Sonodyne SiA 208r Stereo Integrated Amplifier

[rishiguru]

Hi, i need some information regarding the Sonodyne SiA 208r Stereo Integrated Amplifier.

Here is the link to their website: http://www.sonodyne.com/product_dtls.php?product_id=134

After one of my friends have heard my Norge + Sony combo, he is itching to build a similar setup himself. Now Norge products are not so easily available in Kolkata, but Sonodyne's are readly available.

I love to have some info regarding its specs, after audition remarks & owners view of this product.

Is it as good as Norge 1000. Or even better?

I am talking about SQ only and not about fancy lights or good looks.

Also its price.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Teja]

Now Norge products are not so easily available in Kolkata, but Sonodyne's are readly available.

I faced the opposite when I was looking to buy an amp. Nobody in Hyderabad carried Sonodyne, but I could get a demo of Norge at Vectors.

Anyhooo, I contacted Sonodyne for an audition and they replied that I have to go to Bangalore for it. The tone of the email was very laid back and they did not seem much interested in getting me as a customer. This is in stark contrast with Norge - when I sent an email to Mr. Bajaj, he responded immediately and even called me the next day to follow-up.

The MRPs I got from Sonodyne were:
SIA 208r => 11500/-
SP 203r => 8291/-
SPA 202 => 25627/-
You should manage about 10% discount on the MRP at a dealer.

All specs are available on their website.

I got the Norge 1000 which is paired with MS Carnival 6s (for now, Carnival 8s are on their way :yahoo and am very happy with the set-up. About 50-50 use between movies and music. You can buy the Norge directly from Mr. Bajaj or from a online dealer.

I never got to hear the Sonodyne, so I cannot comment on its SQ. But feature for feature it beats the Norge hands down. Things going for the Norge are slightly more power (100w vs 65W at 8 Ohm) and tried & proven SQ (vouched for by many HFV members).

Good luck to your friend on his purchase.

 

[jaudere]

I have heard the said sonodyne integrated at their show room with their own floorstands in mumbai. I have also heard norge set up in norge Workshop in mumbai. To me sonodyne sounded lifeless.

I would definitely rate Norge Higher than sonodyne.

I would recommend audition since it is easily available there. If price is not an issue,listen to their pre-power combo. Supposed to sound much better than their integrated amp. Have not heard it personally.

 

[rishiguru]

I got the Norge 1000 .... power (100w vs 65W at 8 Ohm) .........

Norge have 80 watts per channel @ 8 ohms. And i am taking about dynamic power, not continious power. Continous power of Norge 1000 is around 50 ~ 55 watts per channel @ 8 ohms.

50 watts @ 8 ohms per channel my friend, is a hell of power if driven with speakers having very good sensitivity.

 

[Teja]

Norge have 80 watts per channel @ 8 ohms. And i am taking about dynamic power, not continious power. Continous power of Norge 1000 is around 50 ~ 55 watts per channel @ 8 ohms.

50 watts @ 8 ohms per channel my friend, is a hell of power if driven with speakers having very good sensitivity.

Looks like my comment about Norge having more power than the Sonodyne rubbed you the wrong way. I was just referring to the specs as claimed by the respective manufacturer.
Norge 1000: 125W per channel @ 4 Ohms & 100W per channel @ 8 Ohms.
Sonodyne SiA 208r: 80W per channel @ 4 Ohms & 65W per channel @ 8 Ohms.

True, continuous power would be much lower than the rated RMS power. But then, that is true for most audio equipment on the market, why single out only Norge?

I am talking about SQ only and not about fancy lights or good looks.

Since you said you wanted to talk about SQ only, wattage (dynamic or continuous) has very little (if at all) to do with SQ. So no point in debating the truths of the manufacturer's claims.

Your friend has already listened to the Norge. Let him also take an audition of the Sonodyne and figure out which one he likes more.

Cheers.

 

[rishiguru]

Looks like my comment about Norge having more power than the Sonodyne rubbed you the wrong way. I was just referring to the specs as claimed by the respective manufacturer.
Norge 1000: 125W per channel @ 4 Ohms & 100W per channel @ 8 Ohms.
Sonodyne SiA 208r: 80W per channel @ 4 Ohms & 65W per channel @ 8 Ohms.

True, continuous power would be much lower than the rated RMS power. But then, that is true for most audio equipment on the market, why single out only Norge?


Since you said you wanted to talk about SQ only, wattage (dynamic or continuous) has very little (if at all) to do with SQ. So no point in debating the truths of the manufacturer's claims.

Your friend has already listened to the Norge. Let him also take an audition of the Sonodyne and figure out which one he likes more.

Cheers.

I have no odds against Norge Audio. Actually I have heaps of praise of what Mr. Sham Bajaj is doing.

Truely a quality gentleman, and he & his comapny provide products to customers that have tremendous VFM.:clapping:

But for sure, what the manufactures quote is quite different from what you get. I am having an ongoing dialoge in mail between me & Mr. Bajaj for about two weeks now, mainly technical discussions of Norge 1000 Gold, since i want to write a technical review on this product.

I have to say, he has been very kind to me, and provided very delecate internal technical info on the amp by which we can measure its real performance.

As of now, at even 12K price, it is worth every penny you spend.

Right now we have a technical mismatch in one aspect, he says this he is right & i am saying no i am right, you know we engineers fight a lothyeah:

But what ever be the outcome, India wants people like Mr. Bajaj to be born every day.

In order to save Indian audio industry.