Amplification Component of 2019
Pass Laboratories XP-22 preamplifier ($9500; reviewed by Jim Austin, June 2019, Vol.42 No.6 Review)
Things have changed since the era when audio perfectionists regarded the preamplifier as the true heart of their system: a time when the Audio Research SP-10, Conrad-Johnson Premier Three, Spectral DMC-10, and Klyne SK-5 ruled the Earth. These days, we tend to publish more reviews of power amps than preamps, and our POTY lists have reflected that (im)balance. So some of us were especially pleased to see 2019's top amplification honors go to the Pass Labs XP-22, a two-box solid-state line-level preamp (again with the hyphens!) that reminded Jim Austin once again: "A system with a first-rate preamplifier is better at conveying that sense of living, breathing musicians than a system without a preamp." The Nelson Pass–designed XP-22 also impressed with its choice of balanced and single-ended inputs and outputs, a volume control with good bearings and "a nice feel," and, according to JA, an "excellent" S/N ratio in particular and "superb" measured performance overall.
Notes on the Vote
Amplification Component of the Year was one of 2019's tighter races. The Pass won with a fairly even mix of first- place, second-place, and third-place votes, while Benchmark's AHB2 power amp had just as many votes for the win but fewer to show. The next-greatest number of votes was earned by the First Watt SIT-3 amplifier, a literally unique solid-state design that was also created by Nelson Pass. Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Air Tight ATM-300R power amplifier ($16,995; reviewed by Art Dudley, February 2019, Vol.42 No.2 Review)
Benchmark AHB2 power amplifier ($2995; reviewed by Jim Austin & Kal Rubinson, November 2015, October & November 2018, Vol.38 No.11, Vol.41 Nos.10 & 11 Review)
First Watt SIT-3 power amplifier ($4000; reviewed by Herb Reichert, February 2019, Vol.42 No.2 Review)
Mark Levinson No.5805 integrated amplifier ($8500; reviewed by Jim Austin, November 2015, Vol.38 No.11, July 2019, Vol.42 No.7 Review)
Schiit Aegir power amplifier ($799; reviewed by Herb Reichert, October 2019, Vol.42 No.10 Review)
Things have changed since the era when audio perfectionists regarded the preamplifier as the true heart of their system: a time when the Audio Research SP-10, Conrad-Johnson Premier Three, Spectral DMC-10, and Klyne SK-5 ruled the Earth. These days, we tend to publish more reviews of power amps than preamps, and our POTY lists have reflected that (im)balance. So some of us were especially pleased to see 2019's top amplification honors go to the Pass Labs XP-22, a two-box solid-state line-level preamp (again with the hyphens!) that reminded Jim Austin once again: "A system with a first-rate preamplifier is better at conveying that sense of living, breathing musicians than a system without a preamp." The Nelson Pass–designed XP-22 also impressed with its choice of balanced and single-ended inputs and outputs, a volume control with good bearings and "a nice feel," and, according to JA, an "excellent" S/N ratio in particular and "superb" measured performance overall.
Notes on the VoteAmplification Component of the Year was one of 2019's tighter races. The Pass won with a fairly even mix of first- place, second-place, and third-place votes, while Benchmark's AHB2 power amp had just as many votes for the win but fewer to show. The next-greatest number of votes was earned by the First Watt SIT-3 amplifier, a literally unique solid-state design that was also created by Nelson Pass. Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Air Tight ATM-300R power amplifier ($16,995; reviewed by Art Dudley, February 2019, Vol.42 No.2 Review)
Benchmark AHB2 power amplifier ($2995; reviewed by Jim Austin & Kal Rubinson, November 2015, October & November 2018, Vol.38 No.11, Vol.41 Nos.10 & 11 Review)
First Watt SIT-3 power amplifier ($4000; reviewed by Herb Reichert, February 2019, Vol.42 No.2 Review)
Mark Levinson No.5805 integrated amplifier ($8500; reviewed by Jim Austin, November 2015, Vol.38 No.11, July 2019, Vol.42 No.7 Review)
Schiit Aegir power amplifier ($799; reviewed by Herb Reichert, October 2019, Vol.42 No.10 Review)
