Great American

Sound
James Bongiorno, developer of the legendary power amplifiers
from Dynaco, SAE, GAS and SUMO is back. And he brings along a
new born son, who is traditionally powerfull.
Review from Tom Frantzen

Do you remember the unbelievable power amplifiers such as the SAE MK III, GAS
Ampzilla or Sumo The Power/The Gold? All these high power amplifiers have a
common father: James Bongiorno. His influence on the modern circuit design was
policymaking, but at the hight of his career – his company Sumo was just going into
higher gear – a long lasting and malicious disease throw him back. About two
decades of struggle to survival later, the former maverick appeared again with the
monoblocs „Ampzilla 2000“ like a phoenix from the ashes. A comeback that received
a lot intention, because Bongiorno amplifier have been painfully missed for a long
time. Brute transistor power, replete timbre and a “tube like” glaze, attributes of his
earlier products who carried his signature. His “Son of Ampzilla” was sold several
tenthousand times. To build a bridge to his former, glorious fame, James Bongiorno
took up the well known name „Son of Ampzilla“ for his new stereo amplifier. Under
the roof of his new company Spread Spectrum Technologies, the new, third
generation of Bongiorno amplifiers ripened, completely balanced input to output with
full four quadrant differential push-pull feedback from both sides of the speaker. Only
when tur ning on the unit, you should leave the preamps volume control all the way
down, otherwise it sounds dangerous. In comparison to the original “Son” from Great
American Sound , the 2000 became twice as much and more modern transistors, its
2000 VA power supply with toroidal transformer and channel separated windings is
three times more powerfull. A servo control against DC offset used in former GAS
preamps (Thaedra, Thoebe, Thalia) has been used. The power supply capacity is
identical to the Ampzilla 2000.
James Bongirono strived for a smooth and harmonic falling distortion curve, known
from excellent tube amps. The proof that he succeded is the current nickname for his
amplifier in the USA - “Tubistor”.
Everyone that works with photography knows, that resolution is not everything. On
the contrary, an objective that delivers only resolution, but no contrast, is useless.
Bongiorno knows that like no other – and transports this knowledge to the audible
world. Ampzillas’ Son, although fitted with a great, but not extreme resolution, might
not be the one to make it audible if Norah Jones will have a flue in two weeks, but he
is the master of contrasts, the „in between tones“ and the moods. And that is world
class which is going far beyond its’ price.
The „Son of Ampzilla“ is fast, crisp and powerfull (vigorous?). He fills the free space
that is left bloodless by other amplifiers. This amplifier provides much more then the
others, namely “feeling“, and that’s what keeps STEREO editors longer than usual in
front of a system.
This smart unit is „culty“, it is swinging, has got heart and soul, lets the music flying,
floating, pulsing, spreading. Here they are, the good old times! The Ampzilla is a
modern amplifier, bringing the best from the past to the present day. He is working
fine with a superb, modern pre amp like the Accuphase C-2400, but unfolds his
character even with an old GAS Thalia from 1980, which we have tried.

This small muscle -man is a hammer, an exceptional unit which appears rarely. It is
addictive, the listening sessions went to be marathon sessions that do not have
anything in common with “work”. And when your sense doesn’t like “blue hours”,
Bongiornos “Son” is now also available in black.

Summary:

This amp conjures up the good old times as much as he combines the best attributes
from tubes and transistors. He is powerfull, is building a big stage and … “Lust und
Laune.“
Voices have a body and expression, instruments show aura and natural charme, tone
colors are so lively. An amplifier that even makes people feel enthusiastic who
thought they know every amplifier. Serious! Be sure to follow it and listen to it!

Technical measurements:

123 watts at 8 Ohm and 215 at 4 Ohm

output resistance 21,5 Milliohm
distortion: below 0,01% till full power
Intermodulation between 0,027 and 0,07 %
channel separation 51 Dezibel
noise: 79/100 Dezibel at 50 Milliwatt/5 Watt