Audio ValveChallenger 115newAudio Valve Challenger 115 - Most Wanted Component Award 2017The CHALLENGER series of mono-blocks are the foundation of the Audio Valve range of amplifiers, which have been refined and perfected since first introduced in 1984.NEW! WINNER OF STEREOTIMES' MOST...10500.00

Audio Valve Challenger 115 - Most Wanted Component Award 2017

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Condition
NEW
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Ships fromApple Valley, CA, 92307
Ships toUnited States
Package dimensions22.0" × 17.0" × 16.0" (50.0 lbs.)
22.0" × 17.0" × 16.0" (50.0 lbs.)
Shipping carrierUPS
Shipping costFree
Original accessoriesBox, Manual
AverageResearch Pricing

The CHALLENGER series of mono-blocks are the foundation of the Audio Valve range of amplifiers, which have been refined and perfected since first introduced in 1984.

NEW! WINNER OF STEREOTIMES' MOST WANTED COMPONENT AWARD 2017

The CHALLENGER is unique in so many key areas. For example, it can use KT-88s, 6550s or EL-34s with equal ease as power tube. And depending on the tube used, its output can range from 110 wpc to as high as 180 wpc. This is made possible by Audio Valve's revolutionary and proprietary ABR circuitry, which monitors, biases and controls each tube independently in the most AudioValve power amplifiers.

This feature allows the use of any of the mentioned tubes or, indeed, a combination of any of the three. This redefines in a truly innovative way the concept of "plug and play." It also makes tube replacement very economical, as there is no need for costly and exotic tubes which have to be matched in order to get the best sound from the amplifier.

Another truly impressive detail. That is, the circuitry is totally balanced from input right to output terminals. All of this means the CHALLENGER can drive any speaker on the market, from conventional drivers to exotic electrostatics and ribbons, with complete ease. 

Models
CHALLENGER 115: 6x EL34 - 115W output
CHALLENGER 150: 6x 6550 or KT88 - 150W output
CHALLENGER 180: 6x 6550 or KT88 - 180W output (separate condenser banks)

CLICK HERE for more information.
As a business we have to collect 8% TAX from buyers in California.
Factory lead time is currently 4-5 weeks.

Specifications
principal: Parallel-push-pull with parallel-balanced-cross- coupled driver stage 
tubes: 2*12AU7, 1*12AX7, 6*beam power pentode for example: KT 88, EL 34, 6550...
operation: Class-A
power output: 115 Watt (EL 34) / 150 Watt (KT 88 or 6550) / 180 Watt (KT 88 or 6550)
power consumption: 320 Watt - Stand by mode - 80 Watt 
max. short circuit current: 70 ampere between 2 ohm terminals 
input sen: 0 dBm 
input imp: 2* 47K 
output imp: 4 - 8 ohm 
connectors: LR & RCA input-jackets
power bandwidth: 5-40.000 Hz
distortion: 0.3% - 50 Watt (8 ohm load) 
damping: 5
bias: automated controlled with "ABR" for all power tubes 
size: 43*28*24 cm, D-H-W 
weight: 48 pound each mono-block
Stand-by mode: switchable

Reviews & Awards

MOST WANTED COMPONENT AWARD 2017
Key Kim of The StereoTimes wrote:
"...they feature a unique parallel push-pull Class-A design using six beam power pentode tubes per channel. The Challenger can be used with EL-34s, 6550s, or KT88s, and it produces a powerful 115 to 180 watts per channel. This is made possible by its revolutionary and proprietary Automatic Bias Regulator (ABR) circuitry, which monitors, biases and controls each tube independently. Brilliantly, it makes tube replacement very economical and simple, there is no need for tube matching to get the best sound. My review pair was equipped with the EL-34s and they rendered music with power and authority, transparency and beautiful tonality..." CLICK HERE to check it out

Ken Kessler for Ultimate Audio concluded:
"...it was easy to fall in love with the AudioValve pair (Eclipse pre-amp and Challenger mono-blocks), even the baroque styling; it was like looking at a gigantic Montblanc pen. The Eklipse impressed me because of its authoritative performance, openness, ergonomics and build quality. The Challengers? Deceptive they are, like U-boats. Small footprint, not too heavy for a 6-valve amp with huge transformers - yet they drive any bad without complaint, maintaining their composure at all times. Yeah, 1 could live with these without complaint..."

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