Copland CTA-506 Amplifier

History, they had supposed, was linear and thermionic valves would certainly be well and actually part of it...

Not thus, it appears. As phonograph record has shown us, it is difficult to help keep a great technology down, and valves have at least something to offer in terms of the job of amplifying little electric signals into bigger ones goes. Copland's 016 Moller considers this, but rather than sell nostalgia to conduit and slipper equipped stick in the muds who develop their EL34s and covertly hanker for the return of the Home Service, he is develop a courageous new layout purposed to run KT120 electricity valves - a fresh version of the omnipresent 6550/KT88 ray tetrode.

Yes, proof positive the planet is not quite whirling on the axis that is same as the human race is designing valves! In a nutshell, think of this as a KT88 that is been to the fitness center and taken a span of steroids - it guarantees more electricity from the exact same old architecture...

The Danish firm described it's as 'a remarkable electricity valve having enormous grid cooling system and an extended plate construction', and a few say the KT120 is the most effective audio power tube in creation now. It's a plate dissipation rating (compare that together with the 50 W, the 42 W as well as the 35W of the 6550). Up to 300 mA current is drawn by the filament when compared to a stock' so direct fitment, and 88 - designed amp isn't advocated.

Really, tweaky kinds replacing their KT88s, happen to be finding this of late and observing as their power transformers begin glowing the same colour. The excess juice that the heaters of the brand new tube beverage is such that direct replacement of the 1956 bottle using the 2010 version is not a great notion. Instead, the KT 120 needs a unique bespoke 'ecosystem' with function-designed electricity on faucet - just what the CTA-506 offers.

The storage capacitors are the capability of the ones employed for the older CTA-505 to satisfy the increased present need of the recent output phase. Also, active voltage regulation of motorist sections and the amplifying has been executed in this new amp.

The CTA-506 is quite a distance from being merely a circuit that is simple, afterward. Six 12BH7 Electro-Harmonix tubes take good care of motorist and phase inversion responsibilities, with buffering to partition the load in the electricity valves courtesy JJ ECC81. Last but not least, four Tung-Sol KT 120s in set ultra-linear shape are maintained to give triodes' low distortion united using the power.

The brand new layout talks to the animal spirits of each tube amp lover who adores and knows tube sound but honestly could do with more!

The carton weighs an osteopath-friendly 26kg and is bulky also. The rear panel sports both 4 and 8ohm faucets for loudspeakers, along with a selection of single-ended RCA phono or balanced XLR input signals, as well as the standard mains IEC outlet. Copland has supplied an added 'Light' it clicks on and, lo and behold, the case's interior illuminates red to uplight all those glass bottles that are radiant.

Probably drawing little current, and emitting what felt like similar amounts of heat to your Colossus electronic computer, it did not take long for the CTA-506 to warm up. A good approach to describe it's then imagine the exact reverse and to invoke the memory of the soft, opulent, silken demonstration of a classic Quad II. The Copland is a ballbreaker of intent, all ability and a tube amplifier with no notion for the vagaries of tube sound that is conventional.

Listening to the CTA-506 reminds one just how weak kneed most tube amps are; it is the output signal transformers becoming saturated as the fat breakfast if it is not the valves working much too near the border. Those powerful piano cadences, strong enough to make tube amps that are lesser wilt, are a mere bagatelle with this Herculean high-ender. Without shedding so much as one bead of perspiration that is electronic, the Copland relaxes transfers your loudspeaker bass speaker units from the required amount and moves them.

As its portrayal of a kick drum carries, nevertheless, you are not misled into believing you're listening to some sound-stater. This, the Charles Atlas of the world that is thermionic, lacks the capability to produce bass transients using a blade's sharpness. That is not by no means pleasant it simply gives a mild extra weight to the low end the CT-506 isn't actually eligible for call its own. Transistor amp owners are going to recoil in terror, whereas tube aficionados will undoubtedly break out into a smile crossing one ear.

Move as much as the group, and there is no denying the Copland's provenance that is excellent. This amplifier is actually quite open whereas smaller tube amps can sound such as the audio equivalent of a May morning mist. True, it might be stretching credulity to speak when it comes to 'forensic foil', as a subtle opacity constantly lingering in the distant reaches. Yet the Copland manages to unpick quite generations that are thick using a consummate ease.

Lesser amplifiers, particularly those of the luminous glass assortment, often turn it into a plain, distended morass. It is not dirty musical also - a trick that few amplifiers of persuasion that is either solid state or thermionic manage. Part and parcel with this is solid imaging and its excellent: the amp locks individual strands of the mixture within their right position, never letting them waver.

In the light that is unkindest, one might say there is only the merest hint 'stereo broad' about the Copland. The backing musicians 'Diamond Life' appeared a little further than is standard, giving a grand sense, yet one not altogether true, maybe. Go back to everything and a great solid state amp snaps into focus that is smaller, and tighter, - somehow all is both clearer yet beguiling.

It is not your standard tube convention of sucrose combined using a touch of fructose - instead the CT-506 efforts an open, neutral top end with little of the ritualistic coloration discovered on tube amps expressed with less noble purposes at heart. The hihat work that is breathless was a delight to behold, the amplifier throwing out only the correct number 'ting', whilst preventing 'tizz'. It was tight also, revealing some deft footwork - there was a real awareness of urgency.

In case you can find criticisms to be produced, you can lambast the CTA-506 for its somewhat 'workmanlike' strategy to beats - it lacks that final few percentage of rhythmic hold which transfers the music from a thoroughly satisfying auditory encounter to an almost unnatural one - where you see yourself whisked up on a tide of emotion and went for your very soul. Rather, the Copland carries on in 120's quite Danish manner: it is clear and wonderful and clean, though never shocks you with all the power and glory of a piece to your very bone marrow.

Copland's CTA-506 is a strong, big hearted performer that's inept loudspeakers in the way in which unfazed that traditionally just a huge transistor power amp may be, also it seems musical and smooth also.

Copland CTA-506 Amplifier photo