Усилители мощности стерео — Kora TA240

The TA240 is a stereo power amplifier from Kora, which develops and manufactures its products in Haute-Garonne near Toulouse, France. It is the power amplifier counterpart of the TB200 integrated amplifier, fitted with larger power transformers to give more output per channel, and it sits below the TA480 in the Kora class AB power amplifier range.

Key specs that matter

Output is 2 x 120 W into 8 ohm and 2 x 200 W into 4 ohm in class AB. There is one RCA input at 10 kohm and one XLR input at 20 kohm, and input sensitivity can be adjusted between 0.5 V and 5 V. Bandwidth is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within plus or minus 1 dB, and output impedance is below 0.08 ohm. Each channel has its own 300 VA transformer, with main filtering of 2 x 60,000 uF. Maximum consumption is 350 W at full 8 ohm output and 650 VA at full 4 ohm output. The chassis measures 130 x 420 x 320 mm (148 x 420 x 350 mm overall) and weighs 19 kg, built from steel and aluminium, finished in mineral grey.

Engineering and use context

Kora calls its circuit Square Tube. It is a hybrid in which valves and transistors work on the signal together - an operational amplifier built with valves drives a transistor power stage that supplies the output current. Two ECC82 and two ECC83 triodes are used, visible behind a smoked plexiglass front panel. The valves run from stabilised rails of plus 300 V and minus 200 V, and the maker states that this asymmetric supply lets the output both push and pull the loudspeaker cone. The power stage runs from a dual mono supply at plus and minus 50 V DC and uses twelve complementary Motorola power transistors, each rated at 225 W and 15 A. The accessories are a remote control, a power cord and a manual. A single multifunction button handles all settings. Mains input is 230 V, with a 117 V version on request, and the manufacturer warranty is 5 years.

Pairing

The adjustable sensitivity lets the TA240 match preamplifiers with different output levels, and both RCA and XLR connections are available. Kora's own PR140 preamplifier from the 140 series is the matching preamplifier from the same maker, and its optional DAC and phono modules can extend it to digital and vinyl sources.

Alternatives

The Kora TA480 is the larger class AB power amplifier of the brand, rated at 2 x 240 W into 8 ohm with 2 x 500 VA transformers.