@arafiq Nice review of A20i
The biggest reason for my selection of the X200 is the versatility of this integrated. The ability to use as a power or pr-amp with the Direct in switch for both balanced and unbalanced inputs. So if get the need for SS I can pull my Simaudio A330's out and run them as mono blocks or run my 390 as a preamp streamer.
As an Integrated the X200 is black I mean silent as silent as my 600v2.
The X200 can
be used as a separate preamplifier, as an integrated power amplifier,
as a stand-alone power amplifier with direct inputs, or as a headphone
amplifier, but other configurations are possible.
The
low noise analog front-end is built around a wideband and transparent
circuit and features a phono preamp with enhanced precision too. Line
level and subwoofer outputs are an absolute necessity in this category,
and these ports are included on the back.
I am a big analog guy and these features really appealed to me.
We've
added a real specialty too: a built-in, studio grade Parallel
Equalizer. This kind of tools is primarily used as a master channel
effect in recording studios, to bring fresh air into the mix, as a
finishing touch. We've found that this effect can also be a huge help at
home as well, as it can breath new life into certain, not so vivid
records.
The specs allowed the wider selection of speakers also. I have Sonus faber Olympica Nova 3, Raven CeLest, Klipsch Hersey IV and others that I swap in and out of my system.
Topology
Tube PP Class A-AB
Output Power
100 W/ch CL AB & 12 W/ch CL A - into 8 Ω
Gain
+35.5 dB (8 Ohm)
Input Impedance
10 kΩ SE / 20 kΩ balanced
Input Sensitivity
460 mV unbalanced & balanced input (LINE1)
Power Bandwidth
27 Hz - 70 kHz (-3 dB, rated output power)
THD
<0.5% (f = 1 kHz, rated output power)
Signal-to-noise ratio
> 101 dB; output noise < 1 mV (LINE1)
Power requirements
720 W
Tubes required
4 x KT120, KT150 or KT90 ; 4 x ECC88;
4 x Tungsram ECC83
Inputs 3 x RC -- 1 x XLR
Outputs
1 x Speaker [ 4 & 8 ohm taps ]
1 LINE RCA
LINE - PHONO - HPA
Input impedance - Phono
47 kOhm || 120 pF
Input impedance - Line
25 kOhm || 10 pF
Max. input signal - Phono
40 mV (f = 1 kHz)
Max. input signal - Line
8 V
Gain - Phono
+46 dB (f = 1 kHz)
Gain - Line
0 dB
Max. deviation from RIAA curve Phono
+/- 0.5 dB
Frequency response - Line
4 Hz to 1 MHz (-3 dB)
THD - Phono
< 0.03% (f = 10 kHz)
THD - Line
< 0.001% (f = 20 Hz to 20 kHz)
EQUALISATION
THD - EQ
< 0.002% (f = 20 Hz to 20 kHz)
Signal-to-noise ratio - Phono
> 60 dB (1 V, without A-filter)
Signal-to-noise ratio - Line
> 90 dB (1 V, without A-filter)
Signal-to-noise ratio - EQ
> 90 dB (1 V, without A-filter)
Bass boost in setting I - EQ
+ 5.6 dB
Bass boost in setting II - EQ
+ 7.6 dB
Treble boost in setting I - EQ
+ 6 dB
Treble boost in setting II - EQ
+ 8 dB