Chord SPM 1200B Amplifiers

Chord SPM 1200B Amplifiers 

DESCRIPTION

500 watts

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 10  
[Feb 23, 2005]
TerryB
AudioPhile

Strength:

The sheer slam of the things, coupled with the deft control. Utterly unphased with whatever you throw at them.

Weakness:

Need wider than average supports with Integra legs.

In fact i have SPM 1400B, but that isn't listed, so i thought i'd crowbar my opinion into here! Basically, everything that the SPM1200 does, the 1400 does more of. It's almost impossible to explain how much these amps, in combination with a CPA4000E have transformed my listening experience. It's like *real* equipment pitched against stack it high, sell it cheap toys. Simply no comparison. A joy to operate too, as well as to listen to.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 05, 2005]
canoa70
AudioPhile

Strength:

all in an amp, specially for the price

Weakness:

NONE, None

I love this amp i'm using it to biamplify my B&W N802 (mig/highs) and it sounds very very good one of the best amps out there, my system as follows: Chord CPA4000E preamp Chord SPM5000E amp bass Chord SPM1200B amp mid/highs Isotek substation mains filter B&W nautilus 802 Wireworld gold eclipse ic and speakers Accuphase DP90-DC91 transport/DAC Michell orbe/SME V/Benz micro glider Thorens Centennial/Graham robin/Denon DL-103 Trichord Dino/Dino+ phonostage Audio Experience tube phonostage Poth Audio power cables Atacama equinox system racks This joker called Maurizio Sgroi gives 3 stars saying Krell KSA-100s (wich sucks) wastes time writing a review on chord yet doesn't have one on his sucky amp, please don't play with this.

Similar Products Used:

Chord, Classe, harman Kardon, Audiolab, Parasound, Bel canto, etc

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 12, 2003]
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

YET TO DISCOVER

Weakness:

none so far

follow up...personally It kill my Krell FPB 200c in speed airy highs,mid,dynamic contrast awesome,excellent grib on the lower region.Well I enjoy most is that it makes my mini Utopia disppeared.GREAT AMP.WORTH EVERY SINGLE PENNY.

Similar Products Used:

KRELL FPB 200C,Cello 350,ML 332

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 03, 2003]
Steven Driver
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

all aspects

Weakness:

binding posts too close

Great speed,powerful,massive soundstaging,deep tight bass,wide dynamic contrast.........the best i come across so far.good buy

Similar Products Used:

ML 23.5,spectral dma 180 jeff model 8

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 03, 2003]
AudioPhile

Strength:

everything

Weakness:

none but binding posts too close

Is one hell of a power amp.

Similar Products Used:

Krell FPB 600C,Cello 350,ML 335

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 03, 2003]
John Cook
AudioPhile

Strength:

everything

Weakness:

none but binding posts too close

Is one hell of a power amp.

Similar Products Used:

Krell FPB 600C,Cello 350,ML 335

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 13, 2000]
Mike
Audiophile

Strength:

Stunning dynamics, terrific soundstage and detailing

Weakness:

1)termination for speaker cables difficult, 2)power cord deserves to be better at this price

I have had this the Chord for approximately two years and think it is simply outstanding. It is incredibly neutral, powerful, and yet delicate in details. The soundstage is huge, enveloping and rock solid. I love the size which is about the dimensions of an intregated amp, but find the connections for speaker cables very cramped and difficult to work with. If you are considering an amp in this price range, you must try this out. Two TAS staffers give it outstanding marks while another believes it to be the best solid state amp he's heard. Standard issue by the BBC and used to monitor B&W speakers at Abbey Road studios. Plinius SA-250 also outstanding but too big to be practical in my room. Linn Klimax is also a switch-mode design which, from the reviews is outstanding but is almost three times the price.

Similar Products Used:

Classe CA-200, Mark Levinson 23.5, Krell(?)100, Plinius SA-250

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 17, 2000]
Kevin
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Neutral, powerful, can drive speakers with difficult load

Weakness:

Conenctions for speakers are too close

I have just made an upgrade from Chord SPM 900 to the 1200B, the improvement was huge.

Chord is the only make that I have used which was able to drive the Dynaudio Crafft speakers efficietly (for details pls see my review under Dynaudio Crafft of the speakers review section). It is indeed one of the most difficult speakers to drive in the market.

The 1200B is extremely powerful, I guess it has something to do with the switch mode power supply in which, it is my favorite design. The switch mode power supply was used in the military in the pass, Chord was the first amplifier maker that utilise the design in the consumer audio market. Others such as Linn and Jeff Rowland just began to follow.

It is rather amazing that the 1200B sounded so refine with extended details and resolution with enormous power. The Aragon and Bryston in comparison were coarse and harsh.

I very please with the purchase as I did with the SPM 900. I know that as long as I am using Dynaudio speakers, I will be using Chord power amps.

Similar Products Used:

Aragon 4004 MK II, Bryston 4BST, Threshold T100, Forte Model 1 alpha, Chord SPM 900

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 05, 2000]
Woong Park
Audiophile

Strength:

Excellnet imaging! Neurtral

Weakness:

Agree w/ earlier reviewer/ needs better power cord/speaker termination

This amp was an excellent match for my B&W 802 S80
speakers. Gonna keep'em forever!

Similar Products Used:

Krell

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 11, 1999]
Per Kristian Lien
an Audiophile

One of the very best amplifiers I have ever come across.I find this amplifier most satisfying in all aspects.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
Showing 1-10 of 10  

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