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The CA1 Control Amplifier is a next-generation complete amplifier system using our newly developed Advanced Nested Architecture (ANA). You only need to add a turntable, DAC, or similar source and a set of loudspeakers (or headphones) to create a fully functional music system.
The CA1 Control Amplifier oozes with the transparency, dynamic range, linearity, and pure music for which Audio by Van Alstine is known. Listen to all of your recordings again and you will hear acoustic space and musical nuance in a much more real and involving way. The cost is lower and the performance much higher than you have any right to expect.
Features
The CA1 control amplifier is one of the first products to use our ANA technology, delivering stunning linearity and sound quality previously unimaginable at its price. It generates up to 55 watts per channel into 8Ω and is suitable for nominal 4Ω loads and up.
A high-performance moving magnet phono preamplifier is standard, as is an equally high-performance headphone amplifier with a 1/4" headphone output. It has four gold-plated RCA inputs, one of which for phono use. The speaker outputs are heavy-duty 5-way binding posts.
Remote control is provided for power, volume, and muting. A 12V trigger output is also provided for those wanting to use the amplifier in highly integrated system setups.
Amplifier Circuits
Our Advanced Nested Architecture (ANA) technology is a major advancement in audio power amplifiers that brings you ever closer to the original source. Unlike more conventional class AB amplifiers, ANA employs two independent control mechanisms to manage circuit nonlinearities. The first mechanism provides the kind of correction found in typical class AB audio amplifiers. To this, ANA adds a second global correction circuit that reduces nonlinearities to the vanishing point. We are confident that you will find the results exhilarating.
Power Supply Circuits
To fully support the incredible dynamic range, bass extension, and transient detail the CA1 Control Amplifier's audio circuits are capable of, the amplifier uses a linear power supply based around a high-capacity toroidal power transformer. All of the power supply parts are selected for long life and reliability and operate well within their technical specification ratings.
Additional Information
The CA1 Control Amplifier operates with standard 120V AC power. It has an IEC power socket, and we include a 120V IEC power cord.
Specifications
Power output: 55 watts per channel into 8Ω. 85 watts per channel into 4Ω.
Inputs: Three line-level stereo inputs and one stereo moving magnet phono input on gold-plated RCA jacks.
Input impedance: 47 kΩ (phono and line inputs)
Maximum system gain: 36.4dB (line-level inputs to speaker outputs)
Phono preamplifier gain: 40dB at 1 kHz (i.e., 76.4dB at 1 kHz max. system gain from phono input to speaker outputs)
Headphone amplifier gain: 12dB
Headphone minimum impedance: 32Ω
Dimensions: 17" wide, 12" deep, 3.5" high. Shipping weight is 20 pounds.