AudioControl Embraces GaN Performance for New 70-Volt Amplifier Series

AudioControl is determined to expand its nearly 5-decade long legacy of best-in-class audio solutions by introducing a groundbreaking audio amplifier platform leveraging GaN (Gallium Nitride) semiconductors from GaN Systems. AudioControl engineers say they have created a circuit that establishes a new bar for power and sound quality, now available in the CM Series 4-channel, 3-channel, and 2-channel 70-volt Dual-Mode amplifiers.

Florida-based AAMP Global, a designer and manufacturer of vehicle solutions, has acquired AudioControl, the audio amplifier manufacturer, known for its high-performance range of solutions for automotive, residential, and commercial applications. Based in Seattle, WA for over 45 years, AudioControl, now as part of AAMP Global, will continue to provide premium entertainment solutions to automotive aftermarket installers, professional audio/video specialists and home technology integrators.

For those readers following the fascinating article series by Morty Tarr on "Cascodes, Folded Cascodes, and Current Mirrors," this final article in the series contains an additional section with important aspects of amplifier design. In the first two parts of this article series, Tarr discussed the technical merits of cascodes and related circuits. This useful addendum covers a simple test circuit for matching FET devices, the fascinating story of the Blowtorch Line Stage design, and additional notes on inverting and non-inverting amplifier stages and integrators. This article was originally published in audioXpress, December 2021.

Picking up where it left off with its CLA-200 Studio Reference Amplifier, a 200W RMS per channel Class A/B affair developed in close collaboration with GRAMMY Award-winning mix engineer Chris Lord-Alge, Avantone Pro now introduced its CLA-400 bigger brother — built the old-school way as a classically-designed Class A/B amplifier to bring about a dynamic, high-output, high-resolution, full-range system designed to be paired with large passive monitors demanding the highest amounts of power.

In Part 1 of this three-part article about circuit topologies that are used to provide specific functions for an amplifier design, the author discussed cascodes and folded cascodes. In this Part 2, he focuses on current mirrors and line stages. As the author writes, “As designers, we have many devices to choose from. Some devices are ideally suited to certain tasks. Other tasks require performance that is difficult to achieve. While many excellent devices exist today, ideal devices do not exist, except maybe in Spice simulations.” This article was originally published in audioXpress, October 2021.

For this audio electronics article, Morty Tarr wrote a fascinating exploration of circuit topologies that are used to provide specific functions for an amplifier design. Cascodes, folded cascodes, and current mirrors are some of these topologies, intended to improve the performance of the devices, but which also add complications. In the first of a three-part series, the author discusses cascodes and folded cascodes, useful to improve high-frequency response and device linearity.

Luxman announced a new stereo power amplifier that introduces the new LUXMAN Integrated Feedback Engine System (LIFES1.0) circuit. The new refined audio design is said to achieve the ideal balance between low distortion and effortless musicality using 3-stage Darlington equipped quadruple paralleled push-pull output modules. The Luxman M-10X replaces the classic M-900u of 2013 and joins the acclaimed D-10X digital player as flagship models that anticipate the company’s 100th anniversary in 2025.

Hypex Electronics, the specialist supplier in power amplifiers, power supplies and DSP solutions announced a new powerful UcD700 mono kit featuring its UcD technologies marketed under its DIYclassD brand - specifically for the DIY audio market. As the company explains, the Hypex UcD700HG with HxR amplifier module has been around for many years but was never offered as a DIY building kit before. Now, DIYclassD offers an easy to build 700 watts monoblock kit including all the necessary parts that users don't even need to solder.

This reference DIY project details of an upgrade construction for the legendary Hafler DH-220 lateral MOSFET power amplifier, which can also be used to upgrade other Hafler models or even inspire new designs. The design is implemented on two PCBs, one as a drop-in replacement for the original Hafler circuit board and another board that consolidates all of the output stage wiring and components within the heatsink and under the main PCB. After the authors detailed the design and performance of the DH-220C upgrade amplifier, in this second part of the article, Bob Cordell and Rick Savas discuss the construction and testing. This article was originally published in audioXpress, August 2021.

This article offers the first serving of an amazing DIY project from amplifier experts Bob Cordell and Rick Savas with an upgrade for the legendary Hafler DH-220 lateral MOSFET power amplifier. The design is implemented on two PCBs, one as a drop-in replacement for the original Hafler circuit board and the other as a new board that consolidates all of the output stage wiring and components within the heatsink and under the main PCB. This article was originally published in audioXpress, July 2021