SCHIIT AUDIO AEGIR

The world’s only scatalogically named company, Schiit Audio, has released a new 20-watt per channel amplifier that uses ‘constanttransconductance topology’ circuitry. (A transconductance amplifier is one whose output current is proportional to the voltage at its input, rather than the output voltage being proportional to the input voltage.)

Called the Aegir, this new amplifier from Schiit Audio uses a completely discrete, fully complementary, current-feedback, linear power supply and an ‘intelligent’ microprocessor management system that means that there need be no coupling capacitors or d.c. servos in the signal path and also that the microprocessor can take care of output stage protection, rather than some circuit solution.

The power supply itself is completely linear, with a 600VA transformer, 150,000μF of filter capacitance, and five regulated power supply rails. ‘ Our first Continuity speaker amplifier extends the benefits of linear transconductance beyond Class-A, resulting in a cooler-running, more affordable amplifier,’ said Jason Stoddard, Schiit Audio’s co-founder. ‘ Both Bob Cordell and John Broskie have long discussed the problem of transconductance droop in Class-AB amplifiers. Our unique Continuity technology, introduced with the Lyr 3 headphone amplifier last year, addresses both transconductance droop and the inevitable mismatch between NPN and PNP output devices.’

Although power output into 8Ω loads is specified as 20-watts per channel Schiit says the Aegir will deliver 40-watts per channel into 4Ω loads and, if you’d prefer more power, can be configured as a monobloc, in which case it’s rated to deliver 80-watts into a single 8Ω loudspeaker… though you’ll then need two of them for stereo. The specifications put the frequency response at 3Hz–500kHz (–3dB) and channel separation at >105dB at 1kHz, with both THD and IMD at less than 0.01%. The signal-to-noise ratio is specified as being more than 114dB (A-weighted).

The Schiit Aegir has unbalanced inputs when you’re using it as a stereo amplifier and a single balanced input when you’re using it as a monobloc. This is because Schiit has configured the Aegir so that in its monobloc mode, each channel is driven with one half of a balanced signal. This configuration means that your preamp needs to have true differential balanced outputs, not just unbalanced outputs connected by XLR terminals… and yes, Virginia, some pre-amps do this. (Schitt suggests you use its Freya preamp, which has true balanced outputs.) For more information, contact Addicted to Audio on 1300 888 602 or (03) 9810 2900 or at www.addictedtoaudio.com.au