About
McGary Audio power amplifiers exude quality using only the finest electrical components selected for their sound, quality and reliability. Components such as German made Mundorf oil-filled capacitors, American made custom transformers and Teflon coated silver plated copper wire in conjunction with Cardas silver solder were all carefully selected, and then hand assembled by Mike McGary in Gainesville Virginia. All electronic components are rated above their intended usage, installed within the beautiful and rugged American made thick steel enclosure that is powder coated throughout to resist corrosion, and each amplifier is thoroughly tested to ensure the audio consumer will enjoy it for a lifetime….and backed by a Lifetime Warranty!
Interesting design facts regarding the SA 1 Amplifier:
- The circuit layout uses components on terminal boards located in close proximity to tube sockets (i.e., directly mounted over the tube socket connection points) which minimizes impedance losses and induced noise/hum.
- The power supply filter capacitors are made in the USA, and securely affixed to the metal enclosure using metal C-clamps (not plastic twist ties, glue or caulk). Another feature (not seen by the consumer) is the use of Sorbothane material on the power supply capacitors. This specific material reduces resonance and vibrations from the metal chassis which provides for cleaner power, and ultimately better audio reproduction. The sound of any amplifier or preamplifier is only as good as the quality of the power supply (filtering)!
- The input and driver tube stage power is filtered utilizing a Capacitor Multiplier circuit. This provides for extremely low noise/ripple voltages supplied to these stages. If these stages are not provided with low noise/low ripple voltages, the rest of the amplification stages will suffer …and so will the sound quality.
- Some vacuum tube amplifier designs ‘repackage’ the classical Williamson circuit (single-ended tube coupled to a phase-splitter, and then a push-pull output stage). However, the SA 1 amplifier design utilizes a differential pair at the input stage connected to another differential pair (driver) stage, and then this drives the Ultralinear configured push-pull output stage.
- The metal enclosure was specifically designed for structural integrity and good airflow. There are no fans and the metal enclosure will never get hot to the human touch. Some manufacturers utilize fans and have little-to-none enclosure ventilation. Electronic components last longer when not subject to heat.
- The power and output transformers were intentionally installed on the metal chassis exposed with no metal cages nor enclosures to conceal them. This allows for adequate heat ventilation and increases transformer longevity. Furthermore, this allows for lower cost production (…and lower cost to the consumer) by not having to bend/shape/paint an additional metal cover to conceal the transformers.
- The input connections are intentionally located on the front panel to minimize induced noise/hum to the input stage. Many amplifiers have these connections located in the rear of the amplifier (cosmetics and convenience rather than by electronic design) collocated (in close proximity) with the high voltage output connections, and the power receptacle. Implementing the input stage and connections located on the front of the amplifier, reduces the need for excessive shielding methods internally to segregate the low and high level (voltage) signals. Amplification progressively works from small signals from the front of the amplifier to large signals at the output and rear of the amplifier. Again, all good engineering measures to reduce induced noise and hum, vice resorting to excessive wire and component shielding.
- The baseline colors for the SA 1 amplifier are mint green metallic (medium gloss) for the metal enclosure, and (satin) black for the top cover plate, with a special black metallic (medium gloss) used for the transformers. This special color is composed of brilliant metallic particles that change colors when exposed to various angles of bright light. Other color options for the metal enclosure and the transformers can be customized for the customer at an additional cost, so please inquire.
