Усилители мощности моно — Gato Audio PWR-222

The PWR-222 is a mono power amplifier from Gato Audio, the Danish electronics and loudspeaker company. Like most Gato amplifiers, it is built around the company's TwinFET output stage, which uses only two MOSFET output transistors per channel, one for each half of the waveform. A pair is intended for large or demanding loudspeakers, and it partners Gato's PRE-1 preamplifier.

Key specs that matter

The PWR-222 delivers 250W into 8 ohms and 450W into 4 ohms. Signal-to-noise ratio exceeds 115dB and bandwidth extends well beyond 100kHz. Input impedance is 100 kilohms on both balanced and single-ended inputs, and gain is 26dB. The power supply uses a 700VA low-noise toroidal transformer and 44,000uF of RIFA filter capacitors, and the output stage uses two MOSFETs rated at 500A. Speaker connections are WBT NexGen terminals.

Engineering and use context

Most high-power amplifiers use several pairs of output transistors in parallel to share current, which requires careful matching and additional circuitry to keep them balanced. Gato's TwinFET approach uses one very large MOSFET for the positive half of the signal and one for the negative half, a quasi-complementary Class A/B arrangement. The company's aim is to solve problems where they are created rather than adding correction circuits, and using only two devices of such high current capacity avoids the mismatches that paralleled transistors can introduce. The toroidal transformer is designed for low mechanical and electrical noise, and the RIFA capacitors store energy for current peaks. A low-noise input stage and a carefully optimised circuit-board layout keep the noise floor low, and the high input impedance makes the PWR-222 an easy load for any preamplifier, including tube designs with higher output impedance. A mechanical dial on the front works as a VU meter showing output and clipping, as a temperature gauge for the amplifier or can be switched off. The top cover is available in high-gloss black, white or real walnut veneer to match Gato's loudspeakers, and custom finishes can be ordered to match other components.

Pairing

A pair of PWR-222s drives large, low-sensitivity floorstanding speakers. Balanced inputs allow long cables from the preamplifier, so each amplifier can sit near its speaker with short speaker cables. Gato's PRE-1 preamplifier, with optional DAC and streaming modules, is the matching partner.

Alternatives

Gato Audio's own AMP-150 is a stereo power amplifier using the same MOSFET Class A/B approach in one chassis.