EDGE
ELECTRONICS |
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Edge
Electronics
is an American company that has been in business since 1987.
Each component they manufacture is lovingly assembled by the
principals and just a few trusted highly-trained technicians.
The company is currently the only company in the world that
uses laser-biased transistors in their amplifier design.
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Sound |
| Why
are some astute listeners convinced that Edge amplifiers are
the best solid-state amplifier in the world today?
Perhaps it
is the speed - where notes just appear when they are supposed
to appear- rise and fall naturally and exactly as they should
in response to the music - and then die away, without
inappropriate lingering. Listening to most, if not all other
amplifiers, the listener may feel that the notes are being
dragged through molasses. Or perhaps the listener feels that
they ordered each note from a restaurant across town, the
restaurant was late with the delivery, had burnt the note in
the bargain, and the note, unfinished, had a lingering smell
the next morning.
Perhaps
it is the smoothness of the notes rendered by the amplifiers.
They are grown organically, as opposed to carved out of stone
in some kind of misbegotten caricature of the note right
out of Dante's Inferno - as so many solid-state amplifiers
have done in the past.
Perhaps
it is the dynamic capability - the ability to render the inner
dynamics which produces notes that sound so entertaining, so
real, just like when they were made by the musicians
themselves - that the listener is emotionally moved, and often
completely overwhelmed by their favorite music.
Or
perhaps it is the ability to sound like the finest tubed
amplifiers - speed, smoothness, inner detail but without the
2nd harmonic distortion, the heat (the Edge amplifiers run
cool), the maintenance and placement issues and all the issues
associated with most tubed designs at the extremes of the
frequency spectrum.
What we
have here is the realization of the promise of solid-state
amplifiers; conceived in the 1960s, and after 40 long years of
suffering, we finally have a maintenance free, family
friendly, general purpose amplifier that surpasses all but
perhaps the most ingenious, special-purpose tubed-amplifier
designs.
Solid-state amplification can finally sound as good or better
than the technology it is (supposed to have) replaced!
All we
know is that these amplifiers just simply have the ability to
present seamless, top to bottom, inside out, delicious music
without doing anything seriously wrong - unlike every other
solid-state amplifier in existence.
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Technology |
| The
Laser-Biased Transistor
The "NL"
series of amplifiers utilize EDGE proprietary Laser Optical
Bias Circuitry. This new circuit incorporates a 630 nm
wavelength laser in each channel operating directly on the
silicon substrate of the bias transistors. The
laser bias circuit in turn is part of a servo feedback
network. As the signal rises, the output of the laser
increases, and as the signal decreases the laser output falls.
This keeps the bias at the optimum operating point allowing a
10 fold increase in gain.
The
additional gain is achieved while maintaining signal
integrity (linearity) - at light speed - a first for
solid state amplification.
The
"NL" series also features oversize binding posts and up to 16*
low leakage snap lock 10,000 µF caps per channel. Also
the new low leakage / low field medical grade transformers are
housed in magnetic stainless steel enclosures for non
induction and low noise performance. Chassis
construction on these amplifiers is 1/2" thick 6061 aluminum,
held together with marine grade stainless steel machine
screws. Heat sinks machined from solid 6061 bar stock
keep transistors cool without fans. The output stages
utilize up to 32* N channel bipolar transistors for extremely
low output impedance.
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Portfolio |
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Edge has a
portfolio of amplifiers of a number of different pedigrees:
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History |
| Edge
has been in business making audio equipment since 1987.
Tom Maker standing behind
his Edge NL Reference and alongside Steven Norber's (also of
Edge) custom speaker.
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NL
REFERENCE
Amplifier |
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Bias
Circuit |
One 630 nm Bias Laser per channel |
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Output
Circuit: |
48
NPN Bipolar Transistors, 24 per channel |
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Power
Supply Filtration: |
280,000 µF: 14 x 10,000 µF per channel (uses
capacitors superior to that used in the NL
Signature One) |
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RMS
Power Output: |
800 Watts per channel @ 8 Ohms
1600 Watts per channel @ 4 Ohms
3200 Watts per channel @ 2 Ohms |
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Total
Harmonic Distortion: |
<0.01% |
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Transient Intermodulation Distortion: |
<0.01% |
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Slew
Rate: |
120 Volts per microsecond |
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Bandwidth: |
1Hz-150KHz , + 0 -2.5dB |
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Input
Impedance: |
30,000 Ohms |
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Input
Type: |
RCA, XLR |
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Output
Impedance: |
0.013 Ohms |
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Constant Current Capability: |
>100 Amps, >50 per independent channel |
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Dimensions: |
33" x 18" x 18" (HxWxD), 5" x 5" WxD at top |
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Weight: |
440 (220 lbs each) [Shipping weight: 580 lbs
crated] |
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DESCRIPTION |
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The NL Reference
monoblocks
are Edge Electronics'
statement amplifiers. These 800 watt, 185 lb.
monoblocks are very high voltage, very high current
output amplifiers. The Edge Reference monoblocks
continue the Edge Electronics' tradition of building
extremely efficient amplifier designs.
And one
has to keep in mind that these are Edge Electronics
watts, which are cleaner, faster, smoother and more
detailed than any other solid-state amplifier being
made today.
Up until
now, one had to use very large, 600 to 700 watt tube
amplifiers to product the kind of forceful and
overwhelming, yet pure and uncompressed crescendos
that are required by many types of music.
Unfortunately, large tube amps have problems in that
they generate large amounts of heat and use large
numbers of tubes that require maintenance after some
amount of time.
Most
solid-state amplifiers are usually harsh and
unpleasant to the ear, especially after extended
periods of listening, and even more so when listening
at loud volumes. As anyone knows who has heard any of
the Edge Electronics amplifiers, they have licked this
problem using their laser-biased transistors.
Finally,
those that want this level of performance but did not
want to sacrifice the conveniences of solid-state
amplification, now have the option to achieve their
dreams with the NL Reference. |
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RECOMMENDED USAGE |
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The NL
Reference monoblocks are excellent for systems that
want over the top performance on a level that only a
few people in the world have experienced. These
monoblocks take the performance of the NL Signature
Ones and extend it to the farthest reaches of what
humans have so far imagined. |
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TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS |
Dual
Chassis
Monoblock design
Four 2000 VA Toroidal transformers (two per chassis)
Each transformer operates at 96% efficiency.
Regulation equals 4%
Laser Source Front Panel Illumination (one per
chassis).
True balanced
circuit.
Dual toroid transformer-quad filar wound high nickel
content core w/electrostatic shield power supply.
Potted transformers in magnetic stainless steel can.
Dual bridge rectification. Laser biased, all "n"
channel bipolar output stage. |
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OPTIONS |
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Finish: powder-coated
or anodized aluminum. LED color: red, green, or blue. |
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MANUFACTURE AND
ASSEMBLY |
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UNCRATING & SETUP |
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REVIEWS |
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MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW PAGE |
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AWARDS |
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LINKS |
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OFFICIAL NL REFERENCE PAGE |
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OFFICIAL TECHNOLOGY PAGE |
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FAQ |
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PRICES |
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NL
Signature
One
Amplifier |
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Bias
Circuit |
One
630 nm Bias Laser per channel |
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Output
Circuit: |
64
NPN Bipolar Transistors, 32 per channel |
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Power
Supply Filtration: |
320,000 µF: 16 x 10,000 µF per channel |
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RMS
Power Output: |
400
Watts per channel @ 8 Ohms
800 Watts per channel @ 4 Ohms |
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Total
Harmonic Distortion: |
<0.01% |
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Transient Intermodulation Distortion: |
<0.01% |
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Slew
Rate: |
120
Volts per microsecond |
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Bandwidth: |
1Hz-150KHz , + 0 -2.5dB |
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Input
Impedance: |
30,000 Ohms |
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Input
Type: |
RCA |
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Output
Impedance: |
0.015 Ohms |
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Constant
Current Capability: |
83.32 Amps, 41.67 per independent channel |
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Dimensions: |
19.0" Deep x 15.0" Wide x 9.0" High |
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Weight: |
230
(115 Pounds each) |
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DESCRIPTION |
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The
NL Signature One monoblocks are the ultimate
amplifier in the line of NL amplifiers. While retaining
the overall character of the smaller NL amplifiers - the
speed, smoothness and micro-dynamics - the NL is just so
much better in all respects: the added power allows
notes, at all frequencies, to explode within the force
and passion that the music is demanding. There is much
more authority in each note, you can just hear when the
musician wanted to start the note, the emotion they
wanted in the note, and exactly when they wanted the
note to end. Essentially, it cleans up the many layered
window between musician and listener.
The NL
series amplifiers all use the same sized chassis and
only differ in their outward aesthetic design and, of
course, their internal electronics. The heatsinks on NL
Signature One are wavy in form, unlike its siblings. All
NL series amplifiers run only slightly warm to the touch
and contain no sharp edges, which makes them user,
family, placement, and summertime friendly.
"The EDGE
NL Signature One is the quintessential expression of
technology serving music. Using EDGE
proprietary
Laser Biased Control
circuitry this amplifier redefines "linear".
Massively constructed and well endowed throughout, it
becomes "invisible" in all situations. Use this
one for your most demanding audio reproduction
requirements." |
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RECOMMENDED USAGE |
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The NL
Signature Ones are excellent for systems that either:
need or want a lot of power, are too bright, the
listener would like to use tubes but cannot or does not
want to deal with tube's negative environmental issues
(heat, maintenance, foot-print), or those systems that
do not have enough PRaT (pacing, rhythm and timing). |
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TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS |
Dual
Chassis Monoblock design
with four 1500 VA Toroidal transformers (two per
chassis)
Each transformer operates at 96% efficiency. Regulation
equals 4%
Laser Source Front Panel Illumination (one per chassis) |
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OPTIONS |
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A clear
(see-through) polycarbon top is available that can be
ordered in addition to the solid (thick) metal top. This
top fits all NL amplifiers and the Signature One
preamplifier. |
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REVIEWS |
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MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW PAGE |
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AWARDS |
|
Class 1
rated - The Absolute Sound, Issue 138, October/November
2002 |
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LINKS |
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OFFICIAL SIGNATURE ONE PAGE |
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OFFICIAL TECHNOLOGY PAGE |
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FAQ |
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PRICES |
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NL-12
Amplifier |
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Bias
Circuit: |
One 630
nm Bias Laser per channel |
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Output
Circuit: |
24 NPN
Bipolar Transistors, 12 per channel |
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Power
Supply Filtration: |
160,000
µF: 8 x 10,000 µF per channel |
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RMS
Power Output: |
300 Watts per channel @ 8 Ohms
600 Watts per channel @ 4 Ohms |
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Total
Harmonic Distortion: |
<0.01% |
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Transient Intermodulation Distortion: |
<0.01% |
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Slew
Rate: |
120
Volts per microsecond |
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Bandwidth: |
1Hz-150KHz , + 0 -2.5dB |
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Input
Impedance: |
30,000
Ohms |
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Input
Type: |
RCA |
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Output
Impedance: |
0.03
Ohms |
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Constant
Current Capability: |
27.73 Amps |
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Dimensions: |
19.0"
Deep x 15.0" Wide x 9.0" High |
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Weight: |
103
Pounds |
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DESCRIPTION |
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"The EDGE
NL-12 Power Amplifier provides extraordinary wide
bandwidth amplification. Using EDGE
proprietary
Laser Biased Control
circuitry this amplifier redefines "linear".
Massively constructed, yet conservatively sized, the
NL-12, with a full 50% more available current than the
NL-10 will elevate your experience from "Listener" to
"Participant" in the medium of your choice. " |
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RECOMMENDED USAGE |
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The NL-12 is
excellent for systems that either: need or want a fair
amount of power, are too bright, the listener would like
to use tubes but cannot or does not want to deal with
tube's negative environmental issues (heat, maintenance,
foot-print), or those systems that do not have enough
PRaT (pacing, rhythm and timing). |
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TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS |
Dual Mono,
single chassis.
Two 1000 VA Toroidal transformers.
Each transformer operates at 96% efficiency. Regulation
equals 4% |
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OPTIONS |
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A clear
(see-through) polycarbon top is available that can be
ordered in addition to the solid (thick) metal top. This
top fits all NL amplifiers and the Signature One
preamplifier. |
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REVIEWS |
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MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW PAGE |
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LINKS |
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OFFICIAL NL-12 PAGE |
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OFFICIAL TECHNOLOGY PAGE |
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FAQ |
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PRICES |
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NL-10
Amplifier |
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Bias
Circuit: |
One 630
nm Bias Laser per channel |
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Output
Circuit: |
24 NPN
Bipolar Transistors, 12 per channel |
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Power
Supply Filtration: |
160,000
µF: 8 x 10,000 µF per channel |
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RMS
Power Output: |
225 Watts per channel @ 8 Ohms
450 Watts per channel @ 4 Ohms |
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Total
Harmonic Distortion: |
<0.01% |
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Transient Intermodulation Distortion: |
<0.01% |
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Slew
Rate: |
120
Volts per microsecond |
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Bandwidth: |
1Hz-150KHz , + 0 -2.5dB |
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Input
Impedance: |
30,000
Ohms |
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Input
Type: |
RCA |
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Output
Impedance: |
0.03
Ohms |
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Constant
Current Capability: |
27.73 Amps |
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Dimensions: |
19.0"
Deep x 15.0" Wide x 9.0" High |
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Weight: |
103
Pounds |
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DESCRIPTION |
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"The
EDGE NL-10 Power Amplifier 2000 & 2001 Golden Ear Award
winner. Using EDGE proprietary
Laser Biased Control
circuitry this amplifier redefines "linear".
Massively constructed, yet conservatively sized." |
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RECOMMENDED USAGE |
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The NL-10 is
excellent for systems that are too bright, the listener
would like to use tubes but cannot or does not want to
deal with tube's negative environmental issues (heat,
maintenance, foot-print), or those systems that do not
have enough PRaT (pacing, rhythm and timing). |
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TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS |
Dual
Mono, single chassis.
Two 1000 VA Toroidal transformers.
Each transformer operates at 96% efficiency. Regulation
equals 4% |
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REVIEWS |
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MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW PAGE |
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AWARDS |
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Class
2 rated and Best Buy - The
Absolute Sound, Issue 138, October/November 2002 |
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OPTIONS |
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A clear
(see-through) polycarbon top is available that can be
ordered in addition to the solid (thick) metal top. This
top fits all NL amplifiers and the Signature One
preamplifier. |
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LINKS |
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OFFICIAL NL-10 PAGE |
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OFFICIAL TECHNOLOGY PAGE |
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FAQ |
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PRICES |
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Signature
One
Pre Amplifier |
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Total
Harmonic Distortion: |
<0.001% |
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Transient Intermodulation Distortion: |
<0.001% |
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Slew
Rate: |
800
Volts per microsecond |
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Bandwidth: |
5Hz-300KHz, + 0/-0.1dB |
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Input
Impedance: |
50,000 Ohms |
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Output
Impedance: |
150
Ohms |
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Output
Buffering: |
None |
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Gain: |
28
dB |
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Rail
Voltage: |
±10
Volts following two stages of regulation |
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Input
Sensitivity: |
300
millivolts |
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Dimensions: |
14.0" Deep x 13.0" Wide x 5.0" High |
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Weight: |
33
Pounds |
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DESCRIPTION |
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"The EDGE
Signature One Preamplifier is the ultimate control
center of any custom system. With battery operated
true DC power supply and THD below 0.001% this component
will effortlessly resolve and unveil the most demanding
source material. Specifying EDGE
Laser Biased
Amplifiers
for your power needs assures flawless reproduction
at the limits of technology. " |
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RECOMMENDED USAGE |
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The
Signature One Preamplifier is excellent for systems that
want a battery-powered finesse but only want to deal
with a single-chassis. |
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TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS |
Battery
operated true DC power supply
Remote Volume Control |
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REVIEWS |
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MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW PAGE |
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AWARDS |
|
Class 2
rated - The Absolute Sound, Issue 138,
October/November 2002 |
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OPTIONS |
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A clear
(see-through) polycarbon top is available that can be
ordered in addition to the solid (thick) metal top. This
top fits all NL amplifiers and the Signature One
preamplifier. |
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LINKS |
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OFFICIAL SIGNATURE ONE PREAMP PAGE |
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OFFICIAL TECHNOLOGY PAGE |
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FAQ |
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PRICES |
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C
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P
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NL Reference |
Signature 1.1 |
NL-12.1 |
NL-10.1 |
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Bias Circuit |
One 630 nm Bias Laser
per channel |
One 630 nm Bias Laser
per channel |
One 630 nm Bias Laser
per channel |
One 630 nm Bias Laser
per channel |
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Output Circuit |
48 NPN Bipolar
Transistors, 24 per channel |
64 NPN Bipolar
Transistors, 32 per channel |
24 NPN Bipolar
Transistors, 12 per channel |
24 NPN
Bipolar Transistors, 12 per channel |
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Power Supply
Filtration |
280,000 µF: 14 x
10,000 µF per channel (uses capacitors superior to that used in
the NL Signature One) |
320,000 µF: 16 x
10,000 µF per channel |
160,000 µF: 8 x 10,000 µF per channel |
160,000 µF: 8 x
10,000 µF per channel |
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RMS Power Output: |
800 Watts per channel
@ 8 Ohms
1600 Watts per channel @ 4 Ohms
3200 Watts per channel @ 2 Ohms |
400 Watts per channel
@ 8 Ohms
800 Watts per channel @ 4 Ohms |
225 Watts per channel
@ 8 Ohms
450 Watts per channel @ 4 Ohms |
225 Watts per channel @ 8 Ohms
450 Watts per channel @ 4 Ohms |
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Total Harmonic
Distortion: |
<0.01% |
<0.01% |
<0.01% |
<0.01% |
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Transient
Intermodulation Distortion: |
<0.01% |
<0.01% |
<0.01% |
<0.01% |
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Slew Rate: |
120 Volts per
microsecond |
120 Volts per
microsecond |
120
Volts per microsecond |
120 Volts per
microsecond |
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Bandwidth: |
1Hz-150KHz , + 0
-2.5dB |
1Hz-150KHz , + 0
-2.5dB |
1Hz-150KHz , + 0
-2.5dB |
1Hz-150KHz , + 0 -2.5dB |
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Input Impedance: |
30,000 Ohms |
30,000 Ohms |
30,000 Ohms |
30,000 Ohms |
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Input Type: |
RCA, XLR |
RCA |
RCA |
RCA |
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Output Impedance: |
0.013 Ohms |
0.015 Ohms |
0.03
Ohms |
0.03 Ohms |
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Constant Current
Capability: |
>100 Amps, >50 per
independent channel |
83.32 Amps, 41.67 per
independent channel |
27.73 Amps |
27.73 Amps |
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Dimensions: |
33" x 18" x 18" (HxWxD),
5" x 5" WxD at top |
19.0" Deep x
15.0" Wide x 9.0" High |
19.0"
Deep x 15.0" Wide x 9.0" High |
19.0" Deep x 15.0"
Wide x 9.0" High |
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Weight: |
440 (220 lbs each)
[Shipping weight: 580 lbs crated] |
230 (115 Pounds each) |
103 Pounds |
103
Pounds |
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US retail price |
$125,000 |
$35,900 |
$18,500 |
$13,500 |
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