H
igh-current power with abundant
dynamic reserves.
Pristine sonics with fi nely-focused
defi nition.
A 5.25-inch-high, cool-running
component that looks as good as it sounds.
Pantages
™
combines AudioControl’s
expertise in audiophile electronic design
with their reputation for industrial-
strength build quality — a proven track
record that’s been long-established among
distributed sound contractors and design-
ers of high performance home theatres.
A dynamic LED display monitors output
of all fi ve channels during operation. The
display can also be turned off if you fi nd
that it competes with on-screen movie
action.
Input to Pantages
™
can be provided
by either balanced XLR or unbalanced
RCA connections. Oversized, gold plated
speaker connection terminals are designed
to accommodate even the thickest audi-
ophile cables via banana, pin or fork termi-
nations.
A 12-volt trigger input enables remote
AC power activation of the amplifi er via
external processor or controller as part of
your overall system.
If you desire powerful, reliable and
musical amplifi cation at an extremely rea-
sonably price, you’ll want to audition Pan-
tages
™
, the home theater amp that sounds
warm but runs cool. We think that you’ll
be equally impressed with its precision
and with its ability to fully deliver the
demanding dynamics of today’s digital
video sources.
A
lthough capable of effortlessly
delivering a thousand watts
of continuous RMS power, the Audio-
Control Pantages
™
is a surprisingly
compact amplifi er. It doesn’t require
a forklift to move or special ventila-
tion in your audio/video component
rack.
Brains versus brawn.
Conventional Class AB and
Class A power
amplifi ers are like
internal combus-
tion engines that
must run at red-
line all of the time,
no matter what the
desired speed.
During all but the loudest parts
of a movie, they convert most of
their excess head-
room power into
heat (Fig. 1A &
B). Just as with
a constantly rev -
ed-up engine, an
ineffi cient power
amplifi er requires
extreme cooling measures and can
still prematurely break down due to
heat build-up.
Pantages
™
uses a Class H ampli-
fi er topology that can be likened to
an engine with an automatic trans-
mission. Program power require-
ments are constantly monitored by
internal circuitry. During quiet pas-
sages, Pantages’ amplifi er “idles”
without drawing
large amounts of
current from the
wall socket. It runs
cool because it’s
not forced to dissi-
pate large amounts
of excess energy
(fi gure 2A). During momentary or
sustained dynamic passages such as
thunderous movie
special effects,
Pantages
™
instan-
taneously “shifts
gears,” tapping
extra voltage rails
to deliver massive
current on demand
(Figure 2B). In other words, it’s
smart enough to “step on the gas”
when it needs to — drawing power
directly from the wall socket instead
of from bulky internal storage.
The result is an incredibly robust
(and reliable) power amplifi er that
doesn’t require barbecue-grille-
sized cooling fi ns.
High-defi nition BiMOS output
devices. While Class A
bi-polar transistors are popular
for their sonic purity, they
bring with them the inher-
ent high-heat and low effi -
ciency of Class A operation.
Conventional MOSFETs
with the high current drive capa-
bilities of MOSFETs – precision and
high power in one amplifi er! Your
speaker system’s treble and mid-
range transducers get the delicate
details that create total realism and
accurate sound staging; the system’s
woofers receive tightly controlled
brute force for thunderous cinema
sound effects.
Exclusive LightDrive protec-
tion system. The power
amplifi er is truly the “engine” in your
Efficient Class H operation and high-defi nition BiMOS outputs for accuracy and reliability.
are capable of higher current output
and better effi ciency, but are consid-
ered by many to obscure fi ne audio
details (the infamous “MOSFET Mist”).
Pantages
™
employs a new gen-
eration of BiMOS output design
that combine the
precision of bi-
polar transistors
home cinema system. It must not
only be exceptionally reliable, but
also be designed not to overdrive the
components to which it is connected.
Pantages
™
LightDrive electro-
optical system protects both the
internal amplifi er modules and your
continued on back page
Available
with black or silver
anodized front panel.
Available with black or silver anodized front panel.
Fig 1A. Class A/B amp current draw @ average levels.
Fig 1B. Class A/B amp current draw @ peak levels.
Fig 2A. Pantages current draw @ average levels.
Fig 2B. Pantages current draw @ peak levels.
