Valvet A4e
Valvet’s A4e mono power amplifier brings explosive dynamics, pinpoint imaging and finely etched treble detail to demanding listening. Fidelity Magazine found its external 500VA power supplies unlock exceptional speed, transparency and instrumental placement, while 65W into 8 ohms delivers muscular, uncompressed energy. It is a sophisticated Class-A design for listeners chasing vivid spatial realism.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
95/100
Build Quality
90/100
Value for Money
89/100
Pros
Exceptional upper-treble micro-resolution reveals distinct cymbal harmonics and tonal shades.
Pinpoint imaging improves instrument placement deep into the soundstage and within the image plane.
Fast, powerful dynamic delivery releases large-scale energy without apparent compression or distortion.
Cons
A premium €6,900-per-pair introductory price makes it a substantial investment.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
The review describes a notably more accomplished version of an already strong design, praising its drive, transparency and clarity in emphatic terms. Its particular strengths are fine treble differentiation, explosive freedom from compression, and exceptionally precise placement of images within the soundstage.
Transparency Resolution
96/100
Fidelity heard markedly improved upper-treble micro-resolution, with the differing harmonics of ride-cymbal strikes more clearly differentiated. The reviewer also praises the amplifiers' transparency and clarity, describing subtle cymbal colors as plainly audible.
Tonal Balance Musicality
91/100
The review presents the A4e as highly involving, reporting goose-bump-inducing performance alongside its clarity and drive. Specific commentary on tonal balance, warmth, and timbral character is limited, although the differentiated silvery and darker-golden cymbal tones suggest convincing tonal shading.
Dynamics
96/100
The reviewer calls the revised mono amplifiers even faster than before and highlights their ability to release enormous energy from absolute stillness. They are said to do so without apparent limits, compression, or distortion, indicating unusually assured transient and power delivery.
Soundstage Imaging
96/100
Locatability is reported as markedly improved, including pin-point placement of instruments at the back of the stage and finer positional definition within the image plane. The ability to perceive the drummer's stick position on cymbals is presented as especially astonishing.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
90/100
The A4e uses separate power-supply enclosures, each with a 500 VA toroidal transformer, while output rises to 65 watts into 8 ohms and 105 watts into 4 ohms. The review also notes costly bFly-audio supports for both amplifiers and supplies, intended to provide stable placement and isolation; XLR and WBT NextGen RCA inputs and WBT speaker terminals add appropriately serious connectivity.
Value for Money
89/100
Fidelity explicitly considers the performance improvement sufficient to justify the price increase over the preceding A4. The review notes a €6,900 introductory price, so this remains a substantial premium product, but the reviewer considers the added expenditure warranted by the audible gains.
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Specifications
- Connections
- Inputs: Neutrik (XLR) and WBT NextGen RCA Outputs: WBT NextGen speaker terminals, Bi-Wiring at extra charge
- Power
- 65 Watts into 8 Ohms, 105 Watts into 4 Ohms
- Dimensions
- 230 x 130 (incl. feet) x 320, W x H x D in [mm]
- Case
- all aluminum thickness 2.5 to 38 mm
- Front panels
- black or silver anodized, deep chromed at extra charge
Manufacturer's Description — Valvet
NEW from 07/2023
- new 800 Watts transformer (was 500 Watts)
- inrush current limiter
- Furutech Rhodium AC input
Long running pleasure:
The VALVET A4e mono blocks are currently the most potent power amplifiers in our line-up. Again, long term satisfaction, real value and reliability are key values. Those who own these power amplifiers can put any worries about amplification to one side for a very long time!
What the A4e conveys in terms of musical information is simply breathtaking! We encourage you to compare them to the top brands and then decide which delivery gives you the greater pleasure.
Performance and dynamic.
The A4e amplifiers are extremely quick, controlled and powerful. They don’t force themselves onto the music, but rather support its flow and the listener’s involvement. Compared to the A4 power amps they deliver even more fine details and play even more effortless and natural.
The A4e mono blocks have an output of 65 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 105 Watts into 4 Ohms. We believe that you will not feel the need for more power for a long time.
The A4e power amplifiers, in common with all other VALVET amplifiers, have an extremely stable power supply which gives them an excellent ability to deliver current, thus keeping even the most difficult speakers on the market on a tight leash.
The A4e mono blocks operate in Push-Pull Class A mode with just a single pair of transistors in the output stage. We believe that the common practice to employ several transistors in parallel required to produce a higher output is detrimental to the sound quality.
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