Dayton
Audio HTA Series
Dayton
Audio has launched a new line of affordable hybrid tube integrated amplifiers. The HTA Series comprises three models:
the HTA20, HTA100, and HTA200. The company claims to have solved the
decades-old debate about whether solid-state or tube amplifiers produce a
better listening experience. Dayton’s answer? Use both. All three HTA Series
integrated amplifiers use tubes in their preamps, but the (Class A/B) power
amps are solid-state. While hybrid amps of this type are not new, it is rare to
find them at prices anywhere near this low. Dayton claims to have harnessed the
best qualities of both amplifier technologies for these new, super-affordable
models.
HTA20:
$149.98
The
HTA20 is a tiny thing, measuring just 6.5 by 11 by 8.5 inches, and weighing a
mere 5.7 pounds. Packed inside its compact chassis, you’ll find a preamp with
“amber-toned (vacuum) tubes that provide a warm sound” and a Class A/B power amplifier rated to deliver 20 watts per channel
at 4 ohms. (An 8-ohm rating is not specified.) Designed for smaller spaces
and/or highly sensitive loudspeakers, the HTA20 is “perfect for college dorms
or bedrooms,” according to Dayton Audio. For such an affordable piece, the
HTA20 has a number of useful features, including a built-in USB DAC (though it
maxes out at 16-bit/48kHz), two analog inputs, a subwoofer output, a headphone
jack for private listening, and Bluetooth 5.0 for streaming audio from a
smartphone or tablet.
HTA100:
$229.98
The
HTA100 offers more power and more features, but it’s only slightly larger at 6.6
by 11.5 by 10.6 inches. The HTA100 is rated to deliver 50 watts per channel at
4 ohms. It has all of the features of its less expensive sibling, but adds backlit VU meters, a large volume knob, and input
selection buttons on the brushed aluminum front panel. Other additions include coaxial and
optical digital inputs, and a preamp output for connecting a separate power
amplifier. The built-in phono preamp and ground connection make it easy to
connect a turntable to the HTA100’s dedicated phono input. Finally, the HTA100
offers tone controls for adjusting bass and treble.
HTA200:
$349.98
The
flagship HTA200 offers all of the HTA100’s features, but once again there’s
more power on tap. The HTA200 is rated to deliver 100 watts per channel at 4
ohms. Unlike the less expensive HTA amps, the HTA200 also has an 8-ohm power
rating (50 watts per channel RMS).
Dayton Audio says the HTA200 is “perfect for large listening environments”
and/or more demanding loudspeakers. In addition to the backlit VU meters, the
HTA200’s front panel includes a digital display.
The motorized volume knob is controllable by the included infrared remote
control — another handy feature that’s exclusive to this (slightly) more
expensive unit. The HTA200 is the largest of the bunch, measuring 13.1 by 6.6 by
12.5 inches.
All
three HTA Series amplifiers are backed by an 5-Year warranty, which is very
impressive at these prices. The HTA Series is available at www.parts-express.com.
The
Dark Side Of The Moon 50th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set
It
may be total overkill for most, but the forthcoming 50th Anniversary Deluxe Box
Set of The Dark Side Of The Moon ($310.85) has a lot to offer the
diehard Pink Floyd fan. The most exciting element in my opinion is the new
Dolby Atmos mix, delivered via Blu-ray disc. The set also includes CD and
gatefold vinyl versions of the newly-remastered studio album, plus Blu-ray and DVD versions of the
original 5.1 mix and remastered stereo mix, in various resolutions. Also
included are CD and LP versions of The Dark Side Of The Moon — Live At Wembley
Empire Pool, London, 1974.
Here’s
a rundown of everything in this massive box set:
CD1 – The
Dark Side Of The Moon (50th Anniversary) 2023 remaster. Original studio
album remastered by James Guthrie in gatefold sleeve with 12-page booklet.
CD2 – The
Dark Side Of The Moon Live At Wembley Empire Pool, London, 1974. Mixed by
Andy Jackson in gatefold sleeve with 12-page booklet. Cover design by Aubrey
Powell/Hipgnosis and Peter Curzon/StormStudios. Original 1973
line-drawn cover artwork by George Hardie.
LP1 – The
Dark Side Of The Moon (50th Anniversary) 2023 remaster. Remastered
original studio album on
180G Heavyweight LP in gatefold sleeve, with original posters and stickers.
LP2
– The Dark Side Of The Moon Live At Wembley Empire Pool, London, 1974
(2023 Master). 180G Heavyweight LP in gatefold, with 2 posters featuring
designs by Ian Emes and Gerald Scarfe. Cover design by Aubrey Powell/Hipgnosis
and Peter Curzon/StormStudios. Original 1973 line-drawn cover artwork by George
Hardie.
Blu-ray
1 (Audio only) – Original album
in 5.1 and high-resolution remastered stereo mixes:
- 5.1 Surround Mix – 24bit/96kHz
Uncompressed
- Stereo Mix – 24bit/192kHz
Uncompressed
- 5.1 Surround Mix – DTS-HD Master Audio
- Stereo Mix – DTS-HD MA Master Audio
Blu-ray
2 (Audio only) – Original
album in Atmos and high-resolution stereo mixes:
- Stereo Mix – 24-bit/192kHz Uncompressed
- Stereo Mix – DTS-HD MA Master Audio
DVD
(Audio only) – Original album in 5.1 and remastered stereo mixes:
- 5.1 Surround Mix – Dolby Digital
@448 kbps
- 5.1 Surround Mix – Dolby Digital
@640 kbps
- Stereo Mix (LPCM)
– 24-bit/48 kHz
Uncompressed
Also included in the box set:
- 160-Page
Thames & Hudson Hardcover Book with rare black-and-white photographs from
the 1973-1974 tours of the UK and the USA, taken by Jill Furmanovsky, Peter
Christopherson, Aubrey Powell, Storm Thorgerson.
- 76-Page
Music Book: The complete songbook of the original album.
- Replicas
of two 7” singles (Money/Any Colour You Like; Us and Them/Time), plus replicas of a pamphlet and invitation to the
preview of The Dark Side of The Moon at the London Planetarium on 27th
February 1973.
The
Dark Side Of The Moon 50th
Anniversary Deluxe Box Set was released on April 5th, and is available now from the official Pink Floyd
website.
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