Интегральные усилители — Cary Audio SI-300.2D

The Cary Audio SI-300.2d is a solid-state Class AB integrated amplifier that combines a high-power output section with a built-in digital converter and wireless reception. It sits in the Cary integrated amplifier range next to the SLI-80HS, SLI-100 and CAD-300SEI. It was announced on July 20, 2016 at a price of USD 5,995. The front panel has a center-mounted machined aluminium volume knob, a pair of analogue Cary Blue VU meters to its right and a text display on the left that shows source information.

Key specs that matter

Rated output is 300 W RMS per channel into 8 ohm and 450 W RMS per channel into 4 ohm, both across 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Frequency response runs from 10 Hz to 50 kHz within 0.1 dB, noise sits more than 100 dB below signal (A-weighted), and SMPTE distortion stays under 0.5%. Analogue sources connect via two XLR and two RCA connectors, with input impedance of 20 kohm balanced and 10 kohm unbalanced. The chassis is 152 mm tall, 438 mm wide and 457 mm deep, with a weight of 23.6 kg. At full output into 4 ohm the amplifier draws 950 W from the mains.

Engineering and use context

The power amplifier section is fed by a Class A analogue preamplifier gain stage. Conversion to analogue is performed by two-channel AK4490EQ converters, whose output passes an 8x oversampling filter before a Bessel analogue filter of the third order. The XMOS-based USB input accepts PCM from 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz at 16 or 32 bit, plus DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256. The AES/EBU socket, the pair of coaxial inputs and the optical input take 16 or 24 bit signals between 44.1 kHz and 192 kHz. A CSR v4.0 Bluetooth receiver with aptX works at 44.1 kHz and 16 bit. Ethernet RJ45 and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n are provided so the amplifier can be controlled with free iOS and Android apps, and an IR handset and IR sensor input are also supplied. A home theater bypass lets the amplifier act as a fixed power stage for an external surround processor, and a 12 V DC trigger output can switch other equipment on and off with it. There is no headphone amplifier. The chassis is matte black and the faceplate comes in silver or black.

Pairing

A pre/subwoofer output on RCA sockets can feed a powered subwoofer or an additional amplifier from the SI-300.2d volume control, and coaxial and optical digital outputs pass signals on to an external recorder or DAC. A computer or streamer can connect over USB for DSD playback, while a disc transport or television connects through the optical or coaxial sockets. The output stage is rated for low-impedance speakers as well as standard ones.

Alternatives

The Cary Audio SLI-100 is another integrated amplifier in the current Cary range.