Circuit Design:

Reference to McIntosh MC 240/40 (click to see), by computer optimized re-design to get rid off two tube stages: 1) to combine the first 12AX7 and 12AU7 into single preamp stage. So it gets rid off three coupling capacitors (C1, C2 and C19) and the feedback coupling capacitor C3, 2) then get rid off the extra drive stage 12BH7 (so coupling capacitor C6 and C7 are eliminated too). The results are: far more clear, transient and detailed sound.

Coupling Capacitor:

Although there is only one coupling capacitor in the signal path (couple to the phase splitter - one for half phase, C8 and C9 in the diagram), the Dared VP-20 uses Auricap capacitor (US-made, world finest capacitor) to make sure it has superior transient response and extremely high resolution. (McIntosh MC 275/240/40 have 6 coupling capacitors in the signal path and all are not Auricap. Now I let you image how the sound compare to the new 2006 US version VP-20 with only coupling capacitor - Auricap (one of the most transparent capacitors today).

Signal Bypass capacitor:

There is one signal bypass capacitor in the preamp amp stage (C4). Dared uses BlackGate capacitor - Japan-made, best of the best dielectric capacitors. No other manufactures can or will do this since the BlackGate production has been stopped in Japan.

Wires and connectors:

Point-to-board and paths on the board are optimized to be shortest possible. There is no messy/lengthy/spaghetti point-to-point wiring, no thin wire jump connections (like you find on other amps), and absolute minimum in magneto-electric effect. The signal wires from RCA inputs to the volume pot are pure silver and shield too (protect your investment on the Interconnect cables - some ones do spent thousand dollars on the IC RCA cables). The RCA inputs and speakers outputs are gold-plated. This amp is extremely quiet.

PCB:

2006 model uses Gold PCB. Dared had tried copper/silver PCB and pure point-to-point wire, the gold PCB performs best. Even most of >$5000 amps do not offer this.

Tube Sockets:

2006 model uses gold contact Sockets to minimize oxides effect like copper/silver has. Only Dared takes extra steps to make sure the sound quality is superior to others. (even most of >$5000 amps do not offer this).

Solder:

Lead-free (full CE compliance)

Resistors:

2006 US version uses Allen Bradley NOS resistors (US-made). It pushes to the sound quality of this amp into a reference level.

Output Transformers and Choke:

QA oxygen-free high-conductivity copper (OFHC) and high permeability Si-steel (Silicon steel, Hipersil from Japan) sheet coil adopt sectionalized, stratified and strands parallel winding.

Power supply:

• The high-current independent toroidal power transformer - it is exceptionally quiet.
• Separated power supply: they eliminate any possible interference between power source and amps (only DC cables go between the power supply and amps) and produce pure sound. Chemi-Con (Japan made) filter capacitors.

Monoblocks design:

Separated two amps for each channel eliminate any possible interference between the channels to preserve true sound stage/imaging

click to see larger picture

click to see larger picture

Power of output

18 W (22 max) per block (channel)

Frequency response

20 Hz - 20 kHz <- 1.5 dB

THD

<1 %

S/N

87 dB

Input sensitive

350 mV

Input Impedance

100 K Ohm

Output Impedances for speakers

4 Ohm and 8 Ohm

Voltage of Power

110 volt (60/50 Hz)

Weight

32 lb.