We have a limited number of Neutron 5s in piano black with bolt on Amp Paks that were designed for our passive two way speakers. They offer in excess of 100 wpc and exceptional sound quality. For those familiar with our Lab Series Amplifier the sound is just as powerful and controlled, but smoother and more detailed because the amplifiers are a near relative of the ones in the ADM9.1s. The extra headroom and vanishingly low distortion gives much better results than the usual sub 100 watt hi fi offerings.
These are simply bolt on amplifiers with a line level input but they give outstanding performance connected to the line output of an Apple Computer or via an M-Audio Transit with a PC. They can also be used with a DAC that has a volume control or a preamp. The sound quality is quite exceptional and the price more so. Via our online shop only, were offering a limited number of Neutron 5s fitted with these for £549 to customers in the EU and for slightly more to those outside. This is a tremendous opportunity for anyone struggling to find a decent power amp for sensible money.
The forthcoming Neutron 5 2.1 system
For some years now TV and home cinema systems have been driving the market, but people are beginning to shift away from the clutter of surround sound, and there are also huge developments in On Demand TV - such as the BBC iPlayer - and film rentals from Apple TV.
Many devices combine photography, computing and TV into one single home media centre and in part account for the decreasing popularity of hi fi separates that dont dovetail well with the rest of peoples media. They wont present a slideshow of your holiday photos, play Youtube or other downloaded video and music that everyone now wants in one place and looking good.
Another problem for separates is that the metal casework is often the most expensive part, and makes them bad value. Therefore we decided to take a different approach. ADM9s were the beginning and now the ADM9.1s are selling in greater quantities than everything weve ever done before including our multi award-winning Neutrons and the similarly successful Lab Series Integrated Amplifier.
Weve recently introduced the Neutron 5s and they were never intended to be alone, they were designed as part of of a new system that gets rid of expensive separates boxes, costs a fraction of the price and performs at least as well as a conventional system costing three times the price.
What you get is a subwoofer containing a very high power 10 drive unit, and the latest Wolfson DAC with a special digital receiver chip that makes jitter negligible, thus rendering it independent of source. Some argue that this DAC is the best made. There is also a remote-controlled six input preamplifier and three 100 Watt power amps: one for the subwoofer and two for the Neutron 5s. A digital display indicates the selected input, volume level and subwoofer set-up. The six inputs include one analogue, three optical digital, one coaxial digital, and one USB digital input.
The 2.1 Sub will cost £900, which equates to the price of an entry-level amplifier or CD player, and Neutron 5s cost £399. Therefore £1299 buys you a complete hi fi system, which would normally cost three times as much, and not include the subwoofer thats so important for movies and some music now.
As a source all you need is Sonos, Apple TV, pS3, Sky Plus or a FreeSat PVR, and youve got the lot and saved a fortune. The ADM9.1 + its Sub costs £1875, so the Neutron 5 2.1 is our entry level system at £1299.
Another key advantage to the system is that all variables from the source to the speaker are known and addressed by Martin Grindrod our engineer, so we can be certain of the sound quality. The mix and match nature of hi fi separates would often create unpredictable results, as well as additional hassle and cost.
The Neutron 5 2.1 system starts shipping in March and Neutron 5s are available now in lustrous Piano Black lacquer.