The vast majority of audio equipment available in Australia to
day is imported. But there’s one Australian company which is determined to reverse that trend, at least in the public address area.

Perth-based Altronic Distributors recently submitted one of their new Australian designed and manufactured Redback Phase 4 PA Mixer Amplifiers for our once-over. There are two models available, a 125W version and a 250W version which are apparently identical apart from the power. We received the 125 watt version.

Inside the Redback Phase4 PA Amplifier from Altronics. This is the 125W model - very clean inside and out. The "box" running left to right is in fact the fan-forced tunnel heatsink. The power amplifier itself is quite small, hidden by this heatsink. Top of shot is the input preamp, immediately below is the power supply module while the mixer pc board is virtually hidden under the lip at the front.

They say first impressions count and our first impressions were definitely favourable. If a PA Amplifier can be made to look good, Altronics have certainly succeeded. The amplifier is housed in a purpose-designed two-unit 19-inch rack mounting case, finished in matte black. And while the case is intended for rack mounting, it certainly doesn’t have to be used that way.

They’re not lightweights: even the 125W model is around 12.5kg while the 250W version is a tad under 20kg. Case size is identical – 483 x 330 x 88mm.

On the front panel are level controls for the six input channels which can be selected as 3mV balanced mic inputs (each with phantom powering) via 3-pin XLR sockets or as 200mV line or "aux" inputs via RCA sockets. (All inputs are on the rear panel). There is also a master volume control along with bass and treble controls (±10dB @10kHz and 100kHz respectively).

There is also a LED bargraph VU meter, a large power switch and indicator LEDs showing power, peak level, fault condition and signal.