Integrated Amplifier Reviews
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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14 July 2018
This amplifier is unusual and very Italian. Not too surprising as it is made in Treviso, Italy.
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9 January 2018
Analog Domain M75D and M75P
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Both the M75D integrated and M75P power amp are fast-paced and articulate, highly detailed, incredibly rhythmic and dynamic and lifelike, with power to spare.
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19 December 2017
The Xindak XA6950 II sounds well-paced, solid, full-bodied and powerful, yet completely effortless and relaxed.
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17 January 2016
Devialet Firmware
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Devialet Expert Firmware - newer versions add functionality, but also change the sound.
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22 August 2015
Devialet Expert 120 and 200
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Devialet Expert 200 and 120 hybrid class A / class D integrated amplifiers compared directly.
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21 August 2015
Accuphase E-260
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The latest 200 series amplifier in Accuphase's long and successful range of integrated amplifiers.
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13 October 2011
The Uniti is the UnitiQute's bigger brother, with a cd player added, a bigger amplifier and more inputs.
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13 October 2011
The UnitiQute is a smaller version of the Uniti, minus the CD player, but lacking none of its bigger brother's functionality.
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22 April 2010
Marantz NR1501 surround receiver
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The Marantz may be slim - but it packs almost all features that you could possibly wish for. Oh, and it sounds much, much better than you'd think!
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3 August 2009
Viva Verona XL reviewed and compared to Jeff Rowland model 6 and McIntosh MA6900
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14 January 2009
McIntosh and Jeff Rowland
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McIntosh MA6900 compared with Jeff Rowland Synergy and model 6
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