All, through recent emails with Merrill, I have learned a little bit more about the $2500 Merrill Audio Taranis stereo amp.
The amp is a power house: in stereo mode it outputs 400W/8 per channel, growing to 600W over 4 Ohms. For the most demanding speakers, it can be configured by the factory to operate in bridged tied load for mono/biamping operations: each bridged chassis can output a whopping 1200W/4 Ohms. The circuit can deliver a high voltage peak of 80V, and a high current of 26A per channel. According to Merrill, even difficult to drive electrostats are compatible with the high voltage of Taranis. Do not be concerned about damping factor for low impedance speakers, the value is a hefty 5000.
According to Merrill, Taranis uses a uniquely configured Hypex SMPS that complements the full-blooded NCore 5th order self-oscillating class D power conversion technology inside it. Yes, you read correctly: There is no lower end Hypex UCD inside Taranis at all. Nor is the amp powered by some DYI module derived from the entry-level NC400 part.
Taranis is no basic NCore integration: Amongst other things, Merrill designed a custom differential input stage for the amp with a high current drive for the output stage. The stage raises the input impedance to a substantial 100K Ohms for excellent compatibility with most preamplifiers and DACs, and reduces common mode noise. Taranis achieves an impressive signal to noise ratio of 120dB.
Last but not least, the Taranis steel chassis features a LED power meter on its mirror-finished stainless front panel. The meter shows 3db increments from -60db to -3db, actually 0db. The last led starts to illuminate at approximately -2.9db upwards, and gets brighter until 0db is reached.
As you know, I am extremely fond of well implemented NCore, such as what Merrill has achieved with this technology inside the Veritas monos. Hence, I am looking forward to discovering the musical performance of Taranis live.
You will find more information, including tech specs at:
http://merrillaudio.net/taranis.html
Merrill can be contacted at:
Merrill Wettasinghe
Merrill Audio Advanced Technology Labs, LLC
www.merrillaudio.net
Tel: 415 5MA.HiFi (415.562.4434)
Email:
taranis@merrillaudio.net
The amp is a power house: in stereo mode it outputs 400W/8 per channel, growing to 600W over 4 Ohms. For the most demanding speakers, it can be configured by the factory to operate in bridged tied load for mono/biamping operations: each bridged chassis can output a whopping 1200W/4 Ohms. The circuit can deliver a high voltage peak of 80V, and a high current of 26A per channel. According to Merrill, even difficult to drive electrostats are compatible with the high voltage of Taranis. Do not be concerned about damping factor for low impedance speakers, the value is a hefty 5000.
According to Merrill, Taranis uses a uniquely configured Hypex SMPS that complements the full-blooded NCore 5th order self-oscillating class D power conversion technology inside it. Yes, you read correctly: There is no lower end Hypex UCD inside Taranis at all. Nor is the amp powered by some DYI module derived from the entry-level NC400 part.
Taranis is no basic NCore integration: Amongst other things, Merrill designed a custom differential input stage for the amp with a high current drive for the output stage. The stage raises the input impedance to a substantial 100K Ohms for excellent compatibility with most preamplifiers and DACs, and reduces common mode noise. Taranis achieves an impressive signal to noise ratio of 120dB.
Last but not least, the Taranis steel chassis features a LED power meter on its mirror-finished stainless front panel. The meter shows 3db increments from -60db to -3db, actually 0db. The last led starts to illuminate at approximately -2.9db upwards, and gets brighter until 0db is reached.
As you know, I am extremely fond of well implemented NCore, such as what Merrill has achieved with this technology inside the Veritas monos. Hence, I am looking forward to discovering the musical performance of Taranis live.
You will find more information, including tech specs at:
http://merrillaudio.net/taranis.html
Merrill can be contacted at:
Merrill Wettasinghe
Merrill Audio Advanced Technology Labs, LLC
www.merrillaudio.net
Tel: 415 5MA.HiFi (415.562.4434)
Email:
taranis@merrillaudio.net