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Audio -
Separates
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Written by Michael Lankton
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Friday, 25 January 2008 |
 Component maker B&K has quietly slipped three class D 2 channel amps onto their website, the B&K AV 30.2, the B&K AV 60.2 and the B&K AV 100.2.
The three amps all share the same form factor, a diminuitive 2.5"x5.44"x9.25". The 100 watt B&K AV 100.2 barely tips the scale, weighing in at a mere 7.5 pounds. The three amps' power rating is reflected in the designation: 30 watts for the AV 30.2, 60 watts for the AV 60.2 and 100 watts for the AV 100.2. All three amplifiers double-down at 4 ohms, making 60, 120 and 200 watts respectively. Peak current capacity is not what their class AB cousins enjoy, with the 100 watt B&K AV 100.2 rated at a low-ish 20 amps. No pricing on this trio of low power consumption class D amplifiers.
Class D. The herd is halfway there, with more and more manufacturers jumping on the low distortion/low power/low heat class D bandwagon. B&K has been making what is arguably the best dollar for dollar class AB amps for years, with their Reference 200 series capable of an awe inspiring 75 amp peak current capacity. That muscle comes with a price though, as the class AB B&K's are big, heavy and double as space heaters. Will we soon see a new line of multichannel class D amplifiers from B&K?
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