Интегральные усилители — Canor Audio Virtus A3

The Virtus A3 is a hybrid integrated amplifier from Canor, the Slovak manufacturer based in Prešov. It combines four products in one chassis, a Class A/AB power amplifier with a valve input stage, a phono preamplifier, a headphone amplifier and a DAC, all in a dual-mono layout with independent regulated supplies for each channel. Control is through a touch display set into the volume knob.

Key specs that matter

Output is 100 W per channel into 8 ohms and 150 W into 4 ohms. Input sensitivity is 550 mV, input impedance 50 kohm across all line inputs, and gain 34.5 dB. Frequency response runs from 10 Hz to 35 kHz, signal-to-noise exceeds 90 dB and THD+N is below 0.008% at 1 kHz and 1 W. Line inputs are two XLR and two RCA, and an MM/MC phono input is added. The chassis measures 435 x 130 x 460 mm and weighs 18 kg.

Engineering and use context

The power amplifier uses a current-dumping topology. A balanced differential input stage built around an E88CC valve drives a low-power Class A stage that always controls the speaker, while a high-current Class AB stage supplies the heavier load current. Because the Class A stage stays in control, the output never switches between operating classes. Differential feedback senses both speaker terminals. Canor chose a valve input partly because valves are less sensitive to radio frequency interference. The analogue path is fully balanced, with discrete symmetrical input stages using paired JFETs in Class A without feedback, relay input selection and a differential stepped attenuator. The path is DC-coupled with servo circuits, removing coupling capacitors. The phono stage is fully discrete, with gain of about 40 to 66 dB selected from the front panel. The headphone amplifier is discrete and fully balanced, delivering 500 mW into 30 ohms, with 6.3 mm and XLR-4 outputs. Class A line outputs on RCA and XLR feed external amplifiers or subwoofers. Heat-pipe heatsinks handle cooling, and the control knob turns in a double-row bearing. The touch display in the knob shows source, level and settings, and the remote duplicates all functions.

Pairing

The Virtus A3 handles the majority of stand-mount and tower designs, in listening rooms of up to roughly 35 m2. The phono stage and DAC let a turntable and a streamer connect directly.

Alternatives

Canor's AI 1.10 is the pure Class A valve integrated amplifier with KT88 output tubes and switchable triode operation.