Dan D'Agostino's new power amp: Relentless by both name and nature

Dan D’Agostino has just launched a new reference power amplifier. The Relentless – named after the designer’s constant striving to increase performance - is a 1500-watt monobloc design that continues to double its power output as load impedance halves.

Great care has been taken to ensure the Relentless doesn’t run too hot. It’s kept cool by copper and aluminium heat sinking that is specially shaped to improve the flow of hot air.

Inside the power amp you’ll find a 5.5kW power supply that feeds a 100 output devices. At the supply’s heart is a transformer that uses multiple sections, all potted, and enclosed in a metal shield to minimise noise and potential interference. That transformer feeds into a custom-designed rectifier circuit and then into a huge 60,000µF of smoothing capacitance.

D’Agostino has taken much care in designing an all-new input stage that is low distortion, and amplification stages that are unaffected by the demands of the speaker. That’s especially impressive as the Relentless avoids global negative feedback in its circuit design.

At the front you’ll find an extra-large version of the brand’s trademark signal meter. It measures 20-cm in diameter and adjusts its pointer movement to account for differing input levels.

A single Relentless monobloc weighs in at 220kg and will begin shipping in June. Price? Just the £275,000 per pair.

MORE:

Focal expands Utopia III Evo flagship speaker range

PMC launches £45k loudspeaker design

SME unveils £15k Synergy turntable

Finkteam launches Borg floorstander at High End 2018

New Audeze LCD-4z are easy-to-drive high-end headphones

Ketan Bharadia
Technical Editor

Ketan Bharadia is the Technical Editor of What Hi-Fi? He has been reviewing hi-fi, TV and home cinema equipment for almost three decades and has covered thousands of products over that time. Ketan works across the What Hi-Fi? brand including the website and magazine. His background is based in electronic and mechanical engineering.

Latest in Stereo Amplifiers
Roksan Atessa Streaming Amplifier in black finish on wooden rack
Roksan’s stylish Attessa Streaming Amplifier is rocking a cool £300 off thanks to this juicy deal
Audio Research Reference 330M floating on a black background
Audio Research’s new flagship monoblock power amp is a serious high-end powerhouse
WiiM Vibelink Amp and WiiM Ultra
The WiiM Vibelink Amp is WiiM's first integrated amp with no streaming elements
Rega Brio Mk7 amp
Rega reveals 7th generation Brio amplifier – and this time it has a DAC!
Esoteric F-01/PS-01F stereo amplifier
Esoteric F-01/PS-01F
Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 600.2 amplifier on display
Musical Fidelity's integrated amp strives for a sweet, powerful sound thanks to its "reference-level" tech
Latest in News
Damian Penaud of France runs with the ball during a Guinness Six Nations 2025 match in February
Ireland vs France live stream — how to watch Six Nations 2025 match online now, team news
Google TV Streamer
The Google TV Streamer just fixed its biggest flaw
philips gamepix 800 smart on white background
Philips' new gaming projector has some impressive specs – but it also faces some stiff competition
Q Acoustics' three Q SUB models side by side against a brown backdrop
Trio of new Q SUB subwoofers bring bass boosts for Q Acoustics' multi-Award-winning speakers
QD-OLED TV: Samsung QE65S95C
The historically anti-OLED Samsung is now selling more OLED TVs than Mini LED models
LG G5 OLED TV wall-mounted with Apple TV+'s Wolfs on screen
LG has officially revealed the G5 OLED TV's price – and there are already some tempting pre-order deals