DD amps now feature the same type of power supply used on the Z2-LV (low voltage optimized). Current trends of amp design, or rather amp marketing, center around making as much peak power with the lowest production cost. Power ratings are then taken at levels where peak alternator voltage is possible though not sustainable. Most power ratings are taken by measuring a cold amplifier for peak output during a couple of seconds burst power. This can make for a nice spec page, but in a survey of DD customers, we had trouble finding users that ran 100Hz tone bursts for 3 seconds at 2 hour intervals. If this isn’t how our customers use their amps, what sense does it make to design amps for 100Hz bursts. [Our customers want pavement pounding power where RMS power is measured by panel flex.]

The LV power supplies increase the output power of the amp with lower supply voltage compared to typical amplifiers. The M Series amps feature dual and quad power supplies; using higher capacity transformer cores and larger gauge windings to increase the efficiency of the transformers. The winding ratios are optimized to increase rail voltages with lower supply voltage. Mosfets with higher current ratings are used to make the most of the power available.

The increase in power would normally mean an increase in amplifier size to deal with increased heat. Since cars are not getting bigger, we went to work on dealing with heat more efficiently. The new heat sinks carry more thermal mass and maxed out fin area to move heat as efficiently as possible away from the output devices and the end panels are punched with double rows of cooling vents. We were able to increase effective output power across the board while keeping the same overall dimensions of the last generation amps, more power in less space. The horizontal and vertical fins allow convection cooling in any mounting position.

We maintained system tuning flexibility with separate subsonic and low pass filters, 6dB of 40Hz variable bass boost and remote gain control. The DD remote gain allows fine tuning of bass volume without exceeding the master gain level set on the amplifier.

All RCA connectors are solid metal and bolted to the end panels, speaker and power connects are done by terminal blocks. The finish is brushed aluminum with clear coat with our traditional DD logo engraving.

Customer Reviews: