Усилители мощности стерео — Gold Note PA-1175 MkII

The Gold Note PA-1175 MkII is a two-channel Class AB amplifier from the Florentine company Gold Note, intended for demanding systems and able to be bridged into a mono block. Its main feature is a selectable damping factor that adapts the output to very different loudspeaker types, and it uses the company's proprietary optical BIAS technology to keep the bias reference voltage precise and stable.

Key specs that matter

Gold Note rates the stereo output at 200 W per channel into 8 ohm, and in bridged BTL mono mode 520 W into 8 ohm. Frequency response runs from 1 Hz to 100 kHz within 1 dB, THD stays below 0.01 percent across 20 Hz to 20 kHz, noise is 110 dB down and slew rate is 20 V per microsecond. One RCA and one XLR input are fitted, both at 47 kohm, with sensitivity of 1 V on RCA and 4 V on XLR. The case measures 430 x 135 x 370 mm and weighs 20.5 kg net or 27 kg boxed.

Engineering and use context

The damping factor is chosen directly from the front panel and offers two settings. The 250 position is aimed at large loudspeakers with low sensitivity, while the 25 position is meant for high-efficiency designs and compact monitors. Power comes from a 640 VA toroidal transformer with a spiral core, whose machining makes the core fully stable and cancels mechanical vibration. The optical BIAS system analyses the signal separately from the audio path, which also provides loudspeaker protection. Maximum consumption reaches 1200 W, while idle draw is only 1.2 W. The unit runs on 100 to 120 V or 220 to 240 V mains at 50 or 60 Hz, fused at 10 A for the lower voltage range and 6.3 A for the higher one. Loudspeaker cables go to gold-plated terminals, and the brushed anodised aluminium case is available in black, silver or gold.

Pairing

The width and height match Gold Note's full-size components, so it stacks with the brand's preamplifiers and phono stages of that format. Two units can be run in BTL mono for a higher-power arrangement, and the switchable damping factor makes the amplifier usable with both efficient horn-type designs and low-sensitivity floorstanders. Gold Note's own P-1000 MkII, with its four balanced inputs and two balanced outputs, is one line preamplifier that connects to the balanced input. Because the XLR input is less sensitive, the source must deliver a higher level there than on the RCA input to reach full output.

Alternatives

The Gold Note PA-10 is a compact stereo power amplifier rated at 75 W into 8 ohm and 150 W into 4 ohm, with a bridged mono mode giving 300 W into 8 ohm.