looking for the UL label anymore. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration now certifies multiple companies to test consumer equipment for safety. These are called Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL). In most cases the testing standard used is the one developed by UL in the past. If the NRTL is not UL it will use its own Registered Certification Mark. The web site http:/ /www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/nrtlmrk.html shows marks for each NRTL that would be placed on equipment for each NRTL that could test the unit. One wishes that OSHA would have established a single mark to indicate that an NTRL had certified a product was safe to OSHA standards, but instead we have to deal with many different marks that indicated a product has been tested to OSHA standards of safety.)

Class AB amplifiers running full out are approximately 70% efficient at full power so the power coming out of the wall is 13 amps, which is just under the rating

for a standard wall outlet (leaving 2 amps to supply everything else on the same AC

loop). Amplifier manufacturers selling 300-watt channels times 7 will not pass UL safety tests and an NSTL label is absent on

these amplifiers. I looked high and low at CES and not one of the manufacturers sporting an amplifier rated at 300 watts times 7 had an NSTL label on the back. In reality, you would need to hang a 15-amp 220-volt power cord on these amplifiers to prevent them from popping a fuse. These giant amplifiers do not pop fuses in real life because they rarely approach full power, at least not simultaneously on all channels.

Why has no 300 watt multi-channel power amp been offered with the correct power cable? You guessed it—the high-end dealers would go crazy with thoughts of reduced sales. Imagine them having to advise clients to first call their electrician before proceeding with the sale. These same high- end dealers will, of course, gladly sell you $1,000 power cords for your 15-amp circuit.

I do not know about you, but I would worry about a power amp sitting in my living room that was not tested to UL standards by an OSHA- certified laboratory. Apparently, products without NTRL labels are available for sale in all states but Oregon. Go Beavers!

OK, back to the Sherwood A-965 and R-965, which proudly display their UL labels. From a practical perspective, the R-965 is about as big and heavy as an AV receiver can get. The single transformer of the R-965 AV receiver distinguishes it from the A-965. The R-965 also has less room for heat sinks since all the front-end electronics fills half the box. Otherwise, the differences are minor. With all the metal taken out of the R-965, it can only pass FTC into 8 ohms with two channels driven at a slightly higher power rating of 120 watts per channel. Making that compromise saves $1,000 over the A-965/P 965 combo.

Both Sherwood units share a nicely designed circuit topology and some high quality parts. Attached to the big heat sinks are expensive Sanken 2SA1216/2SC2922 complementary-pair power transistors. These transistors mean business packaged in the MT 200 plastic package that measures 1.5 inches wide. For a single 10 msec burst,

they can source 35mA. While you can achieve the

same thing more economically by putting multiple transistors in parallel, you would have a hard time achieving as low of junction capacitance. The devices have a unity current gain frequency (the frequency that a piece of

wire would do as well) of 40MHz. That’s twice as fast as most power transistors in this class, which is why the 2SA1216/2SC 2922 are more than twice the normal price. Faster is better, because the amplifier can be made more stable when driving complex loads at audio frequencies. The A-965 has two pairs of paralleled pairs of 2SA1216/2SC 2922 per channel while the R-965 has one pair. In all other respects, the electronics on the power supply board are the same.

To generate enough current at the base of the 2SA1216/2SC 2922, a two-transistor compound common-collector common-emitter pair is employed instead of a single transistor pre-driver stage. For the voltage gain stages, the amplifier starts with a differential pair with an active current-mirror load to ensure excellent common-mode rejection. By biasing the differential pair with a Wilson current-mirror, the rejection ratio is further improved. A high common-mode rejection ratio improves the distortion performance of an amplifier when used in a non-inverting feedback configuration, which is the standard topology for

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Sherwood A 965 dimensions

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.