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Carot One Ernestolo Class D Tube Amplifier

post #1 of 7
12/15/10 at 12:25pm
Thread Starter 

Quirky orange tube hybrid amplifier anyone?

 

As a relative newbie to this website I thought that this quirky Italian tube hybrid amp would interest readers.

 

carot_one_front_and_back.jpg

The observant amongst you will have already spotted the line in and headphone out on the front panel. Side on, the casing is split to separate the pre and amplifier sections. Specifications are thus -

 

  Specification of the Amplifier Unit

  • Amp IC Tripath TA20424
  • Output power: 2x15W @4ohm, 2x6W @8ohm(RMS)
  • Headphone frequency response: 15 Hz - 100 kHz -1db
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
  • Power Output: 3.0 Watts per channel on 33 Ohm
  • Input Impedance: 10k Ohms
  • Input Audio: CD IN RCA (Left/Right) x 1 [3Vpp max.]

 

Specification of the Pre-Amplifier

  • Vacuum Tube: 6DJ8/6922 series or 12AU7 series (exchangeable)
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): 92dB
  • THD + Noise: 0.05% @ 10k ohm 0.15% @ 33 ohm
  • Input Audio: CD IN RCA (Left/Right) x 1 [3Vpp max.]
  • Power Socket: (5.5mm/2.1mm) x 1
  • Output Audio: OUT 3.5mm x 1
  • Headphone: OUT (3.5mm) x 1
  • Knob Audio and power switch x 1: Power Indicator, (Blue LED under Tube Socket) x1, Volume Knob x 1
  • Power Supply: DC 12V-13V (max.)5A
  • Dimensions: (W)76mm x (H)60mm x (D)100mm

Despite an intensive web crawl I apologise for failing to locate the amp manufacturers website, although aloaudio and cyro-parts both stock this amp for $349. There is a precursory review online by an antipodean website and a short video interview with the company founder.

 

Hope that this whets your appetites and if any head-fi members own this bronzed beauty, PLEASE submit a review soonest.

 

Kind regards,

 

Andrew.

 

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post #2 of 7
12/15/10 at 5:18pm

Yikes, 3 Watts per channel for a headphone output?!?

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post #3 of 7
12/16/10 at 2:24am
Thread Starter 

I noticed that too, seems somewhat excessive, but could be fun if you're a head banger! 

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post #4 of 7
12/16/10 at 9:42am

That would fry most typical headphones, but would probabyl be good for those inefficient orthos. I'm surprised it puts out that much power in such a small package... I'm guessing the headphone output is just a resistor tap off the speaker outputs.

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post #5 of 7
12/26/10 at 12:37pm

just got one, burning it in currently and its sounding amazing, auditioning speakers but haven't found anything promising, suggestions?

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post #6 of 7
12/26/10 at 9:43pm

It appears the headphone is driven from the tube only, and not a tap from the speaker outputs.  The power supplies to the preamp and amp are separate, and the device even requires a mini to mini cable to connect to the preamp to the amp (strikes me as a bit silly, but whatever).  The pictures on ALO's website show the preamp and headphone amp as a single unit, with the amp an altogether different unit, which agrees with the manual.  The tube pre appears to drive a TI op amp of some sort - suspect this is why the headphone amp is so powerful.  

 

Zu speakers mate rather well with tripath amps - suggest you find a pair to try out.  They have some fantastic specials running right now!

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post #7 of 7
1/8/13 at 2:10am

Wow, 3Watt to power headphones.

I wonder if they where thinking of the rather inefficient HiFiman Headphones (edit, I looked it up - they are called HE-6 right?) when they did that. Anyone tried that combo?

 


Edited by bedlam inside - 1/8/13 at 2:31am
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