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LINN UNVEIL NEW CHAKRA POWER AMPLIFIER RANGE
February 2005
Linn’s new CHAKRA Power Amplifier Range is a series of high performance power amplifiers built around Linn’s latest CHAKRA power amplifier topology. Comprising a total of eight individual models, suited for a variety of applications from stereo to multi-channel and from passive to AKTIV, the CHAKRA range is designed to offer consistent performance, controlled ‘silent power’ and pure sound in virtually any performance entertainment system.
The range comprises the following models split by power output and number of channels:
|
Power Output (per channel) |
Number of Channels |
| C2100 |
100 W |
2 |
| C3100 |
100 W |
3 |
| C4100 |
100 W |
4 |
| C5100 |
100 W |
5 |
| C6100 |
100 W |
6 |
|
| C2200 |
200 W |
2 |
| C3200 |
200 W |
3 |
| C4200 |
200 W |
4 |
CHAKRA is a simple but highly innovative design, perfected by Linn through precision engineering. It offers significantly increased power, reliability and efficiency, whilst at the same time producing less heat, less distortion and using fewer components. In short, the new CHAKRA amplifier topology is superior in every parameter through simplicity.
The CHAKRA topology was conceived as a direct result of more than five years continuous development of Linn’s high-power monolithic amplifier circuits. It represents a breakthrough in power amplifier technology by successfully combining the relative merits of two disparate amplifier designs, Monolithic and Bipolar. This approach in itself is not a new idea, but Linn’s execution of the monolithic to bi-polar transition is truly unique, and a patent application for the design has been submitted. When output current is less than a few amps, all of the power output comes from the monolithic, maximising the speed and linear properties of this design. At higher output currents the bi-polars provide the majority of the output current, leaving the monolithic to operate well within its capability and so able to correct any error instantaneously. Even under extreme overload conditions, like short circuit, the monolithic never delivers more than a fraction of its safe output, while separate circuitry protects the bi-polars. So with current output virtually unlimited, CHAKRA offers robust and powerful low-frequency response down to near DC.
Throughout the new range, Linn’s proprietary, audio-optimised Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS) technology generates stable, low noise power rails for the audio circuitry, with higher mains noise isolation and efficiency than the very bulky and noisy conventional power supplies.
All models are available with either Balanced XLR or RCA Phono input connectors and feature 4mm binding posts for loudspeaker connectors using 4mm banana plugs and 6mm or 8mm spades. In addition, models throughout the range are capable of housing AKTIV crossover cards for active configuration with Linn loudspeakers.
The new range of CHAKRA Power Amplifiers is scheduled for launch in June 2005 and will be available from Linn Elite Retailers, Specialist Retailers and Custom Specialists world-wide. For more information on the technical breakthroughs made in the CHAKRA technology, see the CHAKRA White Paper.
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