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M150 CLASS A MONOBLOC AMPLIFIER

As with every Audible Illusions component, the M150 Amplifier represents the sum of our efforts over years of research and development.

Up to the mid-1980's we continued to manufacture tube amplifiers. We probably would be still producing them today had MO Valve, Ltd. continued manufacturing their reliable, KT88 Gold Lion tube. Not wanting to produce a product with inferior tubes we made the difficult decision to develop a solid-state amplifier.

In 1989, we introduced the highly regarded S120 Stereo Amplifier which proved a solid state amplifier could sound like real music. Unfortunately, in trying to produce a cost-effective product, compromises had to be made. The most serious was in not designing the amplifier with more Class A capability.

In the intervening years, we’ve been quietly working on our "next-step" in amplifier design. As always, our goal is to provide the clearest "window" into the musical performance. Timbral accuracy, excellent reproduction of dynamic contrasts, transparency and a wide-deep sound stage with pinpoint image specificity have long been hallmarks of our product designs. To accomplish these goals we "pushed the envelope" in solid state design. The Class A M150 is the result of our labor.

In representing a major movement forward in maintaining the purity of the musical waveform, frequency and phase anomalies, as found in two-channel designs, are completely eliminated. In keeping with our design philosophy that "simpler is better", this amplifier has a minimum of gain stages, no servo-correcting circuits and minimum negative feedback. Circuit design is direct-coupled employing a differential JFET input stage with a source-follower. The ultra-fast, high-current bipolar output transistors are biased "fully-on" which guarantee maximum linearity.

As with the S120, the M150 features innovative aluminum chassis construction adapted from the aircraft industry. Its circuit boards are mounted on vertical panels within a rigid framework. This improves parts accessibility and vibration isolation. Sized to fit a standard rack-mount space, the amplifier also has both front and rear, machined handles to facilitate handling. The M150 accepts both single-ended and balanced inputs for connection to any preamplifier.

The M150 features a dual-toroid 1000 watt/1kva power supply with choke input filter network to insure maximum common-mode noise rejection. The amplifier will remain stable into any capacitive or reactive load and will drive almost any exotic speaker. Oxygen-free copper busbars connect the large power supply capacitors and short lengths of OFC wiring connect the mil-spec circuit boards. Only the highest quality parts are used.

With all the power and control associated with a quality solid state design this amplifier is also capable of revealing the delicacy and subtle nuances in music previously attainable only in the finest tube designs. With the new M150, Audible Illusions has once again raised the standard for superb sonics and quality of construction.