Brian Powell Audio

Crimson Elektrik 520 Power Amplifier

This stereo power amp produced 40W per channel into 8 Ohms and 60W per channel into 4 Ohms. Gain was approx. x 30, requiring just under one volt RMS for full power.

  • phono inputs
  • 4mm binding post speaker terminals
  • thermal cut-out 70C
  • Fuse-less output with electronic shutdown if shorted
  • captive mains cable 1.2m
  • small frontal area 100mm high by 80mm wide
  • minimum load 2.7 Ohms
  • Re-wireable for 115V.
  • PCBs fitted 35-01 issue 5

The later plastic power type PCBs (even PWR18 of 2024) can be retrofitted if extra holes are tapped into the heatsink.

Care needs to be taken with wiring to avoid magnetic field (hum) from the basic E-I type transformer. Due to magnetic field emissions, this unit needs to have least 150mm spacing from a Crimson preamp with a disc stage (further if an MC stage is used).