Jordan O'BrienATC Speakers has announced a new power amplifier dubbed the P2. It’s been billed as a more powerful sibling to the smaller P1 power amplifier, but it generates twice the power.
The P2 class A/B stereo power amplifier is hand-built in the UK and is rated at 300W continuous power per channel. The P1 on the other hand is rated for 150W per channel, although that’s been on the market since 2009.
ATC is positioning the P2 as a significant upgrade to its smaller sibling, but they share much in common. For one, the ATC P2 is still a dual mono design, which keeps the power supplies, signal and return paths discreet. The ATC P2 also offers balanced XLR and unbalanced ‘link’ phono inputs, ‘link’ phono outputs, proprietary 4mm speaker terminals and IR remote control. Many of the other specs remain the same between the two power amplifiers too, including Input Sensitivity: 2V RMS, Input Impedance: 10kΩ/leg, Frequency Response: 400kHz (-3dB), Signal to noise ratio: >110dB (DIN), Crosstalk: >100dB, THD: >0.002%/-95dB.
While much has stayed the same, the ATC P2 does have some rather unique features, include a new low-vibration chassis design featuring a precision machined 12.7mm brushed aluminium front panel.
The P2’s layout includes a massive, custom-made 400 VA low-noise transformer for each channel and an output stage involving three pairs of MOSFET devices per channel to achieve peak current output of over 15 amps.
ATC’s grounded source output stage also promises smooth power delivery and extremely low harmonic distortion. The gain of the P2 matches that of the lower power P1 (150W/ch) so that they can be used together in bi-amp or tri-amp systems connected via the amplifier’s ‘Link’ phono inputs/outputs.
In terms of installation, with the extra power output, comes extra bulk. While the P1 boasts dimensions of 135 x 435 x 350mm and a weight of 23kg, the P2 is a little beefier. It dimensions are 141 x 448 x 337mm and it weighs 30kg.
ATC will be shipping the P2 stereo power amplifier in November 2016. It will be priced at £3,125 inclusive of VAT.