How many channels should an audio amplifier have? Diehard audiophiles answer “two”: left and right. Home theater enthusiasts will say “seven,” but only two years ago, they would have said “five,” and a few years before that, “six.” Two years from now, they may well insist on having 10 channels of amplification.

If you have found yourself adding and subtracting amplification as fashion sees fit, you should consider Theta’s Dreadnaught II. The Dreadnaught II carries from two to 10 channels of amplification in a single enclosure. The design is modular, so your dealer can add or change amplifier modules in your home, as your needs change. It is as flexible as a computer but a thousand times more simple.

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The Dreadnaught IIs attention to detail can be seen in its striking vent design. (Click image to enlarge)

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This capability is not unique—the Krell and ATI amplifiers I have recently reviewed can each hold from two to seven channels—but it is unusual. What is rarer still, and unavailable in the other amps mentioned, is that Dreadnaught II lets you choose between two different amplifier modules. One produces 225 watts of power in a single amplifier channel. The other contains two 100-watt amp channels. Therefore, you can select your amplification to suit your system. You might opt for two 225-watt modules to power a large stereo speaker system, then add 7.1-channel surround-sound with another 225-watt module for the center speaker, and two 100-watt modules to power the four surround speakers (which is the option I requested for review). The Dreadnaught II accommodates up to five modules, providing as many as 10 channels of amplification.

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Click here for a review of Theta's Casablanca II preamp/processor and Carmen II DVD player.

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Have you ever seen an amplifier with a “turbo” switch? Neither have I, but Dreadnaught II has something close: a button that selects either the stereo or surround. This button basically shuts down any amplifier channels not in use, so they do not idle away, eating up power that is better used elsewhere. The end result: slightly better sound for stereo listening. Thanks to an RS-232 interface on the amp, your AMX or Crestron touchscreen control system will automatically switch to the surround bus when you fire up your DVD player, and then back to the stereo bus when you play a CD. (It can switch the amp off and on, too.)

 

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Back panel of the Dreadnaught II shows two 200-watt modules (full-height, with thumbscrew-type black speaker connectors) and two 100-watt modules - stacked in middle, with black and red speaker terminals. (Click image to enlarge)

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When it comes time to discuss a product’s back panel, I usually demur, because manufacturer websites contain all of that information. However, I cannot resist sharing with you my love of the speaker cable terminals on Dreadnaught II’s back panel. Not the generic red/black ones found on the 100-watt modules, but the ones on the 225-watt module, which you can see in the photo gallery accompanying this review. These terminals—made by Cardas, a high-end wire company—employ a single, large knurled knob that allows you to clamp the speaker cables in place more firmly than ever before. Comparing these to the terminals found on most amps is like comparing a Master Lock to a twist-tie. One small caveat: The Cardas terminals accept only spade lug (Y-shaped) connectors, but most high-end speaker cables use those connectors, anyway.

One last technical detail I must mention: Dreadnaught II is fully balanced, meaning that it has separate and complete amplification circuits for the plus and minus halves of the audio signal. The physics of this arrangement may be difficult to grasp, but the result is readily understood—lower noise and no hum. Fully balanced construction is a hallmark of the truly high-end amplifier.

Amplifier sound can be difficult to describe. Perhaps the simplest way to express my feelings about Dreadnaught II is that despite the presence of three other well-regarded amplifiers in my listening room, Dreadnaught II is the one I always choose to plug in when it comes time to stop reviewing gear and start enjoying a movie or a DVD-Audio disc.

This amplifier has everything audiophiles demand—detail, fantastic stereo imaging and smooth, uncolored sound. When I play stereo CDs, I feel the natural ambience of the space in which the recording was made (or more sense of the reverb used in the studio to simulate such ambience). Every subtle splash of the cymbals and percussion comes though, as does every whisper of every vocalist. Colorations are nonexistent—there is no unnatural emphasis that sounds like someone has been goofing around with the treble and bass knobs. The Dreadnaught II is simply one of the best two or three amplifiers I have tried. While a few of the “powerhouse” home theater amplifiers, with 300 or 400 watts per channel, might have an edge over Dreadnaught II in bass reproduction, this amp is just about perfect.

I would recommend Dreadnaught II especially for those whose home theater systems incorporate large, freestanding left and right speakers, and who enjoy stereo listening. The amp’s 225-watt modules offer the necessary sound quality and power to drive such speakers; just hook up a record player or a high-end CD player and have at it. Then when the family wants to watch the Spider-Man DVD, hit the surround bus button and the Dreadnaught II provides full, seven-channel surround sound.

This may be the first amp I have encountered that has everything—power to drive large home theaters, delicacy to delight the pickiest audiophile and convenience to comfort the custom installer. And it looks so nice, you might not want to banish it to an equipment room.

DESCRIPTION
Audio amplifier with up to five 225-watt channels, up to 10 100-watt channels, or a combination of the two.

CONNECTIONS
Cardas speaker cable terminals on 225-watt modules (accepts spade lugs only), five-way speaker cable binding posts on 100-watt modules (accepts spade lugs, bare wire, metal pins and dual or single banana plugs). RCA unbalanced and XLR balanced input connectors for each amp channel. DB-9 and RJ-45 connectors for RS-232 control from touchscreen remote system, 1/8-inch minijacks for remote stereo/surround bus selection and on/off.

DIMENSIONS
8.6 x 17.7 x 23.5 (h/w/d).

PRICE/CONTACT
PRICE: $7,495
CONTACT: (818) 597-9195
www.thetadigital.com