Maestro Duecento SE Integrated amplifier

MAESTRO: music machines
The Maestro series represents the highest expression of Audio Analogue technology applied to music reproduction.. Audio Analogue has optimized the whole signal paths, aiming mainly at an extreme components choice: very tight tolerance resistors, highest attention for interfacing, MIL grade components, oversized supplies.

The idea behind the designers’ work talks about a detailed sound that, without wasting any detail, provide for a high emotional involvement: the recreated virtual space, the texture control at low frequencies, the smooth presence in the mid range and the airy purity of the high frequencies, all make for the sound of the Maestro Series to be the closest approach to the desirable possible sound reproduction.

The style of the Maestro is that of a product by the highest formal synthesis, yet revealing the exceptional quality of its contents: the front panel’s shape with the central protrusion is an imagery fo the sound that these equipment deliver to the environment around them.

The insightful usability of the equipment has been one of the primary targets Audio Analogue’s designers have pointed to: a metal like alunimum, that apadt itself by discreetly reflecting the colours from the surrounds, the immediate ease of the controls, the legibility and soberness of the silkscreens, the use of rustproof steel pushbuttons, the cabinet and pushbutton’s rounded edges come from an exhaustive study on the equipment’s use and their functionality and safety.

Displays with calibrated lighting for a perfect legibility without an invasive presence; the remote control, small but heavy, gives user an unusual and pleasant consistency for an object which represents a sanctuary in soberness and technical correctness. Maestro: hymn to joy of listening!

The MAESTRO DUECENTO delivers 200 Watts into an 8 Ohm load. This power doubles every halving of the load up to 2 Ohm. It’s equipped with 2 unbalanced inputs and 2 balanced inputs with selectable configuration. It has been designed with high-performance circuit solutions and high precision passive devices, such as military resistors and double-sided metallized polypropylene plastic film capacitors. Each channel has its own transformer, a 1300VA unit, and its own rectifing section realized with two discrete diodes bridges and two low ESR capacitors for a total of 44000ìF. A great deal of effort went into the design and construction of the MAESTRO DUECENTO power amplifier. Used properly, it will give you many years of enjoyment!

Features:
• Two toroidal 1300VA transformers, one per channel.
• Dual mono design.
• No capacitors in the signal path and only double-sided metallized polypropylene film capacitor in the critical points.
• The internal stages are DC coupled and the offset is reduced by means of an integrating amplifier.
• High current capability.
• The protection and control sections are galvanically insulated from the analogue sections to minimize digital noise.
• No mains fuse. The mains current is measured at the input of the transformer (with a current probe) and in case of malfunctions is shut off.
• The voltage of both channel is measured by means of optocoupler to avoid any ground loop.
• The DC offset on the output (loudspeakers) is also monitored by means of opto-couplers.
• Protections are realized with a PLD (Programmable Logic Device); it’s faster and more reliable compared to a microcontroller.