Усилители мощности стерео — Emotiva BasX TA1

The BasX TA1 from Emotiva is a stereo integrated amplifier that also works as a preamplifier, an FM tuner, a DAC, a vinyl preamp, a Bluetooth receiver and a headphone amplifier. The maker lists it at USD 599, with a sale price of USD 499. It is the lower powered of the two BasX integrated models and shares its role with the more powerful TA2.

Key specs that matter

The amplifier delivers 60 W RMS per channel into 8 ohms across 20 Hz to 20 kHz and 100 W RMS into 4 ohms at 1 kHz, both channels driven. Minimum load is 4 ohms. The phono stage has 44 dB of gain for MM and 55 dB for MC, and the line output reaches 4 V RMS with crosstalk under 90 dB. On line level the frequency response spans 5 Hz to 50 kHz within 0.04 dB. For analogue sources THD plus noise is below 0.001 percent with noise over 120 dB down, while digital sources are rated at below 0.003 percent and more than 110 dB. The headphone output gives up to 145 mW into 150 ohms. Inputs comprise two line level analogue pairs, an MM/MC phono stage, the FM tuner, coaxial and optical Toslink digital inputs, USB and Bluetooth 5 with AAC, AptX and AptX HD. The unit is about 432 mm wide, 67 mm high and 318 mm deep and weighs about 6.8 kg, or 9.1 kg boxed.

Engineering and use context

Its amplifier circuit runs in Class A/B. Digital conversion on every digital input is handled by an Analog Devices AD1955 chip, and the USB, coaxial and optical inputs all accept up to 24 bit and 192 kHz, with USB working asynchronously. A gain selector sets the phono stage for MM or MC. The FM tuner stores 15 presets and has a mono mode for weak stations. Active bass management uses Linkwitz-Riley filters at a fixed 90 Hz crossover. The chassis is heavy steel in a 2RU format with a milled aluminium front panel and a fully dimmable blue VFD display. A full-function infrared remote and an FM antenna come in the box, the mains input covers 100 to 240 VAC, and Emotiva covers it for three years.

Pairing

Outputs include full-range stereo and high-pass stereo pre-outs as well as a subwoofer output, so a sub can take the bass below the fixed crossover while the main speakers receive a high-passed signal. The full-range pre-out also allows a bigger external power amp to be connected later, and the 12 VDC trigger output can switch such an amplifier on with the TA1. Bluetooth reception works at up to 44.1 kHz.

Alternatives

The Emotiva BasX TA2 is the bigger BasX integrated model, rated at 135 W per channel.