HYBRID INTEGRATED AMPS : Margules Audio HD-1 Hybrid

World Class Audio for over 40 years, Margules Audio has been delivering audio art to the World ! Margules Audio has developed its own technology, creating two world famous brands : Margules Audio, the high end line and the versatile, sought after audio product, Magenta.

The HD-1 Designer audio integrated amplifier, in a never-ending quest, Margules Audio has been working to advance in the perfection of the reproduction of music. With the beginning of the new millennium innovation has become our goal. Our new HD-1 has evolved not only in the engineering to match the expectations of the critic audiophiles, but also in a more appealing aesthetic design to meet the demands of a more selective consumer. The minimalist elegance of the amplifier derived directly from the pursuit of matching our characteristic outstanding sound with a more artistic design --- that suits contemporary architectural projects.

It is well known that a good preamplifier is the heart of an audio system. With this in mind, Margules Audio has undertaken the task of developing an integrated amplifier that blends an extraordinary tube preamplifier with an excellent solid-state power amplifier.

One of this design's innovations is its flexibility, allowing the end users the ability to upgrade and/or customize their system based on their changing audio needs.

It also affords the additional advantage of not limiting options or becoming outdated in configuring your system as your audio needs become more demanding.

In some instances, the owner of an HD-1 may want to upgrade their system by adding a high quality tube amplifier. In this instance, the internal power amplifiers of the HD-1 can still be used in conjunction with either the preamplifier section or an external remote unit such as a dolby/AC3 processor, multi-room control device, active crossover for subwoofers or other add-on components. This gives the owner the ability to drive another set of full range speakers in another room, rear surround speakers, or subwoofers as well as any number of configurations one can think of. It is also possible to effect a power upgrade to a quad power unit that, when connected, will convert the unit from 90W/channel to 220W/channel (using a special Magenta bridging add-on).

Preamplifier:

The preamplifier section of the unit is based on two dual triodes (12Au7) per side that act as unity gain buffers coupling the source and the power amplifier. The circuit is based on the knowledge and experience acquired in developing the highly acclaimed Margules SF220r line stage Pre-Amplifier.

The power supply of the preamplifier is fully regulated. Good power regulation reduces the loss of signal integrity that occurs when the signal itself shifts the preamplifier's operating point. The filament supply is to regulate.

Amplifier:

The topology of this discrete semiconductor power amplifier is laid out in such a way that all coupling is direct, avoiding interstage capacitors that, in most cases, result in higher distortion and inferior sound. The output stage is designed with a proprietary circuit bias. This optimizes the operating point of the semiconductors so as to avoid the typical overheating found in other Class A designs while at the same time avoiding the pitfalls of Class B distortion. This new circuit can drive loudspeakers with an impedance of 2 Ohms.

Remote-Control Operation:

The operation of the remote control is unusually versatile. Besides being able to select input, volume, and on/off, you are also able to switch the AC power to any associated equipment drawing up to 15 amperes (1800 watts). Additionally, remote input switching is achieved through electromechanical relays. This method is more expensive than what is usually found in many designs, but is used here because the audio signal never passes through a semiconductor device assuring the maximum purity of the signal.

This amplifier disappears behind the music flow on listening and it offers a tactile three dimensional soundstage which is close to a “Live” performance. A rare example of musical breath and holographic sound.