D'Agostino Progression M550

MONOBLOCK POWER AMPLIFIER

- JASON VICTOR SERINUS

We audiophiles so frequently get caught up in the pursuit of perfection that some have attempted to rebrand high-end audio as “perfectionist audio.” But is it even possible for a single piece of audio gear, let alone an entire audio system, to attain perfection when there’s no common agreement as to what “perfection” means? It’s easier to cue up a Nirvana track than to find the way to audio nirvana.

Nonetheless, the journey toward sonic perfection continues to grip many of us like a Siren who lures sailors to their death with the sweetness of her song. For some who listen closely and steer wisely, however, that death can be more akin to La petite mort than to a dead end.

I like to set sail with people whose sonic values, as manifest in the equipment they design, mirror my own. In the field of amplification, few American designers are more known for the pursuit of a certain vision of perfection than Dan D’Agostino. Over a 40+-year history in audio, which includes founding and serving as CEO and chief engineer of Krell Industries (1980–2009) before moving on to found Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems (aka D’Agostino) in mid-2010, Dan1 has envisioned, designed, and shepherded the development of a host of solid-state amplifiers and other products that have established a benchmark for melding power and speed with sonic beauty, tonal accuracy, and bass response.