The new reference
The sound is at the centre of it all.
Completely re-engineered in 2024, the AI60 Integrated Amplifier is a blend of power and musicality, housed in a compact chassis.
MicroSound’s philosophy is to transfer the signal from the source to the loudspeakers with maximum linearity and minimal distortion, while preserving its original sonic character.
Perfectly suited to any loudspeaker, for a naturally neutral and balanced sonic presentation.
Designed and entirely manufactured in Italy — including the circuit boards, indeed.
It features large external heatsinks and a generously dimensioned power supply, built around a 500 VA toroidal transformer and 60,000 µF of filtering capacitance. Schottky diode rectifiers are used to minimise switching noise.
The power amplifier stage uses MOSFET output devices on a dedicated board, engineered for a neutral sound and designed to drive any loudspeaker without altering the sonic character of either the preamplifier or the speaker itself.
Front panel machined from a solid 10 mm aluminium plate, available in Silver or Black.
Preamplifier Section
The preamplifier features a 0.5 dB-step volume control based on the MUSES 72320, the most renowned volume-control IC, widely used in the high-end audio sector.
One balanced XLR input and three unbalanced RCA inputs.
Maximum flexibility for source selection: AUX1 can also be configured as a phono input for turntables.
An optional phono stage is available — and not a generic one. It is a carefully engineered phono board, designed to reproduce vinyl records at their finest. The RIAA equalisation network is fully passive, using 2% PPS capacitors and 0.1% thin-film resistors to ensure precise de-emphasis across the entire audible band.
The phono input is AC-coupled to minimise rumble and to always protect the cartridge.
DAC board optional
A DAC board is also available as an optional module.
Derived from our CDA1 DAC, it uses the same PCM1792A converter and a fully SMD layout to ensure the shortest signal paths and optimal noise performance.
The digital input is via SPDIF insulated, routed to the AUX1 Left connector when the DAC module is installed.
This allows the AI60 to directly accept digital sources while maintaining the same refined sonic character of our standalone DAC designs.
Front Headphone Output
A 6.3 mm headphone jack is provided on the front panel.
The headphone enablement is via a dedicated menu function.
The headphone output is derived from the main power amplifier through a passive attenuator, ensuring that the high quality and sonic character of the amplifier are fully preserved.
PRE Output and Power-Amplifier Input
On the rear panel, two RCA connectors provide the preamplifier output, and two additional RCA connectors provide the input to the power amplifier section.
No external jumper is required, since the PRE/Power separation is managed internally by a relay.
This means that the preamplifier output remains available even when the PRE and Power sections are internally coupled, enabling the connection of a subwoofer if required.
Characteristics
- Inputs: 3 × RCA (Aux1, Aux2, Aux3), 1 × Differential XLR (Aux4) – CMRR 80 dB min. on differential input
- Outputs: Binding-post terminals for Left and Right loudspeakers
- Volume control: Solid-state, 0.5 dB steps via MUSES 72320 IC
- Input switching via Panasonic electromechanical relays
- 4-layer PCBs for both preamplifier and power amplifier sections
- Power amplifier: MOSFET push-pull, current-feedback topology, drain-output
- Preamplifier bandwidth: 1 Hz – 1 MHz at –3 dB @ 2 V RMS output
- Output power minimum nominal : 60 W/8 Ω – 120 W/4 Ω – 240 W/2 Ω
- Output power: 100 W into 8 Ω with THD 0.003%, 200 W into 4 Ω with THD 0.005%, 250 W into 2 Ω
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR A-weighted): > 100 dB @ 115 W into 8 Ω
- Maximum preamplifier gain: 20 dB + 35 dB with optional phono stage
- Front headphone output with 6.3 mm jack
- PRE output and Power Amplifier input via rear connectors, selectable from menu
- Volume level memory per channel, reset to low level at power-on
- Automatic incremental exit mute function
- Standby function
- Optional automatic standby after two hours of inactivity
- Optional automatic display off after two minutes of inactivity
- Error indication LEDs: channel over-temperature (L & R), DC output detection, voltage and current clipping. Short-term clipping allowed; continuous clipping triggers protection
- Multifunction control knob on front panel with integrated push-button: default function is volume adjustment, with menu access for additional settings
- Remote control functions: Standby, Volume +/–, Input selection, Mute
- Dimensions: 34 × 34 × 12 cm (13.4 × 13.4 × 4.7 in)
- Maximum power consumption: 500 VA
- Standby power consumption: 0.6 W
- Weight: 12 kg / 26.5 lb
Optional Phono Board on AUX1 input
- RIAA equalization linearity: ±0.5 dB (20 Hz–20 kHz)
- THD a 1 kHz ( -40 dBV input 0 dBV PRE OUT ) : 0,0009 % SNR 75 dB
- Input-referred noise: 2.5 µV (10 Hz–23 kHz, rtHz).
- Gain: 35 dB
Optional DAC board available on AUX1 input.
- DAC chip used: PCM1792A
- Supports 24-bit / 192 kHz PCM
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- SPDIF coaxial input via the RCA connector of the AUX1 Left channel
- Design derived from our CDA1 DAC CDA1
Featured in AudioReview, issue 465 (June 2024)
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
List price (VAT included):
• AI60 Integrated Amplifier: €4,200
AI60 Integrated Amplifier with DAC module installed: €4,700
DAC board: €700
Phono board: €340
Reviews
Alfredo Di Pietro su Non Solo Audiofili
Audio Review numero 465 from June 2024, authored by Rocco Patriarca and Fabrizio Montanucci.
