Starke Sound Launches Fiera Amplifiers for High-Performance Multichannel Applications

Starke Sound, the company founded in Los Angeles by Scott DeLoache, Spring Qin, and Dan Wiggins, has now introduced the Fiera multichannel amplifiers, built for enthusiasts seeking higher fidelity from their surround and immersive systems for both film soundtrack and music reproduction in their homes. These new models provide substantial power and effortlessly realistic sound, using Starke's own switch-mode power supplies and Class D amplifier modules.

ICEpower is strengthening its pro audio lineup of amplifier modules with two new members. The ICEpower 2000AS HV (High-Voltage) is a fully integrated audio power amplifier module including a universal mains power supply with PFC as well as ErP and Energy Star compliant standby. The new amplifier module will be available with one amplifier channel of 2000W (2000AS1 HV) and two amplifier channels of 2000W (2000AS2 HV). According to the Danish company, the new 2000AS HV amplifier module builds on the legacies of the existing 700AS and 1200AS modules, as a power solution targeted for live sound experiences.

Infineon Technologies broadened its CoolGaN series with two new devices: the CoolGaN 400 V and the CoolGaN 600 V. Gallium nitride (GaN) offers fundamental advantages over silicon, with outstanding specific dynamic on-state resistance and smaller capacitances compared to silicon MOSFETs. The new CoolGaN 400 V device will appeal to audio product designers looking for a premium solution for home or professional Class D amplifiers.

In this article Scott Dorsey tells us how to repair Switching Mode power supplies. As he explains, "there are a lot of books and articles out there about how to design a switching supply, but not many on fixing them. As switching supplies become ubiquitous in electronic devices today, it becomes that much more important to understand how they work and just as importantly how they fail." This article was originally published in audioXpress, January 2018.

Chord Electronics has chosen High End 2018 to unveil a brand new analogue amplifier topology design, the company’s first for nearly 30 years. Although many improvements have been introduced along the way, the new Choral Etude stereo power amp provides a glimpse of what's coming for the British company, "highly advanced, it heralds a new era for powerful, wide bandwidth, low noise and low distortion amplifiers," Chord states.

A great first 2018 issue of audioXpress is now available to download! audioXpress January 2018 reviews the surprising Vanatoo Transparent Zero powered, wireless, and inexpensive speakers. We report on what sounded good at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest (RMAF) 2017 show, and Robert Nance Dee returns with the 6922 tube hybrid amplifier, a complete design in his series on buffered preamps... and much more!

Microchip Technology announced availability of its updated MPLAB Mindi analog simulation software, now including more models and features. The circuit simulation tool now supports more than 300 Microchip analog products, with SIMetrix’s enhanced SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) and SIMPLIS Technologies’ SIMPLIS (SIMulation of Piecewise LInear Systems) simulation environments.

November 2013 was the first issue of the redesigned audioXpress in its current form, featuring several new sections, including the first of its R&D Stories series, focusing on engineering and product development - independently of the audio application field. This article by Stuart Yaniger on QSC’s Flexible Amplifier Summing Technology (FAST) was a reference for many to follow.