For me it’s the best brand in sound quality at the price. Their streaming products are also super intuitive and easy to work with. They deserve a lot more recognition!!
I have one and had the IN80 before. I really like it plus in France it's sold for 1599€ new, got mine as a demo unit for 1200€. it goes very nicely with my Buchardt S400
Have the 300 IN with B&w- 702s speakers. Very nice combo, very warm and sound with body. Before with yamaha c45/m45 i had to use foam inserts on the speakers bass port as they sounded boomy. With the Atoll 300 not anymore the case bass is well managed , powerfull and controlled. Also the phone stage (optional) with ortofon bronze 2m, sounds extremely well. Another upgrade i can recommend are interlinks from the cord company clearway cables. Affordable (150€) and really audible improvements. Compared to my previous cables (profigold) these ones really improving the image and high's.
As a long time IN200 owner I’d like to underline the low bass weight when using this as an integrated. It does allow for more perceived forwardness and clarity in the mids. This is worth mentioning as the large amount of power on tap in this case means control and not necessarily fullness in the bottom end. Hence, a piece for who ever knows what they’re going for matching- and taste wise. Or: just my perspective on a nice unit.
When playing a good recording on the ms120 streamer, the in200 reproduce a great powerful and clean bass. Even the door and furniture starts to vibe. :)
I only know the Atoll IN300 which I listened with ProAc speakers. The sound was very impresive with a streamer Rose RS 150. I almost bought the demonstration model ( under Euro 2000 ) .
I have both, IN100 and IN200. Both have 2x 340V transformers but the capacitors are from Nippon or Nichicon but not Mundorf. I upgraded mine to Mundorf but they don't come as standard. Nice review, actually I prefer the IN100 to the IN200. The IN100 has more body (flesh) in the midrange and bass has more authority. Binding posts are crap, pure brass and iron..but easy access to change them 👍
I have the power amp version of it am 200 sig with a hegel p20 pre amp. It is the best of both worlds!!! However i would love to hear your thoughts about Atoll vs Hegel flagships atoll pr400+am400 vs Hegel p30a+h30a. The Atoll is half the cost!!!
Hello! I have been the owner of a brand new Atoll IN 200 Signature for 3 months. However, I made a mistake, without looking behind, I fed a signal from a CD player for a few seconds into the output ports of the amplifier, tape out, bay pass and pre aut. The amplifier started to play the signal I gave it by changing all positions Tape, Cd, etc. What do you think, did i burn something inside? My second question is how long does it take for the amp to play through initially, as I still don't like the sound of it, not enough bright highs, metallic ringing? I'm still at about 100 hours. My old Sony TA F 435R plays better...
how would you compare this to nad c298 you also reviewed? thinking only on general "high fidelity" and sound. Function wise, I know I'd need a dac for Atoll and dac/preamp for Nad.
I used to own the power amp variant "AM200 Signature". Unfortunately due to annoying transformer hum in most but not all power circuits I hooked it on (different homes) I decided to sell it. It's very vulnerabe to minor phase offset from 50 Hz AC. There are two torodial transformers inside which doesn't make things easier - but more problematic.
@@justasimplefox That's fine you managed to get a grip on that issue. However, I would consider that as kinda flawed design by Atoll. They should have tried their PSU build with a little bit of DC co-current feeding and double-checked if audible resonance had come up - or not. I have other components with torodial transformers here with me which remain hum-free within any AC power circuits I tried.
@@pickyaudiophile I understand, to be clear, the hum was only audible close to the case, not in the music. I'm now stunned by the performance after the upgrade by only changing a few electronic parts in the circuit. In Europe you can buy Atoll for really good prices so with the upgrade included they are still very affordable 👍
@@justasimplefox Sure I got that. What I wrote in before was about "power only" connected, too. - Just the blank device (dual transformers) humming with no RCA or speaker connection once powered on. More or less severely in different homes. BTW What did it cost you to receive that upgrade at AVS Oymann (DE) if I may ask?
@@pickyaudiophile around 400/500€ (depending on parts and model IN100/200) for the 10000uF Mundorf Mlytic + Claritycaps ESA +Panasonic FC series+ mechanical upgrades like isolation around transformers and case (I also changed the resistors to Mundorf Ultra but even incredible without them 😉) the difference is night/day specially for the IN100! The IN100 with the upgrade sounds better in every way then the IN200 (also with tuning). You can also change the binding posts to EIZZ EZ-301, they fit great 👍
@@soundstagenetwork Thank you. In your opinion, the IN200 is too much for these speakers ? I mean if the 100 should be more proper amp for the Arias 906, because I do not listen at high volume normally, and the 100 is cheaper than the 200....
@@dimitriskontos858 There's no real thing as "too much" in the sense that if the amp delivers much more power than is needed, it simply goes unused. As a result, the IN200 is suitable. But if you listen at lower volume levels, the IN100 could be suitable, too.
Hallo, i own the unison max1 speaker. It playes with the Atoll IN 80. Ive hear, that i need a better amplifier to get the best out of the max1. Do you thing the exposure 3510 is good enough, ore should i go on a preowned accuphase e270/280(because of the price)?. Ore any other ideas for Amplifiers, preferably wirh tone Control? Greets
Have an Hegel H95 but I want to swap to a pure analog. I like this Atoll but I read your lab test and It seems to have amount of distortion. What about that? Thanks.
Not warm and not forward, quite neutral, never harsh, midrange could be a little fuller. Bass is very controlled but it's missing authority. So it's plays elegant and refined but for me just not involving enough.
It’s microfarad, not uF. Just a friendly word from an electrical engineer. Keep up the good reviews. 👍 Indeed, piano is difficult to reproduce convincingly.
I have a 1930s Steinway & Sons piano in the same space as my listening area, so I agree with you 100% brother. I have found nothing yet that can convey the dynamic impact, power, and natural tonality of a real piano. But nothing is impossible. The joy is in the journey.
@@clarencehoover6748first of all because records are compressed and regular amplifier +speakers can’t reproduce the dinamic range of the real instrument
@@alexandremarques1367Thank you so much for that reply. Sure will help many people who are struggling to match amp character to klh model5 if you have time to elaborate why they match together. BR
What is the soundstage like, is wide walk in type or is just on two levels like old Naim amps? Would Atoll suit Classical music genres with large Orchestras, where imaging is precise with failthfull timbres of instruments?
@@justasimplefox I have CXA81+CXN V2 and I am thinking of upgrading my speakers to MA Silver 500 7G and not sure about upgrading the amplifier. I'm still checking it out and I'm very happy with it at the moment. However, thank you for your advice.
@@ramin3080 It's up to you and I can't comment on the speakers but one good advice, if you buy the IN100 try the upgrade from AVS Oymann. It's really a very, very big upgrade 👍 (night and day), better to invest your money here then on an internal DAC. I have 0 commercial interest but a happy customer 🙂
Had IN100. Now IN200SE… amazing engendering. Fabulous sound. I have it running Piega Premium 701 speakers. Also added DAC card into it for TV/YT background listening. Amazing support from Atoll and their partners. Streaming Apple Music via Airplay onto Airalic Mini or playing via Dragonfly Cobalt for HighRes. Waiting for some streamer accepting Airplay or even Apple Music :-/
How whas the Difference between IN100 and IN200? I own the IN80, and i thing about to buy a bigger one, because of my loudspeakers, the Max 1, could need a better one. 🖖
I heard this amp on a system which was doing it no favours: a blueray player was being used as a source and the speakers were Quad S5 floor standers. It sounded thin and uninteresting and the Quad's ribbon tweeter was drawing attention to itself in an unnatural way. In short, I was not at all impressed. Maybe the cheap source was partly to blame but I didn't even hear any potential in the sound.
Source is often a huge part of the sound experience. Bad source is like trying to run a marathon after only having eaten a can of whipped cream, it just wont be good
I have an Atoll AM200 SIG power-amp & Atoll ST200 SIG streamer/preamp combo currently connected to a Sonus Faber Sonetto 1 speakers. I have a pretty small listening room and I listen almost exclusively to classical music, but I'm very happy with the sound. I also have Dali Menuet speakers and am currently deciding which ones to keep - but maybe I'll wait for the new Buchardt P300s which are arriving in December...
Did you ever experience any transformer hum issues (vibration noise) coming straight from that power amp's transformers with just power connected, no RCA or speakers? Are you based in an AC 120V or 230V country?
Jay, please tell me what do you think about the Mcintosh MC 152 solid-state amplifier, and or compared to the Mcintosh 312 Would really appreciate your opinion❤❤
you talking about transformer hum, like when you put your ear to the amplifier? this is totally normal and of zero concern unless you can hear it from your listening position. I have an in200 and yes, you can hear a hum from inside the unit. Who cares if it doesn't affect the sound coming from the speakers?
@@toonp1681 Hi. I always stand to be corrected if I make an error, but I don't think it could be 50Wpc class A -- a 50Wpc class-A amp throws a massive amount of heat and has a lot of heatsinking. I couldn't see more than about 5Wpc.
"The IN200 operates in class-A mode up to 40W before switching over to class AB-impressive engineering. Not many integrated amps out there do this." Look it up on internet.
Class a generally 50% efficient and run at full power all the time....if it was 40-50 watts class a, the idol power consumption would be 80-100w plus and it would run hot. I had a in200 and now have in300....great units! But they do not run into class a that high. This said, I highly recommend people try and look at these atoll's excellent sound/value prop.
Don't laugh at me,but try a Crown XLI 1500 for a mere fraction of the price.I purchased it for a Sub Amp.However, I demoed it against my best high end amps,and it blew me away! Musicians tend to listen to Horn Speakers more so than the Audiophile Speakers in your posting.the Crown is the Hands Down Best choice for accurate high power solid state reproduction using Horn Loaded Speakers! Great control,tonal balance,soundstage, effortless presentation.The largest Toroidal Transformer I have ever seen in a power amp,at a fraction of the price! Give it a try.
True detailed neutral amplifiers are colorless. There is no such thing as dark or black background to their sound. Any amplifier that has such a sound is coloured and is not neutral or have neutrality. Get your audio facts correct. How long have you been in audio, obviously not long enough to know correctly with the true real facts of what audio is supposed to be and be have. Naim amplifiers have never been neutral or had neutrality or possessed all the detail. The British amplification that was neutral however with all the detail were AVI from the 90's. Avi S2000MI and AVI S21 LAB SERIES amplifiers. You got neutrality with all the detail and harmonic resolution in recordings, which means you hear all the detail with recorded piano, including their harmonics content. The weakest link are loudspeakers themselves, including hard to control, and low impedance loudspeakers, including with lots of crossover components.
A neutral/flat frequency response and a black background (aka low noise floor) are separate things. An amplifier can demonstrate a flat frequency response in the audible band (20Hz - 20kHz), but at the same time have a noise floor that rises above the threshold of hearing, which would make the background less black. Generally if an amplifier is well designed, this would only occur at uncomfortably loud volume settings.
For me it’s the best brand in sound quality at the price. Their streaming products are also super intuitive and easy to work with. They deserve a lot more recognition!!
🥂 very correct
Será mesmo? Tenho umas Rubicon 2 será melhor Hegel ou Denon?
@@tomaskroupakkfoto4132 maybe yes, but ..huge price difference upwards
I have one and had the IN80 before.
I really like it plus in France it's sold for 1599€ new, got mine as a demo unit for 1200€.
it goes very nicely with my Buchardt S400
i bought a Atoll IN80 Signature brand new and i love it soooo much
Have the 300 IN with B&w- 702s speakers. Very nice combo, very warm and sound with body. Before with yamaha c45/m45 i had to use foam inserts on the speakers bass port as they sounded boomy. With the Atoll 300 not anymore the case bass is well managed , powerfull and controlled. Also the phone stage (optional) with ortofon bronze 2m, sounds extremely well. Another upgrade i can recommend are interlinks from the cord company clearway cables. Affordable (150€) and really audible improvements. Compared to my previous cables (profigold) these ones really improving the image and high's.
As a long time IN200 owner I’d like to underline the low bass weight when using this as an integrated. It does allow for more perceived forwardness and clarity in the mids. This is worth mentioning as the large amount of power on tap in this case means control and not necessarily fullness in the bottom end. Hence, a piece for who ever knows what they’re going for matching- and taste wise. Or: just my perspective on a nice unit.
Can't agree more 👍
When playing a good recording on the ms120 streamer, the in200 reproduce a great powerful and clean bass. Even the door and furniture starts to vibe. :)
I only know the Atoll IN300 which I listened with ProAc speakers. The sound was very impresive with a streamer Rose RS 150. I almost bought the demonstration model ( under Euro 2000 ) .
Great review thank you! Atoll offers such a great and diverse product line all hand made in France and at great price versus performance ratio.
Mine as well...love it and at a very reasonable price
I like the design of this one.
I have both, IN100 and IN200. Both have 2x 340V transformers but the capacitors are from Nippon or Nichicon but not Mundorf. I upgraded mine to Mundorf but they don't come as standard. Nice review, actually I prefer the IN100 to the IN200. The IN100 has more body (flesh) in the midrange and bass has more authority. Binding posts are crap, pure brass and iron..but easy access to change them 👍
Do you talk about the signature version or regular IN200?
@@guillaumeSONY Both Signature 👍
Interesting!
Have it in black. I like it very much.
Popular brand!
I have the power amp version of it am 200 sig with a hegel p20 pre amp. It is the best of both worlds!!! However i would love to hear your thoughts about Atoll vs Hegel flagships atoll pr400+am400 vs Hegel p30a+h30a. The Atoll is half the cost!!!
Thanks Jay always
I have wondered about Atoll sound
i like the dual mains transformers
27 pounder not bad weight at all
Must run pretty cool -
Actually it runs pretty hot, and due to the underdimensioned cooling fins it will easily overheat.
Strange, my IN200 warms up just a little..certainly not hot
@@justasimplefox depends on how hard you drive the amp - And speakers Efficancy
My in300 runs quite cool.
@@4everB2😂
I have my in200 signature connected to KEF LS50 - love it !
Glad to hear that because I have KEF LS50 META'S and I am waiting for delivery of Atoll Pre and Power amps. 👍👍🎼🎵
I have it ! IN200 + DR200 (cd mechanic) + Tu80 (tuner). It sounds great and only one handy remote control !!
Hello! I have been the owner of a brand new Atoll IN 200 Signature for 3 months. However, I made a mistake, without looking behind, I fed a signal from a CD player for a few seconds into the output ports of the amplifier, tape out, bay pass and pre aut. The amplifier started to play the signal I gave it by changing all positions Tape, Cd, etc. What do you think,
did i burn something inside? My second question is how long does it take for the amp to play through initially, as I still don't like the sound of it, not enough bright highs, metallic ringing? I'm still at about 100 hours. My old Sony TA F 435R plays better...
I would contact their customer service, I have good experiences with Atoll 👍 good luck
how would you compare this to nad c298 you also reviewed? thinking only on general "high fidelity" and sound. Function wise, I know I'd need a dac for Atoll and dac/preamp for Nad.
Thank you for the review, is it a good match with KEF r3 or r7 ?
Hi my friend , what do you thing yba heritage 200 and audia flight fl3s compare to atoll in200 signature ? Thanx for return
Seems it has a lot of intermodulation distortion. Any thoughts?
Atoll SDA-2000 review would be good
i have a Rega Brio and it recreate piano very well. how would this compare to the Brio?
I used to own the power amp variant "AM200 Signature". Unfortunately due to annoying transformer hum in most but not all power circuits I hooked it on (different homes) I decided to sell it. It's very vulnerabe to minor phase offset from 50 Hz AC. There are two torodial transformers inside which doesn't make things easier - but more problematic.
Same here with my IN200 but after a 'tuning' from AVS Oymann (Germany) the hum was 90% gone. Don't ask me what they have done but it worked 🙂
@@justasimplefox That's fine you managed to get a grip on that issue. However, I would consider that as kinda flawed design by Atoll. They should have tried their PSU build with a little bit of DC co-current feeding and double-checked if audible resonance had come up - or not. I have other components with torodial transformers here with me which remain hum-free within any AC power circuits I tried.
@@pickyaudiophile I understand, to be clear, the hum was only audible close to the case, not in the music. I'm now stunned by the performance after the upgrade by only changing a few electronic parts in the circuit. In Europe you can buy Atoll for really good prices so with the upgrade included they are still very affordable 👍
@@justasimplefox Sure I got that. What I wrote in before was about "power only" connected, too. - Just the blank device (dual transformers) humming with no RCA or speaker connection once powered on. More or less severely in different homes. BTW What did it cost you to receive that upgrade at AVS Oymann (DE) if I may ask?
@@pickyaudiophile around 400/500€ (depending on parts and model IN100/200) for the 10000uF Mundorf Mlytic + Claritycaps ESA +Panasonic FC series+ mechanical upgrades like isolation around transformers and case (I also changed the resistors to Mundorf Ultra but even incredible without them 😉) the difference is night/day specially for the IN100! The IN100 with the upgrade sounds better in every way then the IN200 (also with tuning). You can also change the binding posts to EIZZ EZ-301, they fit great 👍
Hi. Don you think that this amp would be a good match for the Focal Aria 906 speakers? Thank you...
There's no reason that it shouldn't work well.
@@soundstagenetwork Thank you. In your opinion, the IN200 is too much for these speakers ? I mean if the 100 should be more proper amp for the Arias 906, because I do not listen at high volume normally, and the 100 is cheaper than the 200....
@@dimitriskontos858 There's no real thing as "too much" in the sense that if the amp delivers much more power than is needed, it simply goes unused. As a result, the IN200 is suitable. But if you listen at lower volume levels, the IN100 could be suitable, too.
@@soundstagenetwork Thanks.
I bought mine for 1450 euro in Belgium.
Big difference in price statewise apperently
Distribution can affect that!
Hallo, i own the unison max1 speaker. It playes with the Atoll IN 80. Ive hear, that i need a better amplifier to get the best out of the max1. Do you thing the exposure 3510 is good enough, ore should i go on a preowned accuphase e270/280(because of the price)?. Ore any other ideas for Amplifiers, preferably wirh tone Control? Greets
Have an Hegel H95 but I want to swap to a pure analog. I like this Atoll but I read your lab test and It seems to have amount of distortion. What about that? Thanks.
Thanks for your video, i have a problem with this model, their is a hum from the transformer, also the binding post is not the best.
Have you tried a noise reducing box you plug into the same socket you power the amp with?
You also reviewed the Paradigme Founders 40F. Would this amp be a good match with the Founders you think? Somewhat like the q acoustics you used?
Hello bro, is this atoll warm sounding or forward?
Not warm and not forward, quite neutral, never harsh, midrange could be a little fuller. Bass is very controlled but it's missing authority. So it's plays elegant and refined but for me just not involving enough.
It’s microfarad, not uF.
Just a friendly word from an electrical engineer. Keep up the good reviews. 👍 Indeed, piano is difficult to reproduce convincingly.
Piano is exceedingly hard, particularly for speakers.
I have a 1930s Steinway & Sons piano in the same space as my listening area, so I agree with you 100% brother. I have found nothing yet that can convey the dynamic impact, power, and natural tonality of a real piano. But nothing is impossible. The joy is in the journey.
@@soundstagenetwork not on my system !
@@clarencehoover6748first of all because records are compressed and regular amplifier +speakers can’t reproduce the dinamic range of the real instrument
in your opinion do you think this amp is a good match with the KLH Model 5's ?😁
Great match! I sell both brands and tried different matchings and Atoll is my favourite
@@alexandremarques1367Thank you so much for that reply. Sure will help many people who are struggling to match amp character to klh model5 if you have time to elaborate why they match together. BR
What is the soundstage like, is wide walk in type or is just on two levels like old Naim amps? Would Atoll suit Classical music genres with large Orchestras, where imaging is precise with failthfull timbres of instruments?
Zależy z jakimi kolumnami będzie współpracował. Jeśli twój salon nie jest zbyt duży to wypróbuj Chario Delphine mk2. Będziesz zachwycony
@@valtari3494 Dzienkuje za twoje opinie...👍
Can someone please 🙏 tell me what the twins amps on the left and right of the Atoll are ?
Gato amps i think.
How would it compare to the Hegel H120?
What is the difference between Atoll IN200SE versus IN200? Which one is more recent? Which one of two would you prefer?
se is the newer one i have the old one and it sounds great.
Hello, nice review. What do you think pairing this with Linton's? Thanks.
I`m wondering .... CA CXA81 VS ATOLL IN200 What do you think??
Atoll IN100 🙂
@@justasimplefox Noway :)
@@ramin3080 Yes, I have both and with each speaker I prefer the IN100 over the IN200 :-)
@@justasimplefox I have CXA81+CXN V2 and I am thinking of upgrading my speakers to MA Silver 500 7G and not sure about upgrading the amplifier.
I'm still checking it out and I'm very happy with it at the moment.
However, thank you for your advice.
@@ramin3080 It's up to you and I can't comment on the speakers but one good advice, if you buy the IN100 try the upgrade from AVS Oymann. It's really a very, very big upgrade 👍 (night and day), better to invest your money here then on an internal DAC. I have 0 commercial interest but a happy customer 🙂
Musicians do care about the timing and pace of the music., that Atoll and Naim are masters.
Speaking of Naim, how about a review of the Supernait3?
You can find Jay's review of the supernait 3 on YT.
Had IN100. Now IN200SE… amazing engendering. Fabulous sound. I have it running Piega Premium 701 speakers. Also added DAC card into it for TV/YT background listening. Amazing support from Atoll and their partners. Streaming Apple Music via Airplay onto Airalic Mini or playing via Dragonfly Cobalt for HighRes. Waiting for some streamer accepting Airplay or even Apple Music :-/
How whas the Difference between IN100 and IN200? I own the IN80, and i thing about to buy a bigger one, because of my loudspeakers, the Max 1, could need a better one. 🖖
I heard this amp on a system which was doing it no favours: a blueray player was being used as a source and the speakers were Quad S5 floor standers. It sounded thin and uninteresting and the Quad's ribbon tweeter was drawing attention to itself in an unnatural way. In short, I was not at all impressed. Maybe the cheap source was partly to blame but I didn't even hear any potential in the sound.
Source is often a huge part of the sound experience. Bad source is like trying to run a marathon after only having eaten a can of whipped cream, it just wont be good
That's two transformers. One per channel, just to clarify.
I have an Atoll AM200 SIG power-amp & Atoll ST200 SIG streamer/preamp combo currently connected to a Sonus Faber Sonetto 1 speakers. I have a pretty small listening room and I listen almost exclusively to classical music, but I'm very happy with the sound. I also have Dali Menuet speakers and am currently deciding which ones to keep - but maybe I'll wait for the new Buchardt P300s which are arriving in December...
Did you ever experience any transformer hum issues (vibration noise) coming straight from that power amp's transformers with just power connected, no RCA or speakers? Are you based in an AC 120V or 230V country?
@@pickyaudiophile You're right - transformers are quite loud in this amp. I use 230V.
Jay, please tell me what do you think about the Mcintosh MC 152 solid-state amplifier, and or compared to the Mcintosh 312
Would really appreciate your opinion❤❤
Thanx Jay, could you pair this with the Triangle Comète 40th Anniversary ? Bill from Northeastern France !!
We can't see why not.
but it has no wi fi capability right? Naim does ….?
This version is an analog integrated amp. It doesn't even have a DAC.
Email Atoll about the hum for more than a week but they haven't answered as yet.
you talking about transformer hum, like when you put your ear to the amplifier? this is totally normal and of zero concern unless you can hear it from your listening position. I have an in200 and yes, you can hear a hum from inside the unit. Who cares if it doesn't affect the sound coming from the speakers?
You are teasing me to death with those Gatos
Atonn in50 Signature is beating the 200 and 300 Signature.
Having the IN100 and IN200 I can agree, I don't know exactly why but I also prefer the IN100, on paper the IN200 should be the better one.
It has TWO transformers.
Thanks. Is it. class A
No it is not - class AB.
It's Class A until a until 50Watts I believe.
@@toonp1681 Hi. I always stand to be corrected if I make an error, but I don't think it could be 50Wpc class A -- a 50Wpc class-A amp throws a massive amount of heat and has a lot of heatsinking. I couldn't see more than about 5Wpc.
"The IN200 operates in class-A mode up to 40W before switching over to class AB-impressive engineering. Not many integrated amps out there do this." Look it up on internet.
Class a generally 50% efficient and run at full power all the time....if it was 40-50 watts class a, the idol power consumption would be 80-100w plus and it would run hot. I had a in200 and now have in300....great units! But they do not run into class a that high. This said, I highly recommend people try and look at these atoll's excellent sound/value prop.
Don't laugh at me,but try a Crown XLI 1500 for a mere fraction of the price.I purchased it for a Sub Amp.However, I demoed it against my best high end amps,and it blew me away! Musicians tend to listen to Horn Speakers more so than the Audiophile Speakers in your posting.the Crown is the Hands Down Best choice for accurate high power solid state reproduction using Horn Loaded Speakers! Great control,tonal balance,soundstage, effortless presentation.The largest Toroidal Transformer I have ever seen in a power amp,at a fraction of the price! Give it a try.
Musicians' favourite...really? 😖
Jo sznupia
True detailed neutral amplifiers are colorless. There is no such thing as dark or black background to their sound. Any amplifier that has such a sound is coloured and is not neutral or have neutrality. Get your audio facts correct. How long have you been in audio, obviously not long enough to know correctly with the true real facts of what audio is supposed to be and be have. Naim amplifiers have never been neutral or had neutrality or possessed all the detail. The British amplification that was neutral however with all the detail were AVI from the 90's. Avi S2000MI and AVI S21 LAB SERIES amplifiers. You got neutrality with all the detail and harmonic resolution in recordings, which means you hear all the detail with recorded piano, including their harmonics content. The weakest link are loudspeakers themselves, including hard to control, and low impedance loudspeakers, including with lots of crossover components.
A neutral/flat frequency response and a black background (aka low noise floor) are separate things. An amplifier can demonstrate a flat frequency response in the audible band (20Hz - 20kHz), but at the same time have a noise floor that rises above the threshold of hearing, which would make the background less black. Generally if an amplifier is well designed, this would only occur at uncomfortably loud volume settings.