Amplifier Parasound Halo A51
How profitable multi-channel acquisition power amplifier instead of the usual stereo? The answer to this question can be found, if we take as an example of Parasound audio equipment from San Francisco, to be exact - its top-end range of Halo. John Curl, one of the leading engineers of the amplifiers, designed for this series several luxury power amplifier operating in Class A at low output levels and the class AB at face value. Among them are the flagship stereoamplifier Halo A21. It is available at retail for 2429 dollars. For such a solid and powerful machine - cheap. Fundamental metal body with well-developed fins on the sides, the front panel of the plate in a finger-thick, fully balanced circuitry, the direct path without feedthrough capacitance and inductance, 1.2-kilowatt toroidal transformer with separate secondary windings for each channel, selected bipolar transistors at the output and as a result, a stunning performance (Damping factor over a thousand, slew rate at 130 V/ms, output currents - up to 60 A). Colossus!
However, in exactly the same case and offered a five-channel model Halo A51 with the same path and no less impressive data. This model is, of course, more expensive, but not in two and a half, and exactly twice. It turns out one channel you already get for free. But that's not all. It is worth a more powerful 2.2-kilowatt power supply system with even more large toroidal transformer (also, incidentally, with separate secondary windings for each channel) and an even more impressive capacitive buffer 168,000 uF. Lose only "loop" output selector Bridge, which allows you to connect 2-channel "bridge", ie as a candy bar. The rest on the spot: balanced inputs in addition to the usual selector for lifting "of the earth", automatic switching with adjustable sensitivity, trigger control ... There is something to think about, is not it?
I bet that part of the speakers in stereo "Fifty-One" easily beat two-channel brother. According to this criterion 5-channel - even a hurricane. Stunning dynamics expressed throughout the musical range. The device never give slack. In the lower-case energy is dosed in the strictest manner. There is no doubt that this power amplifier easily cope with even the most severe and disbanded on bass acoustics. And midbass - pattern definition. Among the hi-fi Amplifier few people even like this can keep under control the most heavy part of the spectrum. But now we are talking about a standard inclusion - without any buy-amping!
In sound there is no indication "theatrical" Cute or softness. The detail is very high. Tonal balance - a little cool, and microdynamics drawing a clear and even slightly aggressive. The upper range as a whole is neutral, although there macrodynamics dominates the delicate shading. Solo voices and instruments, small chamber ensembles amplifier passes with outstanding accuracy, but when it comes to playing loud fragment with a large a cast, rhythmic lines no longer shine clarity and dynamics becomes hard straight character. Return the sound of plastic, without sacrificing clarity and transparency, it is possible by employing a bi-amping wiring diagram acoustics. Here has no crescendo A51 will not catch. The device can easily cope with any material.
The advantages include the A51 and soundstage. There is scope, depth, and there is decent separation on the flanks of the stage - the sound does not "hang" on the speakers. Localization in the center of a little better than at the edges, but the images do not seem smeared on the front. There are only minor problems with the avant-garde scene echelonment - the first and second plans are not so clearly separated as long.
By the way, the transition from balanced connections to RCA softens the sound, making microdynamics drawing less rude. And "the rise of the earth" (ground lift) may affect the spatiality and corporeality playback. Experiment - and you will find the best option. One will say for sure: it is not necessary to connect the A51 sensitive monitors or "dry" floor speakers. This amplifier is designed to work with the biggest "caliber".
