V 16 Single Ended

Compact and superior: the V 16 Single Ended has the flexibility to take into account the extreme resolution of headphones as well as to inspire speakers with high efficiency.

 

Available Colors: Ice Grey or Metallic Black

Description

OCTAVE technology entails a further developed tube amplifier topology utilizing an innovative, independent approach until the traits that correspond to the company philosophy are achieved: powerful dynamics, low noise, wide bandwidth, incredible stability, extended lifetime, and comprehensive safety. For over 30 years now, OCTAVE has exclusively crafted high-end amplification products that have fully embodied these aforementioned characteristics. The OCTAVE approach has been market proven and validated, and no other audio company has achieved what OCTAVE has accomplished in this regard.

The time has now come for OCTAVE to apply the company's exclusive amplifier technologies to a single-ended design, as this circuitry is desirable for its natural audio reproduction and is capable of realizing clear sonic benefits that are particularly ideal for high-efficiency loudspeakers as well as for headphones. Single-ended amplifiers possess a naturally harmonic sonic signature and offer an extremely lucid midrange, as the music signal is not split and thus no crossover distortions of the positive and negative half-waves arise.

Developing a single-ended Class A circuitry presented a unique challenge for OCTAVE: how to fully overcome the disadvantages of this amplifier principle while bringing its sonic benefits to the forefront.

OCTAVE applied its myriad technical innovations and proprietary output transformer technology to develop a sophisticated new amplifier to meet this challenge: The result is the all-new OCTAVE V 16 Single Ended integrated amplifier, the company's first ever single-ended design.

While the natural sonic character and midrange clarity of the single-ended circuit is uniquely desirable, there are also some known limitations to the single-ended amplifier topology that needed to be addressed:

1. Level reduction in the bass frequencies – OCTAVE has eliminated this problem inherent in single-ended amplifiers via a new, highly specialized magnetic-field compensated output transformer. OCTAVE is renowned for its proprietary transformer designs which are developed, wound and meticulously crafted in-house. The power bandwidth in the bass frequencies of the OCTAVE V 16 Single Ended remains linear up to 10 Hz as a result of this customized transformer design.

2. Level reduction in the high frequency range and limited bandwidth - By means of specific driver stages and an optimization of the feedback, OCTAVE has been able to extend the bandwidth of the OCTAVE V 16 Single Ended from 10 Hz to 100 kHz, a bandwidth spec that was previously considered impossible to achieve from a single-ended amplifier design.

3. Relatively high residual noise in the loudspeaker output - The level of hum in the OCTAVE V 16 Single Ended was rendered virtually immeasurable via OCTAVE's optimized positioning of the mains transformer in respect to the output transformer, which also negates the need for an outboard power supply. The company's sophisticated electronic stabilization circuits serve to further ensure that any sources of noise or hum is eliminated.

The low-frequency noise level achieved at the loudspeaker as well as the headphone outputs is in the range of – 110 dB / 1W at 8 ohms, which corresponds to approximately 15 – 20 μV at 50 Hz.

4. High temperatures during high-current rest in Class-A operation - Most single-ended Class-A amplifier designs are extremely inefficient, typically idling between three to five times the output power. Thus these devices become very hot during normal operation.

A. The OCTAVE V 16 Single Ended single-ended amplifier utilizes an adaptive three-step setting of the Class A mode. The Class A Level is automatically adjusted between 100% and 35% to the load profile of the loudspeaker (4/8 ohms) and headphones, which considerably reduces the amplifier's operating temperature, while significantly extending its lifespan as well.

B. In addition, the OCTAVE V 16 Single Ended features a unique version of OCTAVE's energy-saving "Ecomode" technology, which serves to reduce the Class-A level to 35% during pauses in the music signal, and inaudibly rises when a musical signal is once again present.

5. Disadvantages of expensive, directly heated triodes - OCTAVE has developed the OCTAVE V 16 Single Ended to operate a KT 120 pentode tube in a triode circuit. It is ideally suited for Single Ended Class A operation due to its particular characteristics: very high performance, excellent longevity, tight tolerances, and widespread availability – while avoiding the technical problems of a traditional triode tube such as the 300 B. The OCTAVE V 16 Single Ended architecture will thus also allow the use of KT 150, KT 88, or 6550 tubes, for example, making its design extremely universal.

The long development time of the OCTAVE V 16 Single Ended has surely paid off: an uncompromising single-ended Class A integrated amplifier that delivers ultra-quiet operation highlighted by deep bass, a natural midrange and silky-smooth highs combined with an unsurpassed degree of reliability and longevity.

A pure, modern classic amplifier in every regard.

Naturally, the V 16 features the Power Management with Soft-Start Electronics, the Protection System, a Power Selector, Eco Mode, a BIAS Display, a Monitor/Record Output, HT Bypass, Pre-Out and a (Super) Black Box Connection. (See technology for description)

General Facts

Basic model V 16 Single Ended Line
Design Ice Grey or Metallic Black
Tube configuration 2 x KT 120
Inputs 2 x RCA, 1 x XLR
Outputs 1 x Loudspeaker output / 1 x Headphone output 6.3 mm jack / 1 x Headphone output 4 pin XLR / 1 x Regulated preamplifier output RCA (optional only ex factory)
Dimensions 210 x 335 x 380 mm (W x H x D)
Weight 19.0 kg

Features

Eco Mode Power saving mode
Protection System Soft Start; Protection circuit for device and output tubes
Headphone output 1 x 6.3 mm jack (8 Ohms), 1 x Headphone output 4 pin XLR (8 Ohms)
Full metal remote control Volume control

Specifications

Output power 2 x 8 W RMS
Frequency response 10 Hz - 80 kHz at 5 W 0 / -3 dB
Total harmonic distortion 0.5 % at 3 W into 4 ohms
Signal-to-noise ratio -110 dB / 8 W

Options

Review 08/2023 - English version

"That being said, the Octave V 16 is among the clearest sounding amps I’ve had the pleasure to spend real time with."

Michael Lavorgna at the excellent TwitteringMachines absolutely loved the wonderful Octave Audio V16 Single Ended integrated amplifier and headphone amp. We do too - and so will you!

Amerika - TwitteringMachines - Michael Lavorgna - August 2023


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Review 03/2020 - English version

"The combination of Octave's integrated amplifier V16 SE (Single Ended) and the power amplifier Octave RE 320 with its Super Black Box (SBB) has truly earned its place in the STEREO listening rooms."

Germany - STEREO - March 2020


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Review 12/2019 - German version

"Two different concepts that complement each other perfectly when needed."

Germany - STEREO - December 2019


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Review 02/2019 - German version

"The Octave V 16 does many things differently than other single-ended amplifiers, but does everything right. An Octave customer, on the other hand, gets a technically sophisticated and long-lasting device for the four-digit purchase price that offers excellent playback quality in every genre - on the loudspeaker or on the headphones. "

Germany - HiFi-Stars - February 2019


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Review 05/2018 - German version

"I admit it: I'm not a fan of efficiency monsters in loudspeakers. But since this test I've become a huge fan of single-ended triodes - when they're connected like in the Octave V 16. So far I haven't found a better single-ended triode. Power amplifier. The fact that the levels were comparatively quiet - so what? Find your “right” loudspeaker; you can listen really loud with headphones. But only go for the best ones, anything else is a waste."

Germany - AUDIO - Lothar Brandt - May 2018


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Review 05/2018 - Korean version

"V 16 Review from Premium Headphone Guide"

Korea - Premium Headphone Guide - May 2018


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Review 02/2018 - Italian version

"Fascinating, outstanding and never aggressive. Rebuilts the scene in a pleasant way, exalting the quality of the other devices - LISTENING 5/5. Very high quality materials and engineering. A perfect balance between positioning, requests and construction - CONSTRUCTIONS 5/5."

Italy - Suono - February 2018


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Review 08/2017 - English version

"Please allow the completely baffled author of these lines a personal remark: this is undoubtedly the best amplifier I’ve ever listened to over my speakers. By the way, without any consideration for aspects such as valves, output power, and price ..."

Germany - stereoplay - Roland Kraft - August 2017


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