CHALLENGER 250

Description

The Challenger 250’s are high-performance power amplifiers with intelligent Power Management that provides a unique listening experience. They are a continuation of our successful Challenger series (115, 150 and 180) of mono blocs first introduced in 1987. The Challenger 250’s achieve a new level of definition and perfection in quality of sound. Like all AudioValve amplifiers, the Challenger 250’s attract attention through innovative technology, beautiful design and accurate circuitry. All AudioValve amplifiers are handcrafted products, produced with accuracy and precision.

The revolutionary and proprietary ABR circuitry, developed in-house, supervises, affects and controls each KT90 tube independently. All Challenger 250’s are delivered with KT90 tubes, which may be replaced with pin-compatible Beam-Power pentodes – the ABR sets up the correct bias-current automatically. This allows the customer to use whatever tube creates the best sound for him/her. Another awesome convenience is that the circuitry is totally balanced throughout, which makes it possible for these amplifiers to drive all sorts of speakers, from normal drivers to exotic electrostatics and ribbons. The Challenger 250’s are particularly suitable for large speakers in big rooms. Enjoy the sonorous sound and the authentic replay that they achieve! No matter which kind of music you prefer, the Challenger 250’s are flexible and multi-functional. These amplifiers turn every kind of music – Heavy-Metal, Pop, RocknRoll, Classical – into something special.

Features

New compact design, which evolved from customers’ requests for a product that fits into a larger number of standard component racks. Intelligent Air-Conditioning System protects against excessive heat and produces little noise. Finest production materials/components available, resulting in an exceptionally high musical quality and an exclusive musical experience. Newly designed face plate combines an accurate analog panel meter, an engraved logo and LEDs that illuminate in red or in blue, depending on whether the ampliers are on, off or in stand-by mode.

Intelligent Power Management assures that the power consumption conforms with the sound volume. Circuitry Protection – through the use of electronic fuses, which prevent consequential damages in case of a total loss by a power tube. The fuses react quickly and re-set themselves automatically after the tube has been replaced.

The Challenger 250’s are reliable and designed to provide you with many years of great pleasure and musical enjoyment. These amps are a standout in the market of tube amplifiers and a product for every music-lover who sets value on this advanced technology.

There are some special features in the Challerger 250 that are worth mentioning.

There is, for example, the ECO mode automode. Challenger has sensors that check whether an input signal is present or not. If there is no signal, the Challenger falls into a sleep mode (ECO mode). In this situation, the anode voltage has only 50% of the nominal value, so instead of 700 vdc only 350 vdc. In addition, the quiescent current of the end tubes is reduced to 20% of the nominal value. This measure significantly extends the life of the tubes and also lowers the heating of the amplifier. In this ECO mode, the Challenger still play music at a low level. Only when the signal sensor registers the increase in the input signal does the Challenger automatically ramp up from ECO mode to normal operate mode, the bias current is increased to normal, the anode voltage doubles to 700 VDC, and the fans automatically increase their speed by the resulting To transport heat from the amplifier. Now the maximum power of the amplifier is available.