Back in early September, a buddy and I went to the unveiling of the Dan D'Agostino Relentless 800 monoblock amps at Innovative Audio (great dealer!) in here NYC. The first thing you notice about the Relentless 800 monoblock amps are the sheer size of them. And to think that this is the "smaller brother" to the Relentless Epic 1600. The Relentless 800 is physically imposing and weighs in at 320 pounds each. They will drive anything with ease. 800 watts at 8 ohms. 1600 watts at 4 ohms. 3200 watts at 2 ohms.
The Relentless 800s.
Literature and specs.
The speakers being driven by the Relentless 800s were the Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX, which were connected with Transparent OPUS speaker cables.
Source was digital via a dCS Audio Vivaldi stack. There was a TechDAS Air Force III Premium turntable, but that wasn't played. Preamp was Dan D’Agostino (model escapes me).
dCS Vivaldi stack.
TechDAS Air Force III Premium turntable and D'Agostino preamp
The main takeaway listening to this system is that everything just seemed effortless, even at lower volumes. Lots of authority, power, and slam. It's an enveloping sound that's hard to describe unless you've heard it. I've heard Wilson, D'Agostino, and dCS Audio quite a few times, but this was different. It felt like there were multiple subs everywhere even though there wasn't. The bass was deep, clean, refined, and forceful. I suppose it goes without saying that if a hifi costs around a million bucks, then it better do things right. Well yes, this system did things right. I can unequivocally say that this is the best stereo that I've ever heard.
Now, who has an extra million bucks and a spare penthouse for me to house this in?
The Relentless 800s.
Literature and specs.
The speakers being driven by the Relentless 800s were the Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX, which were connected with Transparent OPUS speaker cables.
Source was digital via a dCS Audio Vivaldi stack. There was a TechDAS Air Force III Premium turntable, but that wasn't played. Preamp was Dan D’Agostino (model escapes me).
dCS Vivaldi stack.
TechDAS Air Force III Premium turntable and D'Agostino preamp
The main takeaway listening to this system is that everything just seemed effortless, even at lower volumes. Lots of authority, power, and slam. It's an enveloping sound that's hard to describe unless you've heard it. I've heard Wilson, D'Agostino, and dCS Audio quite a few times, but this was different. It felt like there were multiple subs everywhere even though there wasn't. The bass was deep, clean, refined, and forceful. I suppose it goes without saying that if a hifi costs around a million bucks, then it better do things right. Well yes, this system did things right. I can unequivocally say that this is the best stereo that I've ever heard.
Now, who has an extra million bucks and a spare penthouse for me to house this in?
