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Power amplifiers stereo — Gato Audio DPA-4004
Description, images, technical data and specifications
Gato Audio DPA-4004
Image source — © Gato Audio
Gato Audio designs the DPA-4004 in Denmark as a four-channel switching amplifier using Class-D output stages, producing 400 W per channel into 8 ohms and 800 W into 4 ohms. Pairs of channels can be bridged, letting the amplifier drive a multichannel home theater, an active speaker system or a bi-amped stereo pair.
Key specs that matter
Bridged, a pair of channels gives 1400 W into 8 ohms, and the unit can also run as one bridged channel plus two single channels. Gato Audio advises against 4 ohm loads in bridge mode, recommending 8 to 16 ohms bridged and 4 to 16 ohms single ended. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.5 dB and 2 Hz to 70 kHz within 3 dB, distortion is quoted at less than 0.01% at full power with a noise floor beyond 110 dB. Input impedance is 20 kOhm on RCA or 40 kOhm balanced, and the factory voltage gain of 26 dB matches the DIA-250 and DIA-400 integrated models. The chassis measures 325 x 105 x 420 mm and weighs 11 kg.
Engineering and use context
Four Class-D output stages each receive a dedicated, optimised switch mode power supply. The design draws on International Rectifier technology plus a precision high frequency oscillator driving a PWM modulator, and a pair of precision MOS-FET transistors with very low on-resistance performs the switching in each stage. Output filters built from quality polypropylene capacitors and low DCR coils convert the high power PWM signal back to analogue form. Each balanced XLR input socket is wired with pin 2 positive, pin 1 shield and pin 3 negative. Power consumption is below 1 W in standby, 50 W at idle and up to 2000 W, from 115 or 230 V mains at 50 or 60 Hz, with an 8 AT sand-filled fuse. Bridging is selected for channels 1-2 and 3-4, a switch sets the channel display, and only the XLR or the RCA input of a given channel may be used, not both together. Inside, a pair of micro switches per channel lets a technician alter gain by -2, +2.5 or +6 dB, with both channels of a bridged pair set alike.
Pairing
Inputs are two pairs of gold-plated Neutrik XLR and two pairs of gold-plated RCA sockets, outputs are four pairs of safety banana terminals, and a 12 V mini jack trigger is provided. The maker names the PRD-3 preamplifier with DAC as a companion, while the unit adds channels to DIA-250 or DIA-400 integrated amplifiers.
Alternatives
Gato Audio's DPA-2506 spreads its power across six channels of 250 W into 8 ohms in the same chassis size.
Key specs that matter
Bridged, a pair of channels gives 1400 W into 8 ohms, and the unit can also run as one bridged channel plus two single channels. Gato Audio advises against 4 ohm loads in bridge mode, recommending 8 to 16 ohms bridged and 4 to 16 ohms single ended. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.5 dB and 2 Hz to 70 kHz within 3 dB, distortion is quoted at less than 0.01% at full power with a noise floor beyond 110 dB. Input impedance is 20 kOhm on RCA or 40 kOhm balanced, and the factory voltage gain of 26 dB matches the DIA-250 and DIA-400 integrated models. The chassis measures 325 x 105 x 420 mm and weighs 11 kg.
Engineering and use context
Four Class-D output stages each receive a dedicated, optimised switch mode power supply. The design draws on International Rectifier technology plus a precision high frequency oscillator driving a PWM modulator, and a pair of precision MOS-FET transistors with very low on-resistance performs the switching in each stage. Output filters built from quality polypropylene capacitors and low DCR coils convert the high power PWM signal back to analogue form. Each balanced XLR input socket is wired with pin 2 positive, pin 1 shield and pin 3 negative. Power consumption is below 1 W in standby, 50 W at idle and up to 2000 W, from 115 or 230 V mains at 50 or 60 Hz, with an 8 AT sand-filled fuse. Bridging is selected for channels 1-2 and 3-4, a switch sets the channel display, and only the XLR or the RCA input of a given channel may be used, not both together. Inside, a pair of micro switches per channel lets a technician alter gain by -2, +2.5 or +6 dB, with both channels of a bridged pair set alike.
Pairing
Inputs are two pairs of gold-plated Neutrik XLR and two pairs of gold-plated RCA sockets, outputs are four pairs of safety banana terminals, and a 12 V mini jack trigger is provided. The maker names the PRD-3 preamplifier with DAC as a companion, while the unit adds channels to DIA-250 or DIA-400 integrated amplifiers.
Alternatives
Gato Audio's DPA-2506 spreads its power across six channels of 250 W into 8 ohms in the same chassis size.
Specifications
Model name
DPA-4004
Input sensitivity (mV)
N/A
Input impedance (balanced) (Ω)
40 000
Input impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
20 000
Output impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Max current (A)
N/A
Output power (8Ω) (W)
800
Output power (4Ω) (W)
1600
Gain (dBu)
26
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
2
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
70 000
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
>110
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (0% global feedback) (%)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (100% global feedback) (%)
< 0,01
Max power consumption (W)
N/A
Damping factor
N/A
Dimensions (mm)
325 x 105 x 420
Weight (kg)
13
Official link
More components
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