Design Philosophy

The solitary goal of Dynamic Sounds Associates (DSA) is to provide the finest possible audio reproduction. To achieve this goal, we employ a “no-compromise” approach to design using best engineering principles and the finest of components. We prefer not to employ any form of loop feedback in our units, except when required to achieve overall stability or to to achieve the desired gain or the proper RIAA compensation. Instead, each gain stage of the ONE has internal feedback to ensure that all forms of distortion are held to very low levels; and, the RIAA compensation is provided through the use of passive low pass filter networks, with the proper time constants, located between the gain stages of the amplifier chain.

This approach provides low distortion, a very high dynamic range, and eliminates transient intermodulation distortion (TIM), which is a common byproduct of configurations where the throughput gain and/or RIAA compensation are achieved through the use of loop feedback. It is suspected that TIM is the cause of high frequency “glare,” noted in other preamplifiers and amplifiers, regardless of application.

Furthermore, because even the finest of coupling capacitors can cause minor—but perceptible—degradations in the reproduction of the audio signal, the ONE has no coupling capacitors in the audio chain from input to output. Yet, through the use of an innovative design it remains very stable and resistant to DC drifts.

The design approach also provides for easy polarity inversion of the audio signal, and a true monophonic capability for the proper reproduction of monophonic LPs. Combining these two capabilities leads to a L-R and R-L capability in the mono mode, which is an invaluable tool when adjusting cartridge azimuth angle.