Selected by Stereophile Magazine for their
Recommended Components list
Ten consecutive times 2002-2006

The World's Most Sonically Satisfying
Audiophile Power Amplifiers
 
Model 2X150VT - With Vacuum Tube

Choose from two great models!

Select the sweet sound of the 2X150VT Hybrid amplifier with a dual triode input to add the warm tube characteristic to your whole system.

-OR-

The model 2X150 without the tube for superb specifications

.
Model 2X150 - Without Vacuum Tube

Features:

Fabulous "Retro look" with art deco styling. The unique, attractive appearance of this product is something you want to display to your guests. The striking two-tone finish goes well with your other system components. You may recognize this amplifier as one of the dominant premium performers of the 1970's and 80's. We understand the original manufacturer abandoned the design because it became too costly to produce and sell at a popular price.

Power output indicators for each channel on the front of the cabinet. Calibrated at 5 Watts, 50 Watts, and 150 Watts, in addition to green signal presence indicators. Illuminated front panel power switch.

“What was old is NEW again!”

New, modern "studio grade" circuitry to improve performance even more. SMART acquired a license for the patent, improved the original circuitry, plus added several valuable features. Critical circuits were upgraded to extremely low noise precision resistors and sonically superior capacitors. Our new model maintains critical high performance sound quality for which the amplifier became famous, but elevates the performance to what you would expect for the new Millennium.

“The world’s finest sounding amplifier is back.... Improved!”

Superb transient response. Highest power bandwidth capability of any audiophile amplifier. Highest slew rate can produce 5-100kHz response at full output. This capability is one of the reasons for the delicate, transparent high end you immediately hear in the 2X150. Many audiophiles claim they can even hear the "room tone" of the recording studio, whereas before it was masked when listening to other amplifiers.

Easy 150 Watts into 8 ohms per channel with both channels driven. 240 Watts per channel into 4 ohms.

High damping factor for solid, clean bass. Vacuum tube amplifiers cannot compare because of their necessary output transformer. Tight control of the bass frequencies produces a natural sound and avoids the loose, sloppy bass heard in many popular amplifiers,

Ultra low distortion. Less than 0. 02% THD at all power levels. The warm and smooth sound of the vacuum tube model results is slightly higher THD (less than 0.9% THD ), because of the harmonic rich tube characteristics.

“Hear the music, not the amplifier!”

No coloration - Hear the music, not the amplifier. Closest comparison is a $4000 cathode follower vacuum tube power amplifier (with considerably lower power). Many serious music listeners complain of “ear fatigue” after listening to some solid state amplifiers for long periods of time. This may be due to the cold sterile sound of many solid state amps. Enjoy the sweet, unsurpassed sound quality of the 2X150VT without fatigue!

Patented design. You will not see this famous design in any other amplifier. Most manufacturers avoid the more expensive MOSFET designs and revert to conventional transistor circuitry because designing a high quality MOSFET amplifier is not only a science, but an art.

“A MOSFET is like a tube, without a filament!”

Unlike transistor amplifiers, the output stage of the 2X150 has gain. This allows for "nested loop" feedback, resulting in minor phase shift over the entire bandwidth. Moderate feedback is used instead of brute force feedback commonly found in transistor amplifiers. Severe feedback circuits may produce better numbers on the spec sheet, but quality suffers with a more strident, or brittle, sound during large transient peaks or near full output.

Mirror image circuitry throughout the amplifier in the "push-pull" output configuration is an elegant way to assure linear reproduction of the positive and negative going waveform.

Self protecting Anti-thermal runaway. Unlike transistors, MOSFET’s reduce output the hotter they get.

Ultrasonically stable - no oscillation at high frequencies.

Common source MOSFET's to correct for intrinsic phase error.

Matched output devices in parallel for increased reliability. Prevents "current hogging". Similar to matching output tubes in valve amplifiers.

Extreme silence in background during quiet passages. This totally "black" background allows you to hear the subtle parts of music with unprecedented clarity and definition.

Holes in the heat sink on the front of the amplifier allow adding a rack mount kit. A special rack mount conversion kit is available for both the 2X150 and 2X150VT models.

Robust design - Inherent redundancy. Super reliable performance for many years. SMART has built nearly 4000 of the original rack mount version of the predecessor of this amplifier for professional cinemas around the world. Built to rugged industrial standards for long life and continuous use.

“Patented amplifier circuitry”

In other amplifiers the introduction of a resistor in the output for protection sampling affects the damping factor of the amplifier. The 2X150 amplifier uses output fuse protection. There is no electronic protection circuitry hanging on the output section that can affect the sound quality.

Heat sensor circuit breakers on both heatsinks protect the amplifier from overheating in the event of sustained dead shorts on the outputs.

Incredible headroom. Each 150 Watt channel can develop instantaneous, clean peaks for superb transient response and transparent sound reproduction. The very "open" sound is obvious when compared to other premium amplifiers due to its cleaner and better detailed separation of the instruments in the music.

Inside View of Model 2X150VT

Solid, huge toroid transformer power supply with oversize electrolytic filters. Precision transformers are custom made in our own factory. Premium in-rush current limiter for quiet turn-on.

Stainless steel top cover and steel chassis base minimizes magnetic radiation. This allows the amplifier to be placed in close proximity to other components in your system without the fear of hum pickup from the amplifier.

Premium metal (TO3 type) MOSFET output devices that are performance matched for optimum sound quality and long life.

Rear View of Model 2X150VT

Ground "lift" switch on back to break possible ground loops and hum in component systems.

Mono bridge-switch on the back of the amplifier to convert from the dual channel stereo mode to a 500 Watt full frequency range mono amplifier. May be used as a subwoofer amplifier or as large, premium 500 Watt mono block amplifiers.

Detachable IEC power cord for owners that wish to purchase a premium power cord.

Gold plated 5-way speaker output binding posts. Will accept large #10 AWG speaker cables.

Gold plated audio input RCA jacks, floating, non-grounded.

Full range input level controls on back for each channel for level trim and balance for each channel.

The 2X150 can reveal how really great a fine recording is, or make the best of an average recording.

Huge custom made output device heatsinks for efficient convective cooling. No noisy fan required.

Lovingly hand crafted and quality certified entirely in U.S.A.

Specifications:

Sold previously through high-end audio shops for $2250. By it on-line now for only $1575

Reviews of the 2X150VT Amplifier

The first review of the 2X150VT amplifier is here. This review is from "SECRETS OF HOME THEATER AND HIGH FIDELITY" on-line magazine, and the product is reviewed by Brian Florian. Click here for the review.

See the second review of the 2X150VT. This review is from "ENJOY THE MUSIC" on-line magazine, and the product is reviewed by Doctor William Gaw. Click here for the review.

The third review of the 2X150VT is in the August 2001 issue of WIDESCREEN REVIEW magazine. Movie Sound Editor, Perry Sun, auditions three of these amplifiers in a home theatre system. Click here for the review.

The fourth review of the 2X150VT is in the January 2002 issue of STEREOPHILE magazine. The review is by Michael Fremer, with technical commentary and measurements by John Atkinson. CHECK IT OUT! This review is on line here

Brian Bloom gives us the fifth review of the 2X150VT on AudAud.com   Click here for the review

The sixth and latest 2X150VT Amplifier review in Absolute Sound Magazine is here

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