Cinénova Grande 5

Alpha One Power Amplifier Blocks with EZXS Technology

Cinénova Grande is comprised of individual amplifier blocks named Alpha One. The 5 Alpha One module blocks work independently of each other—each is a 1000-watt power amplifier itself. Each Alpha One has a 15-ampere supply and is equipped with its own preamplifier and power supply circuits (electrolytes, rectifier, etc.). Alpha One is equipped with 12 ultra-fast 15 GHz, 30-ampere customized Toshiba transistors that allow 1000 watts of continuous power.

Cinénova Grande’s oversized construction ensures easy, accurate, and articulate reproduction of any source material. Earthquake developed the special high-speed transistors in collaboration with Toshiba.

It has previously been difficult to construct a powerful amplifier that is both quick and articulate, as powerful amplifiers typically mean a longer and more complex signal path. The new transistors help to transcend traditional barriers and effortlessly reproduce source material to over 100kHz. The speed, high power, and ability to handle high-voltage swings ensure the Alpha One meets its specifications effortlessly. Each Alpha One has a combined transistor current rating of 360 amperes. In addition, a 180V DC high voltage supply with an electrolyte bank of over 45 Joules of pure energy guarantees headroom at all times.

Cinénova Grande’s ability to control a large, heavy subwoofer cone is unmatched, even compared to exotic 2-channel designs. A damping factor of more than 1,600 means that even large and heavy speakers are easily dominated. Even the most complex low-frequency material is reproduced with dynamic punch and rock-hard control.

Transformer

Cinénova Grande is equipped with a monstrous 4000VA toroidal transformer. Besides its vast mass, several things distinguish it from other audio transformers. It is based on a core of pure ferrite, which gives the transformer a very high power density and stiffness compared to typical iron cores. The transformer is wound with 99.99% oxygen-free copper of 12 gauge thickness. Using oxygen-free copper as a winding material increases the transformer’s efficiency and stiffness significantly. The combination of a core of pure ferrite and windings of oxygen-free copper elevates transformer power efficiency. This means that only a fraction of flow-through current is converted into heat.

The transformer is further unique in its bi-file structure. Bi-file means that each power amplifier module block has its own secondary winding. It isolates the individual module blocks and makes them independent from each other’s power supply. It simultaneously makes every module block’s secondary winding magnetically coupled to the one large primary winding. This results in a supply stability and stiffness unknown in amplifiers based on several small transformers. The above-specified design results in a power supply with a regulation factor of less than 3% at full power.

Transformer winding and a special hard coating result in hum-free operation. This is further ensured by the transformer mounted in vibration mountings, where ten layers of pressed foam of differing densities are used as an insulator.

Green Power

Everyone is interested in saving power to benefit the environment and their wallet. Our engineers are very environmentally conscious, and from Cinénova Grande’s conception, environmental awareness and efficiency were essential. It is a necessity by nature to put power into the amplifier in order to get power out of the amplifier.

Combining innovative technologies and precise tuning and calibration led to Cinénova Grande being the market leader in Green Power. A five-channel Cinénova Grande with a total power capacity of 5000 watts continuous has an idle consumption of only 0.25 amps (230 volts). This corresponds to the consumption of a typical fish tank found in many homes. By comparison, other brands of power amplifiers have an idle consumption of over 2 amps, which corresponds to a strong halogen lamp or a small vacuum cleaner. Cinénova Grande proves that good sound quality can no longer be used as an excuse for excess power consumption.

Built-in AC Line Conditioner

This built-in technology makes Cinénova Grande unaffected by noise from the power grid. This ensures that DC content in the mains is not dissipated as heat and hum in the amplifier’s main transformer. Many have probably seen how the activation of a refrigerator compressor can be heard throughout the speakers and how electronic transformers in halogen lights can create noise on the power grid. These noise sources do not influence Cinénova Grande’s performance. The exclusive power conditioner eliminates the need for expensive external power conditioners and related accessories.

Mil-Spec PCBs

By exclusively using mil-spec FR-4 printed circuit boards in the Cinénova Grande, problems with “cold” solder joints and PCB warping were eliminated due to thermal effects or other environmental factors. This means that usage and intensity are no longer factors in determining the amplifier’s durability and longevity. To achieve extremely low resistance and preserve signal integrity, the traces on the circuit board are of the 3-ounce oxygen-free copper type.

Intelligent Cooling System

Cinénova Grande is built with an acute awareness of how essential the cooling system is to the amplifier’s performance and durability. A well-designed and properly sized cooling system is at least as expensive to produce as an exotic output stage or an extravagantly large transformer. However, an amplifier’s cooling system is rarely highlighted in the product literature, as it is not considered to have marketing appeal.

Each Alpha One power module block has an immense heat sink of extruded and anodized aluminum, with a heat sink surface area of more than 3300 cm2. To put this in perspective, it corresponds to a flat piece of aluminum of 57 x 57 cm. A large surface area is essential for the heat sink’s ability to dissipate the heat from the large transistors. A large surface area alone is insufficient for an effective cooling system. The cooling system must be designed so that the natural convection (the characteristic that hot air rises) is utilized optimally.

In the Cinénova Grande, the heat sink is designed so that it exploits the amplifier’s full height of 23 cm. This means that the heat sink is vertically grooved and extends from the inlet port at the bottom of the amplifier to output openings at the top. This unobstructed chimney design means air can freely move from bottom to top inside the amplifier and be accelerated unhindered by natural convection. The height of the heat sinks increases the air flow exponentially as the air velocity increases for each centimeter of vertical ascending convection. The same heat sink surface area with half the height would significantly reduce cooling capacity. The Cinénova will keep cool even with the most demanding and rigorous use.

Front Panel Instrumentation

Cinénova Grande is equipped with instrumentation on the front of the amplifier, which informs the user of the status of each channel. An orange LED for each channel will light up when the channel’s output is within 1 dB of full power. This is signaled by the LED briefly lighting up (flashes) by transients in the music/movie. The signal is still amplified distortion-free, and one should be careful not to increase volume. This information enables the user to utilize all the amplifier’s power resources without concern for unpleasant and harmful loudspeaker distortion.

With Cinénova Grandes’ high power capability, only the most extreme users will see these lights flicker. When a channel’s output capacity is fully utilized, the corresponding diode lights up constantly, indicating that the volume should be reduced.

Built-in Electronic Crossover

This unique feature allows each channel to be adjusted only to reproduce the user’s desired frequency range—a three-way switch and a potentiometer control the filter function. If the switch is set to bypass, the crossover is disconnected and has no function, and the channel acts as an ordinary mono output channel. If the switch is set to high pass, the channel will only reproduce the higher frequency range. The intersection of the crossover divider can be infinitely adjusted using the potentiometer. When the switch is set to low pass, it will only reproduce the lower frequency area, and the intersection will be adjusted in the same manner. The crossover function can be a superb tool for the enthusiastic DIYer who wants to experiment with parts frequencies.

It is also an invaluable feature for users experimenting with bi-amping and wanting control over the spectrum each speaker part sees. Many will find it useful to cut off frequencies below the tuning point on the user’s speakers. Added power below this point cannot be reproduced by the speakers and thus constitutes an undue burden. There is often a noticeable sound enhancement benefit by cutting off the low frequencies a small speaker cannot handle. Increased dynamics, detail, and power handling are typical areas that will be improved.

Total Protection

Another area where Cinénova Grande differs from other amplifiers is its ability to protect itself against even the most extreme circumstances. It is not just technical protection but protection with detailed instrumentation. Diagnosis of the amplifier’s operating condition is a simple visual task.

Cinénova Grande’s transformer is constantly monitored by a thermal monitoring system.

Each Alpha One block module is also equipped with a thermal monitoring system to disconnect it in case of blocked cooling vents or near short-circuit impedances (less than 1 ohm continuously). Both the transformer and Alpha One are designed to support full continuous power in all channels at ambient temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius. Besides thermal protection, the Alpha One is secured against component damage caused by short circuits.

Alpha One is equipped with a 15-ampere local main relay, which disconnects the individual module block if it consumes more than 3450 watts. Besides the 15 amperes local main relay, Alpha One is equipped with two pieces. 10-ampere fuses to monitor the supply voltage—one for the positive and one for the negative supply rail. Cinénova Grande is additionally equipped with a 25-ampere global main relay.

Cinénova Grande is protected against short circuits, transistor burning, and other internal errors (open circuits). Besides protecting itself, Cinénova Grande secures against forwarding DC to the speakers and on/off transient protection (ensuring that the amplifier does not make a loud noise in the speakers at start-up).

The amplifier’s rear panel houses the instrumentation for the protection circuits. The instrumentation is built around FFI (Fused Fault Indicators) technology. Each Alpha One module block has two Fused Fault Indicators, which light up if a parameter is exceeded. FFI monitors the condition of the two 10-ampere voltage-controlling local fuses.

Balanced and Unbalanced Operation

Cinénova Grande can accept both balanced XLR connections and general unbalanced RCA signals. Its implementation in Cinénova Grande separates it from other manufacturers.

Traditionally, RCA and XLR inputs are mounted parallel to the same signal path, and both inputs are active all the time. That means using the XLR inputs, the RCA input acts as a small outdoor antenna and adds noise to the signal path. Cinénova Grande has a switch that disconnects the unused input. This ensures a closed signal path free from extraneous noise, essential for a truly balanced design to operate optimally.

We hope that the above introduction to Cinénova Grande’s universe has inspired you. Cinénova Grande is one of the world’s best power amplifiers, regardless of price.