The Forté HP2X – Hyper-Powered Lightweight Bass Amplifier with “Custom Output Transformer”
Never ones to rest on past successes or ground breaking designs, Bergantino Audio are proud to introduce their new Forte’ HP2X! It’s no secret since the beginning of amplification, transformers were, and still are to this day, credited with what is often associate with that “Tube” sound. In fact, in many audio circles, transformers are often given much of the credit for those harmonically rich tones we so revere! So what does a transformer do? Because transformers are not perfect devices, they have a very unique and subtle way of distorting and adding desirable harmonic content to the final tone we hear. The added texture and presence associated with them are often credited with the “glue” or warmth of the amplifiers and recording gear they inhabit.
These added harmonics add a very desirable excitement, low end fill, and cut-thru clarity to the system they are utilized in by adding harmonic content to the original signal not otherwise present; similar to what a slightly overdriven tube does, but lower in frequency. Another quality (or shortcoming?) of transformers is hysteresis. This memory effect that delays the changing of polarity of the transformer core, and thus signal passing thru them, also helps create even more of those desirable harmonics we enjoy. So is it any wonder Bergantino couldn’t help but want to add this harmonically rich texture to their best selling amp, the Forte’ HP2, now the Forte’ HP2X ?
In order to best employ a transformer into the current forte’ HP2 design, Bergantino worked very closely with the engineers at Cinemag, a highly respected company and large player in the transformer industry. Carefully choosing things such as core material, winding ratios, impedance, inductance, and other tone-enhancing parameters, they were able to come up with a transformer design that uniquely and perfectly fit into the current architecture and circuit topology of the HP2, allowing them to give the new HP2X many of the tonal qualities these transformers have been lauded and sought after for, over decades of use in the musical amplification industry.
Offering unparalleled headroom, razor sharp clarity, and the power to move air and let your notes be felt, the Bergantino forté HP2X is the ultimate amp for every player looking to take their tone to the next level.
