Vellutino - Circuit Description

Input stage:

The signal input accepts unbalanced (RCA) signals. Just as in all of our other amplifer products, it uses an input coupling transformer. Transformer inputs eliminate ground loops between the amp and the preamp. Ground loops not only cause annoying hums, but can lead to loss of low-level detail, as such musical information can be buried in the noise. Additionally, a coupling transformer will prevent any RF energy from entering the input, and causing further degradation of of the musical information from RF energy that would normally enter an amplifier input.

By using transformer coupled inputs, you can directly interface with any preamp. Whether it is solid state, tube, direct coupled, capacitor coupled, high output impedance, low output impedance, you can hook it up to the Velluto without problems. Our goal is to not only build the finest amp at this price that there is, but to make it able to work with any preamp, in any system.

In order to do so, the Vellutino does not come with both XLR and RCA connectors, as the Velluto does.

What? Did you say that you need XLR connectors? Could we put some on a special unit, just for you?

Of course, we can. And we won't charge extra to do so. We will charge you extra to change it back, though. This isn't a charity, we are in business to make money.

The input signal is direct coupled to a JFET stage that uses no coupling caps. The frequency response is designed to yield an accurate, yet pleasing, frequency response. While it is possible to make an amplifier that has ruler flat frequency response, we decided to provide the listener with a frequency response that is consistient with the demands of the Home Theater market, yet very acceptable for 2-channel applications. You will be able to experience the finer details and nuances in musical reproduction that audiophiles have come to expect, or all the excitement of Home Theater that will astound everyone. And yet, without being annoying and causing listerner fatigue. The Vellutino is an amplifier that you will be able to enjoy for hours on end.

The signal path throughout the amplifier is fully differential. The Vellutino allows the amplifier module to be driven the way that the designers of the module intended to be. It may be a more costly approach, but when your goal is build the finest amplifier available, even at this low of a price, such steps are necessary. Maybe that is why the competition can not say the same for their products.

While we would love to be able provide all of the features of the Velluto, when your goal is to shrink the finest amplifier available to such a small size, and a smaller price, sacrifices have to be made. But rest assured that performance is not one of them. And never will be.

 Power supply and module:

 Power is supplied by a toroidal transformer, that serves as the main supply. Low voltage power supply regulation is provided on the amplifier module itself.

The amplifier module is of a different design than in the Velluto. In order to provide a product with a high level of performance at a lower price, we chose to use a module that did not need special power supplies for the low-voltage circuitry.

One should not take these differences to infer that this is a unit of lower expectations. Indeed, it is an excellent sounding amplifier and can well be used in budget minded sytems, or ones without the room sufficient to house an amplifier of traditional design.

To reduce the possibility of EMI from escaping, all leads into and out of the amplifier module are treated with ferrite materials that absorb stray EMI.

The Vellutino is designed to not only to prevent EMI, but to also be immune from EMI. You can be assured that the Velluto will be able to operate in any environment, without concern. You won't have to worry that the ultimate listening experience will be ruined by hearing "Breaker, breaker", when your neighbor fires up his illegal 1000W CB rig.

Output:

The output terminals are traditional binding posts, which have the ability to connect to wire speaker leads. The rear panel also holds a momentary pushbutton switch, which changes the amplifier mode from standby to operational mode. Once fully operational, the switch has an internal LED to give users indication of such.

Here are some pictures of what it will look like. The final version will be a bit nicer. These are just for demonstration purposes only.

Vellutino

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