Linn's Klimax Solo 800 is the Glasgow-based firm's first passively cooled Class A-B mono power amplifier. It promises "exceptional clarity" from 400W into 8Ω, 800W into 4Ω, right up to 1.2kW into 2Ω.

We are told that Linn's electronic engineers focused on achieving ultimate 'consistency' and 'accuracy' featuring novel and original Linn technologies which combine to "produce staggeringly low distortion measurements (THD+N, 8Ω 0.0004% 1kHz, 400W), with superb signal-to-noise ratio (98 dB Ref 1W, 20kHz A-wt), and incredible efficiency".

The low distortion measurements are due to dynamic monitoring and error-correcting in real-time via multiple digital and analogue feedback loops deployed throughout the amp, so says the manufacturer.

Gilad Tiefenbrun, Linn’s CEO, told StereoNET:

As this is our first foray into the high-power, passively cooled amplifier category, we're acutely aware that we have to outperform some strong, established incumbents. The challenge was to apply our unique expertise in both analogue and digital electronics engineering to set a new standard in audio amplification. The resulting distortion and noise measurements are lower than anything the industry has seen. Solo 800 drives even the most demanding loudspeakers more assuredly than its competitor amplifiers. We're confident that customers will hear the difference.

Klimax Solo is a Class AB amplifier, and as such, it requires a 'sweet spot' bias current to minimise transistor crossover distortion. However, this bias current can drift far from ideal over the amplifier's lifespan, so the Solo 800 is equipped with the company's Adaptive Bias Control technology (debuted in Linn's 2023 flagship 360 Exakt Integrated loudspeaker).

Linn tells us that the optimum bias current is established dynamically by measuring, sampling and digitising the current supplied to the transistors. This data is passed to an FPGA that calculates the bias corresponding to these measured current levels. It then implements a digital control loop to hold this measured bias point at its ideal level for each transistor.

The apparent result is that Linn's Solo 800 ensures the optimum bias is applied and persistently adjusted to be ideal – at any temperature, regardless of volume or demanding dynamic changes in the source material – throughout the product's lifespan.

Furthermore, employing "Linn's unique combination of digital and analogue expertise", the Solo 800's internal stages have been optimised and linearised to produce "exceedingly high performance" consistently in all conditions.

The Solo 800's analogue output stage is blessed by "only the best transistors available." Linn combines eight pairs of them in parallel to ensure linearity up to and beyond the amplifier's impressive rating. Linn states that this results in the the amp's output impedance being divided by eight, giving Solo 800 the ability to drive large speakers with difficult loads right across the audio band with no tail-off in performance as the volume is turned up. In fact, we're assured that the louder it goes, "the more astonishingly controlled it is".

The Solo 800 also sports Linn's all-new Utopik switch-mode power supply topology, boasting precision-regulated, independently isolated power rails. According to the spec sheet, this generates 2kW maximum power output whilst retaining speed, responsiveness and consummate efficiency.

Furthermore, if the mains input varies, the output always remains stable and ultra-pure. Linn says it favours switch-mode power supplies for their amplifiers as they are more efficient and have better electromagnetic isolation. Finally, any noise they generate occurs outside the band of human hearing.

With Utopik for Solo 800, Linn has progressed a step further to minimise switching noise and improve efficiency by utilising a technique called 'soft-switching'; a resonant tank circuit ensures that voltage across the power supply switch falls to zero before the switch is thrown.

Klimax Solo 800 features superb heat management by directly mounting the amplifier and power supply circuitry to the critically efficient, large surface area heatsinks. This cool-running design is critical to delivering exceptional clarity up to 1.2kW into 2Ω.

Internal components share heat evenly and further benefit from natural aspiration. Simple convection draws cool air into hidden lower vents, absorbing heat before being expelled silently from the low-profile oblong vent on the Klimax Solo 800's top surface.

The fascia features a back-lit roundel highlighted by one hundred individual cool-toned LEDs. In addition to looking fabulous, the Linn roundel communicates the amplifier's status to the seated listener. Brightness can be set at three levels via a simple switch at the product's rear.

Klimax Solo 800 is available in two finishes - black-anodised or natural silver anodised faceplate - and sold in pairs for £75,000 (around US$90,000).

Visit Linn for more information