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D’Agostino Progression M550 Mono Amplifier – The new powerhouse

When it comes to performance, there are many solutions on the market, including those amplifiers from Dan D’Agostino, whereby his company Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems LLC. with the D’Agostino Progression M550 Mono Amplifier now sends a particularly potent model into the race.

Dan D’Agostino is considered a true legend in the development of amplifier systems, with the new D’Agostino Progression M550 Mono Amplifier he now presents another solution of his company Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems LLC.

Once again, it is striking that the focus here is first and foremost on performance, and in a truly impressive manner.

D’Agostino Progression M550 Mono Amplifier – Pure Performance

The new mono block D’Agostino Progression M550 Mono Amplifier and thus the latest second generation from the D’Agostino Progression Series impresses in many respects, but in particular it is actually the power rating that can be found with this in the data sheet.

After all, 550 watts are already at speaker systems with an impedance of 8 ohms, but if the speaker systems have an impedance of only 4 ohms, then a whopping 1,100 watts are available. This doubles again if the speaker systems have an impedance of only 2 ohms, in which case 2,220 watts are available.

Cooling is elementary and part of the design

It’s obvious that optimal cooling is immensely important with such power. Therefore, the new heat sink design immediately catches the eye, which was derived directly from the flagship D’Agostino Relentless Mono Amplifier.

Each heatsink is machined from a single 22kg aluminum block and is said to feature a highly efficient elliptical shape. This dramatically improves the cooling performance of the design and ensures that the D’Agostino Progression M550 Mono Amplifier runs safely and reliably even at full power.

D'Agostino Progression M550 Mono Amplifier

New circuit design

The input topology of the D’Agostino Progression M550 Mono Amplifier has been fundamentally redesigned, the manufacturer claims. This should result in lower distortion, higher signal-to-noise ratio, better channel separation and bandwidth, it is claimed.

New transistors handle six times the power of previous components, and a new DC coupling circuit has improved low-frequency performance and expanded amplifier bandwidth. Coupling this advanced front end with an equally improved output stage provides further optimized dynamics, equally optimized detail reproduction and spatial integrity, Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems LLC. is on record as saying.

The entire audio signal path is discrete, balanced and direct-coupled. Advanced protection techniques protect the amplifier and associated components from unexpected anomalies.

Redesigned power supply

A new power supply forms the basis for an updated output stage. This new transistor, first used in the D’Agostino Relentless Mono Amplifier, extends the high-frequency range, increases power handling fourfold, and provides tighter gain matching tolerance between complementary NPN/PNP pairs.

A wider safe operating range and better gain linearity provide greater thermal stability throughout the amplifier’s power output. Coupling the new output device with the high-efficiency heat sink design enables an increase in operating bias. The higher bias voltage has increased the Class A operating range of the D’Agostino Progression M550 Mono Amplifier to 70 watts.

The so-called super-rail topology, a simple concept according to the manufacturer but complex to execute, and essential for optimal power delivery, has been retained from the original amplifier.

The output topology includes 48 power transistors supported by a 2,000 VA power supply transformer and nearly 100,000 µF of power supply storage capacity.

D'Agostino Progression M550 Mono Amplifier

Unique design

The front panel of the D’Agostino Progression M550 Mono Amplifier, made of anodized aluminum, features the power meter, already considered typical of the manufacturer, which relies on a green illuminated display and elements made of copper.

The latest generation of this display is supposed to offer even higher precision and the shortest response time.

To also mention this essential specification, of course the new D’Agostino Progression M550 Mono Amplifier has a balanced input in the form of an XLR connector, solid gold-plated screw terminals are available for the speaker systems, and 12 V trigger connections may not be missing.

With dimensions of 45.4 x 23.0 x 58.4 cm, the D’Agostino Progression M550 Mono Amplifier weighs in at an impressive 52.2 kg and is offered in silver and black. However, other finishes can be realized upon request, as the manufacturer states.

Getting to the point

Amplifier systems from the house Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems LLC. represent since beginning in nearly each relationship impressing solutions, this proves also the now second generation of the mono block of the Dan D’Agostino Progression Series, the Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems LLC. Above all, full performance in all “situations” was at the top of the specifications.

Manufacturer:Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems LLC.
Distribution Austria:Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH
Distribution Germany:Audio Reference GmbH
Distribution Switzerland:Audio Reference GmbH
Price:€ 26.900,-
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Michael Holzinger

Michael Holzinger, founder and editor-in-chief of HiFi BLOG and sempre-audio.at, has been working for years as a journalist in the fields of IT, photography, telecommunications and consumer electronics.

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