D’Agostino Master Audio Systems

When I pulled up to the new D'Agostino Master Audio Systems Headquarters and Factory, I clearly felt something different from my last visit to the prior factory location a few years back. Unlike most industrial parks these days, this was a very warm and inviting front entrance and building. If the intent was something from the old west and with a frontier like native feel, the curb appeal was definitely spot on. Located in Cave Creek and just 30 minutes from Scottsdale, Arizona, I was very excited to check out the new digs!

During my prior visit, I was hosted by the fabulous Petra and Dan D'Agostino—such a dynamic duo, but also very down to earth and authentic. I had a wonderful time and learned a great deal about their products and future plans. This time around, I was very pleased to be hosted by D'Agostino President Bill McKiegan. I have read about Bill and I have seen him in action at various shows, but I never had the opportunity to meet him personally. I soon learned why he is considered "one of the good guys" in this industry. You know one when you meet one, and Bill definitely exceeded expectations.

Bill McKiegan

During a brief introduction, I soon learned that Bill has a most interesting background and resumé. While completing a degree in Electrical Engineering at Manhattan College in the Bronx, Bill was able to finance his way through college by working at a local retail audio store. I have to smile, as I cannot tell you how many times that I have heard this revelation when it comes to so many industry leaders. Once you start along this high end audio career path, it's hard to not get hooked.

Bill found his way to Krell Industries and Dan D'Agostino in 1994 through 2008 in several capacities including VP of Sales & Marketing. He returned to Krell in 2010 as President. In 2015, Dan hired Bill for a third time as President of Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems. As you can tell, there is a long and trusted relationship between the two. Both careers have continued to advance if not explode into another huge success story at D'Agostino Audio.

Lastly, I must say that Bill is also a man of many nuances. I soon discovered that he played alto saxophone as a young man, and is currently learning to play piano. He loves all genres of music, but he has a clear passion for jazz and classical music. Just drop the name of any musician, group, or composer and you will find yourself participating in a very stimulating and thought provoking conversation. When I heard that Bill also has a real thing for golf, I just knew I was going to like this guy, as golf is an important part of my life too.

Continued Success and Growth

As stated earlier, D'Agostino Master Audio Systems has virtually exploded into another level of success and growth. The new headquarters and factory location is just one example. The physical square footage for manufacturing and administration has now expanded from 2500 to 7500 square feet at the new site. New conference and listening rooms planned in the near future will extend that total even further. Employee head count has roughly increased from 12 to 30 people. Sales have tripled!

Like many companies during the pandemic, the various lock downs and supply issues have been a challenge, but D'Agostino Audio has seemed to weather the storm, and still meet reasonable expectations for both dealers and customers. This is not an insignificant accomplishment considering the horror stories that I have heard elsewhere. Kudos to Bill and the entire team!

D'Agostino Master Audio Systems is clearly a global company with ever increasing worldwide sales, but I was slightly surprised that Hong Kong and China were currently the leading markets. Apparently huge powerful solid state components are not just a USA market thing. Of course, desiring the very best in audio is not unique to the USA market.

Factory Layout

I have had my fair share of experience with manufacturing facilities. As a former Manufacturing Engineer for Shure Inc. (Microphones, Headphones, and Conferencing) and via my Development responsibilities at Bell Laboratories (Central Office Switching), I found myself very impressed with the new and improved facilities at D'Agostino Master Audio Systems. There was a definite advanced sense of space and flow to the layout and work areas. There was also plenty of breathing room for all staff members.

Individual parts and subassemblies were clearly laid out in a logical and efficient way as each assembly or chassis was passed on to the next station. The Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Wave Soldering Room was equally impressive. Several staff members were in the middle of setting up a fairly complex looking board for production—yet all seemed very organized, and all was full steam ahead with confidence.

There were several work tables with much activity going on. Progression Monoblock Amplifiers, Progression Integrated Amplifiers, and upgrades for the Momentum Amplifiers to HD status seemed to be the main focus for the day. Bill mentioned that the HD upgrade program has been very popular, and that they have received much praise and satisfaction from customers. Please see a brief description below if you were unfamiliar with this upgrade program.

A quick glance inside some of the chassis' in process confirmed several of my many assumptions about D'Agostino products. Circuit and component layouts were beautifully implemented—this kind of thing is almost an art for both the designer and the assembler. Very impressive.

There are many things that get me excited when considering the traditional Dan D'Agostino amplifier designs, but two specific components always seem to get my heart pumping. Ya gotta love those big beefy power supplies—especially the infamous transformers that Dan D'Agostino is known for. The enormous bank of capacitors and the massive transformer in the Relentless are absolute eye candy for most audiophiles. As the kid brother to the Relentless and Momentum, even the Progression Monoblock transformer seemed to almost overwhelm the amplifier chassis. Please see the pictures above.

The other component is the unique copper heat sinks with the supporting Venturi ventilation channels. Heat sink design and implementation will almost always tell you a little something about the quality of the overall amplifier design. I have seen way too many corners cut and some really ugly compromises. Not at D'Agostino Audio! Functionally, the Venturi channels allow for a much more efficient and compact amplifier design and footprint. The heft and weight of these babies are difficult to appreciate unless you actually hold one in your hands. Please see the picture below. Talk about a brawny slab of machined metal!

Impact and Vibration Testing

Bill was particularly proud of some upcoming improvements for unit impact and vibration testing. This, of course, is very important to provide both a robust product and a packaging design that can avoid damage during shipping and installation. As we all know, accidents can sometimes occur unexpectedly. There were several pallets of test equipment that had just arrived to the factory floor, and all were in various stages of installation, so pictures were not possible. We discussed the monstrous size and weight of the test platform. After all, a 557 pound Relentless amplifier cannot easily be picked up and shaken like a baby's rattle. Per Bill's description, the test machinery and test process seemed extremely well engineered and very logical. Amazing stuff using state of the art technology. Another quality control step forward for D'Agostino Audio!

Upgrade Programs

As stated above, on the day that I was at the new factory, there just happened to be several Momentum Amplifier and Momentum Preamplifier upgrades in production. Again, Bill mentioned that this has been a very successful program with great "positive feedback" from current owners. We discussed the design and circuit changes, and I found them to be very interesting and quite extensive. I have heard the differences between the original and the upgraded models on several occasions. Now I understand why I was so impressed. I thought that our readers might appreciate a short summary based on these discussions and additional information provided by Bill.

Momentum Amplifier MxV Upgrades

The Momentum M400 Mono and S250 Stereo upgrades to Momentum M400 MxV Mono and S250 MxV Stereo status are significant. Every major section of the amplifier has been enhanced. This includes power supply, input, driver, and output stages.

A new 22,00 VA transformer with a unique winding pattern provides over 50% more current output from the same transformer footprint. A re-envisioned input stage combines a brand-new circuit topology, with advanced components feeding the driver and output stages. Crucial to this new circuit are the bipolar transistors powering the front end of the amplifier. In the Momentum MxV amplifiers, these new devices deliver ten times the current and power of the original devices. These wider bandwidth, higher power components extend low and high frequency performance with reduced distortion in both frequency extremes.

Energizing the driver stage is a new bias stability circuit providing a nearly 50% increase in operating bias. Increasing Class A operation can directly correlate to better sound quality. With this new circuit topology and unique copper heatsinks, thermal issues are not a practical concern in the Momentum MxV amplifiers. The new bias scheme ensures bias consistency, preventing excessive temperatures even under the greatest demand.

Additional power transistors in the output stage reduce workload for each device. By minimizing stress on each individual device, the entire output section works more efficiently. The result is a richer, more dynamic, intimate presentation regardless of musical genre. Additionally, a new high-speed ballistic circuit increases the meter's responsiveness.

Momentum Preamplifier HD Upgrades

Housed in a separate chassis for maximum isolation, the Momentum HD main power transformer is 33% larger as compared to the original Momentum Preamplifier. A unique winding technology, first employed in the Momentum M400 amplifier, delivers greater power output from the same footprint. Internal circuitry filters RF noise from the AC powerline, and compensates for asymmetric power waveforms and DC on the mains.

A completely new discrete differential FET input stage features two current sources per leg, and an input impedance greater than 1MOhm. This ultra-high input impedance isolates the input stage, and thus the entire audio signal path from external variables.

Also new is the Bluetooth technology featured in the included remote control. The Bluetooth backbone extends the range of the remote by a factor of five, and eliminates line of sight limitations that are inherent in IR remote controls. Newly designed tone and volume control circuitry increases range and precision in both circuits.

Relentless Preamp Plug-In Digital Streaming Module

As many of our readers may know, the new Relentless Preamplifier has recently been announced with great fanfare! Please see the D'Agostino Audio website for additional information. One interesting thing that came up during the tour is that it will eventually include an optional plug-in digital streaming module including legacy digital inputs, network, and Internet music streaming. Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, and Roon will all be supported. An iOS app will be available to make for easy, intuitive operation. This sounds like a very exciting new option!

Final Thoughts

My tour at D'Agostino Master Audio Systems was both fun and enlightening. Much thanks to Bill McKiegan and the entire team for such a fantastic day! The title of this article was a reference to a famous saying about the Old West but was slightly misleading. If anything, what I discovered at this new location was not a new code but a reaffirmation of an old code utilizing more space and improved efficiency. Like the former location, everywhere I looked and experienced was a steadfast commitment to the very best business practices in the industry—for both manufacturing and quality control. I have no doubt that D'Agostino Master Audio Systems will continue as a true industry innovator and leader as time marches forward. Their newest products, including the Relentless amplifier and preamplifier, support that claim. I can't wait for what might be next for this world class company!

Post Script

During our discussions, Bill mentioned some of the most interesting cutting edge systems that he has personally visited around the world. One was a home theater application that utilized a bank of 18 Momentum MxV Amplifiers. We were able to find a picture of the amplifiers and the shelving structure that supported them all. I thought this might raise a smile for our readers so I included it here.