When solid state amplifiers were being developed as a successor in the audio market to tube amplifiers, those early models adopted a "capacitor coupled" design, giving rise to the likes of the famous Sugden A21. The Sugden company still exists today, and new versions of A21 are still being produced some 50 years after the original A21 was launched...such is the esteem of this original design. This is an introduction to the mindset adopted by the English company Audio Innovations when they too sought to venture into the production of a solid state amplifier to complement their highly regarded range of tube amplifiers. They went to a capacitor coupled design for a sound signature giving much of the warmth and appeal of a tube amplifier albeit with solid state componentry. Thus, the Audio Innovations Alto amplifier came into being.
Compared to typical modern designs, a hallmark of this amplifier is it simplicity, both inside and out. Its internal componentry is relatively straightforward and externally, no tone controls or filters to play with, just a source input selector switch, a record output selector switch and volume control. Also not common these days, a modest 35 watts per channel into 8 ohms power rating. Released in the mid 1990's, the Alto was praised for the warmth of its sound and the generous sound-stage it produced, rather than its outright power and slam. It is a nice alternative for those wishing to enjoy tube-like sound quality with recordings best suited to this style of listening. This unit is in great condition and had very little use. It comes with its original box.
