Primare A60: 4 discrete amplifiers with UFPD technology onboard

Primare A60 uses 4 discrete amplifiers with UFPD technology in a balanced configuration (2 per channel), steel housing (front panel made of 15 mm thick aluminum). All in order to provide the necessary rigidity and protection from external interference created by other system components. Each channel is represented by three types of inputs: unbalanced RCA, balanced XLR from Neutrik and high-quality WBT Nextgen speaker connectors. In addition to these inputs there is a relay input and an input for connecting RS232. The Primare A60 has a powerful switching power supply, which is connected to a four-layer board on which custom heatsinks and MELF transistors (1%) are installed. All signal traces are designed according to the shortest path principle and ground connections are optimized to ensure the best possible playback quality. Primare A60 is fully protected from direct current damage or overheating, and there is an automatic shutdown system for acoustic outputs. Internal wiring to the acoustic terminals is made using Van Den Hul SCS12 cable. The performance of the UFPD (Ultra Fast Power Supply) technology has been optimized through repeated listening and selection of quality components.

The Primare A60 power amplifier, made in the same design key with the preamplifier, operates in class D and is assembled according to the original UFPD (Ultra Fast Power Device) circuit. It is worthy of a detailed discussion. As you know, class D involves the operation of transistors in switching mode (the higher the switching frequency, the greater the amplitude of the output signal). The main advantage of such a circuit is high efficiency and, accordingly, small size with significant output power.

However, it also has a serious drawback: the inability to provide the coveted “high fidelity sound” over the entire range of audible frequencies. The lion’s share of distortion in this case comes from the demodulating filter at the output, since due to fluctuations in the impedance of the speaker depending on the frequency of the output signal, it cannot operate stably (THI at the top is significant).

Negative feedback of sufficient depth can solve the problem. This is what the A60 developers did, creating a circuit with a negative coupling depth of 26 dB across the entire audible range. In addition, the amplifier circuit is completely balanced – each channel is sounded by two UFPD modules.

According to the company’s engineers, Primare PRE60 and A60 are made for each other – in the literal sense of this romantic expression: they reveal their full potential when working together. And the results of subjective testing confirm this.

After the recommended 48-hour warm-up, the sound of the tandem (when working with an analog signal), coupled with even tight editorial speakers, turned out to be close to ideal. With amazing precision, the components handle both the thunderous crescendos of a symphony orchestra and the subtlest nuances of the sound of a string quartet. (Imagine a muralist who could paint a Palekh box!)

When reading high-resolution audio files, the midrange/high-frequency range is reproduced flawlessly. One of our experts noticed an overly analytical approach to low-frequency processing, but agreed: this can be corrected by careful selection of speaker systems. Of course, there can be no question of any genre preferences, but it seemed to us that the Primare 60 are most enthusiastic about uninhibited improvisational jazz.

Features of Primare A60:

Fully balanced signal transmission
UFPD technology with 4 output modules (2 for each channel)
Powerful switching power supplies
High-quality MELF resistors (1%)
Four-layer board with tracks made according to the shortest path principle and optimal grounding
DC protection system or overheating
Custom printed circuit board mounted heat sinks
High quality WBT Nextgen speaker connectors (2 pairs)
High quality RCA connectors WBT Nextgen
XLR Neutrik connectors
Internally routed using Van Den Hul SCS12 cable
Unbalanced inputs are converted to balanced
Discrete power supply on input stage
Heavy case, front panel thickness 15 mm
Power/standby button built into the logo
Availability of RS232, relay input/output

Primare A60 characteristics:

Output power 2×250 W at 8 Ohms, maximum 610 W
THD <0.02% (1 kHz 250 W 8 Ohm); <0.002 (10 W 8 Ohm)
Signal-to-noise ratio 20-20 kHz –105 dBV
Standby power consumption: 0.5 W;
In operating mode maximum 32 W
Dimensions (WxDxH) 430x385x142 mm