General Asylum: REVIEW: Marsh Sound Design A200S Amplifier (SS) by Todd Krieger

Model:	A200S
Category:	Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$1495
Description:	120 Watt-Per-Channel [8 ohms] Stereo Power Amplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Marsh Sound Design
Model Picture:	View

Review by Todd Krieger ( A ) on July 03, 2002 at 12:00:57
IP Address: 208.176.172.30

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When I purchased the Marsh Sound Design A200S, the objective was to run a budget amp that has most of the musicality, control, and listenability of my reference amp (which cost 2.5 times that of the A200S). And in my opinion, this amp delivers the goods in spades.
The A200S is a classically-styled high-end solid-state 120 watt-per-channel amplifier. The amplifier is physically less-massive than a lot of similarly-powered designs, due mainly to Marsh's "Servo" technology. This amp won The Absolute Sound's "Golden Ear" award for 2000, and its performance/price ratio made it the prime candidate for my "workhorse" amp for the main system.
The A200S is fed by a Supratek Cortese preamplifier, and it is driving the Von Schweikert Audio VR-4.5 Mod 5 speakers, noted for being a difficult load for any amplifier. (The amp runs exceptionally cool, even when driven hard.)
The only operational quirk is the light-touch pushbutton power switch can inadvertently be switched on or off if one merely comes in contact with the front-center of the unit. But the bright-blue LED directly above the switch will indicate one way or the other.
Now to the sound. The reviews in Absolute Sound (and on AA) actually have the sonics of the Marsh A200S amp described quite accurately. There are very few equalizing effects provided by this amplifier. For a solid-state amp, it does not take a back seat to tubes in regard to musicality. Two acid tests for this are saxophone and country vocals, which this amp brings out a fleshed-out natural quality that many would have thought at one time wasn't even attainable with *any* solid-state. The other strength of this amp is the sheer lack of high-frequency grain or additive artifacts. Although not the absolute palpability of tubes, the natural bite of a piano, violin, or trumpet will make a lot of people stop thinking whether they should switch to tubes. This is the first budget solid-state amp I've come across that provides timbral accuracy of acoustic instruments in absolute terms.
And even though the Marsh A200S does well in parameters normally done well by tube electronics, it does the solid-state things well too. The bass control on the extremely-difficult VSA VR-4.5 Mod 5's is exemplary. This is one of *very* few amps that can keep a soundstage intact at louder volume levels, into difficult-load full-range speakers, without a trace of the hardness that plagues most solid-state. For that reason, the amp can be run for extended periods of time. And with large-scale symphony orchestra, the acid-test for staging, once again, the stage is kept intact during dynamic climaxes.
Weaknesses... First a qualifier. The odd part of doing this review is the fact I was looking for a budget amp to reduce the workload of my reference amp. And the Marsh A200S is only the second solid-state amp I've come across that I could live with for an extended period of time. The reference amp as I said costs 2.5 times that of the Marsh A200S, and it hasn't been a three-year keeper (and counting) for nothing. It basically does what the Marsh does exceptionally well even better. And frankly, had I not been fortunate to run into this reference amp, which is an *extremely* rare piece, I would probably state the Marsh's performance in absolute terms. For whenever I play the Marsh **without** playing the reference, I don't even notice the weaknesses!! Which is the very thing I was hoping for.
The weaknesses of the Marsh are only on absolute terms. Only when driven very hard does the "solid-state" sound become apparent. (The reference amp stays relaxed all-the-way to clipping.) It is ever-so-slightly electronic in character. But there are many more-expensive amps that are even more-so. Same goes for ultimate dynamics and transparency. But again, if one doesn't listen to tubes or reference-quality solid state, he wouldn't even *notice* these "weaknesses."
If I had to state any other caveat with this amp, it does have a slightly "cool" tonal character, and hence it will demand finer sources and preamplification. This would be an amp that would be happy with tubes, passive stages, and/or neutral speakers. It will be less-happy in an all-solid-state or hyper-detailed system with "ruthlessly-revealing" speakers and/or "aggressive" sources. Like the reference amp, the A200S benefits greatly from power conditioners like the Shunyata Hydra.
The Marsh Audio Design A200S amplifier brings near-state-of-the-art performance for solid-state amps down to a price level that will provide an alternative for those who don't want to mess with tubes, yet still enjoy their music. For those who want more power, the Marsh A400S should provide similar performance with more power.

Product Weakness: Does not have the resolution or dynamics on an *absolute* scale. (But one will have to spend at least double to attain it.) An ever-so-slight solid-state character. Amp mates best with tube and/or warm solid-state. Power switch can be inadvertently switched on or off. Does require at least a couple weeks of "break-in."
Product Strengths: Brings musicality with solid-state to a price point below $1500. Excellent resolution, staging, listenability, and speaker compatiblity. One of few solid-state amps out there that will satisfy tube lovers. Amp runs very cool. A budget reference.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Marsh A200S, Symfonia Opus 10
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Supratek Cortese
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Teres/Redpoint/MMT/OC9 for Vinyl, G&D UTP1/Prism DA-1 for CD, H/K 930 for Tuner
Speakers:	Von Schweikert Audio VR-4.5 Mod 5
Cables/Interconnects:	Silverline Audio speaker cables, Belden 88281 interconnects
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Everything
Room Size (LxWxH):	19' x 16' x Vaulted
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 Weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	BrickWall, Shunyata Hydra, Bybee, Tripp Lite regulator, ESP power cord
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Does not have the resolution or dynamics on an absolute scale. (But one will have to spend at least double to attain it.) An ever-so-slight solid-state character. Amp mates best with tube and/or warm solid-state. Power switch can be inadvertently switched on or off. Does require at least a couple weeks of "break-in."
Product Strengths:	Brings musicality with solid-state to a price point below $1500. Excellent resolution, staging, listenability, and speaker compatiblity. One of few solid-state amps out there that will satisfy tube lovers. Amp runs very cool. A budget reference.