LTA Ultralinear ZOTL Power Amplifier

$6,800.00

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The Linear Tube Audio (LTA) Ultralinear ZOTL Power Amplifier has earned the right to be called our “favorite” Power Amp and we believe that if you have the opportunity to audition one, it will quickly become your new reference piece of equipment.

The LTA Ultralinear is the latest ZOTL amplifier design by David Berning, utilizing his Zero-hysteresis Output Transformerless audio design and his unique power supply.

The  LTA Ultralinear outputs 20 watts per channel using 17JN6 tubes, a Compactron-style TV sweep tube that can't be easily used in traditional transformer-coupled amplifier designs. The ZOTL circuit is able to take advantage of these great-sounding, under-utilized tubes, and in this case, does so in what can be considered the only ultralinear amp without traditional output transformers.

David designed the amplifier specifically for high efficiency speakers.  A balance between triode and pentode mode, the ultralinear topology delivers a less forward presentation which is "more pleasing to listen to".  The Ultralinear Power Amplifier delivers accuracy, detail and realism.  Pianos sound like pianos. The bass is controlled but fluid. Very transparent, no hum and very dynamic.

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Contact Us

The Linear Tube Audio (LTA) Ultralinear ZOTL Power Amplifier has earned the right to be called our “favorite” Power Amp and we believe that if you have the opportunity to audition one, it will quickly become your new reference piece of equipment.

The LTA Ultralinear is the latest ZOTL amplifier design by David Berning, utilizing his Zero-hysteresis Output Transformerless audio design and his unique power supply.

The  LTA Ultralinear outputs 20 watts per channel using 17JN6 tubes, a Compactron-style TV sweep tube that can't be easily used in traditional transformer-coupled amplifier designs. The ZOTL circuit is able to take advantage of these great-sounding, under-utilized tubes, and in this case, does so in what can be considered the only ultralinear amp without traditional output transformers.

David designed the amplifier specifically for high efficiency speakers.  A balance between triode and pentode mode, the ultralinear topology delivers a less forward presentation which is "more pleasing to listen to".  The Ultralinear Power Amplifier delivers accuracy, detail and realism.  Pianos sound like pianos. The bass is controlled but fluid. Very transparent, no hum and very dynamic.

Contact Us

The Linear Tube Audio (LTA) Ultralinear ZOTL Power Amplifier has earned the right to be called our “favorite” Power Amp and we believe that if you have the opportunity to audition one, it will quickly become your new reference piece of equipment.

The LTA Ultralinear is the latest ZOTL amplifier design by David Berning, utilizing his Zero-hysteresis Output Transformerless audio design and his unique power supply.

The  LTA Ultralinear outputs 20 watts per channel using 17JN6 tubes, a Compactron-style TV sweep tube that can't be easily used in traditional transformer-coupled amplifier designs. The ZOTL circuit is able to take advantage of these great-sounding, under-utilized tubes, and in this case, does so in what can be considered the only ultralinear amp without traditional output transformers.

David designed the amplifier specifically for high efficiency speakers.  A balance between triode and pentode mode, the ultralinear topology delivers a less forward presentation which is "more pleasing to listen to".  The Ultralinear Power Amplifier delivers accuracy, detail and realism.  Pianos sound like pianos. The bass is controlled but fluid. Very transparent, no hum and very dynamic.

  • I am saving perhaps the best for last here, I was completely blown away by the spacious soundstage this amp produced. It transformed the soundscape, adding multiple layers of depth and copious cushions of air around the performers. Everything became completely three dimensional in a way I have only heard in rooms that allowed for a much better setup than mine. It is this type of spatial realism, when combined with such vivid, realistic tonal color and transient fidelity, that makes the Ultralinear so intoxicating--so NECESSARY.

  • This is an incredibly detailed amp. I mean detailed in a good way, without sounding analytical in the process. Its ability to unravel complex passages resulted in a supreme sense of spatial clarity. This was a function of preserving transient decay into an exceptionally low noise floor.

    The results confirmed strong similarities with the SIT-3 in detail resolution and harmonic textures, though the UL was more dimensional, especially with respect to soundstage depth.

    It’s fair to say that the ZOTL Ultralinear amplifier is a smashing sonic success.

  • What makes this amplifier so special is you would swear you’re listening to a SET 2A3 amplifier because of its beautiful tonality/colors and spatial qualities, yet the overall dynamics and bass control rival a much more powerful solid-state design.

  • The Linear Tube Audio ZOTL Ultralinear is quite remarkable. It fools you into thinking that it's a reference SET for its ability with tonality and color. It provides rich, vibrant and gorgeous timbres along with an overall silky smoothness that just floats the music into the room in relaxed fashion. However because of its overall speed, dynamics, lower bass extension and control you know it couldn't be a flea-power SET.

    Think of the ZOTL Ultralinear amplifier as a world-class SET for its inner glow of gorgeous color/timbres plus the sense of aliveness and dynamics of a more powerful push/pull. This amplifier would be welcome in any system with standard speakers and listeners who prioritize beautiful tonality and timbres, first-rate imaging and the aliveness and 'speed' of live music.

  • I’ll start by saying this is the best Class AB amplifier I have ever heard. The first thing I noticed was that the LTA Ultralinear was the quietest amp I have ever heard; not the quietest tube amp, but the quietest amp. I think this enabled me to hear some of its most captivating qualities; its incredible sense of pace and rhythm, explosive dynamics, and micro-dynamics. I found myself tapping my foot almost as often as I do when listening to live music. The amp is so unbelievably natural that it was hard to think about anything but the music, the glorious music.

    If you have high-efficiency speakers and you don’t want to spend five figures on an amp that weighs a ton and heats up your room, then you need to hear this amp. There are very few SET amps that can stay in the game with the Ultralinear. It has the ability to magically take recorded music and almost convince you that it’s live! Yes, there are some SET amps that can do this, but the ones I know of start in the five figures and work their way up.

Design Features

All the benefits of David Berning's ZOTL technology, including 3 times the tube life, 1/3 the heat, a super wide frequency response of 8hz -60Khz, and a under 2 ohm output impedance to play nicely with all speakers, are all included. There is also a sophisticated speaker protection system to prevent damage to the amplifier and speakers if there ever was a tube issue.

General Specifications

20 watts channel 8 ohms
Push pull class AB
Frequency response 8hz to 60khz - +0, -.5db
Input - One pair L & R RCA
Output - One set of stereo speaker binding posts
Switchable Stereo-Mono

Power Supply

The Ultralinear features an advanced switching power supply designed by David that has been the foundation of several of his most cherished designs.

• 115VAC or 220VAC - 50/60Hz - IEC receptacle

Tubes

17JN6 power tubes

12AU7 and 12AX7 input tubes
Autobias for all tubes
All tubes NOS

I/O & U/X

The casework designed & manufactured by Fern and Roby features front and rear panels milled from one inch slabs of 6061 aluminum plate to improve manufacturabilty and deliver excellent grounded connections for all critical hardware to ensure improved sonic performance. 

Hardware: Cardas RCAs, WBT copper binding posts, front panel industrial toggle switch, and a stereo mono switch with all markings laser engraved.

Dimensions & Materials

Dimensions: H - 5.5", W - 17", L - 15" (including binding posts)

Weight - 15lbs. or 6.75kg

Face and Back plates: 6061 Aluminum plate with a black "honed", Hard Anodized finish

Sheetmetal: 6061 with powder coated black finish

Reviews

The Audio Beatnik 8-16-18

Audiogon Discussion Forum about the Ultralinear

6Moons

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