Интегральные усилители — Advance Paris Nova A-i190

The A-i190 is the larger of two integrated amplifiers in the Nova series from Advance Paris, a range that introduced a new look with a brushed metal face and VU meters whose backlight can be set to white or blue. It is a hybrid design, with an ECC81 valve in the preamplifier stage ahead of a Class AB transistor output section. The Nova models add HDMI eARC with automatic switch-on from a compatible television. The US list price is USD 7,999.

Key specs that matter

Advance Paris rates maximum output at 195 W per channel into 8 ohm and 297 W into 4 ohm, both at 1 percent THD+N with two channels driven. Continuous output across 20 Hz to 20 kHz is 185 W into 8 ohm and 276 W into 4 ohm at under 0.07 percent. Frequency response runs from 20 Hz to 80 kHz, distortion measures 0.042 percent at 135 W into 8 ohm, and the noise figure is 105.1 dB under the same conditions. The chassis measures 43 x 19.2 x 45.4 cm and weighs 19 kg net.

Engineering and use context

The key difference from the smaller A-i130 is a dual mono power supply, with two independent 280 VA toroidal transformers, one per channel. Digital signals go to an ESS9017S eight-channel converter used in quad mode to produce four analogue channels, and an ADAU1452 processor provides four-channel DSP with EQ for two main speakers and up to two subwoofers in 2.1 or 2.2 setups. Digital inputs cover three optical and three coaxial ports at 24 bit and 192 kHz, a USB audio input that also takes DSD64 and DSD128, and HDMI eARC for stereo PCM. Analogue sources connect through five RCA line inputs and an MM/MC phono stage with a ground post. Outputs include a record out, an RCA pre out, an XLR output, two subwoofer outputs and a 6.35 mm headphone jack. An ALPS potentiometer handles the volume, and two 12 V trigger pairs link other components. Two expansion slots take the A-NTC streaming cartridge and the A-BTC two-way Bluetooth dongle, the latter supplied as standard in the US. The 8 mm aluminium front panel is anodised black or grey, and the unit accepts 115 or 230 V mains through a selector.

Pairing

The screw terminals accept bare wire, spades and banana plugs, and its reserve into low impedances suits floorstanding speakers with low impedance. A power amplifier or powered monitors can take the signal from the XLR socket, and the dual subwoofer outputs let one or two subwoofers run in mono or stereo mode. The REM-21 infrared handset also works with the A-i130, and an A-RTR wireless metal remote is sold as an option.

Alternatives

The Advance Paris A-i130 Nova uses the same chassis layout with a single power supply transformer.