AudioSource Amp One/A 160-Watt Stereo Power Amplifier with Internal Bridging

by AudioSource

Product Details

Product Manual [165kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 15.5 x 19.5 x 4.5 inches ; 15.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 16 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004UFQR
• Item model number: AM001A0
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,275 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 19, 2000

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Not everyone wants or needs a single feature-loaded surround receiver, which is where the AudioSource Amp One/A 160-watt stereo amplifier comes into play. A favorite of audiophiles everywhere, the device is built to deliver powerful music, pure and simple, with few gratuitous extra controls to get in the way. Listeners can use the Amp One/A as an independent stereo amp (80 watts x 2) when used with a preamp, or as an adjunct amp for a low-powered surround receiver with preamp outputs (it delivers 200 watts of mono power). Combine the Amp One/A with an additional monoblock amp and a preamp and listeners can powerfully drive two front left/right speakers or two rear speakers, further clarifying each channel to create dynamic, high-end sound. To connect additional components to the amp, use the included line-in jacks (for connecting to a source such as a receiver, CD player, or preamplifier) or the line-out/thru jacks (for creating a multi-amp setup). It's also simple to switch between stereo and mono modes thanks to the bridging switch.

The amp features a precise frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz and total harmonic distortion of less than 0.04 percent--barely enough to register to the human ear. It also boasts color-coded five-way binding posts that make it easy to hook up stereo speakers. And at 16.5 by 2.38 by 11.62 inches (W x H x D), the device should fit comfortably in most rack mount or home entertainment setups. In addition, the Amp One/A is covered by a two-year warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the Box
Amp One/A amplifier, user's manual.

Product Description

This product has been Factory-Refurbished to perform as new. It includes a 90-Day Warranty.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent value and sound; one of the best deals in amps!, December 11, 2004

By 

CQ DX (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: AudioSource Amp One/A 160-Watt Stereo Power Amplifier with Internal Bridging (Electronics)

I have been an audiophile since I was a teen (over 20 years), having owned some truly high end amplifiers like Bryston, Audio Research, and currently in my main system, a McIntosh MC162. All phenomenal amps. I also happen to own an AudioSource AmpTwo and an AmpOne, both superb amps for the money. The only difference with the AmpTwo, is that it has left and right channel lit VU meters that measure watts output and 'headroom' in db units. Very cool indeed! Other than this, the AmpOne is identical to the AmpTwo. The AmpOne is set up in my home office connected to higher end equipment like Parasound and a Denon HDCD player. My speakers are the very venerable and respected bookshelf horn speakers, the JBL HLS-610, which is very well balanced and revealing of source material and equipment. And lastly, I run fairly expensive 'StraightWire' interconnect cables between my components. That said, I have been blown away by the quality and neutral sound of this amplifier! The amp sounds detailed, accurate, warm, sweet, and powerful - attributes usually found in more expensive high end amplifiers as mentioned above, usually costing thousands of dollars! Quite an amazing feat for this solid little affordable AudioSource that satisfies even high demand audiophile ears like mine. Moreover, I have tested the AmpOne and AmpTwo while driving difficult power hungry loads, such as Magneplanar 4 ohm speakers, and they performed beyond my expectations. Kudos to AudioSource for providing one of the truly 'best bang for the buck' deals in stereo amplification out there! I highly, HIGHLY recommend this product.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AudioSource Amp One/A - great value and quality!, June 18, 2003

By 

Psymon JC (Jersey City, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: AudioSource Amp One/A 160-Watt Stereo Power Amplifier with Internal Bridging (Electronics)

I bought 2 AudioSource Amp One/A's and am running them as monoblocks to drive my front L/R speakers. The difference in sound quality over my Marantz SR-5300 (brand new) is quite stunning. The sound stage sounds much wider and deeper, and even the most delicate note can be clearly heard. I'm using the Marantz as a preamp to drive the AudioSource amps, BTW. With the AS's taking the load of the front speakers, the Marantz's dynamics and clarity have also improved dramatically with multi-channel recordings since it's now only handling the center and surround speakers.

I'd recommend buying a pair of these to anyone who has a low-mid priced home theater receiver with preamp outs. The difference is quite extraordinary. I now understand why people spend thousands of $ on monoblock amps.

I also tried running the AS's stereo mode, driving Front L/R, Center and Center Surround speakers. The sound was not as dynamic or clear using them this way, though movie soundtracks sounded dramatically better (the Marantz was now doing even less). I'm more of a 2 channel music buff who happens to love multi-channel movies, so I'm sticking with the 2 monoblock approach. Eventually, I may purchase additional AS Amp ones to drive my other speakers...

OK - I guess it's obvious I'm really happy with this product. Try it for yourself, you won't be disappointed. It's the cheapest way to get a monoblock amp without spending alot more, or dealing with equipment with noisy cooling fans!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great buy, April 14, 2007

By 

John Delano (Santa Barbara) - See all my reviews

This review is from: AudioSource Amp One/A 160-Watt Stereo Power Amplifier with Internal Bridging (Electronics)

I have owned two of these amps for almost a year now and I am very fond of them. I have four bookshelf speakers that were being power by a stereo receiver. This stereo receiver bragged that it produced 100 Watts per channel for four channel. So, supposedly each of my speakers was getting 100 Watts of power. However, power in the audio industry is not well defined. Believe me as I am a physicist, they are pretty wacky in the audio business. To calculate power, one uses the formula Power=V^2/R, where V is the RMS voltage and R is the resistance of the circuit or load. Sorry this is getting a bit technical, but the moral of the story is the audio industry feels free to choose R at will. This means they can claim any power. The sad thing is it is legal to so do. Anyway, back to the review. I bought two of these amps to power my four speaker. That means I am running 80 Watts into each speaker. This should be quieter than my old receiver, but it is not. It is much louder because these amps actually put out a real 160 Watts as opposed to my old stereo receiver which most likely put out 50 Watts per channel.

Also, the signal to noise seems excellent. These are the first amps I have owned where if I run a clean signal in and turn the volume all the way up, I do not hear a hiss coming out of my speakers. In fact, they recommend that one keeps the amps turned all the way up at all times and simply adjust the input signal volume. This is what I do an it works well. I am very satisfied this this product.