Sherwood Newcastle A 965 7-channel power amp and R 965 7-channel receiver (power amp section only)

Manufacturer: Sherwood America, 13101 Moore Street, Cerritos, CA 90703; 800/962-3203; www.sherwoodusa.com

Price: A-965 Power Amp, $1,500; R-965 AV Receiver, $2,000

Source: Manufacturer loan

Reviewer: David Arthur Rich

A-965 7-channel Power Amp

All-Channels-Driven Power 20 Hz-20 kHz: 10

Watts

per

channel

(x

 

2)

into

8 ohms

 

 

 

 

 

 

All-Channels-Driven Power

20 Hz-20 kHz:

100

Watts

per

channel

 

(x

7)

into

8 ohms

 

 

 

 

 

 

All-Channels-Driven Power

20 Hz-20 kHz:

160

Watts

per

channel

 

(x

7)

into

4 ohms

THD for all test conditions above: Less than 0.02%

Signal to noise ratio: 115 dB (18.7 bits digital equivalent)

Dimensions (H x W x D): 7 5/8” x 17 3/8” x

18”

Weight: 80 lbs.

A 965 AV Receiver (power amp section)

Two-Channels-Driven Power 20 Hz-20 kHz: 120 Watts per channel (x 2) into 8 ohms

THD: Less than 0.02%

Dimensions (H x W x D): 7 5/8” x 17 3/8” x

18”

Weight: 46 lbs.

The Sherwood brand has a lengthy history, but the original management is long gone. Korean Etronics Corp. now has the rights to the brand. Korean Etronics manufactures for a wide variety of well known names in the business and capitalizes on its economies of scale. More impressive is the lean nature of the US operation. Eugene Chavez juggles customer support, technical support, and the service center. Jeff Hipps and Gary Graning handle sales, marketing, and press relations. I almost ran past the CES booth, which had little relation to the size of this company. All these overworked employees are keeping costs down, allowing the savings to pass through to the consumer.

I am currently testing the Sherwood Newcastle R-965 receiver (review to come in a future issue), but the A-965 power amp, which is related to the power amp in the R-965, is the subject of this review. The A-965 is a significant product in its own right and deserves to have the spotlight shone upon it. The front end of the R-965 is a complex piece of electronics that I have reviewed in a separate review. The A-965 sells for $1,500. The R-965 with the complete AV front end is $2,000. The standalone front-end of the R-965 is available for $1,500 as the P-965 AV controller. Sherwood expects most A-965 power amps will ship with P-965 AV controllers ($3,000 for the two units), but I expect the A-965 to have a wider audience.

The A-965 weighs 80 pounds, with the power supply and the heat sinks providing the center of gravity. Two giant transformers take up most of the space in the unit and the rest is the heat sinks. With all the metal, the unit will pass FTC

with seven channels driven into a 4-ohm load. The power into 4 ohms is 160 watts. That is just about the maximum power that can be expected from a s e v e n - c h a n n e l amplifier designed to be meet the UL- developed safety standards. (Things are not as simple as

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Sherwood A 965 dimensions Watts Per Channel Into Ohms, Weight 80 lbs AV Receiver power amp section, THD Less than 0.02%

A 965 specifications

The Sherwood A 965 is a versatile and robust audio receiver that has garnered a reputation among audio enthusiasts for its high-quality performance and advanced features. Designed for home theater and music listening, the A 965 combines traditional analog technology with modern digital enhancements, making it a standout choice for anyone looking to elevate their audio experience.

One of the main features of the Sherwood A 965 is its high power output, delivering 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms, which ensures that it can drive a wide range of speakers with ease. This power output is complemented by a low total harmonic distortion, which means listeners can expect clean and clear sound reproduction even at high volume levels. Whether it's for casual listening or an immersive movie night, the A 965 is designed to accommodate various audio needs.

In terms of connectivity, the Sherwood A 965 offers a wide range of inputs, including multiple HDMI ports, optical and coaxial digital inputs, as well as standard RCA inputs. This extensive connectivity allows users to connect various sources such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices, providing ultimate flexibility in how they use the receiver. Additionally, the receiver supports popular surround sound formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, enhancing the home theater experience.

Another key characteristic of the A 965 is its built-in advanced audio technologies. The digital signal processing allows the receiver to optimize sound performance, adapting the output to suit different listening environments. This ensures that whether you're in a small room or a larger space, the audio quality is consistently impressive.

Moreover, the Sherwood A 965 features a user-friendly interface, making it easy for anyone to navigate through settings and options. The included remote control adds convenience by allowing users to adjust settings from the comfort of their seat.

Build quality is another standout aspect of the Sherwood A 965. The receiver is constructed using durable materials, ensuring that it can withstand the rigors of daily use while maintaining its aesthetic appeal.

In summary, the Sherwood A 965 is a feature-rich audio receiver that successfully blends robust power, versatile connectivity, advanced technologies, and user-friendly design. It stands as a compelling choice for audio aficionados seeking to enrich their listening experience, whether for music or film.