As a pound versus performance product, we can’t think of any other product in the price range offering the same power and flexibility as the IOTA
I've been doing a shortlist for a possible power amp addition which, so far, has the Iota and the similarly priced Emotiva Basx A-5175 plus the more expensive Marantz MM8077.
While the Emotiva is only 5 channels vs the 7 on offer from the Iota it claims a 175W 2 channel, 125w 5 channel @ 8 ohms vs the 150W 2 channel, 110W 7 channel @ 8 ohms.
Q: Would the extra 25W/15W of the Emotiva make much of a real difference in overall volume?
What does appeal re the Iota is the massive heatsinking on display in the photos with each channel having it own large heatsink. From the photos it also appears that there is no fan(s) involved which something like the approx 50% more expensive Marantz MM8077 relies on to make up for the somewhat sparse heatsink provision it has. While both Iota and the Marantz show similar power output it's hard to see how the Marantz can do its claimed 7*150W (1050W in total) with a mere 880W power supply vs the 1300W in the Iota. I'm guessing therefore that the Marantz is actually only showing 2 channel power in it's specs and 7 channel is probably less than the Iota.
Of the three amps mentioned the Iota seems to offer the best bang for the buck but one reason for doing so (the massive heatsink provision) leads to it's one drawback as far as I can see: that 30kg weight. A lot of Hifi racks I've looked at either don't have the vertical space to install it anywhere but on top of them and/or don't have the weight carrying capacity to cater for it's 30kg.
leave plenty of gap above if rack mounting items above it
Q: What would be an ideal/optimum height above it for cooling purposes if it is mounted on a shelf low down in a rack?
Q: What's the warranty length on the Iota? I can't see it mentioned on their website so presume just 12 months. Emotiva has 60 months while Marantz has 36 months which is something in their favour.
Q: Out of the three amps I've mentioned what would be the best to go for?
My main problem with the Iota is how long the company will be around. The mentions in this thread to the bargain firesale Nakamichi AVP1 prices of £200 and £400 in 2015 puts me off the £1K price just in case the same thing happens again.