Интегральные усилители — Audio Analogue AACento

The AAcento is the integrated amplifier that opened the PureAA line from Italian maker Audio Analogue, with the AAphono phono stage announced as the second product of that range. One case holds the preamp, the power section, a phono stage covering MM and MC types plus a headphone output, and its UK launch price was GBP 2,999 including VAT. Silver and black casework is available.

Key specs that matter

Into 8 ohm it delivers 100 W per channel, then 200 W into 4 ohm, with 300 W available into 2 ohm, all at 1% THD+N. Line inputs comprise a single XLR socket and 3 RCA pairs, each with an input impedance of 47 kohm. The upper frequency limit sits at 100 kHz at the -3 dB point, and output impedance stays below 0.4 ohm. Audio Analogue lists S/N as 100 dB via line, 85 dB for the MM stage and 65 dB for the MC stage. The case measures 92 x 455 x 400 mm tall, wide and deep respectively, tipping the scales at 14 kg, and standby consumption is under 1 W.

Engineering and use context

Audio Analogue built the AAcento without global feedback in either the preamplifier or the power stage, so each gain block has to be linear on its own rather than depending on a correction loop around the whole amplifier. A custom 480 W toroid feeds a linear supply sized to let the output double as load impedance halves. Volume is set digitally without operational amplifiers, while a microprocessor handles source switching through relays, so the input signals never pass through front panel wiring. The phono section includes a switchable subsonic filter to keep warped records from driving woofers into large excursions. The headphone amplifier is a class A circuit, again free of feedback, and delivers 1,000 mW into 32 ohm. The casework is damped against resonance.

Pairing

The ability to hold power into very low loads makes the AAcento suitable for floorstanders whose impedance curves dip well below their nominal rating. A preamplifier output allows an external power amp to join the system, a mono subwoofer output feeds an active sub, and a direct input to the power section lets the amplifier act as the front channel pair in a multichannel home theatre system. Turntable owners can connect an MM or MC cartridge straight to the rear panel.

Alternatives

The Audio Analogue Puccini Anniversary is a smaller integrated model with zero global feedback and a dual-mono layout.