Carina By the Numbers

Carina Integrated Amplifiers do more than just switch inputs and amplify them. They deliver five core functions at a level few integrated designs can match—each one engineered for wide compatibility, sonic transparency, and true high-end performance. Break it down, and you’ll see just how much Carina delivers under the wood:

 

1. DAC – Dual-Mono. Fully Balanced. Utterly Transparent.
Carina’s digital-to-analog conversion sets the stage for everything that follows. Its dual-mono architecture, powered by two reference-grade 32-bit DAC chips (one per channel), ensures a fully balanced output with exceptional clarity, channel separation and low noise.

But it doesn’t stop at the DAC chips. The output stage uses a discrete, servo-controlled I/V converter, feeding a precision stereo relay ladder volume control. From there, unity-gain buffers drive the power amp, pre-out, and headphone stage independently with low impedance and zero signal degradation. The result? A short and pure analog signal path that reveals every nuance in your music.

 

2. Phono Preamplifier – Vinyl Done Right
Most integrated amps treat vinyl as an afterthought. Carina does the opposite. Its built-in phono stage competes with standalone units, using fully analog circuitry with a passive RIAA EQ between op-amps for accuracy and warmth. No RIAA EQ in the feedback loop, no corner-cutting—just proper analog engineering for serious vinyl playback.

 

The analog signal is then digitized using an ultra high-performance ADC and fed into the FPGA as a digital source—resulting in better performance and a lower noise floor than traditional analog paths. It’s the best of both worlds: analog warmth with digital precision.

 

3. Volume Control – The Unsung Hero of Great Sound
Volume control might be the most overlooked and critical part of any audio system. Done poorly, it can destroy imaging, channel balance, and resolution. That’s why Carina gives you two expertly implemented options:

• Digital Control: With 32-bit DACs, Carina maintains signal integrity even at extremely low volumes. As Stereophile’s John Atkinson noted, “Even 24-bit DACs can attenuate by 66dB before resolution loss begins.” A volume level of -66dB FS is so low that the music is barely audible in the room! Carina’s 32-bit architecture pushes that level down even further resulting in a volume control that is completely accurate and transparent with no degradation of sound quality.
• Hybrid Analog/Digital Control: For those that insist on using analog level control, we designed a stepped relay attenuator with precision resistors to perform level changes in the analog domain, while digital control manages the minor steps in between. The result is an incredibly transparent hybrid volume control that doesn't become a sonic bottleneck—unlike many competitors, and our older integrated amplifiers that used purely analog level controls too.

4. Headphone Amplifier – Not Just a Jack
Headphone outputs are often treated as add-ons. Carina’s is a highlight. It includes a fully balanced headphone amplifier that competes with dedicated headphone amps. True balanced output on the front panel is almost unheard of in this category but it’s standard on Carina. Whether you use high-impedance dynamic-driver based headphones or a pair with planar-magnetic drivers, Carina drives them with ease, authority and precision.

 

5. Power Amplifier – The Muscle Behind the Music
Turning signal into power without noise and coloration is the ultimate test of amplifier design—and where most amps fall short. Carina doesn’t. Its amplifier section is designed around the most advanced Class D topologies available today that outperform many standalone amps at much higher prices. Amplifiers that sound as good as they measure across a wide range of speakers and don’t cost a small fortune to own. Just the way it should be.

 

Especially in the Carina GaN, the power section uses a 32-bit digital volume control chip to feed a pristine PCM signal into the GaN power module—fully digital from source to output for unmatched transparency and imaging. While the speaker outputs use digital 32-bit DVC exclusively, the pre-outs and headphone outputs still offer hybrid or digital volumes modes, depending on the selected preference.

The Bottom Line
Every part of Carina is built to punch above its weight. No shortcuts. No weak links. From vinyl to high-res digital, from highly revealing floor standing speakers to demanding headphones, Carina is engineered to bring out the best in your music—across every source, every format, and every listening style. And to mate that with class-leading power amplification to properly drive the world's best speakers. It’s the no-compromise platform for the audiophile on a budget.