By Nic Tatham
edgum Audio is one Aussie company that's actively promoting itself overseas. It so far exports to over 20 countries and is one of a handful that has made it (or even bothered to) onto the fickle and overcrowded UK market.
Redgum's baby integrated has a lot more kick than the specs suggest....
The list so far comprises, the United States, Canada, South America, most of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and of course, in our own neck of the woods. Where a lot of Australian manufacturers fear to tread, Redgum's unique Aussie flavour has a truly global appeal. Its blend of real Australian river Red Gum wood panels, keylock operation, plus terrific engineering and performance, gives its products individuality and a class all of their own.
The product range comprises several amps, CD players, DA converters, analogue tuner, loudspeakers, equipment rack and cable accessories, and it's constantly growing. Here at AVL magazine we've reviewed a fair chunk over the years and our latest subscription prize is one of the tastiest, best looking (not to mention, sounding) that we've ever offered. A complete CD based system on Redgum's new rack, some lucky AVL reader is going to be very, very happy.
Redgum's mainstay are its amps and it produces a wide range from integrateds to pre/powers for both 2channel and home theatre use. There are four integrated models and this side of the Redgum family starts with the RGi35. This 35 watter is Redgum's entry level amp and is aimed at those after decent, but affordable amplification. Externally, it shares the same Redgum aesthetic simplicity as all of its amps the trademark keylock operating switch, a couple of volume controls and an input selection switch - that's it. Round the back is a circuit breaker switch, heavy-duty 4mm cable binding posts, gold-plated RCA input and output sockets and a reasonably new addition to Redgum's amps 3.5mm socket remote switching capability.
Internally, all Redgum amps share the same construction techniques, namely gold-plated connectors, silver solder work and all have high-current output stages. This is one of the things about Redgum amps although the rated output in watts per channel might seem low in comparison, it's the current capacity that really counts when an amplifier is asked to drive a pair of loudspeakers and with the baby of the bunch, it's still a very high 120 amps. So, despite only rated at 35 watts RMS into 8 ohms, there's plenty of juice and grunt on tap. Believe me, there is.
All Redgum amps are transistor based and use MOSFET power output stages. The design keeps signal paths to a logical minimum and the internal layout keeps the stages in close operating proximity, again to minimise signal loss.
The design, both on the inside and out, has been significantly improved over the past few years, particularly heat dispersion. The older amp design used a cooling fan to bring the temperature down and at times were quite audible. The latest amps don't get nearly as warm and even on a stinking hot summer's day and driving hard, the operating temperature is noticeably lower. If things do go astray and the heatsinks reach over 80C, thermal cutoff protection cuts in. Usually this would only be brought on by continued short-circuiting of the speaker leads and once the amp cools back down to the normal operating temperature, thing's return to normal.
The RGi35 offers five line-level inputs and a single pair of RCA preamp outputs so you can hook up an external power amplifier if necessary. There's no built-in phono stage Redgum produces a dedicated phono preamp for vinyl users, the RGPH2.
I mentioned two versions and it's something that Redgum now offers with all but one of its integrated amps, a choice of dual or single volume controls. The detailed manual informs you how to adjust the volume of the dual control with one hand, maintaining an accurate output balance, or previously unbeknownst to me, there's a belt that slips round them both so one knob controls them both. Redgum will gladly supply said belt. The dual control allows output level differences on each channel, for 'acoustic' reasons as the literature states. So, if you're unable to position the speakers in the conventional manner (ie -equidistant either side of the amp or equidistant from the listening position), left and right channel output can be individually adjusted to achieve a perceived level balance.
And that's about it, regardless to say that it needs suitable time to run in and warm up before you can fully determine the qualities of this understated integrated amplifier. Initially the amp sounds and acts as though there are 100, not 35 watts of output.
The specs also state that the IHF pulse output is 90 watts RMS and an individual test report supplied with each Redgum amp shows that the short term output per channel at 8 ohms was 112.9 watts and long term rated at 56.2 watts. As I said, these figures really mean nothing when it comes to actual power output and volume - in Redgum's case, it's that high current capacity that really cuts it.
Speaker matching is something that generally needs plenty of care and attention, but this Redgum will happily drive more than its fair share. I tried a wide range to see how it coped from an easy-to-drive bookshelf model to more fickle ribbons that can suck a less than capable amplifier dry. For the most part, I couldn't get the RGi35 to even break a sweat.
Hooked up to a pair of amplifier accommodating Axis LS-8 bookshelf speakers with a nominal 8 ohm impedance and 96d13 sensitivity, the RGi35 let rip. It, like all the other Redgum models I've tried, is an exciting amp to listen to. There's good low-down weight and speed; meaning dance and heavy rock rhythm sections are as well resolved as orchestral basses. An open and expressive midband and treble give excellent presence and character to solo instruments and voices and although initially some might find the high treble a little bit too persuasive, with well balanced speakers, the top-end has an effervescent sparkle and plenty of vigour.
"Speaker matching is something that generally needs plenty of care and attention, but this Redgum will happily drive more than its fair share. I tried a wide range to see how it coped from easy-to-drive bookshelf model to more fickle ribbons that can suck a less than capable amplifier dry. For the most part, I couldn't even get the RGi35 to even break a sweat."
Switching to a pair of Dali Euphonia MS4s (also reviewed this issue) certainly showed this to be the case. A $1,000 amp driving a $19,000 pair of loudspeakers isn't likely to happen in the real world, but 1 wanted to see just how capable and flexible the baby Redgum really was. The Dalis are also amplifier-friendly, but only deliver the goods with suitably capable amplification, and the RGi35 did a good job in the driving seat. It couldn't squeeze the last ounce of dynamic juice out of the flagship Dalis and when pushed, there's no longer that feeling of effortless power, but the Redgum never sounds breathless. Instead it once again provides excellent bass drive, fine midband projection and treble having just the right combination of attack and control.
A pair of Rega Elas provided the best balance though and loaded up with a disc like Prince's The Rainbow Children,
the combination faithfully reproduced Prince's soulful guitar based reinvention of his former self. The amplifier creates a wonderful soundstage in which his vocals just hang in the room, as close-focused as you could possibly want, and with a gorgeous breathiness. Meanwhile the talented accompaniment has good weight and substance and as the level of the funked-up track Willing to do the Work rises the Redgum remains totally in control - it just gets louder without any hint of harshness or compression setting in. The same's true with all sorts of music - genre specific, the RGi35 ain't.
A surprising potent little amp, the RGi35 is a remarkably capable performer for under a thousand dollars. It displays all the usual Redgum amplifier sonic characters namely a gutsy, exciting and above all, musical sound. Combining versatility with practicality, the RGi35 is able to drive loudspeaker loads well beyond its safe' operating range.
For anyone after a quality local product and one that's going to provide years of reliable service, the entry-level of Redgum's range is a superb place to start. AVL
Audio & Video Lifestyle Magazine - Issue 120 - Nov 2002~ Reprinted with kind permission of Lorane Publishing ~
