Power amplifiers mono — Audio Analogue ABsolute PA Mono

The ABsolute PA Mono is a monophonic power amplifier from the Italian company Audio Analogue, part of its ABsolute range of separates. It is a fully balanced discrete design that works without global feedback and runs in class AB up to its full rated output into 8 ohm, so a stereo setup takes a pair of chassis, one per channel.

Key specs that matter

Rated output is 500 W into 8 ohm, 800 W into 4 ohm and 1,400 W into 2 ohm. Its one XLR connector presents an input impedance of 44 kohm, and gain from that input to the output is 19.5 V/V, or 25.8 dB. Signal to noise ratio referred to 500 W is 118 dB, and A-weighted noise is 80 microvolts at the output and 4.1 microvolts referred to the input. Distortion stays below 0.1 percent from 1 W to 500 W into 8 ohm and across the 20 Hz to 20 kHz band. Frequency response reaches 200 kHz at minus 3 dB, rise and fall times are both 1.75 microseconds, and the damping factor into 8 ohm is 45. The chassis is 270 mm high, 483 mm wide and 445 mm deep, with a weight of 50 kg.

Engineering and use context

Each circuit stage runs in balanced mode, and the absence of a global feedback loop means each stage is designed to meet its targets on its own. The output section is a bridge arrangement that carries twelve pairs of transistors, each rated at 200 W, which explains how the output keeps rising toward lower loads rather than running into current limits. Audio Analogue specifies high-grade parts throughout, including oversized resistors and audio grade capacitors. A microcontroller manages the operation of the unit and monitors safety automatically, with fault LEDs on the chassis. The rear panel adds a 12 V trigger input and the mains socket, a standby switch has its own LED, and standby consumption is below 0.5 W at 230 V AC. The width matches standard rack format, which helps when placing a pair side by side on a wide shelf or equipment platform, though the heavy chassis needs a solid support and the maker asks for 30 cm of free space around it for ventilation.

Pairing

The preamplifier feeding it must offer XLR outputs, as the amplifier has no RCA socket - a matching choice is the ABsolute preamplifier from the same series, which completes a fully balanced signal path. The large reserve into very low loads makes the amplifier suitable for difficult low-impedance loudspeakers with large bass drivers.

Alternatives

The Audio Analogue ABsolute Monoblock is a mono amplifier from the same range that delivers 100 W in pure class A into 8 ohm.