New Class-A, Triode Monoblocks from Conrad-Johnson
onrad-Johnson's new ART108A ($48,000 per pair) is a class-A mono power amplifier that delivers 160 triode watts (into 4 ohms; it's optionally available for 8- or 16-ohm loads) via four pairs of KT88 output tubes. The amp has independent regulated power supplies for the output stage as well as for the input and inverter stages. Conrad-Johnson cites the ART108A's "inherently simple circuit" -- three triode stages, with composite triodes (consisting of paralleled triodes) -- for its "outstanding musicality." Parts of the highest quality are used throughout the circuits, including a custom mains transformer and proprietary custom-designed Translinear wideband transformer, CJD Teflon capacitors and ultra-high-performance metal foil resistors, along with premium input/output connectors and internal wiring. Delivery of the ART108A monoblocks is expected to begin
by the end of this month. |
