Усилители мощности стерео — Audio Note P1 SE Signature

The P1 SE Signature, made by Audio Note (UK), is a two channel valve power amplifier and the upgraded version of the P1 SE. The company calls the design Pure Class A Parallel Single Ended, with a pair of EL84 valves per channel working in parallel single ended operation, fed from ECC83 dual triodes. Audio Note (UK) says the amplifier was built to a sonic target instead of a list of measured figures, and Audio Note (UK) currently presents it as a 35th Anniversary Edition.

Key specs that matter

Maximum output is 8 W RMS per channel into 4 or 8 ohm loads. Input impedance is 100 kOhm at line level, and 220 mV at the input gives full output. Channel balance is +/- 0.3 dB. The valve complement is two ECC83 and four EL84. The unit runs from AC 100 to 120 V or 220 to 240 V at 50 or 60 Hz and draws up to 125 W. The chassis measures 140 mm high, 295 mm wide and 450 mm deep, and it weighs 15 kg.

Engineering and use context

The base P1 SE uses Audio Note (UK) Standard and Seiryu electrolytic capacitors, Audio Note (UK) tantalum resistors in critical areas, a custom BA C Core mains transformer made in house with a choke power supply, and custom M6 lamination output transformers. The Signature version replaces those output transformers with I HiB core types and adds niobium resistors next to the tantalum ones in critical locations. One pair of single ended RCA inputs sits on the rear panel, black for the left channel and red for the right, and the speaker binding posts are marked for the two load impedances. Fuses and other safety components meet BS60065 requirements, and the amplifier should be the last device switched on and the first switched off, with the preamplifier volume at minimum before power up. A volume control on the fascia allows fine adjustment of overall gain and can also set the level when a single source is connected directly. Audio Note (UK) gives a two year warranty from the original date of purchase. In its original packaging the amplifier ships in a carton of 240 x 400 x 550 mm. Anodised aluminium and black acrylic are the standard fascia finishes, with custom colours available on request.

Pairing

The single pair of RCA inputs means a preamplifier with unbalanced outputs, and the modest output points to efficient loudspeakers, each connected to the terminal matching its impedance.

Alternatives

The Audio Note (UK) Jinro Shochu is a larger stereo power amplifier using 211 triodes for approximately 20 W per channel.