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audio Viganoni - New Zealand

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sachem v.3 hi-end monoblock amplifier

Please click here to read the review of a sachem system, made by Dr. Richard Varey on the Witchdoctor hi-fi magazine.
the new sachem v.3 (black version)
The success of the original sachem first series inspired us, years later, to continue the journey with sachem v.2, and now we're proud to introduce the latest evolution: sachem v.3 The v.3 version features a redesigned PCB (Printed Circuit Board) with a layout as compact as possible, and minor modifications to the circuitry and components. All is housed in a new cabinet with a clean, linear design, crafted from solid aluminium bars and machined to perfection. Additionally, the v.3 boasts another significant difference from other hi-end amps: it's wire-free! Another distinctive peculiarity is its unusual response to musical transients: lightning-fast speed and total sound control, both paramount in an amplifier. Many of my live recordings feature large classical orchestras performing intricate modern compositions, and, playing this highly complex music, the v.3 really comes to life, delivering remarkable clarity and seemingly limitless power, especially on peaks that exceed 90 dB of dynamic range at true live volume! To get a sense of its qualities, you might want to take a look at the testimonials page on this website. However, to fully discover its superiority and materially realise what we have achieved, we highly recommend comparing a pair of sachem v.3 with any hi-end amps on the market, without budget constraints and using very dynamic, well-recorded CDs. Unlike other amps, the v.3 loves very complex loads, so make these comparisons using so-called "difficult" speakers. You'll find that it thrives where others falter!

an overview of the sachem v.3 monoblock and ... a few extra considerations

The text below is partly taken from the owner’s manual supplied with every sachem v.3. It also includes notes that help explain the "philosophy" behind the amplifier and highlight technical and hi‑fi issues you will never read about in hi‑fi magazines or hear in a high‑end "temple".
sachem v.3 - back panel
We spent more than a year on electronic and sonic research to progress from v.2 to v.3, fully redesigning and compacting the PCB layout while widening and shortening the traces to reduce electrical resistance. Throughout this process, we meticulously evaluated a range of high-quality new components and experimented with subtle modifications to the original circuits. Finally, we arrived at this v.3 version, which "doesn’t sound", or better ... "sounds" as discreetly as possible. Audiophiles very often forget that hi-fi equipment should not function as an additional musical instrument with its own distinct sound; rather, it should remain a neutral machine! The greatest advantage of monoblock amplifiers is that they can be placed close to the speakers, minimising speaker-cable length and, consequently, improving sound quality, dynamics, speed, and overall control. We highly recommend this configuration, so place each monoblock very close to its speaker, in free air on a low stand, or even directly on the floor, provided it is not carpeted or covered with soft material. We believe all high-priced amplifiers should be made in monoblock configuration because the use of long speaker cables, regardless of price, make, or any "divine intervention", always degrades the sound. A speaker is a very complex electrical load (anything but a pure resistor), and the cable adds its own electrical parameters (resistance, inductance, and capacitance) to those of the speaker, further altering the load "seen" by the amplifier. So, considering that the electrical parameters of a cable are given "per metre", by increasing its length it's intuitive that you also increase the values of these parameters and, consequently, the importance of their effects. Conversely, a good-quality shielded interconnect (with low capacitance, inductance, and resistance) between a preamp with low output impedance and the power amps does not influence the sound. Even if it did, the supposed loss will be much less than that of a long speaker cable. The sachem v.3 can effortlessly drive any loudspeaker, regardless of load complexity, impedance, or efficiency. Indeed, it thrives on capacitive and inductive loads even more than purely resistive ones! This peculiarity is essential for unlocking the full potential of your speakers. However, it isn’t necessarily present in the "DNA" of every so-called "exclusive" amplifier. That’s why amplifiers can sound distinct when driving different speakers. Now, speaking of power, some audiophiles believe that a 90W amplifier cannot adequately drive a low-efficiency speaker. However, if the amp in question is a sachem v.3, they’re mistaken. We have tested our monoblocks driving a pair of 82dB (1W/1m) speakers at "unusual" volume levels, with fantastic results: incredibly fast transients (within the constraints of these "conceptually flawed" speakers) and no trace of clipping. No miracles: this is possible because a sachem v.3, when asked, delivers, without strain, fulminant current peaks of 20A, resulting in instant musical peaks (on a load of 8Ω) of 3200 W! Reproducing music, the true importance lies in an amplifier's dynamic power and "speed", not its RMS power, because the hardest part is faithfully delivering the instant peaks. It's also worth noting that in a modern, serious hi-end system, with active subwoofers handling the low end and the main speakers properly rolled off to blend seamlessly with them, brute‑force amplification is no longer needed. What truly matters in amplifiers for such systems is accuracy, control, high dynamics, and fulminant speed, all hallmarks of a v.3! On the other hand, we believe it's extremely difficult to build a high‑powered amplifier (200 W RMS into 8 Ω or more) that still delivers such refined sound. That’s why we chose a mid‑way powered solution, but capable of lightning‑fast transients and virtually limitless dynamic range, thanks to its enormous current delivery and exceptionally low internal impedance of 0.1 Ω. Though rarely mentioned in amplifier specifications, this last parameter plays a crucial role in shaping an amplifier’s "liveliness" and "speed", qualities that have nothing to do with RMS power output. Indeed, some hi‑end, noble "beasts" of 200 W or more can be so sluggish that they sound as lively as a funeral march (I won't name any brands)! Another "open secret" behind the extraordinary speed and dynamics of v.3 is that the power stage features NO protection against short circuits in the speaker cables. In fact, the protection circuits inevitably introduce sonic compromises and performance limitations. For these reasons, we have chosen not to include any protective circuit, trusting that our customers, who are unlikely to be hi-fi beginners, will connect their speakers with the requisite care.
sachem v.3 inside. Please note the stunning wireless layout.
technically speaking
The sachem v.3 features a fully complementary design, with a dual differential-input stage followed by a dual complementary differential single-ended voltage-gain stage, operating in A-class at high current. Each monoblock features an oversized 300VA toroidal transformer that feeds twenty audio-grade capacitors (very low impedance and ESR) through a 35A full-wave bridge rectifier. These capacitors provide a total capacitance of 66,000μF and are paralleled with two exceptional WIMA polypropylene caps (MKP10 series). It’s interesting to note how, lately (and finally, if you ask me), some hi‑end amplifier designers have begun using two banks of smaller electrolytic capacitors in parallel in the power supply stage instead of the usual pair of large ones, to achieve the same overall capacitance. Not to brag, but we started doing that 25 years ago in the original sachem series! All the resistors feature “metal film” technology, with ±0.1% tolerance and a temperature coefficient of ±15ppm/°C. For the common man, this means perfectly matched channels and veeeery low thermal noise. The power stage features 6 selected and matched Darlington devices, each with a collector peak current of 20A, to achieve low open-loop output impedance and linear high-current capability. This ensures very smooth output transitions, without any audible crossover or switching distortion, even under high-current output conditions. The entire power supply and the Darlingtons in the power stage are so oversized that the result is a terrific peak transient current of 20A on the speaker, equivalent to peaks of 1.6 kW @ 4Ω and 3.2 kW @ 8Ω !! The other four current-filtering capacitors in the circuit feature polypropylene dielectric, while the only one in the signal path (in the feedback circuit) is a bipolar Nichicon Muse series, top audio-grade, and, in turn, paralleled with polypropylene capacitors WIMA, MKP10 series. It's a fact that capacitors in the signal path degrade sound quality, yet many designers don’t seem to give this the consideration it deserves. We did things differently, and to our knowledge, the sachem v.3 is one of the very few amplifiers, if not the only one, with just one capacitor in the signal path, on the feedback circuit (compulsory in any amp)! Furthermore, and probably this is a feature unique to our amplifier, if you set it up for a rolled-off output (for example, when you join a sub to the system, or just to "humanise" the booming in floorstander speakers), the single electrolytic capacitor in the signal path (the Muse) is by-passed, so the signal "sees" ONLY polypropylene (high-speed WIMA MKP10 series)! With only one capacitor in the signal path, we've minimised component-induced colouration, resulting in a notable enhancement in sound fidelity. The v.3's euphonic sound, the full richness of the original undepleted harmonics and overtones, the incredible transparency, the silky softness of the mid-high range, the endless and fulminant dynamic range, plus the “sculptural” quality and speed of its bass range, all depend to no small degree on this. Regarding the grounding system, the state-of-the-art PCB was carefully designed to eliminate internal ground-loop currents and ensure a high immunity to noise and external interference. The sachem v.3 is temperature-compensated, and the amplifier's optimal performance is assured after a short warm-up period of a few minutes, when the front-panel display exceeds 30°C. Therefore, there is absolutely NO need (indeed, we strongly discourage it) to leave these units permanently powered on, considering the environmental impact, energy waste, and, importantly, their own safety in the event of natural calamities during unattended times. In addition, the audiophiles who leave the system permanently powered on must know that the electrolytic capacitors in the power supply stage of any system's component have a finite lifespan, measured in operating hours. So, the less time the equipment remains powered on, the longer it'll last. For all these reasons, at the end of each listening session, we strongly recommend switching off not only the monoblocks but the entire system. I’d now like to open a brief parenthesis regarding the power supply of hi-fi systems. My recommendation is to connect all the system’s components to a unique power board, equipped with a line filter and surge protection, and to feed it directly from the output of the house power meter via a dedicated line with properly sized copper conductors. This line must also include a main switch rated at about 50A or above, and must be within easy reach (just in case). Any electrician can carry out this task easily, but the real challenge normally is how to conceal this cable (to avoid a divorce). This setup enables a rapid and synchronised shutdown of all components in the event of severe weather conditions (highly recommended). It protects against potential power surges during normal operation and helps insulate the system from line-induced noise or interference generated by household appliances. Bedtime reflection: if you're even considering buying today's absurd and utterly useless esoteric mains cables and "miraculous" power boards ... save your money! The thermal sensor serves an additional purpose: it shuts the amplifier down when the heatsink reaches 75 °C, re‑activating it once the temperature drops below 50 °C again. Under normal operating conditions, even at very high listening levels, it's extremely unlikely that the heatsink will ever reach 75 °C. Should this occur at normal listening levels, a malfunction may be present. Switch OFF the amplifier, disconnect the power cable and contact us. The sachem v.3 is a completely reliable amplifier. Every unit is thoroughly tested for 3 hours at full power into a 4Ω load (1V input, 1kHz), and for 12 hours at half power into a 4Ω load with "pink noise".As for reliability, the first sachem hit the market in early 2003, and to this day, we haven’t had any serious failures reported. We replaced only four main switches in the first series, and repaired one monoblock whose power stage was "killed" by a short circuit in the speaker cable, courtesy of the owner (for the record, my best friend, ha, ha!). Moreover, on stage, the sachem guitar combo seems to effortlessly blast out over two hours of killer sound without breaking a sweat. As you likely know, this kind of performance is neither advisable nor realistically attainable with so-called high-end amplifiers.
sachem v.3 (silver version)
connections and Installation
On the back panel of each monoblock, there are the connection sockets: the red input RCA socket receives the signal from your preamp. The white one is a line output that can be used to feed the signal to other units in a multi‑amplification setup, or to an active subwoofer if you prefer not to connect it to the preamp. At this point, I have to introduce you to an uncommon but very useful facility of our amplifier: the ability to select a flat response or, via its passive high-pass filter, a 6dB/oct rolled-off response, with three selectable -3dB points at different frequencies. You must choose one of these roll-off options if you connect a subwoofer. By doing so, you will create the correct crossover point between the sub and your main stereo pair, ensuring a perfect, booming free bass-infrabass range. Furthermore, the dynamic range and speed of the main speakers will increase, and their distortion will decrease because they will no longer struggle to reproduce (in vain) the lowest frequencies your sub is better qualified to manage. Image and clarity in the mid and high frequencies will also improve, thanks to the reduced loudspeaker distortion. Connecting a sub into the system without rolling off the low frequencies in the amplifier (and consequently in the main speakers), as anyone unfortunately does, is a real "setup crime". This is why many audiophiles believe a subwoofer degrades the quality of a hi‑end system’s low frequencies. And in truth, they’re not entirely wrong, but this only happens because of a lack of technical know‑how among audiophiles and within the hi‑end insiders themselves! If you need clarification or help with optimising the subwoofer setup, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Planning to bi-amp your speakers with a second pair of sachem v.3? It's easy: connect your preamp to the red RCA input of the amps driving the low spectrum, then connect their white socket to the red socket of the monoblocks handling the mid-high. In this configuration, you must roll off the bass response in the monoblocks used for the high frequencies, setting up the highest possible roll-off point (260Hz -3dB). We can do this operation for you.
internal view (from front to back) and the power supply
Now, speaking of speaker cables, you find in every box a one-metre-long NORDOST 2 FLAT cable, with one end terminated with a NEUTRIK Speakon plug (widely regarded as the best, with an impressive 40A RMS electrical contact rating). We have no relationship with the NORDOST distributor, so the only reason we chose this cable is that, in all our trials, it proved superior to every other speaker cable we tested (including many shamelessly overpriced ones) in clarity, bass control, and speed. Indeed, there are technical reasons for its excellent performance, which, in my opinion, depend on outstanding electrical parameters: capacitance 23pF/m, inductance 0.55μH/m and propagation at 90% of the speed of light! As far as we know, this cable is the best choice for fully realising v.3's huge potential in your speakers, without considering its reasonable price. To assess the polarity of the accompanying NORDOST 2 FLAT cable, carefully examine the external white plastic cladding of the two wires. You will note that the plastic cladding of one wire is completely smooth, while the other one features a raised ridge along its centre: this wire is the positive, and the smooth one is the negative. However, you are free to try other brands and cable types, but whatever cables you choose, keep them as short as possible. As mentioned before, the sachem v.3 provides NO PROTECTION against short circuits in the speaker cables, which can instantly destroy your amplifier’s power stage. This unconventional design choice was made deliberately to ensure no limitation on the peak current the amplifier can deliver. So, before disconnecting or connecting a speaker cable, always ensure that the amplifier has been switched OFF for at least 30 seconds. We also recommend unplugging the Neutrik Speakon connector before disconnecting the speaker ends. Please note that the warranty does NOT cover any costs arising from issues caused by a short circuit in the speaker cable.
Darlington devices in the power stage and, at the centre, the pure Class A driver stage
Safeguarding sachem v.3 from overheating is very simple. Do not place the amplifiers inside unventilated enclosures such as closed cabinets or pieces of furniture. The monoblocks must be placed in free air and on hard surfaces: never on carpet or any soft surface that could obstruct the ventilation openings underneath. It's also essential to keep the units, especially the black version, out of direct sunlight. Failure to follow these instructions may prevent the amplifier from operating at its optimal temperature, potentially leading to a condition known as "thermal runaway", a dangerous scenario that can destroy the power stage. A high-humidity environment is another factor to avoid. No doubt you’re now ready to enjoy your stunning new monoblocks and care for them in the right way! We are confident that you will notice and appreciate the improved performance of your system! However, it’s important to realise that a pair of sachem v.3 won’t work miracles. Rather, they will ruthlessly expose any weaknesses in your hi-fi chain. Likewise, their full potential may be overshadowed by any component in the system that lacks selectivity, speed, or clarity. Unfortunately, a sobering reality in the hi-fi world is that a system's final sound is shaped more by its weakest component than by its finest. Therefore, until all the components in your system match the calibre of your new v.3 monoblocks, the pursuit of sonic perfection will remain partly unfulfilled.
close-up view of the pure Class A driver stage (centre)
To finish, a note about the name: “sachem” (pronounced seɪtʃəm) refers to an elected paramount Chief of American Indian tribes in northeastern North America. The word originates from the Algonquian language of a tribe that lived near Lake Michigan. The Native Americans also used the epithet “sachem” as an honour for a senior warrior who had distinguished himself with particular merits.
Please feel free to contact us if you need assistance or advice regarding the installation or use of our products, or for any general questions you may have. Many heartfelt thanks to my dear friends and highly skilled technicians, Rino Cieri and Allen Gill, who have helped me solve major problems. I’m also grateful to Kevin Munt, who machined the cabinets with flawless precision.

specifications

NOTE: the parameters in RED are paramount, but usually omitted in the specs of many amps! Rated continuous power (RMS) 8Ω (20Hz ~ 20kHz) > 90W
Rated continuous power (RMS) 4Ω (20Hz ~ 20kHz) > 165W
Rated non-continuous power 2Ω > 300W
Peak max. transient current on load - see note below (**) > 20A
Input sensitivity ~ 1.3V
Input impedance 13kΩ
Internal impedance < 0.1Ω
Power bandwidth @ -3dB (top-band limited by input passive low-pass filter) 2Hz ~ 240kHz
Audio-band linearity 20 ~ 200kHz (@ rated power) ± 0.1dB
Phase deviation 20Hz ~ 20kHz < 3º
THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) @ rated power 8Ω 1kHz < 0.03%
Crossover distortion NO trace
Signal-to-noise ratio (input shorted) NO audible noise Hi-pass filter-slope (see instructions) 6dB/oct @ xxx Hz
Overall dimensions (W-D-H) 300 – 410 – 165 mm Shipping dimensions (W-D-H) 510 - 420 - 290 mm
Shipping weight 13.2 kg
(**) Please note that a current of 20A is equivalent to peaks of 1600W @ 4Ω and 3200W @ 8Ω
sachem v.3 (or v.2) are on display at the following dealers:
Leonard Lucas - Auckland Signals - Auckland
Hi-Fi Auditions - Hamilton
Tone Electrical - Paraparaumu
(you'll find their contact details on the partners page) PLEASE NOTE: If you're outside the coverage area of our local dealers, feel free to contact us directly. We'll try to find an alternative way to let you experience the sachem "difference".
home page | about Franco | sachem pure v.2 | sachem v.3 | sachem guitar | live recording | school of hi-fi | the hi-end doctor | live music vs. hi-fi | testimonials | partners | contact us
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