Gato Audio just announced the DIA-250 and DIA-400 Integrated Amplifiers with DAC, optical, coax and USB inputs for digital streaming direct from Apple iPod, iPhone, or iPad as well as any audiophile component. High quality analog input is via RCA connectors or via XLR connectors for true balanced signals. Both balanced and unbalanced line outputs are provided. Even the least powerful DIA-250 offers 250 watts per channel into 8 ohm loads, and the DIA-400 no less than 400 watts per channel. Both amplifiers double their power output into 4 ohm loads.
Modern Class-D technology enables extremely high efficiency, thereby providing both enormous power and huge voltage swing. Besides the obvious benefit of having this much power, the huge voltage swing from these powerhouses gives effortless dynamic headroom without clipping, all in the service of bringing you stunning musical performance.
The amplifier sections offer state of the art Class-D output stage with dedicated and optimized switch mode power supplies. The multiple stage power amplifier is built around proven technology from International Rectifier, optimized with a precision high frequency oscillator and PWM modulator. A pair of precision switching MOS-FET transistors, with super low on-resistance ensures the high frequency switching is done perfectly and with as little loss as possible. The output filters are made from quality PP capacitors and low DCR coils, converting the high power PWM signals back into detailed and smooth analogue music.
The built-in DAC offers real high end performance, enabled by the use of a dedicated power supply, a balanced-drive Burr-Brown PCM1794 D/A converter, an optimized high bandwidth I/V converter, and an analogue stage with low-Q, low pass filters. All digital inputs are upsampled to 24bit/192kHz. This D/A converter will upgrade any digital source — such as wired or wireless streaming from your computer or CD drive — to a high end level of detail and musical performance.
Price and Availability
The Gato Audio DIA-250 and DIA-400 (which look identical) are available from June 2013 and we offer three different design variants: High gloss black, white and walnut. Retail prices start from 3,250 EUR.
Specifications
| DIA-250 Output power | 2x 250 W / 8 Ω – 2x 500 W / 4 Ω |
| DIA-400 Output power | 2x 400 W / 8 Ω – 2x 800 W / 4 Ω |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz-20 kHz – 0.5 dB, and 2 Hz-700 kHz – 3 dB |
| Total Harmonic Distortion | < 0,01% at rated power |
| Signal to noise ratio | < 102 dB |
| Line out maximum level | 13V balanced, 6,5V unbalanced |
| Total Harmonic Distortion | < 0,001% pre out |
| Input impedance | 20 kΩ RCA or 40 kΩ Balanced |
| Line output impedance | 75 Ω |
| Voltage gain | 26 dB (+10 db headroom) |
| Recommended speaker load | 4 -16 Ω |
Connectors
| Balanced analogue inputs | 1 pair gold plated XLR Neutrik |
| Unbalanced analogue inputs | 2 pairs of gold plated RCA Stereo |
| Digital inputs | 1 pc USB type B, 1 pc Toslink, 1 pc RCA |
| Balanced analogue outputs | 1 pair gold plated XLR Neutrik |
| Unbalanced analogue outputs | 1 pair of gold plated RCA Stereo |
| Speaker output | 2 pairs of gold plated safety banana |
| Trigger, 12 V | 1 pc mini jack |
