Amplifiers

Kirk Midtskog has posted a review of the 120 watts/channel Hegel H100 integrated amplifier ($3,000) from Norway. His conclusions: I can verify that the on-board USB DAC sounds quite good, comparable to that of the Stello Ai500 on 16-bit files. I suspect that most users will probably use an external DAC that will leverage...
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Frederic Beudot has posted his review of the Gryphon Audio Diablo integrated amplifier (Approximately $15,000) at 6moons.com. His conclusions: That said and money aside which will be the biggest hurdle for most—yours truly included— the Diablo is not for everybody. A component that is this transparent, linear and undistorted requires very careful matching both...
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Andre Marc has posted a review of the McIntosh MA6600 Integrated Amplifier ($6,000) at Audio Video Revolution. His conclusion: I liked everything about the McIntosh MA6600. The famous McIntosh glass face plate, blue lit power meters, general and build quality were an absolute treat. The luxurious, ridged volume and input knobs were very precise,...
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Vade Forrester has posted a review of the Musical Fidelity AMS35i integrated amplifier ($8,999) at Soundstage! Hi-Fi. His conclusions: Who should be interested in the Musical Fidelity AMS35i? Someone who loves the sound of tube amplifiers but not the hassle of maintaining them, who has reasonably sensitive speakers (95dB or higher), and who listens...
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Ron Doering has posted a review of the Musical Fidelity M6i integrated amplifier ($2995) at Good Sound, part of the Soundstage! Network. His conclusions: Going into this review, I was a little prejudiced against the M6i for its lack of what I’d thought were such basic necessities as a balance control, a headphone jack,...
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Robert J. Reina has just posted his review of the Audio Research VSi60 integrated amplifier at Stereophile. His conclusions: In the VSi60, Audio Research has produced an integrated amplifier of staggering quality, versatility, and value. It should be considered not only by anyone seeking an integrated amp anywhere near its price, but also by...
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Art Dudley has just posted his review of the Electrocompaniet AW400 monoblock power amplifiers at Stereophile. His conclusions: n a perfect world there would be enough room, enough time, and enough money that we could sample everything under the sun, anytime we liked. To an audio enthusiast, that's no small matter: There are thousands...
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John E. Johnson, Jr. has posted a review of the Bryston 3B SST2 power amplifier at Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity. His conclusion: The Bryston 3B SST2 is a fine amplifier. Its neutral sound tonality allows for unfettered listening, so you can focus on the music and not be distracted with any...
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Alan Tafel has posted a review of the Marantz SC-7S2 Reference Control Amplifier at The Absolute Sound titled "Think Pink" referencing the pink tinge to the casework of the amplifier. His conclusion: Quibbles aside, the Marantz SC-7S2 is perhaps the best example extant of the old audio adage that a component’s sound is telegraphed...
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Steven Stone of The Absolute Sound has recently posted a review of the Krell S-150m monoblock power amplifier. His conclusion: Compared to the best amplifiers I’ve heard in my own systems the S-150m acquits itself well. The Pass X-150 is slightly more three-dimensional and juicier harmonically. In the race to be green the ICE-powered...
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If you have been considering moving from solid state to tube amplification, but are not willing to sacrifice your child’s college education, you would be well to audition the Manley Labs Snapper monoblocks. Offering 100 watts/channel, listing for $4,250 per pair and made in the USA, they have little competition. Andre Marc at Audio...
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