Linn Klimax Solo 500 Monoblock Power Amplifier – First Look

All Image Credit: Linn

Linn have announced their latest monoblock amplifier, the all new Klimax Solo 500. Still having a compact form factor this latest design offers a range of improvements over its predecessor. This model provides 250 watts of Class AB power into 8 ohms and features; Adaptive Bias Control, a sophisticated hybrid cooling matrix, and a precision-machined casework supported on three solid steel feet impregnated with rubber o-rings providing a stable and isolated platform, while soft animations of the LEDs behind the mini-roundel communicate the amplifier’s status. The Klimax Solo 500’s aluminum casement is a seamless construction composed of three precision-machined pieces—baseplate, enclosure and rear panel, and is available in either a silver or white anodized finish.

The main feature of this new design is Linn’s proprietary Adaptive Bias Control (ABC). Class AB amplifiers require a quiescent bias current in order to minimize crossover distortion. ABC ensures optimum output performance by establishing the optimum real-time bias current. However, due to variations of individual transistors, device aging and varying temperatures, the optimum bias level will change, increasing distortion.

Adaptive Bias Control approaches this issue by measuring the current supplied to each of the eight output transistors and having an FPGA processor, calculate the exact bias required at that precise moment. The FPGA now implementing a digital control loop to adjust and hold bias current at its optimum for the transistors, regardless of their operating conditions. According to Linn this technique is claimed to provide a measured THD+N (0.0004%, 250w into 8 ohms) that is eighty-five times lower than its predecessor under typical listening conditions.

With such a small form factor cooling is obviously of prime importance. Linn approaches this with a brand-new thermal management system, a hybrid cooling matrix, which ensures that the amplifier can adapt to varying demands while remaining whisper-quiet. The internal layout mounts components upside down on a sub-chassis structure made from a conductive block of hard-anodized aluminum mounted to a thermal plate that is covered with a series of machined fins, the placement of which has been optimized and creates a labyrinth of precisely measured channels atop the thermal plate.

Heat removal is normally by natural convection currents but as things heat up, the hybrid cooling matrix switches to active cooling, by employing two internal fans, the speeds of each are under FPGA processor control. These fans force cooler air through the network of channels on top of the thermal plate, the volume of which depends upon the amplifier’s measured internal temperature and the input audio signal. The fans are said to be inaudible at the lowest speed, while providing ample cooling to avoid overheating and maintain ideal performance at higher powers and heat loads.

The effectiveness of this hybrid cooling matrix is aided by an optimized Utopik power supply. Auto voltage rails ensure that output from Utopik also adapts to the audio signal levels, only delivering the necessary power required.

Finally rear panel connectivity includes; selectable RCA and XLR inputs alongside RCA and XLR passthrough connections. One pair of speaker binding posts accept banana and spade connectors. Control is available using the 3.5mm DC trigger I/O.

MSRP (each):

• US: $32,380.00 approx.
• UK: £23,500.00
• EU: €23,500.00

For more information visit the Linn website.

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