Encounters are very strange things, and by chance we have come to deal with Q-tron Audio, a Swedish high-end amplifier brand. I am ashamed to say that I had never heard of this brand or their OTL amplifiers, which do not use an output transformer, until I became acquainted with them.
However, I am very happy to announce that we are now dealing with Q-tron (Cutoron) audio, a high-end amplifier brand from Sweden!
After a little research, I found that this OTL (output transformer-less) amplifier is both amazing and dangerous, and Q-tron's technical ability to clear all of these issues, put them all together, and sublimate them further is very impressive. To use a car analogy, it is like Mazda overcoming the high performance and non-productivity of the rotary engine. The Q-tron's brilliant sound and design, which broke through the stereotypes of old-school audio journalists, is a testament to the Swedish Scandinavian country.
The OTL amplifier brings a new dimension to conventional tube amplifiers with its unique technology and design. The OTL amplifier stands for "Output Transformer Less," which means that the output transformer is completely eliminated, resulting in a smoother, more natural and more natural sound. OTL amplifiers, which stands for "Output Transformer Less," completely eliminate the transformer from the output, resulting in a smoother, clearer sound. This results in a much more transparent sound than conventional amplifiers.
Click here for the product page of Q-tron's OTL amplifiers
https://exclusive-audio.jp/collections/qtron
Q-tron's OTL amplifiers have particularly high resolution in the bass and treble, reproducing every minute nuance of the music. They are characterized by a spacious sound that does not tire the listener while retaining the warmth of single-ended tube amplifiers (SET). In addition, the superior transient response allows for a richer expression of music dynamics and an even crisper sound quality than with conventional push-pull amplifiers.
In addition, Q-tron uses an improved Futterman circuit, which has a lower output impedance than the Circlotron circuit and can handle 4-ohm speakers. High output is achieved with fewer tubes, and reliability and stability are enhanced by preventing thermal runaway and tube degradation. In terms of sound quality, the unique driver stage reduces distortion by a factor of 10 or more, and the 25W output model (PA12) achieves an astonishingly low distortion of less than 0.01% at 1W and less than 0.1% at 10W. Moreover, this performance is achieved without the use of excessive feedback.
The noise level is also among the lowest in the industry at less than 100 dBA, maintaining high reliability over long periods of use. The use of quality components designed and manufactured in Sweden and the fact that no malfunctions have been reported in over seven years of production is a testament to Q-tron's reliability.
Q-tron Audio's OTL amplifiers set a new standard in tube amplifiers, combining crystal clear sound, superior durability, and safety. We invite you to experience the highest quality sound experience available.
Q-tron Audio amplifiers not only offer exceptional sound quality, but also the utmost attention to preamplification and safety.
First, Q-tron's preamplifiers are designed for best performance in combination with power amplifiers. It delivers very low noise levels and distortion, and the amplifier as a whole provides very clear and transparent sound quality. In addition, a high-precision volume control is provided, with 64 levels of discrete resistor-based volume adjustment. This volume is switched by a relay and the contacts are gold-plated to ensure durability and signal purity.
Safety is also a concern that Q-tron Audio takes very seriously: some OTL amplifiers are designed to be a risk to speakers and listeners, but Q-tron's amplifiers do not need to worry about such issues. Especially with expensive speakers, you don't want to risk speaker failure in the unlikely event of an accident, so Q-tron's amplifiers have built-in protection circuitry that immediately shuts down the amplifier in the event of a harmful DC voltage at the output, with the addition of an ultra-fast fuse. This dual protection mechanism ensures that your speakers are well protected and you can enjoy high quality sound with peace of mind.
Q-tron Audio uses the improved Futterman circuit out of the two typical OTL circuits, the Futterman and Circlotron circuits.The Futterman circuit features a simple power supply design and low output impedance, making it suitable for 4Ω speakers. Compared to the Circlotron circuit, the Futterman circuit requires fewer tubes to achieve higher output power, and its output is connected to ground for more reliable and stable performance. Circlotron circuits, on the other hand, operate in a symmetrical design and are particularly well balanced in sound, but are more complex than Futterman circuits, requiring many more tubes and a special power supply.
Q-tron's improved Futterman circuit has an even lower output impedance and requires fewer vacuum tubes for stable high output and clear sound quality. This also improves tube life and reliability. This improved Futterman circuit also completely eliminates the risk of electrical shock. Therefore, Q-tron's OTL amplifiers can also be used safely with headphones. Ensuring electrical safety, especially when using headphones, is a difficult task for conventional OTL amplifiers, but Q-tron's design overcomes this problem.
Q-tron Audio not only delivers the best sound of any tube amplifier, but also a design that is unrivaled in reliability and safety. All components designed and manufactured in Sweden are of the highest quality from the world's leading component manufacturers, such as Nichicon, Kemet, Panasonic, KOA, and Vishay Vithrom, ensuring consistent high performance over the long term.
Q-tron Audio's OTL amplifiers are the ultimate in clear, resolving sound, durable design, and the highest level of safety. We invite you to experience our uncompromising design, from preamplifier to power amplifier to speaker protection.
Listening samples are available for loan (in Japan only). Please contact us.
