The CTA408 integrated amplifier is designed for listeners who appreciate the convenience of a single-chassis amplifier without sacrificing the performance typically associated with separate components. It offers advanced features including separate MC and MM phono inputs, monitor inputs and outputs, a headphone amplifier, and a start-up system that significantly extends valve life.

Valve driver stage supported by MOSFET circuitry.

Multiple independent power supplies are designed to deliver constant power, isolating fluctuations from the power stage from the input stages and eliminating reverse modulation back into the mains supply.

Dedicated Class A headphone amplifier. The loudspeaker outputs are automatically muted when headphones are connected.

Excellent J-FET phono preamplifier. Active RIAA equalisation using more than one hundred discrete components, housed in a shielded enclosure to protect against interference.

The output transformers are designed in-house by Copland and optimised to provide an ideal power bandwidth. Their substantial transformer cores prevent saturation and allow full power transmission well below 20 Hz, with minimal phase shift. Multiple layers of interleaved windings ensure excellent linearity. The extended high-frequency response reduces the need for internal compensation after the amplifier’s 15 dB negative feedback is applied.

At the heart of the amplifier’s power stage are KT150 valves, a modern development of the legendary 6550/KT88. In the CTA408, they demonstrate how the timeless sonic qualities of valve amplification can extend into areas now largely dominated by solid-state designs.

Technical Specifications – CTA408

Output power: 2 x 75 W into 3-ohm or 8-ohm loads
Nominal loudspeaker impedance: 4 and 8 ohms
Line input impedance: 50 kΩ
Phono input impedance: 47 kΩ (MM) / 50, 100, 470 Ω (MC)
Line input sensitivity: 250 mV
Phono input sensitivity: 3.0 mV (MM) / 0.26 mV (MC)
Frequency response: 5 Hz–100 kHz (-3 dB)
Total harmonic distortion (T.H.D.): Better than 0.9%
Signal-to-noise ratio (IHF-A): Greater than 90 dB
Phase: Non-inverting
Global feedback: 15 dB

Headphone Amplifier Section

Output impedance: 9 ohms
Gain: 17.5 dB
Frequency response: 10 Hz–200 kHz (-3 dB)

Valves

4 x KT150
2 x 12BH7
2 x 6072A / 12AY7

Power consumption: Max. 400 W
Dimensions: 435 mm (W) x 220 mm (H) x 460 mm (D)