Усилители мощности стерео — Matrix Audio Element P2

Matrix Audio announced the Element P2 in April 2023 as a Class D stereo power amplifier, describing it as the power stage of a hi-fi system for bookshelf and floorstanding speakers. Its styling follows the design frame of the brand's higher end Element X, and the launch price was USD 1,580. Besides normal two channel operation the amplifier can be switched into a mono mode.

Key specs that matter

Working in stereo, the Element P2 delivers 2 x 110 W into 8 ohm and 2 x 230 W into 4 ohm, both at 1 percent THD+N across 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Mono mode raises the ratings to 500 W into 8 ohm and 850 W into 4 ohm. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.3 dB whichever mode is chosen. The stereo dynamic range is 112 dB A-weighted, and THD+N at 1 W is 0.008 percent. Output impedance in stereo stays below 25 milliohm. The chassis is 340 mm wide, 259 mm deep and just 58 mm high, with a weight of 3.7 kg.

Engineering and use context

When bridged, the dynamic range rises to 121 dB A-weighted and low level distortion falls to 0.004 percent, while output impedance stays below 30 milliohm. The speaker terminals are WBT-0708 Cu types with gold plated copper conductors. Underneath sit Ceramic Ball Vibration Buffer pads, made of silicone rubber with six embedded ceramic balls per pad to reduce noise from mechanical vibration. The supply adapts automatically to AC 100 to 120 V or 220 to 240 V at 50 or 60 Hz, and a grounded mains cable is required. A single front button switches between operation and standby, and an LED next to it is dark in standby, flashes during the delayed start and stays lit once the amplifier is running. A rear USB Type-C port is reserved for firmware updates. Consumption stays below 5 W in standby and reaches a maximum of under 1,200 W.

Pairing

A preamplifier or source connects through RCA or XLR, and every input has an impedance of 47 kOhm. For stereo use the RCA input provides 28 dB of gain at 1 kHz and the XLR input 34 dB, while mono operation takes its signal from a dedicated XLR mono input with 28 dB of gain. A rear selector chooses stereo with XLR, stereo with RCA or mono, and a change made while the amplifier is on only takes effect after it has passed through standby and started again. The 12 V trigger input and output use 3.5 mm mono plugs and allow the amplifier to power up and shut down together with the other components of the system.

Alternatives

The Matrix Audio MA-1 is the brand's Class AB stereo power amplifier, with higher power ratings than the Element P2.