The next Class A/B amp collaboration with GRAMMY® Award-winning mix engineer Chris Lord-Alge
Big brother to the CLA-200 Studio Reference Amplifier – 200W RMS per channel Class A/B – the CLA-400 can generate over 400W per channel into an 8Ω load, lending its use as a perfect fit for medium to large passive monitors in a studio environment where its standard 3U (483mm W x 133mm H x 487mm D/19” W x 5.25” H x 18” D) rack-mount chassis conveniently comes into its own. Of course, the CLA-400 clearly warrants pairing with large passive monitors that demand the highest amounts of power that it is duly designed to deliver from the ground up.
Ultimately, then, the CLA-400 is a dynamic, high-output, high-resolution, full-range system built the old-school way — as a classically-designed Class A/B amplifier. As such, Avantone Pro paid particular attention to creating an amplifier in the traditional studio style, with ample analog VU (Volume Unit) meters, high-quality Japanese components, and a serious toroidal transformer linear power supply, as well as implementing a classic bipolar transistor design delivering a robust bottom end. Extremely low distortion, steady performance under harsh conditions, and open and transparent sound attributes all combine to make the CLA-400 an obvious choice for discerning studios seeking serious dynamic range.
Notable no-compromise components notwithstanding, it is worth noting that the CLA-400’s convection-cooled design makes for silent operation. So since there is obviously no fan noise involved as a result, it can reside in the same location as the passive monitors to which it is providing power — perfectly suited to installation in studio control rooms, in other words. Indeed, it is designed to be used in a studio environment requiring high power output with no fan noise.
Needless to say, the CLA-400 capably delivered a powerful 400W into 8Ω under test conditions, while it is also worth noting that it can run at one third power without thermal fault — findings borne out by its impressive tech specs:
- 8Ω stereo power (1kHz): 360W
- 4Ω stereo power (1kHz): 540W
- 8Ω bridge power (1kHz): 760W
- slew rate (at 1kHz): 28V/us
- input sensitivity (1kHz): 0.775V (0dBU)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (1kHz): <0.1%
- intermodulation distortion (at 10% rated power 1KHz): <0.1%
- crosstalk: -70dB
- frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz +/-0.5dB
- frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz +/-0.5dB
- input impedance: 20KΩ (balanced)/10kΩ (unbalanced)
- damping factor(100Hz, 8Ω): 250
- signal-to-noise ratio (A Weighted): >103dB.
Time to make some room in a suitable studio rack and make an attentive return to passive monitoring, maybe? After all, Avantone Pro puts out 800W of reference-grade power with its all-new CLA-400 studio reference amplifier built the old- school way, weighing in at a reassuringly solid 22.2kg (49lb)!
Where to buy: 
The CLA-400 is available at Avantone Pro’s US Dealers (http://www.avantonepro.com/us-dealers.php) with a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of $1,199.00 USD. (European SSP — Suggested Selling Price — is €1,199.00 EUR, excluding VAT, with worldwide Distributors listed by country here: http://www.avantonepro.com/worldwide.php)
For further information, please visit the dedicated CLA-400 webpage here: http://www.avantonepro.com/cla-400.php
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