PS Audio Unveils Ingenious PowerFrame Amplification System

Innovative One To Six-Channel System For Stereo Or Home Theatre Listening Is Designed For High Performance, Flexibility, Clean Power And Ease Of Use

18-Jan-01

PS Audio, an innovator for the last 30 years in developing superb high performance audio components at reasonable prices, introduced the PowerFrame Amplifier System, a modular approach to building one, two or multichannel amplifiers, at the 2001 CES.The PowerFrame system consists of two specially designed amplifier frames - a MonoFrame and a MultiFrame - and two PowerModules - one mono and one stereo. The system is designed for high performance, maximum flexibility, clean, high quality power, and ease of installation and use. The PowerFrames house from one to three of the self-contained PowerModules, in either mono or stereo. Each module carries its own power source so that overall performance is unaffected as modules are added to the system.The gleaming, elegantly styled PowerFrames, which include a PS Audio Ultimate Outlet, contain everything needed for operation except the actual power amplifier and power supply. The high performance Ultimate Outlet is designed to provide clean, protected AC power, while eliminating common and differential mode noise, and lowering overall output impedance.The PowerModules are available in either mono or stereo versions. The mono module is a 300-watt version, while the stereo module has a pair of 200-watt per channel power amps. Each module is complete with its own transformer, heat sinks and input/output connectors. Connection is simple - slide the module in, tighten the screws, and connect two plugs. The PowerFrame's internal microprocessor recognizes the module, and identifies it as either mono or stereo.This PowerFrame concept allows anyone to build their own amplification system. The MultiFrame measures 6 x 17 x 20 inches (HWD), and can handle configurations ranging from a single channel up to six, which is perfect for bi-amplification, home theatre or a high end stereo application. The MonoFrame measures 6 x 8 x 20 inches (HWD), and can be employed with either a mono or a stereo module.The system's power amplifier topology is unique and sets a new standard for power amps. The topology is divided into two isolated sections - the input stage where all the voltage gain occurs, and the output stage where all the current gain occurs. Each is completely separate.The input stage is a fully balanced cascode JFET zero feedback design that runs on extremely high power supply voltages similar to those of a tube. The output stage has no gain, but is designed so that its output impedance approaches zero. This solves an age-old problem of tube amplifiers (both low and zero feedback designs) - a poor damping factor, which they all suffer from. Because a low damping factor equates to a loss of control of the loudspeaker, the ideal amplifier would have huge amounts of damping, but no feedback in the voltage stage. The Power Frame system is the first to achieve this long-sought goal.The PowerFrame Amplification System will be available later this year, at anticipated prices that start at approximately $499 for the MonoFrame and $995 for the MultiFrame and each of the PowerModules.For additional information, visit PS Audioís Web site at www.psaudio.com.

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