m Pure Class-A operation delivers quality power: 20 watts × 2 into 8

ohms m Power MOS-FET output stage features 3-parallel push-pull

configuration and delivers linear power even into extremely low-
impedance loads m Current feedback design combines superb sound
quality with totally stable operation m Bridged mode allows use as a
monaural amplifier m Balanced inputs m Heavy-duty speaker terminals
 Pure Class-A goes straight for the heart of the music. The output stage uses
power MOS-FET devices arranged in a triple parallel configuration for each
channel. Ultra-linear power progression reaches down to very low impedance
loads: 80 watts × 2 into 2 ohms. Current feedback topology assures stability
and creates an utterly convincing sound stage. Gain control makes the
amplifier perfectly suited also for use as midrange/high-range amplifier in a
multi-amplifier system.

Accuphase power amplifiers are designed to

realize two major goals: very low output impedance Note 1 Low amplifier output impedance
(Note 1), and constant drive voltage (Note 2). As a The load of a power amplifier, namely the
result, Accuphase amplifiers are capable of driving loudspeaker, generates a counter-
any kind of speaker load with optimum results, electromotive force that can flow back into the
which is one of the reasons for the high praise that amplifier via the NF loop. This phenomenon is
these products invariably receive. The low influenced by fluctuations in speaker
impedance not only ensures accurate speaker impedance, and interferes with the drive
drive but also absorbs the counterelectromotive performance of the amplifier. The output Power MOS-FETs
force generated by the voice coil, thereby impedance of a power amplifier should
eliminating a major source of intermodulation therefore be made as low as possible by using most linear low-power range, which further
distortion. The overall result is a significant output devices with high current capability. contributes to sound quality.
improvement in sound quality. Figure 2 shows the output voltage/current charac-
The A-20V is a pure class-A amplifier which fully Note 2 Constant drive voltage principle teristics at various load impedances. Output volt-
implements these advanced circuit design Even in the presence of a load with wildly age is almost
principles. Another advantage is the use of power fluctuating impedance, the ideal power constant at
MOS-FET devices for further enhanced sonic amplifier should deliver a constant voltage various loads,
definition. In a pure class-A amplifier, the power signal to the load. When the supplied voltage meaning that
supply delivers a constant amount of power remains constant for any impedance, output current in-
regardless of the presence or absence of a music power will be inversely proportional to the creases lin-
signal. This means that the amplifier remains impedance of the load. A conventional early. Actual
unaffected by fluctuations in voltage and other amplifier can easily be made to operate in this measure-

Output current (A)

external influences. As a consequence of this way down to a load impedance of about 4 ments of clip-
design, the output stage produces considerable ohms. However, at 2 ohms and below much ping power
amounts of thermal energy, but in the A-20V this more substantial output reserves will be have yielded
is dissipated by extra-large heat sinks, to eliminate needed, which can only be sustained by an the following
the possibility of problems caused by internal heat extremely well designed and capable output figures, which
build-up. stage and a highly robust and powerful power impressively
The power MOS-FETs used in the output stage are supply section. To build such an amplifier is a demonstrate Output voltage (V)
* 1-ohm operation possible with music signals only
renowned for their superior sound and high reliability. task that requires not only considerable the more than
Because they exhibit negative thermal experience and resources, but also a thorough ample perfor- Figure 2 Load impedance vs. output power
mance of the (output voltage/output current)
characteristics, there is no danger of thermal reappraisal of basic tenets.
"runaway" as exists with bipolar transistors. Three A-20V: 1 ohm: 156 watts, 2 ohms: 126 watts, 4
pairs of these devices are arranged in a parallel Power MOS-FET output stage with two units in ohms: 85 watts, 8 ohms: 50 watts.
push-pull configuration for each channel. The result 3-parallel push-pull configuration delivers 80
is stable operation with ideal power linearity even watts into 2 ohms, 40 watts into 4 ohms, or 20 Current feedback topology prevents phase shifts
down to ultra-low impedances. watts into 8 ohms with outstanding linearity
The current feedback principle developed by The amplifying circuits in the A-20V use the cur-
Accuphase requires only minimal amounts of The output stage (Figure 1) uses power MOS-FETs rent feedback principle for negative feedback. At
negative feedback to ensure outstanding phase with negative thermal characteristics. Three pairs the input point of the feedback loop, the imped-
characteristics in the upper frequency range. This of these devices are arranged in a parallel push- ance is kept low and current detection is performed.
approach combines operation stability with excellent pull configuration for each channel. The result is A trans-impedance amplifier then converts the
frequency response. A gain control is provided which stable operation with ideal power linearity even current into a voltage to be used as the feedback
operates by modifying the NFB amount. This is down to ultra-low impedances. The parallel
useful for example in multi-amp systems where even connection cancels out impedance differences of Current
minimal amounts of noise in the medium and high individual devices, thereby minimizing residual (–) input adder
I/V
Output
Buffer Ampli-
frequency bands could be a problem. noise. It also allows using the MOS-FETs in their converter fier

Trans-impedance amplifier
(+) input
REGULATOR Buffer
Current NFB
network

Figure 3 Principle of current feedback amplifier

signal. Since the impedance at the current feed-

back point (current adder in Figure 3) is very low,
there is almost no phase shift. Phase compensa-
tion therefore can be kept at a minimum. A mini-
mal amount of NFB results in maximum improve-
BIAS
STABILIZER ment of circuit
CIRCUIT
parameters. The
(High)

result is excel-
lent transient re-
sponse and su-
Gain

perb sonic trans-

p a r e n c y,
REGULATOR
coupled with ut-
Frequency (High)
terly natural en- Figure 4 Frequency response with current feedback
Figure 1 Circuit diagram of amplifier section ergy balance. (response remains uniform also when gain changes)
Figure 4
shows frequency
response for different
gain settings of the current
feedback amplifier. The graphs
demonstrate that response remains uni-
form over a wide range.

NFB switching type gain control

The current feedback principle, which ensures low

them imper-
phase shift and high stability, allowed the design-
vious to the det-
ers to implement a gain control (–3 dB, –6 dB, –9
rimental influence of vi-
dB, –12 dB) which operates by altering the NFB
brations. n Power amplifier assembly
amount. Consequently, when gain is lowered the
noise floor also becomes with 3 parallel push-pull
Bridged operation mode creates a MOS-FETs (total 6 de-
lower, a desirable charac-
true monophonic amplifier with 160 watts vices for left and right
teristic especially when
into 4 ohms or 80 watts into 8 ohms channel) and current feed-
driving highly efficient back amplifier circuitry
speakers. It also is ad- mounted directly to mas-
Bridged mode means that the two channels of an
vantageous when using sive aluminum diecast
amplifier are driven with the same signal voltage
the A-20V as the heat sinks
but with opposite phase, and their output is
midrange/high-range unit
combined. The A-20V provides a switch
in a multi-amplified sys-
arrangement for bridged operation, which turns the
tem where separate amplifiers drive the individual
unit into a high-grade monaural amplifier capable
speaker units.
of delivering a full 160 watts into 4 ohms or 80
watts into 8 ohms.
Robust power supply with larg e power
transformer and high filtering capacity
Balanced connection reliably blocks induced noise
In any amplifier, the power supply plays a vital role
Balanced signal transmission means that the
since it acts as the original source for the output
output stage of a component supplies two signal
delivered to the
lines which have identical voltage but opposite
speaker. The A-20V, in
phase. Since any noise interference that has arisen
spite of its conserva-
during transmission will be present in both lines
tive 20 W/8 ohms x 2
with identical phase, such noise can be canceled
rating, employs a large
out, leaving only the pure original signal. Even with
400 VA power trans-
former housed in an long cable runs, the balanced connection principle
enclosure filled with vi- keeps the signal transfer completely free from any
kind of interference.
bration-damping mate-
rial. Two electrolytic ca-
pacitors, specially se- Large analog power meters
lected for their sonic
properties and each The large power meters have a peak hold
rated for 47,000 µF, function which lets the user easily monitor
provide ample filtering the output level of the rapidly fluctuating
capacity for the recti- music signal. Thanks to logarithmic
fied current. The ca- compression, the meters cover a wide
pacitors feature an dynamic range. A switch for meter
elastic soft coating operation and illumination control is also
which helps to make provided.
Major signal paths gold-plated Extra-large speaker terminals mono position is useful
for example to drive a
High-purity copper is commonly used in audio The oversize speaker terminals accommodate even center woofer in mono,
components for signal path lines. The A-20V goes very heavy-gauge or to obtain the same
one step further by providing gold-plating for speaker cable. The signal from both speaker
printed circuit board traces as well as for the input terminals are made outputs for driving a bi-
jacks and speaker terminals. This approach results of extruded high- amped speaker setup
in a distinct sonic improvement. purity brass and with separate amplifiers for the low and high fre-
are gold-plated for quency range.
utmost reliability
and minimum con-
tact resistance.
Molded caps are
provided to assure
proper insulation.

Easy switching between dual mono operation

and bridged connection

A mode selector makes it simple to switch between

Unbalanced connectors and balanced inputs dual mono, stereo, or bridged operation. The dual Assembly with protection circuitry, etc.

n FRONT PANEL A-20V Guaranteed Specifications

[Guaranteed specifications are measured according to the EIAJ standard RS-490]
A B m Continuous Average Output Power (20 - 20,000 Hz)
Stereo operation 180 watts per channel into 2 ohms
(both channels driven) 140 watts per channel into 4 ohms
120 watts per channel into 8 ohms
Monophonic operation 160 watts into 4 ohms
(bridged connection) 180 watts into 8 ohms

m Total Harmonic Distortion

Stereo operation (both channels driven) 0.05%, with 2-ohm load
0.02%, with 4 to 16 ohms load
Monophonic operation 0.02%, with 4 to 16 ohms load
(bridged connection)

m Intermodulation Distortion 0.003%

C D E m Frequency Response At rated output : 20 - 20,000 Hz +0, –0.2 dB

At 1 watt output : 0.5 - 160,000 Hz +0, –3.0 dB

m Gain (GAIN selector in MAX position) 28.0 dB (in stereo and monophonic operation)
n REAR PANEL
m Output Load Impedance Stereo operation : 2 to 16 ohms

H
Monophonic operation : 4 to 16 ohms
F G
m Damping Factor Stereo operation : 120
Monophonic operation : 60

m Input Sensitivity (with 8-ohm load)

Stereo operation 0.50 V for rated output
0.11 V for 1 watt output
Monophonic operation 1.00 V for rated output
0.11 V for 1 watt output

m Input Impedance Balanced : 40 kilohms

Unbalanced : 20 kilohms

m Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted) 110 dB with input shorted, at rated output

m Output Level Meters NORMAL : –40 to +3 dB and direct watt reading

–20dB : –60 to –17 dB and direct watt reading
H
9 J K
With logarithmic compression and on/off switch

m Power Requirements 120V/230V (Voltage as indicated on rear panel)

AC, 50/60Hz
A Left-channel power meter (dB scale) G Balanced inputs
m Power Consumption 160 watts idle
B Right-channel power meter (dB scale) a GND b Inverted (–)
250 watts in accordance with IEC-65
C Power METER OFF switch and range c Non-inverted (+)
selector H Left/right channel speaker output terminals m Maximum Dimensions Width 475 mm (18-11/16")
OFF NORMAL –20 dB I Mode selector Height 170 mm (6-11/16")
D POWER switch DUAL MONO NORMAL BRIDGE Depth 426 mm (16-3/4")
E GAIN selector J Input selector
m Weight 22.6. kg (49.8 lbs) net
MAX –3 dB –6 dB –9 dB –12 dB UNBALANCED BALANCED
27.0. kg (59.5 lbs) in shipping carton
F Unbalanced inputs K AC input connector (for supplied power cord) H

Remarks
H This product is available in versions for 120/230 V AC. Make sure that the voltage shown on the rear panel matches the AC line voltage in your area.
H The shape of the AC inlet and plug of the supplied power cord depends on the voltage rating and destination country.

m Specifications and design subject to change without notice for improvements.

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