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The Twincom (TCL-2) is an ultra-transparent, two channel
opto- compressor / limiter offering Class-A biased all discrete J-FET
solid-state operation or Class-A biased all triode vacuum tube
operation at the touch of a button.
The TCL-2 (tm) Twincom stereo compressor/limiter with Twin
Topology® - Millennia's innovative new merging of vacuum tube and
solid state circuit topologies. A front panel switch selects between a
complete vacuum tube audio path or a fully discrete solid-state audio
path - in the same chassis. Both circuit topologies are entirely
transformerless, high voltage, and minimalist.
What is "minimalist?" The Twincom has only one active stage in the
audio signal path. Compare this with common textbook compressor designs
employing multiple amplifiers in the signal path. Fewer amplifier
stages means greater sonic integrity and heightened musical reality.
This one amplifier stage is optimized as input buffer, dynamics
amplifier, and output driver. Greatly increased musical clarity is
achieved as precious audio signals are spared from successively colored
amplifier stages. Ask a Millennia dealer for a demo. It's something you
must hear to appreciate.
The Twincom is also designed as an entirely balanced circuit. In
most professional audio gear, balanced input signals become unbalanced
by a transformer or electronic circuits, and perhaps rebalanced at the
output via similar methods. The Twincom never unbalances. Rather, the
balanced input signal remains balanced from input to output, avoiding
the need for audio transformers or additional amplifiers in the signal
path.
Why transformerless? Most of today's high voltage pro tube gear uses
audio transformers. Yet, transformers add coloration to audio signals;
coloration which is not conducive to sonic purity. Via innovative
design techniques, the Twincom avoids audio transformers entirely. Now,
the remarkable musicality of Class-A triode dynamics can be realized
without the unavoidable sonic artifacts common to signal path
transformers.
The solid-state aspect of Twin Topology consists of 100% Class-A all
discrete J-FET (field effect transistor) amplifiers. Millennia also
provides these J-FET amplifiers as the next generation of 990 (Jensen
tm) and 2520 (API tm) plug-in-compatible modules. The vacuum tube
aspect of Twin Topology employs 300 volt, 100% Class A, hand tested and
selected triode vacuum tubes. To use the vacuum tube amplifier, simply
press a front panel switch. To use the solid-state amplifier, press the
switch again. Twin Topology! Both topologies are designed to deliver a
musical optimization of their inherent character.
Twin Topology products also sport new cosmetics. The Twincom offers
illuminated push-button switches, machined aluminum knobs, extruded and
radiused face plate (nearly 3/8" thick) which is optionally processed
with an artistic "platinum-crackle" finish looking something like an
aged spruce guitar top. There's even a stylish "TT" logo deeply
engraved into every panel. A standard piano gloss black cosmetic finish
is also available.
The Twincom employs exquisite high voltage amplifiers free of
transformer coupling, carefully designed around the finest grades of
passive components (Vishay pots, Roederstein resistors, Wima and
Electrocube capacitors, Neglex OFC audio cabling, gold tube connectors
and relay contacts, silver teflon power wiring, large Sifam true audio
level meters, etc..). One listening test with the TCL-2 Twincom will
immediately confirm that Millennia has once again set precedence in
musical reality and sonic transparency.
Highlights
- Two Signal Paths In One Chassis — Vacuum Tube & Discrete Solid-State
- Entirely Class-A Twin Topology (Tm) Design
- Sets New Precedent In Dynamics Sonic Purity
- Ultra-Premium Componentry Throughout
- Musically Rich Vintage Vacuum Tubes Available
- Gold Relays, Connectors, Tube Sockets
- Silver/Teflon Power Wiring, Ofc Audio Wiring
- Constructed For Life, Cosmetically Stunning
- Effortless, Lifelike Musical Performance At All Dynamic Levels
Specifications
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THRESHOLD RANGE
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Infinite to +20dBu, Continuously Adjustable
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MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL
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> + 32 dBu
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MAXIMUM INPUT LEVEL
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+ 30 dBu
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OUTPUT GAIN CONTROL
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Continuously Adjustable
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FREQUENCY RESPONSE +0 / -3 dB
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sub 2 Hz to beyond 100 kHz
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NOISE (20 Hz - 22 kHz)
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-87 dBu (SS), -82 dBu (VT)
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| ATTACK RANGE |
2 mS to 100 mS, Continuously Adjustable
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RELEASE RANGE
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100 mS to 3.0 S, Continuously Adjustable
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COMPRESSION RATIO RANGE
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minimum 1.4 : 1
maximum 30 : 1 Continuously Adjustable
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THD + NOISE, 20 Hz - 30 kHz
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< .01%, typ .003 % (VT or SS)
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COMMON MODE REJECTION RATIO, 10 Hz - 20 kHz,
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> 50 dB, Typ > 75 dB
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DYNAMICS BYPASS FOR EACH CHANNEL?
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Yes
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METER GAIN REDUCTION or VU SELECTION?
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Yes
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STEREO LINKING SWITCH?
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Yes
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INPUT IMPEDANCE
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25k Ohms
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MINIMUM OUTPUT LOAD IMPEDANCE
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300 Ohms (SS), 1k Ohms (VT)
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RECOMMENDED MINIMUM LOAD
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600 Ohms (SS), 3k Ohms (VT)
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OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
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< 5 ohms (SS), < 300 ohms (VT)
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TWIN TOPOLOGY AMPLIFIERS
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Switch In: Pure Class-A Discrete J-FETs
Switch Out: Pure Class-A Triode Tubes
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POWER CONSUMPTION, MAXIMUM
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55 Watts
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POWER REQUIREMENTS
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100/120/200/240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
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DIMENSIONS
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19" W x 12.5" D x 3.5" H
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WEIGHT
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25 pounds
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Unless stated, all measurements are balanced into 100k ohm load on a calibrated Audio Precision System One. |