Intro
Contents
After the integrated TB200 amplifier, it is now the turn of the Kora TA480 stereo power amplifier. Does this power amplifier bring much more than the integrated one, or are the differences to be sought with a candle?
The Kora TA480 is a stereo power amplifier. Like all Kora amplifiers, it is a tube amplifier with 4 tubes arranged in a configuration that Kora calls ‘Square Tube‘, which only amplifies the signal in voltage. The power required to move the speaker units is provided by FETs configured in parallel with the tubes. Of these FETs, 20 are found in the TA480.
The mineral grey cabinet houses two 500-watt transformers and these contribute to its 27 kg weight. It is a hefty cabinet and moving it ‘just for a moment’ is a gym activity. The amp delivers 2 x 200 W into 8 Ω and 2 x 360 W into 4 Ω. That’s hefty, but not oversized.
The number of connections is straightforward: 1 pair of RCA and 1 pair of XLR inputs. For speaker cable, there is one set of connections for left and right.
On the front we find a round rotary knob. Pressing this takes the amp out of standby mode and pressing it long when the amplifier is turned on places it back in standby. Of course, this can also be done with the remote control. Pressing the knob briefly and then turning it will select the XLR or RCA input, or the setup menu. All Kora amplifiers have the option of adjusting the balance between the left and right channels in the setup, as well as the brightness of the display.
Turning the knob without pressing adjusts the input sensitivity of the XLR or RCA input to properly match the output voltage of a connected preamp. In practice, you adjust everything once unless you change preamplifiers frequently. The knob is the same as the volume control on the preamplifier or integrated amplifier, which can cause confusion.
This is subjective and taste-sensitive, but the display in the colour orange, combined with the mineral grey coating, gives the amp a classy appearance.
Another notable detail: if you purchase this amplifier, the Kora TA480 is delivered in a wooden ‘flight case’.