/ >) Nakamichi Integrated Amplifiers cai ST-2 Dea RaedDescended from a long line of cceptional audio components, Nakamichi’s integrated amplifiers and tuner carry on the tradition of excellence with innovative engineering and ive musical accuracy. Powerful, musical, and supremely competent-—a meticulously engineered masterpiece, featuring exclusive Harmonic Time Alignment™ circultry Exceptionally capable and affordable, providing the sonic advantages of Nakamichi Harmonie Time Alignment’ ampliier technology 1A-1 integrates Amite 1A-2 i sated Amo ST-2 rxasieceo tunerBuilding A Better Integrated Amplifior Requires A Unique Approach To Electronics “he traditional goal of integrated ampliier design has been to combine the source selection and sonic control capabilities ofa preamplifier and the speaker diving capebllty Of 8 power amplifier inte a sngle space-saving Component And while virtually all tegrated amplifiers succeed inthis regard. the NNakarsch act and IA-2 precictaby 90 considerably further Nakamichi integrated ampitiers itingush themselves with more than thei Clean, elagant styling. They cater to the enthusiasts need for versity and operating Convenience. And, above al they remain tue to Nakamichi standard of uncampramising ‘musical accuracy ‘A tho hear of ther outstanding sound quali is Nakamich’s exclusive Harmonie Time Alignment” arpitier circuitry. Developed tough exhaustive studies into the sonic Gferences among ampitiers, his Nakamichi technology has unlocked many of the mysteries surrounding "ampilier sound And, ost importantly, endows the [A-1 anc 12 wan musical accuracy not achieved even by many expensive separate components, ‘These integrated amplifier aiso benefit ‘roma unique preduct design philosophy. ‘lows rom the recognition that musica accuracy is not only about numbers. Nakamich’ research thus extends beyond the laboratory. Pat of every product development cyie ae extensive “ive vs reproduced’ tests ‘ade posse by a speciay designed Concert ral and istening room at Nakamichi neadquartors R&D facity What may be an extravagance for others ‘sa basic nocossity for Nakamichi But thats vial takes fo make a better integrated amplter Harmonie Time Alignment™ Amplifier Technology ‘Since the early days of audio, much iscussion has centered on ine effect of feedback on the harmonic cistortion of ampiters. The effects of feedback onthe timing ofan ampiersGistorton components, however, has been largely ignores ‘men the amplifies signal and ts harman aistorion components are correctly time-aligned, the former serves fo mask the later Wren he cstorion components are shites in phase with respect fo the oig al signal, even minute amounts of THD can become audible, This is why some amplifiers with unimpressive THD performance ae often Soniealy Superior othere wth much lower THO figures Ths is also why tube amplifiers have tho reputation for excellent mido-high: Frequency and mediocre bass-requency performance. An examination ofthe phase shit Of distorion components in tube ampities reveal that they ae typically wal aigned inthe ‘middle 1 high requencies but poorly aligned at low frequencies. Conversely, most solid-state dasigns are beter aligned atthe lowest Frequencies, which cancides wih ther reputation for superior “bettom-end performance. The Harmonic Tine Aligrment™ creutry ‘employed in the 1-1 and 1A-2 achieves a high degree of alignment throughout the audio ‘specrum trough te use of wideband, low ‘open-loop gain design. Such designs inherently requie far less negative feedback ‘2nd, more enportant, a constant aunt of egatve feedback within the audio passband ‘Time alignment is thus better preserved. And the endiresut is exceptionally musical reproductin—a quali that cannot be fathomed with conventional specticatons, such as output rating o distortion Highest-Grade, Select Circuit Components ‘Since the sound qualty of an electron circuit can only be as good as i's weakest lnk teach parts selected for use ony ater extensive testing and evaluation to determine its sonic propertes. The preamplter sections ate constructed entrely of exra-high-grade tiscrete componenis. The precision phono equalizer ampier, furthermore, features a Sifrentia input stage for maximum dynamic range and response accuracy Driving Capability The [act features a lowmpedance output stage that utlizes no less than eight power transistors ina dua paralel con? guration. ‘can delver an astonisting 28 amperes of ‘ourtent. The IA-2 has an TB-ampore peak Curtent capability. Above and beyond ther power raings, therefore the IA-T and 1A? are Capable of arving real word” speakers, which tend to be considerably more demanding than ea laboratory resistive loads ‘Te oversized power vansformer and finer capacitors assure more than ample ‘energy, even forthe moet robust Estering. And the large neat sinks eficiently Gisipate thermal energy fo assure coo}, stable performance, In al respects, he 8-1 and IA-2 are designed with "oom to spare. ‘Sophisticated Engineering for Sonic Purity Both integrated amplters employ mult regulated power supoies, orginally developed ‘by Nakamichi to prevert interference between Cfreut sections. n the IA-1, the preamp, power ampli, and con cveuly are powered independenty via separate power transformer windings. Both models also feature [Nakamich’s Isolated Ground topology, which Brevents nose leakage vate grounding Considerable attention has been paid to signal path in he iA-1 and 2. The infernal constriction is highy modular, and the discrete blocks of circuitry are carefully arrangad for minimal ineroranca and tne shortest possiole Signal path. For the rue puts, the IA-1 provides a CD Direct input The signal ftom this Input bypasses the source selector and the balance contol, and is fed directly to dedicated sections of he high-grade motor-crven The use of a motor-driven volume control in both models provides remote Cconvalles operating convenience without any of the sonic {rawacks of al-electronic volume Ccontais. nd each ampli ie supplied with Nakamicn's, ‘convenient wireless Sysiem emote Contol unt, which enabies| Operation of every major function fn the amplifier plus tre major functions of other compatible Nakamichi components, including '3CD player two cassette decks, and tuner 1W.11A2 Other Advanced Features Independent moniiarrec-out souree Selectors &"Nakamichi Concept tone controls with defeat switch eMotorcriven, remote Conttolabie volume control and source selector #Remote power ont (standby) ‘Audio mute switch # High-speed protection Circuit @AVBIASB speaker switching More Than Great Reception “The Nakamichi ST2 isa highly sophisticated FM tuner that delivers nat ony butstanding reception but also exceptional sonic accuracy, iis advanced FM-only quarz-PLL frequency synthesis front-end employs a matched twin varicap diode design for Improved RF infermodulation performance and high interference rejection, Low-noise FETS in the AF ampifier stage prevent cistorton even at very high input levels. The reference dsciator frequency, furthermore, has been moved fo 25 ke, ouside the audible range, to ‘eliminate “beating” and thus assure a high signal-to-noise ratio. The IF stage features selected J-FET devices for superior front-end matching, excellent group delay characteristics, land reduced distorion. A ceramic resonator multiplex stage ensures outstanding stereo Separation and stabity To assure the highest-quality music reproduction. he ST.2 incorporates an isolation bier inthe output stage to koe high-frequency ‘Poise aut ofthe aus signal. In adton, the ata cireuity is active only during the tuning pprocess—and not during normal listening—to Eliminate digital nose problems. Special shielding blocks noise generated by the FL display from reaching te sgnal culty. And as wth the A:T ana 18.2, the S-2 employs the highest-grade components, advanced circuit layout forthe shortest audio signal path, and mmult-tegulated power supply with Islated Ground topology. ‘ST-2 Other Advanced Features, 1930 FM station memory presets @Auto Seok tuning @ Manual tuning with rotary xno ‘*Suitenabie Ir bandarcth (wice!narom) Deteatabe FM muting #FM mode selection (Gtereoimano) #Auiomatc recal of IF bandwidth, FM mode, and muting settings with ‘ach station memory preset ®Auiomatic. power-on recal of last station tuna ‘*Operable via wireless System Remote ‘Control unt supplied with IAT or 18-2Accessories Featu Comparison src: Remote Connecting Cable SAC Syst r 2 ‘Specifications Nakamichi Canada Nakamichi Australi Nakamichi B&W U.K. Ltd 159 Suzukicho, Kodaira, Tokyo 187 Phone: (0423) 42-1115 19701 Souh Vermont Ave. Torance. CA 90602 Phone: (310) 538-8 276 South West, Marine Dive, Vancouver, BC. VSX 2R4 Phone. (604) 324-7535 Unt 12, 620-652 Botany Road, Alexancha, NSW. 2015 Phone. (02) 667-081 Praunheimer LandstraBe 32 6000. Frankurt Man 90 Prone: (068) 7682021-28 Martborough Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BNIS8TR Phone. (0903) 7507