Amplifier Reviews
1 August 2024
This is a follow-up to the main review, now including a second turntable with different cartridges, leading to new insights and an updated conclusion.
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9 July 2024
With the AMG STA-SE, the company has issued a successor to the AMG STA. With this new model, the company sought to narrow the gap between the different sound characteristics of models such as the ST-10 and Evolution STA on the one hand, and the AMG STA on the other
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20 June 2024
From the collaboration of Jesús Alejos (ATM-audio) and Daniel Reina (Admire Audio), three products associated with the AA4, AA3, AA2, and Monitor models are born.
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27 May 2024
Manunta offers the richly-featured EVO Phono 3 MM/MC phono stage at a very attractive price. In this review, I will compare it with its higher-end stable mate, the M2Tech Nash.
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29 April 2024
Chord Ultima Integrated
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Chord products have always appealed to me, and I love the bold industrial aesthetic. Yet, somehow, a review never materialized. Until now!
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4 April 2024
Honestly, I did not think the moment would come that another transistor amplifier would put up serious competition for my treasured CH A1.5, but here we are. Read all about it in the review.
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24 September 2023
Building on the highly refined and musical sound of its 1.1 predecessor, the updated 1.2 model's seemingly subtle tweaks (new chassis ground parts and a specific fastening torque) yield distinct advantages.
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2 April 2023
I'll say it right away: this is going to be an unusual review for me but it will be very interesting. Even if you are not into headphones, I must encourage you to read on. I promise you will be intrigued!
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21 December 2022
Accuphase E-280 – Mini Review
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This is not so much a review as a brief report of my personal experience with the E-280 after replacing the Ayon Spirit III with it in the secondary setup.
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1 August 2022
Denafrips has 3 analog preamps in their portfolio: the entry-level Hestia, the Hades, which is based on the Hestia with improvements in key areas, and the Athena, which is the top model. For this review, I will be listening to the Hesta and the Athena.
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9 July 2022
Kora TB140 Integrated Amplifier
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The Kora TB140 is one of those rare products that truly surprise. It sounds nothing like a stereotypical tube amplifier but neither does it sound like a traditional transistor amplifier.
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27 June 2022
With the U-180, U280, and U-580, Aavik has introduced an interesting range of amplifiers with a built-in DAC and distinctive aesthetics that are surprisingly potent and sound weighty, spacious, and tonally full.
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14 June 2022
Now that most DACs are equipped with volume control so that they can be connected to a power amp directly, what could there be to gain by switching another component in the signal chain? In other words, when everything on the source end is digital, what is the use of a pure analog preamp? With this article, I hope to shed some light on this quandary.
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30 April 2022
atm-audio Migjorn Phono Stage
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The atm audio Migjorn phono preamp has been designed to enjoy at a reference level. Its single purpose is to deliver the music as conceived by its artists and producers. This is what can be read on the atm audio website and I can totally get behind that aspiration!
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15 April 2022
Western Electric 91E
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The 91E is a Class A, single-ended (SE), integrated amplifier that was inspired by its predecessor, the 91A. Compared to the original, the 91E offers double the power, made possible by a completely new approach to SE amplifier design.
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7 April 2022
With the Evolution STA, NuPrime has delivered an amplifier that manages to strike a beautiful balance between the strong qualities of the ST-10 and the AMG-STA, while raising the overall performance even further.
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30 January 2022
After a listening session at Callas Audio, Ron Ploeger directed my attention to a neat-looking DAC by Concert Fidelity. With two rear-lit 12AU7 tubes sticking out vertically from its rear panel, the DAC-040 has an aesthetically clean and simple appearance, yet is also technically interesting. In this mini-review, I will describe how it sounds in my own system.
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12 January 2022
The Impera Reference is easily the most powerful-sounding preamp that I have heard. Its bass rivals that of many solid-state preamplifiers in terms of solidity, precision, and drive while its overall impact, expression, and dynamic slam are either on par with or actually outperform other preamplifiers.
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Network Player Reviews,
SPDIF DAC Reviews,
USB DAC Reviews,
Phono Preamp Reviews,
Preamplifier Reviews
10 November 2021
The D10 is a highly versatile control point, built in a modular fashion. As standard, it contains a preamp and DAC. Optionally, one can add a streaming input and a phono preamp. With every input that it offers, the D10 has surprised me with consistently fantastic performance.
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30 September 2021
It's the seemingly unachievable: a very neutral and linear, and robust amplifier that is fast, expressive and dynamic, but equally lush, liquid, and seductive. Seems unbelievable? Better believe it!
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11 September 2021
When you frequently review products, and especially when the target is usually the high-end segment, true surprises are few and far between. So, it's a treat when a product comes along that truly brings something new to the table.
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15 June 2021
AVID is widely known for producing superb turntables. What's probably less well-known is that they also produce a range of phono stages. The technology and engineering involved in the turntable motor power supplies are right at the basis of their phono stages.
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31 March 2021
The CAT JL5 promises the benefits of pure Triode Mode, combined with very large power reserves and the capability to drive pretty much any loudspeaker, including electrostatics.
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28 March 2021
Vermeer Audio TWO
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Vermeer Audio is a relatively new French company that was started by a group of technicians and passionate investors that have roots in another famous French company, Audio Aero. In its curvy enclosure, the TWO houses a streaming endpoint, a DAC, and an analog tube preamp, all of superb quality.
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10 March 2021
Established in 1999 in Australia by Mr Allen Wang and known primarily in Australia and Asia, Melody is now being distributed in the EU. As it turns out, these amplifiers are something special.
The corporate headquarters, which comprises, among others, the R&D center (product design), is based in Australia. Later, in order to meet the growing market demands, the company decided to invest by building a factory in Shenzhen, which is located near the city of Hong Kong.
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1 March 2021
In the initial NuPrime AMG review, I have focused mainly on the AMG-STA power amplifier. For this second installment, I have been sent a second AMG-STA power amplifier so that I can use a pair in mono-mode as well as an AMG-PRA analog preamplifier to round off the NuPrime system.
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Network Player Reviews,
SPDIF DAC Reviews,
USB DAC Reviews,
Power Amplifier Reviews,
Preamplifier Reviews
22 February 2021
The third-generation Delta product line includes the STEREO amplifier, MONO amplifiers and the PRE preamplifier with built-in DAC and streamer, and conceptually based on the CP-800. Reviewed here are the preamp and stereo power amp.
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28 December 2020
The AMG STA not only addresses all of the ST-10's weaker areas but actually raises the overall quality to such an extent that it comfortably positions itself among high-end competitors that cost multiples upon multiples.
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14 December 2020
From an American audio brand with a long history, one might expect a stereotypical big and ballsy "American" sound. When talking about transistors this would be maybe something in line with the classic Krell or perhaps McIntosh sound and when talking about tubes, in general, a warm, rich and juicy-liquid sound. But just like modern Audio Research tube amplifiers do not have that kind of sound, neither do the Manley products that I have on visit for review. So, what do they sound like? Read on to find out!
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1 December 2020
The Monrio mp11's have a luscious sound that is gently sweet and easy-going, airy, highly refined and beguilingly fluid. It's also nothing like what I have become accustomed to hearing from typical Class-D designs, or from Class A/B amplifiers, for that matter.
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23 November 2020
With each of the two channels powered by its own transformer and extra capacitance, the available power has doubled. But if you ask me, the extra power is not the amplifiers' biggest selling point, rather, it's the increased sound quality across the board.
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23 September 2020
Machined from solid aluminum, the EPM-700 Mono amplifiers employ hybrid amplification technology using a Class-D Hypex NC500 module with Ncore technology powered by a 1200W switched-mode power supply and a Korg NuTube Triode Valve-based atm-audio input stage.
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21 July 2020
The Lybra Parallel Single Ended 300B tube amplifier is fast, articulate, clean, transparent and fabulously neutral. But when it is partnered properly it is also superbly emotional, highly lyrical, utterly non-technical and just purely magical.
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12 July 2020
The Master 2H mono amplifiers amplify the whole truth and nothing but the truth but they combine their truthfulness with a very high level of refinement, fluidity and finesse to make for a performance that is not only spectacularly neutral but also highly natural, rhythmically infectious and hugely involving. Oh, and these amps also double their output with every halving of the impedance. Intrigued yet? You should be!
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23 March 2020
Fabulously organic and highly seductive and in no way mechanical or electronic, these fully Class-A amplifiers eschew the type of overt control that can lead to the mechanical and clinical presentation that makes so many rivals sound rather uninvolving.
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11 March 2020
The Astin Trew AT2-2100 has an engagingly upbeat, dynamic and expressive delivery and refreshing new cosmetics.
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27 January 2020
CH Precision L1 Preamplifier
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The L1 is easily the most highly resolving and most transparent preamp that I have heard. Besides, it also excels in terms of functionality, offering more user-selectable parameters than I have ever seen on a preamp before.
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26 January 2020
Lejonklou Entity MC Phono Stage
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The Entity uses the same input circuit, phono equalization, output stage and power regulation as the well-regarded SINGularity. With changes only in terms of the case, the power supplies, and the physical channel separation, the Entity promises stellar performance for a very reasonable price.
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26 January 2020
Highly anticipated by many, myself included, the Line Magnetic LP-33 has recently become available in the Netherlands. The LP-33 offers a slice of tube heaven at a remarkably sane price.
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21 January 2020
After the initial Bryston review in December 2017 my system changed significantly. Therefore, I thought it prudent to give the amps another run with some very different speakers.
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26 November 2019
Smooth, fluid, transparent and extremely finely detailed, they relay music with a finesse and lyricism that is rare in generic and in this price class in particular.
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14 November 2019
Established in 1973 in Norway, Electrocompaniet are known to voice their equipment to achieve a sound which they feel is most true to the live listening experience first and foremost and according to technical measurements second. So, how do they sound? Read the review to find out!
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16 October 2019
Encased in a simple but robust cabinet, the STR series has refreshingly different looks, but these components also distinguish themselves from the masses in terms of sound.
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17 September 2019
Smooth and seductive, organic, big and powerful, and utterly realistic - the Zesto system does it all.
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27 August 2019
The 5805 is a very complete and absolutely great sounding amplifier that will give the competition a very hard time.
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25 August 2019
CH Precision P1 Phono Preamp
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Unlike many alternatives, the P1 refrains from imposing any character and it just lets the music speak for itself. But it does not only offer brilliant performance, it is also also the most flexible phono stage that I know to exist. Multiple inputs? Over 500 loading values? Tablet-control? Auto-calibration? Check, check, check, and check.
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24 June 2019
Understated and unassuming, the Goldmund Telos 590 Nextgen is, quite simply, the finest integrated amplifier that I have heard so far.
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17 April 2019
It baffles me why the Bricasti brand does not pop up everywhere, it certainly should. Beautifully sculpted and with immaculate build quality, these components are not inexpensive but in context, they surely are also not extravagantly priced.
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9 April 2019
This Naiu Laboratory Ella power amplifier is the MK2 version with a new faceplate. While it looks similar to the amp tested in August 2017 on 6moons, this concerns a similar, yet further upgraded version.
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31 March 2019
Designed and built in China, Audio GD products provide serious competition for much higher priced European or American gear. Part 1 contains the introduction, info about Magna Hifi and a description of the performance of the complete Audio GD system.
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24 February 2019
How do the CH Precision A1.5 and the Soulution 711 compare in a Magico Q5 system?
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7 January 2019
The Spirit III makes music in a manner that makes it impossible to listen to passively, highly energetic, dynamic and powerful, with articulate, fast and very solid bass to make for a delivery that is instantly infectious.
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3 January 2019
CH Precision A1.5 Power Amp
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A bigger cabinet, a new 1700VA toroidal transformer, new Red Caps, and an improved internal layout not only increase the output rating from 100 to 150 watts into 8 ohms but also make for a huge leap in sound quality.
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2 December 2018
NuPrime Evolution One
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The Evolution Ones sound crisp and clear yet richly textured and timbrally natural, with excellent focus and a reach-out-and-grasp solidity to objects within the soundstage along with a level of lifelike purity and directness that is quite rare.
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23 November 2018
Ayon Scorpio and S-3 Junior
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The Scorpio has a pleasant ripeness but without sounding warm. In fact, it sounds purer and more lifelike than various other tube amps that I tried. It is my new reference in its price class, and considerably beyond.
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18 November 2018
These two Kinki components make for highly involved and enthusiastic listening. They consistently make my foot tap to their supremely confident, rhythmic and dynamic presentation.
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28 October 2018
Trying Shuguang KT88 tubes in the PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium.
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27 October 2018
Zanden 8120 and 3100
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Combining the best of transistors and tubes while avoiding all of the typical flaws of either of these designs, these components provide technical excellence and a highly emotional performance in equal measure.
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16 September 2018
Part 5 of the Line Magnetic review
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16 September 2018
Part 4 of the Line Magnetic review
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16 September 2018
Part 3 of the Line Magnetic review
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16 September 2018
Part 2 of the Line Magnetic review
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16 September 2018
When I first learned of the Line Magnetic brand, I got excited right away. These are amps with attitude, proud of what they are. Then, when I discovered that the brand employs a wide range of tube configurations, I got even more excited. So, in order to make a nice showcase of the Line Magnetic brand and a good cross-section of their lineup, I set out to review a representative range of amplifiers using various tube types.
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Amplifier Reviews,
HFA Audio Setup History,
Passive Speakers Reviews,
SPDIF DAC Reviews,
USB DAC Reviews
18 August 2018
Finding my next reference speakers and amplifiers - part 3
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Amplifier Reviews,
HFA Audio Setup History,
Passive Speakers Reviews,
SPDIF DAC Reviews,
USB DAC Reviews
18 August 2018
Finding my next reference speakers and amplifiers - part 2
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12 August 2018
I had started a quest to find the perfect amplifier, for my Diva situation at least. By now I knew that there were amplifiers that are more expressive and lively than my precious Rowlands, but so far none of them was a match in terms of treble refinement and low-level resolution.
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