POWERb Mono
Karan Acoustics’ high-current monoblock: 1,200 watts into 8 ohms, rising to 3,600 watts into 2 ohms, with fully balanced circuitry and independent power for each loudspeaker. Hand-assembled in Europe.
Key Features
- High-current single-channel monoblock power amplifier
- 1,200 watts into 8 ohms
- 2,100 watts into 4 ohms
- 3,600 watts into 2 ohms
- Peak output of 1,500 watts into 8 ohms
- Fully symmetrical, truly differential and balanced circuit architecture
- Active Class A voltage-amplification stages
- No global feedback
- DC-coupled signal path without capacitors in the audio-signal route
- Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs
- Two 2,100 VA low-noise toroidal transformers per monoblock
- 180,000 µF custom capacitor bank per monoblock
- Ultra-wide bandwidth extending to 300 kHz
- Slew rate of 1,500 V/µs through the amplification stages
- Cardas Audio pure-copper internal wiring
- Critical Mass Systems isolation feet
- Massive aluminium chassis designed to reduce vibration, RF and electromagnetic interference
- Five-year parts-and-labour warranty
- Hand-assembled from individually selected and tested components
Design & Build
POWERb MONO employs Karan’s fully complementary, symmetrical and differential signal architecture with no global feedback. Its amplification stages are DC-coupled, avoiding capacitors in the direct audio path, while proprietary servo circuits maintain safe and stable DC conditions.
Each monoblock contains two 2,100 VA low-noise toroidal transformers and a 180,000 µF custom capacitor bank. These substantial reserves allow the amplifier to deliver high current immediately during demanding transients and into loudspeakers with severe impedance drops.
The aluminium chassis provides mechanical stability, heat dissipation and shielding from radio-frequency and electromagnetic interference. Cardas Audio pure-copper internal wiring and Critical Mass Systems isolation feet are fitted as standard.
System Pairing
A stereo system requires two POWERb MONO amplifiers, giving each loudspeaker its own chassis, transformers, capacitor bank and amplification channel. With output increasing from 1,200 watts into 8 ohms to 3,600 watts into 2 ohms, POWERb MONO is designed for large and demanding high-performance loudspeakers.
Balanced XLR connection is recommended for a fully differential system and provides the natural pairing with Karan’s LINEa or LINEb preamplifiers. Unbalanced RCA sources can also be used with the supplied XLR shorting plugs installed as directed.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Fully balanced monoblock power amplifier |
| Circuit topology | Fully symmetrical and differential; no global feedback; DC-coupled |
| Inputs | 1 × balanced XLR; 1 × unbalanced RCA |
| Input impedance | 30 kilohms, balanced or unbalanced |
| Input sensitivity | 2 V RMS for maximum output |
| Gain | +36 dB |
| XLR pin configuration | Pin 1: ground; Pin 2: positive; Pin 3: negative |
| RCA operation | Requires XLR shorting plug |
| Power output into 8 ohms | 1,200 W |
| Power output into 4 ohms | 2,100 W |
| Power output into 2 ohms | 3,600 W |
| Peak power output | 1,500 W into 8 ohms |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±0 dB; DC–300 kHz, –3 dB |
| THD | 0.03% |
| IMD | 0.03% |
| Rise and settling time | Less than 450 ns |
| Slew rate | 1,500 V/µs through the amplification stages |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | Greater than 120 dB, unweighted |
| Power transformers | 2 × 2,100 VA low-noise toroidal transformers per monoblock |
| Capacitor bank | 180,000 µF per monoblock, custom-made |
| Internal wiring | Cardas Audio pure-copper chassis wire |
| Isolation feet | Critical Mass Systems isolation/support feet |
| AC voltage | 115 V or 230 V nominal |
| AC voltage tolerance | ±10% from nominal voltage |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 504 × 292 × 521 mm per monoblock |
| Weight | 81 kg per monoblock |
| Warranty | Five years, parts and labour |
