Review: Audiovalve Solaris – Oh Baby!

Features & Specs

http://www.audiovalve.info/solaris/2015%20solaris%20eng.pdf

– consequent dual mono design
– 2x 0.15mm copper for top and bottom layer
– multi VIA layer grounding basis, pcb design based on the theoretical principles of the “kelvin-wiring”
– heavy 3 mm laser cut steel case – coated
– clipping indicator (shows faulty tubes or overload)
– 8 power tubes (4 per channel) – 6GV18 (6F5P)
– full automatic DC/AC servo biasing
– multi match transformers (PIKATRON) included
– power output mode selector for: IMP – OTL – STAX modes
– ALPS volume remote control
– Balance pot. +/- 3dB
– green illuminated main power switch for power ON mode
– heating and plate voltage “soft start” circuit
– headphone protector circuit
– reversible heating / plate current limiter
– installed OPA 134
– highly accurate implemented stereo MM phono module – “old school design”

– OTL – Output Transformer Less tube amplifier (design 1982)
– double mono construction
– power output: each channel 12 watt sin at 220R load in OTL mode
– bandwidth: 15 – 100,000 hz
– damping 3600
– s/n ratio 100 dB
– distortion 0.002 % at 1 watt – 200 Ohm load
– max. OTL – mode: output 120 VAC eff
– max. STAX – mode: output 480 VAC
– gain: OTL mode 34dB, STAX +12dB by output transformer ratio
– gain switch for all modes: +8dB
– input sensitifty. 0dBm, resistance 47k
– bias voltage: 300 + 580 VDC
– IC – full autom. – controlled bias – Class-A mode
– patented full automatic servo tube biasing
– power consumption min. 100 watt
– size 360 depth x 320 width x 140 height mm
– weight 10kg

LOW IMPEDANCE mode:

Test load 4Ω: (6 Watt an 8Ω/channel)

bandwide: 15 – 100.000 Hz

damping: 15

min. load 4 Ω

gain IMP: 34dB – 15,5 dB = 18,5 dB gain Stax: 34dB – 9,5dB = 24,5 dB

OTL mode:

Test load 220Ω. ( 8 Watt an 100-400Ω/channel)

bandwide: 12 – 150.000 Hz

damping: 3200 (220 Ω)

gain 0: 34 dB

gain +: 42 dB

max. load 2000 Ωs

STAX mode:

( Step-UP-transformer )

bandwide: 15 – 100.000 Hz

Bias: 300V+580 VDC

Vout: max: 470 VAC rms

gain IMP 0: 34 dB + 6 dB = 40 dB

gain IMP +: 42 dB + 6 dB = 48 dB

gain Stax 0: 34dB +12 dB= 48 dB

gain Stax +: 42dB +12 dB= 54 dB