Aragon 8008 Power Amplifier: Vintage Audio Review Episode

In this episode I look at Aragon 8008 Power Amplifier- its performance & features.
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00:00 Introduction
01:47 “Tour” of 8008
05:49 Measurement Data Starts- THD 5w/8ohms & 4ohms
07:00 Frequency Response
08:24 Max Power & THD
11:08 Output Impedance
12:07 THD vs Freq & output power
12:46 Multitone Response
12:59 System Noise
13:28 IMD
14:15 Listening & Final comments

[@AmazingChinaToday]

I have the "BB" version of this amplifier, with balanced outputs. The BB version has two torroidal transformers instead of one, and double the capacitance. I've had it since new, and it's one of my prized possessions. Aragon products were made in upstate New York. The amplifier version reviewed in this video is called the "8008 ST," versus the "8008 BB." Aragon was acquired by a new owner a few years ago, and their version of the 8008, which I believe has the same specs as the "8008 ST" costs about 10 grand. They may have rebranded models from "8008" at this point. Great review, nice to see this amplifier still appreciated. I don't think another amplifier is necessary, as the 8008 will power any speaker without breaking a sweat.

[@vintageaudioreview]

Thanks so much for the informative comments. I saw that there is a new version, but did not realize it was so expensive. One of my friends is borrowing it and does not want to give it back to the owner (another friend)....

[@AmazingChinaToday]

@@vintageaudioreview I can understand why he doesn't want to part with it! 🤣 I moved residences several times over the years, and always bring the 8008 in my car, on its own, and hand deliver it myself. I really love it!

[@vintageaudioreview]

@@AmazingChinaToday It will be interesting to see what happens...

[@gerry73155]

😎 Wow who knew... your opening screen with the Custom newspaper ad grabbed my attention hard! I worked for them in Denver in '78 and '79. Glad to find your channel and thanks for the great reviews too!

[@vintageaudioreview]

Thanks so much for the comment- you are the 1st to mention the Custom Hifi ad! I did not know they were in Denver, just Phoenix and Tucson. Bet you have some stories to tell about your experience working there....

[@richardhernandez7741]

BOUGHT IN 95, it has deiven a pair of ML SL3 most convincingly every day since purchase.

[@vintageaudioreview]

Thanks for taking the time to comment and I am glad (and not surprised) that the 8008 has worked out great for you.

[@SuperMcgenius]

I remember those amps, clean, and punchy bass, not harsh.

[@vintageaudioreview]

Thanks for the comments. It is a very nice amp in many ways!

[@scottbennett3119]

Cool amplifier! I am sure i saw the ads in Stereo Review, but I don't clearly remember it. Seems like a fine amp! Thanks for reviewing this.

[@vintageaudioreview]

Thanks for the Thanks! They were definitely advertised in Stereo Review and or Audio back in the day- it was a cool ad.

[@ragnarhairybreeks]

I appreciate the depth of analysis and your presentation . Thanks for making the vids. I’m not an “audiophile” but many of the units you’ve reviewed were dream items of mine back in the day. Still can’t afford them now, ha! Cheers!

[@vintageaudioreview]

Sorry, but I am just now seeing your comment. THanks for taking the time to comment and just pick one piece of gear that you wanted and find it and purchase it while you can still enjoy it.

[@AmazingChinaToday]

Imagine finding one of the best power amplifiers ever made forgotten in some closet. 😄

[@vintageaudioreview]

You would have to know my friend to realize that this is not the 1st time something like that has happened 😄

[@kobush18]

Nice review 👍💯👍

[@vintageaudioreview]

Thanks so much!

[@robertyoung1777]

Off topic but: Could you create at show and tell about PHASE? I am a longtime audio enthusiast. Lately I keep hearing people talk about phase. I have always understood that it simply meant keeping the red and black speaker wires attached to their corresponding red and black connectors. Can you provide more detail if it is relevant? Thank you.

[@vintageaudioreview]

I have started measuring the phase, and risetime of amplifiers, and phase of preamps. You will see a phase measurement (or mention of it) on the video coming out Sunday. Thanks!

[@arifhussain423]

Nice review TY. Weren't these dubbed as the poor man's Krells? I think Dagostino designed the older version of this, the 4004. It was a tru dual mono with two Toroidal transformers.

[@vintageaudioreview]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. These things were still pretty expensive, at least in my mind, but certainly not as much as equivalent output power Krells. I think you may be correct about the 4004...

[@chrisblock6697]

Not familiar with that amp, but enjoy discovering about unfamiliar brands and you look like you are having fun. Any logic behind what car you put on the equipment at the end?

[@vintageaudioreview]

Wow, somebody finally asked about the cars!!!! Indeed, there is a logic to the cars. I have to admit that I got the idea from ASR, where Amir uses a Pink Panther in various positions and gear and maybe without a head to give you an idea about what he thinks of the product. I inherited a bunch of diecast car models and decided I would put a car on top of the gear at the end of the review to indicate what I thought of the item in a nutshell. I am a "Corvette guy", so either the '57 (red/white) or '69 (silver) Corvette is the highest rating, except if both Corvettes are there which is the highest "honor". The yellow VW bug is the lowest rating, but the light blue VW bug convertible would indicate it was ok. The Black Marland Oil truck just means that it is old and sorta what you would expect. The Tbirds would indicate that the gear was pretty good, but not at the Corvette level.... As for fun, overall it is a great hobby to have during retirement, and I am learning still and helping folks out in different ways. It takes a lot of time to test and put together a video, and it must be a labor of love as I really don't make much from youtube now that I am monetized- maybe $40-50 month if I am lucky, so it is not about the money, but it is a nice surprise when you get notified that you will receive a payment from them.

[@chrisblock6697]

@@vintageaudioreview Thanks for the explanation about the cars! I’ve been meaning to ask about that for a while.

[@vintageaudioreview]

@@chrisblock6697 My buddy Ian, whom has given me quite a bit of gear to review, has not asked me either and I even gave him a hint...

[@chrisblock6697]

@@vintageaudioreview 😯

[@TheBerdaguer]

Requesting a Hafler XL-280 review

[@vintageaudioreview]

I do have a Hafler 500 review that will be in a few months, as well as a Hafler preamp, but don't have the XL-280.

[@TheBerdaguer]

@@vintageaudioreview that will do, Hafler very good gear Hafler mosfet vs Soundcraftsmen mosfet

[@vintageaudioreview]

@@TheBerdaguer I also have the heavily modified Hafler 500 that I will test and review in the future as well. Keep in mind that these belong to my friends most of the time. If you go back through my videos, I have done two Soundcraftsmen amps.

[@TheBerdaguer]

@@vintageaudioreview I saw those videos I wonder which one is better Hafler or Soundcraftsmen

[@vintageaudioreview]

@@TheBerdaguer As far as the sound between them, not much of a difference. THe RA7501 does not have a fan, while the PCR800 and Hafler do, so my vote would be for the RA7501, which can work as a nice monoblock amp as well.

[@akhtarizod5802]

You comparing specs of 8008BB, this one is not BB version,

[@vintageaudioreview]

I am not sure that the main specs would be that much different as I think the difference was the BB had balanced inputs. I am usually pretty good about trying to get the correct specs, but I may have missed on this one. Thanks!

[@akhtarizod5802]

You are correct BB has XLR , BB stand for big balls , it has two 1.1KVA transformers , 4 rectifiers , more than doubled the power supply capacitors , power supply is substantial.

[@vintageaudioreview]

@@akhtarizod5802 I did not know what the BB stood for, but I do now... The power and Thd specs I quoted I am pretty sure were correct for this model, though.