PERREAUX 255i INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
Perreaux has released a new integrated amplifier, the 255i, which it says is the most powerful Class-AB integrated amplifier it has ever built, being rated at 250-watts continuous per channel into 8 and 500-watts continuous per channel into 4 .
The new Perreaux 255i can optionally be fitted with a 32-bit/384kHz DAC and a phono preamplifier which can accommodate both moving-magnet (MM) and moving-coil (MC) cartridges. The 255i has three separate power transformers and four independent power supplies. According to Martin van Rooyen of Perreaux: ‘ The 255i is designed to handle difficult speaker loads. Its MOSFET output stage is capable of continuously delivering a genuine 360-watts into an 8 load and 530-watts into 4 , so it will drive difficult speakers with ease, producing controlled, quality audio.’
On the rear panel, the 255i has one balanced line-level input (via XLR) and four unbalanced line-level inputs (via RCA). The front panel includes a line-level auxiliary input via 3.5mm socket and a headphone output via 6.5mm socket. You can also bypass the preamplifier section of the 255i and connect directly to the power amplifier via an ‘Amp In’ pair of RCA sockets.
The optional DAC/Phono module uses the top-of-the-line ESS Technology ES9038PRO Sabre DAC and has two coaxial digital inputs, two optical inputs and a USB input. The coaxial and optical inputs can handle up to 32-bit/192kHz, while the USB input goes up to 32-bit/384kHz and also handles DSD 64, 128, and 256. This new DAC/ Phono module can also be factory retrofitted to the Perreaux 150i and 250i integrated amplifiers as an upgrade.
All functions on the 255i are controlled by a microprocessor, accessed via front-panel pushbuttons and rotary encoder. The amplifier’s operational status is clearly shown via a large LCD display. Volume and balance is done via microprocessor-controlled resistor banks, so there are no noisy potentiometers in the signal path.
The microprocessor also monitors the amplifier’s output stage to protect it against mains power in-rush, over-current, over-temperature, d.c. offset, internal a.c. supply variations and d.c. at the output. ‘ The protection is non-invasive and does not degrade the signal path’, said van Rooyen. ‘ You really need to audition this amplifier to appreciate its innate sound quality,’ said Mark Gusew of BMC Wholesale, which distributes Perreaux in Australia. ‘ The amount of top-to-bottom control over the speaker is remarkable—with inherent speed and dynamics. This is one of the most musical amplifiers you will ever hear!’ The Perreaux 255i retails for $7,995, with the optional DAC/Phono upgrade at additional cost, and is available now. For further information, please contact BMC Wholesale on (03) 8683 9910 or visit the website at www.bmcw.com.au