COPLAND CTA405

Second-hand. In good conditions. Light signs of wear visible in the photos. Comes with remote control, but no original packaging.

The Copland CTA-405 represents the natural evolution of a series of amplifiers that have marked the history of the Danish brand. Successor to the successful CTA-401 and CTA-402, it occupies a prominent position among valve integrated amplifiers thanks to its refined construction, rethought circuitry, and component selection that allows it to compete with higher-end products. While maintaining the nominal power of 50 watts per channel, the new model adopts the more robust KT120 instead of the KT88, with a significant increase in current delivery capacity and even more exuberant dynamics. The power stage enhancement, now equipped with a redesigned toroidal transformer, ensures a more energetic response and superior control, while the higher bias allows class A operation up to a few watts, with automatic switching to class AB to fully utilize the available power.

From an aesthetic point of view, the CTA-405 retains the sober and refined design of its predecessor, with slight tweaks that enhance its modernity. The stand-by button and the model name are now red. The thick brushed aluminum front panel houses the input selection and motorized volume control, which can also be managed via remote control. The features are generous for a valve integrated, with four line inputs, a tape loop, and a high-quality MM phono stage, designed to ensure transparent and detailed performance.

The attention to build quality is evident in every detail. The output transformers, a critical component in a valve amplifier, are custom-designed to ensure a linear response from 5 Hz to 100 kHz, while the selection of valves – including two 2BH7, two 6922, and three E83CC dedicated to the phono stage – ensures reliable and consistent performance over time. The toroidal power transformer, specifically designed for the CTA-405, provides an abundant energy reserve, ensuring stable delivery and a sound free of unwanted compression. The only compromise related to the adoption of the more powerful and thermally demanding KT120 is the presence of a low-noise fan, decoupled from the chassis with shock absorbers to prevent any transmission of vibrations to the valves, which are particularly sensitive to microphonics.

The sound performance confirms the meticulous design. The CTA-405 manages to combine the warmth and naturalness of valve timbre with response speed and control of the low frequencies worthy of a solid-state amplifier. The harmonic richness manifests in a vibrant and engaging sound, capable of reproducing the body and three-dimensionality of instruments with great timbral consistency. Whatever the musical genre, the amplifier delivers a balanced performance, with smooth and refined midranges, airy and non-harsh high frequencies, and an articulated and authoritative low range.

The CTA-405 represents a reference point in its category. The build quality, component selection, and performance place it among the most competitive valve integrated amplifiers on the market, capable of rivaling much more expensive amplifiers. Copland once again proves its ability to combine tradition and innovation, offering a product with unmatched value.

Technical specifications:

• Valves: 4x KT120, 2x2BH7, 2x6922, 3xE83CC
• Power: 50 W per channel (from 20 Hz to 20 kHz)
• Intermodulation distortion: <1%
• Frequency response: 10 Hz - 100 kHz (-3 dB)
• Line input sensitivity: 350 mV for maximum power
• Phono input sensitivity: 3.5 mV for maximum power
• Line input impedance: 33 kohms
• Phono input impedance: 47 kohms
• Signal-to-noise ratio (A-weighted): >95 dB
• Phase: Inverting
• Maximum power consumption: 250 W
• Power supply: 115V or 230 V from the factory
• Power supply voltage stability: +/-12%
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 430 x 185 x 390 mm
• Weight: 27 kg