The Monaural Collection Tube

Posted by Admin | 01 Jun

As its name suggests, the Monaural Collection Tube is a mono amplifier. It employs four EL34 tubes, two "pushing" and two "pulling" the primary of an output transformer. A screen tap, on the back of each tube, is set to 30% to 45% of the way toward the center, which increases transconductance (increases the change in plate current for the same grid voltage change) but lowers the output impedance and output power. This method is said to provide a pronounced bass response compared with pentode operation.

It is also a low distortion, ultra-linear amplification stage without the use of negative feedback; in other words, it can't bleed off excess noise from its output transformers. Wyetech claims this eliminates the need for a separate EQ circuit to boost or cut bass frequencies.

The Wyetech Onyx comes in a black finish with silver flecks and trim. There's a bias meter on the front panel, and a power switch, fuse and ICE connector on the rear.

It has speaker connections with two-, four- and eight-ohm taps on the front and single ended RCA inputs on the rear. It includes a pair of GE 6AS7GA tubes for output, and is available at a slight premium in a version with NOS Phillips 6080WC output tubes.

In my experience, a tube power amp with these characteristics doesn't sound like a wimp, but rather is a powerful beast. It delivers big, powerful bass lines that are as satisfying as they come and aren't at all lacking in dynamics - especially on rock albums.

The Onyx is a good choice for those who want an all-tube amplifier with a classic look and feel. Despite its monaural nature, it's a very powerful amplifier, capable of producing 220 watts into 8-ohm speakers, and the sound is rich and full. The soundstage is wide and deep, with a very broad frequency range spanning from bass to treble; instrument separation is superb. The Onyx also has a very pleasing, natural airiness and transparency. The Onyx is one of the better-sounding low-power tube power amplifiers I've heard and it deserves a place in your music center or home theater.

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