Description
Open Box Anthem i225 Integrated Amplifier As usual our keep-it-simple philosophy lies front and center. The Integrated 225 is sleek, its outlook minimalist. It doesnt call attention to itself in any overt way yet when it sits in the A/V rack, you cant help noticing just how good it looks. The inside story is similar: high-quality component parts; critical inputs are buffered to prevent crosstalk; a combination active/passive EQ technology in the phono stage unlocks all of the magic hidden in those vinyl grooves … with a transparency, refinement and detail that should be far more expensive, but isnt.
HIGH-QUALITY, CLOSE-TOLERANCE PARTS
As with all Anthem components, the Integrated 225 boasts all parts of high quality and close tolerance, including metal film resistors and high-quality film signal capacitors. The result is the lowest possible total harmonic distortion plus noise. To prevent one source from interfering with another, critical inputs are individually buffered.
BUILT-IN PHONO STAGE
Designed specifically to accommodate todays high-quality Moving Magnet phono cartridges, the Integrated 225s built-in phono stage will delight even the most die-hard vinyl enthusiast. Since the job of the phono stage is to supply most of the gain, two factors are critical in achieving the highest level of playback quality: a superior approach to RIAA equalization and the quality of amplification used to step-up cartridge output to line-level voltage. The Integrated 225s phono stage benefits from a split active/passive equalization topology. Active equalization of the low-frequencies occurs at the 50 Hz and 500 Hz roll-off points (as defined by the RIAA equalization curve). At the 2122 Hz mark (also defined by the RIAA curve) however, high-frequency equalization remains passive. The original signal passes through the curve in tact and with perfect linearity; no musical information is lost or distorted and the nuances of the original recording remain completely preserved. In an effort to keep component parts to a minimum within the signal path, the non-inverting series feedback topology in this stage is designed around only two dual high-quality op-amps. The first provides all of the gain, while isolating the feedback network from the cartridge to ensure accuracy in frequency response. The second is configured as a buffer, isolating the equalization filter network from the volume control to prevent even the tiniest variation in frequency response when the volume level is adjusted. The final result? Exceptional retrieval of all of the magic hidden in those vinyl grooves … from a silent background emerges tight, accurate bass, lightning fast transients, and a high-frequency detail and extension that will leave the listener aching for more.
THE POWER WITHIN
The integrated 225s main power supply boasts an advanced generation toroidal transformer, a major contributor to the low-noise floor. This massive transformer is conservatively rated and designed with high rail voltage. It feeds two oversized (51 mm x 80 mm) low-ESL, low-ESR Nichicon filter capacitors employing a total capacitance of 30,000 microfarads. The main power supply also features ±15 V rails for the preamp audio circuits fed by two precision voltage regulators. An additional precision voltage regulator is used in the standby power supply. The Integrated 225s main power supply is active during on mode while standby power supply remains active in both on and standby modes. Input and voltage amplifier stages are a differential design, however the output power stage, the stage most crucial to ultimate playback, benefits from Anthems proven output stage topology: a fully symmetrical complementary Class AB design with three pair of high-quality bipolar output devices per channel. Designed to dramatically reduce distortion, this arrangement also ensures extreme linearity, effortless response and extensive bandwidth while minimizing power consumption.
HEATSINKS … COMPUTER-DESIGNED AND MO
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