Интегральные усилители — Einstein Audio Components THE AMP ULTIMATE MK108

The Amp Ultimate MK108 is an integrated amplifier from the Reference Series of Einstein Audio Components, whose premises are in Bochum, Germany. Its name refers back to The Amp, the first Einstein amplifier built with transistor technology in 1988, and the company decided in 2012 to continue that line with The Amp Ultimate. Einstein states that the design goal was an integrated amplifier that would surpass its own earlier pre and power combination of The Tube and The Light in the Dark. In May 2023 the German price was EUR 30,000.

Key specs that matter

Output is 108 W into 8 ohms and 150 W into 4 ohms, with dynamic power given as 200 W. Harmonic distortion at 1 kHz is below 0.01%, signal-to-noise ratio exceeds 100 dB and the damping factor exceeds 250. The chassis measures 17 x 43 x 41 cm (HWD) and weighs 25 kg.

Engineering and use context

Einstein calls the power stage a Pure Class A / Balanced Double Single Ended Circeltron Architecture. It is the same circuit used in The Poweramp and is closely related to the transformerless valve monoblocks The Silver Bullet OTL, but the power tubes of those amplifiers are replaced by transistors to obtain more output, which requires a more elaborate circuit. Einstein classes the amplifier as a symmetrical Circlotron hybrid. It is built in a fully symmetrical, double-mono configuration with a balanced input. Unbalanced signals are converted to balanced form at the input stage and passed to the power stage as a fully balanced signal, and the power stage itself also operates in balanced mode. The signal and ground paths are laid out to keep noise out of the chain. A newly developed power supply is designed to stay stable under heavy bass transients and large orchestral passages.

Pairing

Einstein pairs it with its loudspeaker The Voice and the Silver Surfer signal cable. In the Reference Series the amplifier sits beside The Preamp MK18 balanced valve preamplifier and The Poweramp stereo power amplifier, which uses the same output circuit.

Alternatives

The Einstein The Silver Shadow is a transistor dual-mono integrated amplifier in the Shadow Series offering 80 W into 8 ohms and an integrated phono input.