Стримеры — Axxess Forte 2

The Forte 2, written Forté 2 by Axxess, is the second of three steps in the Forté range from the lower-priced label within Audio Group Denmark, the group that also includes Ansuz, Aavik and Børresen. The single chassis holds a network streamer, a DAC, an integrated amplifier and a headphone amplifier. The three Forté versions share the same case and connections and are separated by the amount of Ansuz noise suppression fitted inside. The UK price is GBP 7,499, with a 5-year warranty.

Key specs that matter

Output is 2 x 100 W into 8 ohm. Digital sources connect through one Toslink optical, one BNC S/PDIF and one USB B input, and an RCA line input takes an analogue source. For network use there is an RJ-45 Ethernet port, and two USB A sockets read storage drives of up to 2 TB. Outputs are one set of speaker terminals, an RCA pre-out and a 6.35 mm headphone jack. Axxess states streaming resolution of 24 bit and up to 192 kHz. The case is 370 mm wide, 420 mm deep and 110 mm high, and it weighs 8.1 kg.

Engineering and use context

Inside the Forté 2 are 72 active Tesla coils, 144 active square Tesla coils and 4 active zirconium Tesla coils, working with 6 dither circuits, all derived from Ansuz technology. That is double the coil count of the Forté 1, and the zirconium coils are absent from the base model. Conversion uses a 1-bit DAC circuit. The amplifier stage uses UMAC technology, while its supply follows a resonant mode topology taken from Aavik. Streaming is handled by a purpose-built audio module fitted with high quality capacitors and free of microcomputers, following the approach of the Aavik streamers. Top and bottom panels are made of a composite material meant to reduce mechanical hysteresis, and the finish is black.

Pairing

The Forté 2 has completed certification and is Roon Ready. It also works with UPnP and DLNA apps and responds to Qobuz Connect as well as the Spotify and TIDAL Connect services. For headphones Axxess uses a class A stage that does not switch, specified by Axxess for linearity, high gain and low signal distortion. The single set of speaker posts means one pair of loudspeakers, while the pre-out passes a line-level signal on to another amplifier or an active speaker.

Alternatives

The Axxess Forté 3 heads the same range, with 108 active Tesla coils, 9 dither circuits and a copper base plate.