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Pearl Acoustics 170 SE – an Single-Ended Amplifier on PSVANE KT150 tubes

The tube stereo power amplifier Pearl Acoustics 170 SE should go on sale only at the end of 2025 – but the veil of secrecy over the device has already been lifted. We are waiting for a dual mono, single ended design power amp with 0 dB global feedback. The device is based on the inexpensive PSVANE "Horizon" KT150 tubes – which delivers excellent holography, as well as good bass and detail without a significant loss in output power.

Pearl Acoustics 170 SE is capable of developing 2 x 18 W of pure Class A power into 8 Ohms load with distortion of 0.5% 2nd and 0.03% 3rd harmonic at 1 W. The most interesting thing is that the amplifier easily works with low-impedance acoustics – down to a impedance of 2 Ohms. The damping factor is 6 units.

Pearl Acoustics 170 SE
Pearl Acoustics 170 SE. Image source - (c) Pearl Acoustics

Pearl Acoustics 170 SE does not use solid-state devices in the signal path, nor followers or buffers in the signal path. High current and low impedance design with ultra-short signal path and minimal discrete wiring guarantees perfectly clean sound. Automatic self-regulating, cathode bias topology extends the life of the tubes. The icing on the cake is custom designed and made transformers and chassis mounted valve sockets.

Specifications

This product is in the Hi-Fi and High End Electronics and Acoustics database

Power amplifiers stereo — Pearl Acoustics 170 SE

  • Model name

    170 SE

  • Input sensitivity (mV)

    1

  • Input impedance (balanced) (Ω)

    N/A

  • Input impedance (single-ended) (Ω)

    10000

  • Output impedance (balanced) (Ω)

    N/A

  • Output impedance (single-ended) (Ω)

    N/A

  • Max current (A)

    N/A

  • Output power (8Ω) (W)

    2 x 18

  • Output power (4Ω) (W)

    N/A

  • Gain (dBu)

    21.6

  • Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)

    20

  • Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)

    20000

  • Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)

    N/A

  • Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (0% global feedback) (%)

    0.5

  • Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (100% global feedback) (%)

    N/A

  • Max power consumption (W)

    N/A

  • Damping factor

    6

  • Dimensions (mm)

    405 x 235 x 375

  • Weight (kg)

    31

  • Official link

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