Интегральные усилители — Gato Audio AMP-150 AE

The AMP-150 AE is an integrated amplifier designed, developed and built in Copenhagen by Gato Audio. It uses the company's TwinFET output stage and sits in a compact non-magnetic enclosure with a needle meter on the front. The European price was EUR 4,495, and it comes in walnut, black or white finish.

Key specs that matter

Rated output is 2 x 150 W RMS into 8 ohms and 2 x 250 W RMS into 4 ohms, and the Class A/AB stage gives the first 15 W per channel into 8 ohm in pure Class A. Inputs are one balanced XLR on Neutrik connectors and four gold-plated RCA pairs, with input impedance of 40 kohm and 20 kohm respectively. Outputs include one XLR and one RCA pre-out plus two pairs of banana speaker terminals. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.5 dB and 2 Hz to 100 kHz within 3 dB. Voltage gain is 27 dB, noise sits more than 100 dB down and THD stays below 0.05 percent at full rated output. The case measures 325 x 105 x 420 mm and weighs 14 kg.

Engineering and use context

TwinFET means that each channel uses just two output transistors, one for the positive and one for the negative half of the signal. Cooling is handled by an active system under microprocessor control, which suits the compact chassis. The amplifier accepts 115 or 230 V mains at 50 or 60 Hz and draws under 1 W in standby, 40 W at idle and up to 600 W at full output. Protection disconnects the output when load impedance falls below 1.5 ohm. A direct function sets a fixed gain on one input so the amplifier can act as a power stage within a home theatre system. The RC-1 remote is machined from an aluminium profile. The analogue multi display on the fascia is a vintage-style needle galvanometer. Gato describes the power supply as high bandwidth. Gato aimed for a classic electro-mechanical look from every angle.

Pairing

Gato recommends loudspeakers with nominal impedance between 4 and 16 ohm, and the power into 4 ohm gives headroom for demanding floorstanding models. The pre-outs let an active sub or an extra amplifier be added, and a surround processor can drive the direct input.

Alternatives

The Gato Audio DIA-250 S is another integrated amplifier from the Danish brand, positioned above the AMP-150 AE in the range.