The Bravo Reference Power Amplifier

The Bravo Amplifier is a 350W stereo power amplifier with a separate power supply. Like its pre-amplifier partner the Spirito, the Bravo offers a level of transparency and musicality that is state-of-the-art.

The amplifier can be converted to a mono amplifier and operate in either of two modes - Internal Bridge Mode or Internal Parallel Mode. Internal Bridge mode is better suited for high impedance loudspeakers (4 ohms and above) that require more voltage. Internal Parallel Mode is better suited for lower impedance loudspeakers (4 ohms and below) requiring more current. The picture at right shows a Bravo (top) with its power supply underneath.

The use of a separate power supply prevents Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) produced by the mains transformer and other inductive components from having any effect on the audio circuitry. The Bravo power supply is uses what is referred to as an Inductor Input System. This avoids the high peak current demands that would be placed on the mains supply by a conventional power supply design and therefore minimises inter-modulation distortion on the power supply “rails” and ground returns. It is also relatively unaffected by power supply voltage variations compared to conventional designs. An additional benefit of this technique is that it reduces the stress on the key power supply components, leading to higher reliability and longer life.

Viola amplifiers are designed to ensure highly controlled behaviour under all conditions of use. Particular care has been paid to the overload conditions that are often encountered under normal use. Soft clipping circuitry is used to limit sonic degradation if the amplifier is overdriven (voltage overload). Bandwidth control results in nearly identical small signal and large signal frequency responses. This approach avoids slew rate limiting (frequency overload). In order to ensure accuracy in the time domain, the bandwidth control has a flat group delay characteristic. This implies a linear phase verses frequency relationship and means that all signals pass through the amplifier with the same amount of delay. In plain English the output signal looks exactly like the input signal, only bigger.

 Great efforts have been made to minimise distortion at lower frequencies, because the majority of energy is encountered at these frequencies in most music. Obtaining low distortion without the use of large amounts of corrective feedback requires the use of more output devices and more refined lower level stages.

An innovative method of chassis construction allows all fixing screws to be hidden from sight.

Brief Specifications:

Output Power:

350W per channel into 8Ω

700W per channel into 4Ω

1,200W continuous average power into 8Ω when in Bridged Mode

2,500W continuous average power into 1Ω when in Parallel Bridged Mode

Inputs: 1 x Balanced, 1 x Fischer

Outputs: 3 pairs of WBT terminals per channel

Frequency Response: 10Hz to 20kHz ± 0.15dB  /  10Hz to 100kHz, -3dB

Power Bandwidth: 5Hz to 100kHz

THD: Less than 0.1% @ 20kHz and 350W

SN Ratio -105dB @ 1kHz 350W, C weighted

Dimensions:

Amplifier: 44.7cm W x 23.5cm H x 66cm D

PSU: 44.7cm W x 23.5cm H x 66cm D

Weights:

Amplifier: 39 kg

PSU: 57kg

For more information, visit the Viola Labs website at www.violalabs.com 

For pricing and queries contact Aeolian at (011) 487 2254