Усилители мощности моно — Aries Cerat CONCERO 65 REF

The Concero 65 Reference is a single-ended mono power amplifier from Aries Cerat, priced at GBP 38,950 per pair in the UK. Each channel uses an 814 driver tube and two 813 output tubes in parallel, and it delivers 65 W in single-ended operation. A two-chassis Concero 65 Signature version is also offered.

Key specs that matter

Per channel, one 814 tube drives two RCA 813 output tubes connected in parallel. Output is 65 W and gain is 2.7 times, or 8.5 dB. Noise is below 90 dB, second harmonic distortion is -70 dB at 1 W and -50 dB at 10 W, and bandwidth is 8 Hz to 110 kHz. An output impedance selector gives 1.6 ohms in the 8 ohm setting or 0.4 ohms in the 2 ohm setting. Inputs are RCA and Aries Cerat's AC link. The power supply stores 2,000 J of energy, and each channel draws 400 W. Each monoblock measures 510 x 590 x 350 mm and weighs 95 kg.

Engineering and use context

The 813 is a beam power transmitting tube, and pairing two of them in parallel gives twice the current of one tube, which allows high output in single-ended operation, where one side of the transformer carries the whole waveform. The 814 driver provides the voltage swing needed to drive the grids of the output tubes. With its low gain, the amplifier relies on a preamplifier with enough output voltage. The output impedance selector changes the transformer taps to suit higher- or lower-impedance loudspeakers. Output tube bias is set on the fly, without switching the amplifier off. The large energy store supports the high current demand of the parallel output stage.

Pairing

With this power, the Concero 65 Reference is not limited to very high-sensitivity speakers and can also work with models of moderate sensitivity. A preamplifier with enough output is needed because of the low gain, and Aries Cerat's own preamplifiers can connect through the AC link. Given their weight, the monoblocks need strong supports and good ventilation.

Alternatives

The Aries Cerat Concero 25 is a smaller single-ended mono amplifier built around one 845 output tube per channel.