Интегральные усилители — Gato Audio DIA-250S NPM

The DIA-250S NPM is the network-enabled version of the DIA-250S integrated amplifier from Gato Audio, designed, developed and built in Copenhagen, Denmark. On top of the class D power stage, analogue preamplifier and upsampling converter of the standard model, it carries a Network Player Module that is Roon Ready and app controlled, with Tidal, Qobuz and Deezer integrated. It connects to the home network by Ethernet cable or over Wi-Fi with WPS support, and handles MQA, FLAC, WAV and Apple Lossless files with gapless playback. The listed price is EUR 3,495.

Key specs that matter

Each channel delivers 250 W into 8 ohm and double that, 500 W, into 4 ohm, and Gato recommends speaker loads between 4 and 16 ohm. The response is flat within 0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz and within 3 dB from 2 Hz to 70 kHz. Distortion measures under 0.01% at rated output, the line output adds less than 0.001%, and signal to noise exceeds 110 dB. Gain is 26 dB plus 10 dB of headroom. There are two RCA pairs rated at 20 kOhm and one balanced XLR pair rated at 40 kOhm. The chassis is 325 mm wide, 105 mm high and 420 mm deep and weighs 10 kg.

Engineering and use context

Gato bases the output stage on International Rectifier technology, refined with a precision high-frequency oscillator and PWM modulator, and each channel switches through a pair of MOSFETs with very low on-resistance. Output filters use polypropylene capacitors and low-DCR coils, and dedicated switch mode supplies feed the stages. A balanced-driven Burr-Brown PCM1794 converter with its own supply, a high-bandwidth I/V stage and low-Q filters processes every digital source after upsampling to 24 bit and 192 kHz. The coaxial and asynchronous USB inputs run up to 24 bit and 192 kHz and the Toslink input to 24 bit and 96 kHz, alongside an aptX Bluetooth receiver. In the box are the amplifier, a mains lead, the RC-5 remote with its CR2032 battery, two antennas, a USB Wi-Fi dongle and a quick start guide for the module. Consumption is under 1 W in standby, 23 W idling and up to 1,000 W. The enclosure is nonmagnetic.

Pairing

Balanced and unbalanced line outputs, rated at 13 V and 6.5 V maximum, plus a 12 V trigger socket, make room for a separate power amp, powered speakers or a subwoofer. Gato states that an active subwoofer must be fed from these line outputs and not from the speaker terminals, because left and right grounds in the class D design must stay separate. With the Direct function engaged, volume is fixed and the DIA-250S NPM works purely as the stereo power stage for a home cinema processor.

Alternatives

The Gato Audio DIA-400S is the higher-powered integrated amplifier with DAC, rated at 400 W per channel into 8 ohm and 800 W into 4 ohm.