Интегральные усилители — Trafomatic Audio Elegance Evolution

The Elegance Evolution is a Serbian valve integrated amplifier made by Trafomatic Audio, rated at 50 W per channel from a push-pull output stage running in class AB. It shares its 450 x 320 x 195 mm case and 22 kg mass with the Evolution Elegance power amplifier, yet adds source switching and a remote-controlled volume stage, so a single box can drive a pair of speakers from line sources. The European price is EUR 4,299 including tax, with delivery quoted at about four weeks.

Key specs that matter

Sources plug into four RCA line inputs, while each speaker terminal set offers separate 4 and 8 ohm taps. Input sensitivity is 0.8 V rms against an input impedance of 100 kohm. Distortion is given as 0.03 percent at 1 W and 1 kHz, rising to 3 percent at full output. Bandwidth runs from 10 Hz at the -1 dB point up to 45 kHz at -3 dB, with signal to noise at 84 dB. With 0.8 V needed for full power, a source delivering the usual 2 V reaches rated output well before the volume control is fully open. Mains draw is 250 VA, with 230 V at 50 Hz as the standard supply and other voltages available.

Engineering and use context

Four Tungsol 6550 tubes sit in the output stage, joined by two ECC82 and two ECC81 small-signal valves. Each 6550 has its own manual bias adjustment, so the owner can set the output tubes individually when they are replaced. Cathode feedback is used to control the output impedance of the stage. Output transformers are wound on double C-cores, with Solen capacitors fitted as well. Its supply is built around an extra-large patented Trafomatic toroidal transformer rated at 300 VA, followed by C-L-C filtering and Rubycon electrolytic capacitors. Level is set by a passive buffered ALPS attenuator that is motorised for the remote handset, so volume changes happen through a conventional potentiometer rather than a relay ladder.

Pairing

With no balanced input, sources such as a DAC, streamer or phono stage connect through RCA cables, and the four inputs cover a typical digital plus analogue setup without an external switcher. The choice of taps lets the amplifier match the nominal load of most passive speakers, while the moderate output of a push-pull valve stage suits moderately sensitive two-way or three-way designs in a room of about 20 m2 better than very inefficient ones.

Alternatives

The Trafomatic Evolution Two is a smaller-power sibling integrated amplifier built on single-ended 300B triodes delivering 2 x 8 W.