Stage. The gain stage utilizes super high frequency (RF) bipolar transistors matched in a cascode configuration to bring the circuit gain into the power device realm. Output Stage. The output stage consists of eight individually powered VMOS-FET output amplifiers. This precision amplifier array features individual push-pull drivers, high-speed power supplies and individual biasing to function as a single ultra-fast, high current output section. The result of these techniques is unprecedented fast settling and remarkable intertransient silence.

ULTIMATE AMPLIFICATION

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