The Aegir amplifier from the American company from Texas uses a feedback circuit with a unique topology, as well as a fully linear power supply (with seven separate voltage rails and a 600 VA transformer) plus microprocessor control, which allows you to do without capacitors and servos in the signal path. No class D, switching power supplies and fans - in short, no compromises: only the audio signal goes through the amplifier path.
Aegir outputs 20 W into an 8 Ohm load, and twice as much (40 W) into 4 Ohms. When switching to mono mode at full volume, you can get 80 W/8 Ohms and 120 W/4 Ohms. And most importantly: Continuity technology ensures class A operation in all the cases listed above.
On the facade of the Aegir amplifier there is a standby switch button. In this case, the bias current is completely turned off, which leads to a decrease in power consumption from 200 to 15 W. Otherwise, the amplifier continues to work, but does not emit excess heat.
The vast majority of components (chassis, boards, transformers), as well as assembly are carried out by American companies in the USA. In particular, the chassis are made in Texas. Printed circuit boards are made in Northern California.
Aegir is the first power amplifier of the company based on Continuity technology, which was first tested in the Lyr 3 headphone amplifier. Strictly speaking, Continuity technology allows you to get rid of the reduction in the transfer characteristic outside the bias range required for operation in class A, and increase the benefits obtained from operation in such a class. At the same time, the technology allows you to solve the problem of matching n-p-n and p-n-p transistors - devices of both types are installed in both arms of the amplifier. At the same time, Aegir operates in true class A, providing more than 10 W of output power at constant bias.
And if Aegir is used as a monoblock, then the output power indicators for 8 and 4 ohm loads increase to 80 W and 120 W, respectively. This connection method has its own specifics: it is implemented on an XLR connector, therefore, the preamplifier must also have an XLR output. Moreover, it must provide a balanced signal - this is required by the Aegir circuitry.
Specifications
Output power:
2 x 20 W per channel into 8 ohms
2 x 40 W per channel into 4 ohms
80 W into 8 ohms
Operating frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (-0.1 dB level), 3 Hz - 500 kHz (-3 dB level)
THD: less than 0.01%, 20 Hz - 20 kHz (100 W, 8 ohms)
Intermodulation distortion: less than 0.01% (100 W, 8 ohms)
Signal-to-noise ratio: greater than 105 dB, A-weighted relative to the signal at full volume
Damping coefficient: greater than 100, 8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Input impedance: 22 kOhm (unbalanced input), 44 kOhm (balanced input)
Inputs: 2 x RCA (stereo input), one XLR (mono input)
Topology: fully complementary on bipolar transistors, with current feedback, without decoupling capacitors and servo circuits for removing the DC component, Continuity output stage with a constant transfer characteristic.
Control: microprocessor system for tracking indicators at critical points of the circuit, including removing the DC component; standby mode and protection system against overvoltage, overheating and other emergency situations (relay shutdown).
Power supply: 600 VA transformer with two main power rails; reinforced filtered power supply unit for input and driver stages, as well as voltage amplification stages; separate isolated buses for microprocessor control.
Power: max. 450 W
Dimensions: 30x10x33 cm