Technical Facts
Named after its inventor
The amplifier THE LARS by Engström & Engström is named after its inventor and the company founder Lars Engström. THE LARS is his childhood dream come true. Lars Engström was only twelve years old when he constructed his first amplifiers. His talent for engineering nourished his ambition to create an amplifier which could produce perfectly pure sound.
Zero TIM
Influenced by the work of Dr. Otala in Finland, Lars Engström was determined to eliminate the damaging effects of negative feedback which causes TIM, Transient Inter Modulation distortion. This involved a linear construction which amplified sound without changing it. All the components were chosen to support a linear process of amplification. Triodes, for example, are the most linear types of tubes.
Foil capacitors
Engström & Engström use foil capacitors in order to avoid energy loss or undesirable mutual influences. No electrolytic capacitors are used.
Class A balanced coupling
To remedy Total Harmonic Distortion (overtones) Lars employed balanced coupling throughout the amplifier together with Class A operating conditions. Carefully selected tubes and stringent control of component values keep Inter Modulation Distortion (IMD) to a minimum.
Materials
The foil capacitors illustrate one example of the consistent choice of prime components and materials. Silver-plated wiring as well as silvered soldering material is used. Newly constructed high-quality tubes and dependable capacitors are other obvious choices. Not to mention the special C-core transformers which are even used for inter-stage coupling instead of capacitors wherever possible. In summary, every detail and aspect of THE LARS is designed to produce the purest sound.
Design
The appearance of THE LARS, designed by Timo Engström, originates from a desire to match the quality of the sound with an equally elegant form. Timo Engström gathers inspiration from classic Swedish radio and TV furniture and his design pays homage to the Swedish tradition of creating a form to serve the function. THE LARS is available in ten different designs. Choose between palisander, ebony, black, maple and walnut with details plated in either chrome or gold.
The Mantle
The transparent outer mantle serves three purposes. It symbolizes the ability of THE LARS to provide authentic quality to voice. It protects the tubes, while allowing them to be visible. And it completes the esthetic impression by balancing the heavy base with an upward flowing lightness.
Pure sound
The purity of THE LARS’ sound has benefits beyond those of perceived hearing. Research has shown that impurities in the sound waves of music – what scientists call 'gray sound' – irritates the mind and causes stress and fatigue. TIM (Transient Inter Modulation) distortion is a key element of gray sound. There is zero TIM distortion in THE LARS. Ironically, listening to music to relax, can amplify stress caused by gray sound. You will never get tired of listening to the purity of sound which THE LARS amplifies.
Inputs and connectors
THE LARS type 1 has four inputs, two balanced XLR connectors and two unbalanced RCA connectors. The level attenuator and input selector are relay controlled and are maneuvered from one of the two amplifiers.
THE LARS XLS has two inputs, one balanced XLR connector and one unbalanced RCA connector. A switch on the back of the amplifier is used to select which input connector to use.
Revolutionary system architecture
THE LARS type 1 has a revolutionary system architecture. It comprises two balanced integrated mono amplifiers – one for each channel. The amplifiers have built in volume control with resistors and relays together with input selection relays. All relays are controlled from one of the amplifiers.
In our opinion this is the best way to build an amplifier. We make an optimal match between pre amplifier and power amplifier with as short signal routes and few components as possible. At the same time we make it possible to place the amplifiers closer to the loudspeakers.
