Octave V110 SE Tube Amplifier

Description

V 110 SE

Following the phenomenal international success of the flagship Octave V 80 SE integrated amplifier, it was logical for the company to utilize the Octave Dynamic Technologies (ODT) in the further development of the popular V 110 model. The ODT concepts were first realized in the Jubilee Mono SE, and subsequently incorporated into the MRE 220 mono power amplifier. The performance of the MRE 220 benefited tremendously from the new technologies, which Octave next implemented into its integrated amplifier range by also featuring ODT in the new V 80 SE. Now, the next most powerful integrated amplifier of the Octave model range benefits from the many years of experience and continuous development as the V 110 model goes into its second stage of evolution.

Essentially, looking to the technical aspects of ODT it is all about very high dynamic output power. Therefore the newly developed KT 120 or KT 150 power tubes are featured in these models. Together with the revised power supply and new output transformers we practically achieve a doubling of peak output power compared to conventional push-pull amplifiers. The driver stage, which drives the output tubes while also monitoring them, is completely updated and comes a huge step closer to the ideal of the push-pull principle. The much-misunderstood negative feedback does its job extremely well without having any influence on the acoustic side. The new amplifier generation impresses with extreme linearity, significantly increased stability and downright negligible noise and hum. Therefore all the ODT equipped Octave models are even more independent from the selected loudspeaker and always exhibit – unaffected by the load – the same high performance level. The precise tonal balance is maintained even at extreme levels.

The new V 110 SE is the first model in the Octave range which offers another feature: the capability to optimally mate the amplifier to any loudspeaker regardless of its design principle. The damping factor of the V 110 SE can be set to three levels (LOW, MED and HIGH), allowing the amp to thus achieve a more precise adjustment to the electrical load of the speaker than ever before possible. This itself is unique in the world and, as always with Octave, simple to accomplish. The three different settings are easily selected by simply replacing one input tube, as the individual settings are realized via tubes with different gain. The enormous range of usable negative feedback makes this “gain/damping factor” tuning possible.

Octave supplies the V 110 SE with two additional input tubes to enable this fine tuning. The universal version, “MED”, is installed from the factory. This setting is sufficient to perfectly control, for example, modern loudspeaker designs with large midrange domes (popular examples of such are the models of the B & W 800 series), with their typically increasing impedance curve in the midrange. The “HIGH” version has advantages with electrostatic (dipole) loudspeakers such as Martin Logan, which usually exhibit a low impedance in the mid-high frequency range. A higher damping factor counteracts the typical loss in the high frequency range. The driver tube for a low damping factor (“LOW”) might be a viable option for high efficiency designs (for example with horns). These speakers tend to often sound harsh and discordant when mated to amplifiers with a normal or high damping factor.

Changing the input tubes is easy. Simply switch the amplifier OFF and replace the tube (which is plugged into a socket). This provides a fast, simple and extremely practical adjustment to optimize the amplifier to any loudspeakers.
Octave’s specially developed power supply and extraordinarily stable wideband output transformer are essential to the company’s ability to implement this adjustable damping factor option. Since these core components are completely crafted in-house, optimized transformers can be individually designed and produced for each and every model.

The V110 SE: a class of its own

Black Box Connector

OCTAVE, with the Black Box technology, offers an upgrade path for optimizing the OCTAVE amplifier in respect to the speaker. This flexibility is a unique feature of the OCTAVE brand.

The dynamic and tonal stability of an amplifier is strongly dependent upon the stability and capacity of the power supply, therefore the Black Box and Super Black Box were developed as external upgrades to the OCTAVE amplifiers’ power supply storage capacitors by increasing their capacitance by a factor of 4 (Black Box) or 10 (Super Black Box), respectively. This is a tremendous benefit if the speaker is difficult to drive. Loudspeaker efficiency is made less critical, while the amplifier is enabled to handle speakers with extremely low minimum impedances.

BIAS Adjustment

The Output stage of the V 110 SE operates in Class A/B, and therefore requires an adjustable BIAS regulation. The highly sophisticated yet extremely simple yet accurate BIAS calibration system is accessed on the front panel of the unit. It utilizes external precision bias trim pots and LED confirmation, allowing the user to readily monitor the output tubes and simply correct their bias individually at the top panel – without the need of a micrometer let alone any special knowledge or tools.

The correct BIAS is vital for the constant sound quality of the V 110 SE. Due to this facility there is no need for a technician to service the V 110 SE for changing or tubes or to check their condition. The precision of this user friendly system is within 0.5% accuracy.

Power Management and Protection System

The V 110 SE is equipped with a multi-stage Soft-Start/Turn-On protection circuit which extends component as well as tube life considerably by protecting against stress caused by typical high inrush currents during switch-on. The unit starts in a defined sequence, with the Protection System monitoring the V 110 SE completely, and activated whenever a malfunction is detected. Once the Protection is activated, the V 110 SE is powered down.

Eco Mode

A forward looking feature of OCTAVE is the unique ECOMODE power saving electronic circuitry developed to reduce heat and unnecessary power consumption when the amplifier is switched on but not in use. This electronic system controls the power condition and reduces power consumption when the amplifier does not receive a signal for a period exceeding 10 minutes. In this “sleep” mode, the V 110 SE draws only 20 W idle current. Virtually no heat is produced by the unit, and the heater voltage and the high voltage for the power amplifier section are switched off. When a signal is detected by the V 110 SE, the Ecomode circuit will turn the amplifier back on, with a warm-up/start-up delay of approximately 30 seconds before the unit will operate. Ecomode also serves to increase the lifetime of the tubes, while having an added benefit of improved safety allowing the V 110 SE owner a level of security against any problems when leaving the unit powered on.

6moons review