T+A PA 1260 R Pulsar Integrated Amplifier

Manufacturer: T+A elektroakustik

Design: T+A
HxWxD: 7,5 x 44 x 39 cm, weight: 9 kg

Slim and sleak and yet a true goliath!
Audiophile integrated amplifier PA 1260 R: Building small, compact integrated amplifiers with superior sound quality is a great art - an art which T+A has mastered like no other company. Like its superbly reviewed predecessor, the PA 1230 R, the PA 1260 R is also assembled from the brilliant components, circuit boards and technologies developed for the T+A pre-amplifiers and power amplifiers. T+A sanction no compromises, and for this reason the machine achieves exactly the same level of sound quality as these individual modules, and although it offers slightly less output power than the A 1560, it is still capable of delivering a lavish 300 Watts continuous power into 4 Ohms. Even large and critical loudspeakers are tamed and controlled effortlessly by this amplifier. Seven line-level inputs, two tape outputs and one pre-amplifier output make this all-rounder the fabulous heart of a compact High-End system with exceptional sound.

The pre-amplifier technology of the R-series
The core of every T+A system is the pre-amplifier, as these units have a crucial influence on the overall sound of the Hi-Fi system. If the pre-amplifier falsifies something, it is impossible to correct the imperfection subsequently. T+A has always remained true to the concept that the first element of any new series must always be the most important and complex device of all. Once this core machine has been produced, then it becomes possible to develop smaller or modified variants of comparable quality. The P 1200 R was always the germ-cell of T+A's R-series, and from it were derived all the integrated amplifiers and receivers which T+A have developed in the meantime, and which have been received with such extraordinary enthusiasm by the magazine reviewers. T+A have continued with the same philosophy of continuous evolution in developing this latest generation of machines; it is the design and construction of the P 1260 R pre-amplifier that are responsible for the outstanding technical specifications and superb sound of T+A's whole palette of pre-amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, power amplifiers (such as this T+A PA 1260 R Pulsar Integrated Amplifier) and receivers.

The output stages of the R-series
As is the case with their pre-amplifiers, T+A have adopted a fundamental strategy relating to output stages; a strategy which is employed in all variants of these devices. The requirements placed on High-End power amplifiers in terms of sound quality have become enormously more exacting over the last few years. Neutrality, high output power and performance independent of load have always been required, but optimum dynamics and peak-handling characteristics have now gained greater importance. T+A's output stages fulfil these requirements to perfection. The input stages of T+A audio power amplifiers are de-coupled from the output stages. T+A terms this technology ICA (Isolated Current Amplifier), and it ensures that their power amplifiers maintain their superb sonic qualities regardless of the loudspeakers connected to them.

T+A has developed a new and unique technology for the circuit boards used in the output stages. T+A's term for these circuit boards is ACT. Copper alone is usually employed for circuit boards, but T+A now also employ silver as conductor where the signal passes, with no separation layer.

The basic reason for this innovation is that silver is the best conductor available bar none, and offers outstanding sound qualities - especially in the high-frequency range. Since T+A amplifiers have very high limit frequencies (Ultra Wide Bandwidth), the skin effect also plays its part here. At crucial points in the new output stages T+A employs mica capacitors, as these have the lowest loss factor of all, plus silver electrical contacts and electrodes. These parts form a homogeneous system with the ACT circuit boards. At the same time these circuit boards are non-magnetic, and all connections and contacts are also designed to have the same properties, with the result that disturbing induced distortion effects are eliminated completely. All T+A output stages are matched accurately to each other in terms of amplification factors, dynamic characteristics and phase / group timing, making them absolutely ideal for bi-amping and multi-amping configurations.

The back panel connections of the PA 1260 R
GND: The ground lead from an analogue disc player is connected here in order to avoid hum.
CD: Input sockets for connecting a CD player.
TUNER: Input sockets for connecting high-level signal sources such as a tuner.
AUX 1: General-purpose pre-amplifier input with an input sensitivity of 250 mV / 20 k (recorders).
AUX 2: Universal pre-amplifier input. This input can be upgraded to form an input for an analogue turntable by fittig an optional Phono MM or Phono MC module.
TAPE 1: Input and output sockets for connecting devices which can record and play back (recorders).
TAPE 2: Input and output sockets for connecting a second device with recording and playback facilities (recorder). This input features an input buffer amplifier, making it suitable for connecting source devices with a high output impedance (> 1 kOhm). This is often the case with video recorders, for example.
TV: Input sockets for connecting a television set. This input features an input buffer amplifier, making it suitabe for connecting source devices with a high output impedance (>1kOhm).
PRE 1: Variable, asymmetrical pre-amplifier output.
TASI: This interface, normalized by T+A, enables you to loop a T+A surround decoder.
CTRL: Control output for T+A power amplifiers without an RLink input.
RC Out: Control outputs for older T+A devices without RLink inputs.
RLink: Control output for T+A devices with RLink inputs.

Technical specifications of the PA 1260 R
Pre-amplifier stage
Frequency response (+0 -3 dB): 0,5 Hz - 400 KHz

Signal noise ratios
High-level: 7 x 104 / 109 dB
Phono MM (optional): 82 / 86 dB
Phono MC (optional): 78 / 82 dB
Subsonic Filter: 14 Hz
Total harmonic distortion: < 0,001 %
Intermodulation: < 0,001 %
Channel separation: > 90 dB

Input sensitivity nominal:
High-level: 250 mV / 20 kOhm
Phono MM (optional): 1 - 5 mV; 16 capacitances
Phono MC (optional): 60 - 1000 uV; 16 impedances

Output stage
Head phone: 50 Ohm
2 x Tape: 250 mV / 100 Ohm
PRE out Cinch nominal: 1 V eff
PRE out Cinch maximal: 9,5 V eff
PRE out Cinch impedance: 22 Ohm
Surround interface (TASI): yes

Amplifier stage
Nominal output into 8 Ohm: 100 Watt
Both channels simultaneously into 4 Ohm: 150 Watt
Peak output into 8 Ohm: 150 Watt
Peak output into 4 Ohm: 290 Watt
Power bandwith: 1 Hz - 300 kHz
Frequency response +0 -3 dB: 1 Hz - 400 kHz
Slew rate: 60 V/us
Damping factor: > 500
Signal / noise ratio: > 110 dB
Total harmonic distortion: < 0,002 %
Reservoir capacity: 50000 uF
Mains sockets: 110 V or 220 / 240 V, 50 Hz, 300 VA
Remote control: (optional accessory)

The optional MM / MC phono module substitutes a high-level input.

What you get: A PA 1260 R Pulsar Integrated Amplifier including mains lead.

This system is manufactured in Herford, Germany.

Please choose your cabinet colour!

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