Интегральные усилители — Audio Note Tomei

The Tomei is a two-channel valve integrated from the British maker Audio Note (UK), running in pure Class A, its single-ended stage built around the 211 directly heated triode. It shares its circuit concept with the Ongaku and Jinro integrated models and sits between them in the 211 line, with the Meishu two steps below it and the Ongaku at the top of the integrated range. The company places it at Level 4 of its internal grading of materials and parts.

Key specs that matter

Audio Note rates the output at approximately 20 W per channel into 4 or 8 ohm loads. The line level inputs present 100 kOhm and reach full output at 450 mV, with a channel balance tolerance of 0.3 dB. The valve complement is two 5R4WGB rectifiers, two 211 output triodes, one ECC82 or 5814a and one 7044. The unit weighs 27.5 kg, most of it transformer mass, and measures 305 mm high, 305 mm wide and 640 mm deep. It runs from a 100-120 V or 220-240 V supply at 50 or 60 Hz and draws up to 200 W.

Engineering and use context

The amplifier works with zero negative feedback, so no signal is returned from the output to the input stage to correct the circuit. Rectification of the high voltage supply is done by the 5R4WGB valves rather than by silicon diodes, and the output stage uses directly heated triode operation in single-ended form. One 211 per channel carries the output, driven by the ECC82 or 5814a input stage followed by the 7044. The output transformers combine a copper primary with a silver secondary winding, a choice that places the Tomei between the copper-wound Jinro and the silver-wound Ongaku. Level 4 parts are fitted in every signal stage. Its top plate is offered in natural anodised aluminium or black anodised aluminium. The same circuit and chassis are also sold as the Tomei Kensei, a stereo power amplifier without the preamplifier section for owners who run a separate M-series preamplifier from the same maker.

Pairing

With roughly 20 W from a single triode per channel and no feedback, the Tomei is aimed at loudspeakers of high sensitivity that ask for little power. As the Tomei lacks a phono input, vinyl replay calls for a separate phono preamplifier such as the Audio Note M3 RIAA ahead of one of its line inputs.

Alternatives

The Audio Note Ongaku is the integrated 211 model above the Tomei, using silver-wound output transformers in place of the copper and silver mix.