Avantone Pro has announced the CLA-200 Studio Reference Amplifier, a classically-designed class-A/B amp developed in collaboration with engineer Chris Lord-Alge – to whom it owes the initials on its badge.
The CLA-200 is a dynamic, high-output, high-resolution, full-range system that Avantone regards as ‘being built the old-school way’. The amplifier’s no-nonsense front panel reflects traditional studio style, with generous vu meters, high-quality Japanese components, and a toroidal transformer linear power supply.
Housed in a standard 2U-high chassis, the amplifier delivers more than 200W/channel into an 8Ω ohm load serving medium to large speakers. Asit is convection cooled, it can be used in the same room as the monitors themselves.
Specifications, include a quoted 20Hz-20kHz ±0.5dB frequency response; 200W at 8Ω, 300W at 4Ω or 500W bridged into 8Ω output power; <0.05% distortion; >94dB signal-to-noise ratio; 20KΩ (balanced) and 10kΩ (unbalanced) input impedance; 28V/us slew rate (at 1kHz); 0.775V (0dBU) input sensitivity (1kHz); <0.1% total harmonic distortion (1kHz); <0.1% intermodulation distortion (at 10% rated power 1kHz); -70dB crosstalk; 200W 8Ω stereo power (1kHz); 300W 4Ω stereo power (1kHz); and 500W 8Ω bridge power (1kHz).
‘I have mixed 20,000 songs on my classic studio monitors and they have become part of what I do,’ Lord-Alge says. ‘Every good pair of monitors needs a powerhouse of an amplifier to give you clear results. So now, thanks to Avantone Pro and the ears of CLA, we’re making available for the first time the return of a classically-designed amplifier for your studio. No longer do you need to take a chance on something used, old, and unreliable.’
Designed to be paired with CLA-10TM classic studio reference monitors, the amplifier works equally well studio monitors requiring serious dynamic range. It ships in Q3 2018 priced at US$799.
