STATUS - SOLD
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Description :
The Copland CSA14 is designed by Ole Moller who is a man steeped in valve design and his view presents an intriguingly different perspective from the norm. The circuit employs a mixture of devices, each carefully chosen for its place in the circuit. Superbly quiet, instrument-quality 0P37 integrated circuit is chosen for the RIAA phono equalization/gain stage. Toshiba power devices are used for the output pairs. Discrete bi-polar devices are used as a line-level input buffer. A pair of E88CCs form the differential splitters in the pre-driver stage, an area of the circuit which Moller feels is crucially influential in determining the overall sound quality of such an amplifier. Although Copland is known as a valve amp producer, in the case of the CSA14, the technology is almost entirely solid-state. But because Copland respects what tubes can offer, a pair of E88CCs are used in the input differential pre-driver stage of the CSA14, therefore allowing the notably smooth and transparent properties of the valve to blend with the power and dynamics of transistor electronics. In describing a family sound, the Copland sonic signature is portrayed as delicate, coherent and powerful, if restrained and polite. Copland has filled the CSA14 with red LEDs to control localised voltages, a cluster of 1.6V Hewlett-Packard devices which also serve as a method of diagonostics. Should one not light up, the engineer or technician knows just what stage has failed. A green LED has been installed at the output terminals to indicate switch-on stability, the unit switching on after a mute period to ensure that no nasties reach the speakers.
The Copland CSA14 is one powerful unit despite a rating of only 60W/ch. It does not behave like the weeny little amplifier its case suggests. Source equipment prove equally unfussy, the CSA14 reacts with equanimity. In other words, the pre-amp section is as neutral as the power amp section is sturdy. Its signature characteristic of being polite or delicate or restrained is confirmed by choice of material rather than by choice of partnering equipment. When concentrating on the amplifier's finer points, its way with subtle details and low level information, the Copland surrenders gallantly, with a tube-like softening rather than the expected solid-state shriek. Even on HM and dance tracks, the amplifier does not show any nerd tendencies. It just seem to prefer the subtle, the delicate, and the refined. However, there's a sense of fragility to the spatial characteristics of the Copland, like the walls can cave in at any moment. Though the CSA14 delivers the 3D picture, there's a constant sense of lightness and delicacy that comes perilously close to compromising the illusion. There is feeling that the amplifier is working on the edge of its abilities - not in terms of power but of resolution. Curiously enough, this is not accompanied by a sense of strain. What holds everything together with the CSA14 is its coherence, regardless of music type, operating conditions or partnering equipment. WIth a degree of competence rare at the price point, the Copland CSA14 manages to produce uniform sound in terms of texture, balance, transient activity and weight, right across the spectrum.
Specifications :
Tubes...............................................ECC88/6922/6DJ8 x 2
Inputs...............................................RIAA, Tuner, Cd, Aux1, Aux2, Tape In
Outputs............................................Tape Out
Output Power....................................60 watts per channel into 8 ohms
Frequency Response.........................5Hz-120kHz, -3dB
Power Bandwidth...............................5Hz-30kHz, -3dB
Input Sensitivity.................................Line-level 130mV; Phono 3mV
Input Impedance................................Line-level 33k ohms; Phono 47k ohms
Dimensions(w x d x h)........................43 x 44 x 11cm
Weight..............................................13kg
Miscellaneous :
Made in.............................................Denmark
Condition...........................................8/10
Reviews :
http://www.gramophone.net/Issue/Page/June%201994/135/781008/Copland+CSA14+integrated+amplifier#header-logo
http://hometheaterreview.com/copland-csa14-integrated-amplifier-reviewed/
http://www.hifi-notes.com/netsporenc-nl.htm
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/integrated-amplifiers/copland/csa-14/prd_116291_2717crx.aspx
http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews86049.html |
