AMS100 (DISCONTINUED) - Overview
We are confident that the AMS100 is the most advanced pure Class A power amp ever made. It clearly tops the trio of exceptional power amplifiers within our AMS range.
The 100 Watts per channel AMS100 features the same core Class A excellence as its AMS35p and AMS50 siblings, boosted significantly by further trickle-down technology from our flagship TITAN amp, plus a unique power supply design.
Its innovative PSU arrangement – a first in the hi-fi world – gives the AMS100 huge technical advantages over any other amp, by negating power-supply noise.
The result is the most clean, powerful performance we’ve produced: if you’re a true musical purist, this is the amp for you.
The AMS100 is the perfect partner for our Primo pre-amp, sharing the same state-of-the-art engineering and premium aesthetics.
Stereophile’s review said: “Musical Fidelity's AMS100 is magnificent,” while Hi-Fi News proclaimed it “maybe the ultimate Class A transistor amplifier”.
AMS100 (DISCONTINUED) - Design and Build
The AMS100 builds on the bridged design of the AMS50 and firmly ratchets performance up by another notch. It starts by using precisely the same circuitry and number of output transistors as our flagship TITAN amp, but then uses a power-supply configuration all of its own.
Pure Class A amplifiers draw considerable current, which exposes any deficiencies in power-supply design. Bridged amplifiers such as the TITAN and the AMS50 already benefit from a design that rejects power-supply noise. The AMS100 uses the same, bridged circuit layout, but instead of both halves being powered by a single mains transformer, it uses twin transformers plus two bifilar choke regulators for each channel. That means the bridged circuit is formed by two entirely separate, choke-regulated monoblocs.
The AMS100’s unique dual-bifilar choke regulation system results in a power-supply noise-rejection ratio of 88:1; the equivalent of multiplying capacitance by more than 88 times. It has a huge effect on the amp’s performance, further aided by its excellent mains-noise filtration.
The result is a technically brilliant design – but don’t just take our word for it; the Hi-Fi News lab report proclaimed: “ It’s supremely quiet (the A-wtd S/N ratio is 92dB re.0dBW) while distortion is vanishingly low at low power, just 0.0002%.”
However, measurements only tell part of the story: you have to hear the AMS100 in action to truly appreciate its unique abilities. It has a clean, sweet and open sound, but never loses its tight, accurate grip on the music. Huge dynamics are delivered with ease, while low-end extension seems limitless.
As the Hi-Fi News review of the AMS 100 marvels: “The lack of grain and the lack of compression were quite amazing. Sound stopped and started with remarkable freedom from any kind of ‘color’ or perceived distortion….”It manages to combine absolute control with finesse.”
In short: listen to the AMS100 and you’ll hear the sound of Class A amplification finally realising its full potential.
Despite its nominal 100 Watts per channel specification (or 200 Watts per channel into 4 ohms), the AMS100 will drive any speaker with ease. Connectivity options include both balanced and line-level inputs, plus two pairs of speaker terminals per channel, which make biwiring easy.
Its sheer size and specification mean we have to build the AMS100 to even more exacting standards than the premium fit and finish featured on the rest of the AMS range. There’s the same incredible attention to detail, solid military-grade aluminium casework and exclusive titanium finish, but here the heatsinks are uniquely crafted for optimum efficiency.
Measuring a mighty 48.3cm wide, 32.5cm high and 88cm deep, and weighing in at 100Kg, there’s no denying the AMS100 is a monster amplifier. But if you want to hear the ultimate Class A amp, then this is it.
