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Begun
in 1984, the SA-12 begat the SA-100 (1989) which became the 6922 NP100 in
1999, which reached its final development in the 6SN7 NP100 in 2000. The
photos below show the changes.
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| Above.
The original SA-12 and SA-100 circuit board. This design uses
two 6DJ8 tubes per channel, with three stages and a lot of feedback.
Normal "design for retail/design for good price point" 1980's
parts are used. |
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| Above.
The first version of the NP100 upgrade for the SA-12/100. A greatly
simplified circuit with only one 6922 tube and one single tube stage
per channel greatly increases transparency; zero feedback delivers
much greater dynamics. Even this Basic board offers parts more expensive
than Counterpoint -- or its competitors -- could have used in an amplifier
retailing for less than $2800. |
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| Above.
The final version, introduced in 2000. power supply parts have been
beefed up, and octal tubes are used. A proven design, based on work
I began in 1994, the NP100 is a offers musical delicacy and transparent,
involving sound presentation which completely belies its rugged dependability.
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