Decades ago, integrated amplifiers were full-featured beasts—and then there was…
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During my tenure as a Stereophile writer, I've reviewed a lot of integrated amplifiers. The mostly moderately priced integrated machines I've reviewed have included the Heed Audio Elixir ($1195), Luxman SQ-N150 ($2795) and L-509X ($9495), NAD C 328 Hybrid Digital ($549), Octave Audio V 80 SE ($10,500), Rega Brio ($995), and Schiit Ragnarok 2 ($1799 as equipped). Regardless of price, all these integrated amplifiers engaged my senses and made engaging, dynamic, colorful music from LP grooves and ones and zeros.
Listening
As Stereophile's Recommended Components list attests, just because a product is built to a $1200 price point doesn't mean it won't pack a wallop. This held true for the CXA81, which consistently impressed me with its ability to challenge competing amplifiers in a similar price range and by how good it sounded with different speakers. The CXA81 had me uttering "wow" (several times) at its transparency to the sound of upstream electronics and recordings. When I switched between my Thorens and Kuzma turntables, for example, the difference was clear, immediate, and profound, as if…
As Stereophile's Recommended Components list attests, just because a product is built to a $1200 price point doesn't mean it won't pack a wallop. This held true for the CXA81, which consistently impressed me with its ability to challenge competing amplifiers in a similar price range and by how good it sounded with different speakers. The CXA81 had me uttering "wow" (several times) at its transparency to the sound of upstream electronics and recordings. When I switched between my Thorens and Kuzma turntables, for example, the difference was clear, immediate, and profound, as if…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-channel, class-AB integrated amplifier with DAC, Bluetooth. Analog inputs: 4 pair unbalanced (RCA), 1 pair balanced (XLR). Outputs: 2 sets custom speaker posts, 3.5mm headphone, 1 pair unbalanced (RCA) preamp out, unbalanced (RCA) subwoofer out. Power output: 80Wpc into 8 ohms (19dBW); 120Wpc into 4 ohms (17.8dBW). Frequency response: 5Hz–60kHz, ±1dB. THD (unweighted, at 80% of rated power): <0.002% 1kHz; <0.02% 20Hz–20kHz. S/N ratio (ref. 1W into 8 ohms): >93dB, (ref. full power): >105dB. Input sensitivity: Input A1–A4 (unbalanced…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog sources: Thorens TD 124 and Kuzma turntables, Jelco TS-350S Mk.II tonearm, Hana EL MC phono cartridge, Luxman EQ-500 phono stage.
Digital sources: BorderPatrol DAC SE, Asus laptop computer.
Integrated amplifiers: Schiit Ragnarok 2.
Loudspeakers: Polk Audio Legend L100, Quad S2.
Headphones: Master & Dynamic MH40.
Cables: Interconnect: Shindo Laboratory, Triode Wire Labs Spirit II, Furutech GT2 Pro Series USB cable. Speaker: Auditorium 23. AC: Triode Wire Labs Obsession NCF power cord, manufacturers' own.
Accessories: Kuzma…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I tested the Cambridge Audio CXA81 with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). I first preconditioned the amplifier by following the CEA's recommendation of operating it at one-eighth the specified power into 8 ohms for 30 minutes. At the end of that time, the top panel was warm, at 98°F (36.7°C), with the grille over the heatsinks and transformer hotter, at 133.1°F (56.2°C). I then performed my usual thermal stress test by running the amplifier at one-third power into 8 ohms for an hour. After 30 minutes, the grille's temperature…
Someone once asked me, "If I buy your $90,000, 25W amplifier, what will I get that I am not getting with my $2000, 200W amplifier?" My answer was simple: "Goosebumps, tears, and smirking." Great, well-tuned audio systems, at all price levels, give their owners less of the annoying and distracting stuff and more of the exciting and engaging stuff. Great systems offer more opportunities for smirking pridefully while listening to great recordings.
Sanford "Sandy" Gross, co-founder of Polk Audio and former CEO of GoldenEar Audio, has said that "in general, the best audio systems will sound…
I agree 100% with Art's observation: Spherical/conical-tipped cartridges emphasize "musical content" with force and vigor. And simplification. By eliminating some amounts of complex low-level spatial, atmospheric, and harmonic information, conical tips seem to expose the raw, beating core of humans playing music. That's why I love them.
Speaking of force and vigor, the AT-VM95C (conical)—which is even cheaper than the $49 elliptical version, at $34—sounded cool, fast, and powerful but also detailed and invigorating. It played complex recordings, like the Stravinsky Conducts…
Sidebar: Thomas Schick 10.5" tonearm
I must begin by saying that Thomas Schick is a friend of mine. I know him because we share a love for schnitzel, drinking songs, and playing records through ancient horn speakers. Art Dudley reviewed his 12" tonearm in Listening #87, and it was a core component in that Salt Cellar System I described in GD34. Now, a $1995, 10.5" Schick tonearm (plus Schick's $295 graphite headshell) has replaced the now-discontinued 12" Jelco TK-850L on my Dr. Feickert Blackbird turntable.
This upgrade improves the sound quality of my system while…
When I first heard the word "audiophile," I loved it. It sounded fresh and dignified. I related to it instantly. An audiophile! I loved the whole idea of it, the focus on music, on sound. That was me! I'd found myself! And people like me. Other audiophiles, who lived all over the world. To paraphrase Tom Petty, it was like a first flash of freedom.
I also, as perhaps befits an audiophile, loved the sound of the word. Au-di-o-phile. It rolled down the tongue then leaped off on a fresh blanket of air. It had the ring of perfect sense to it. Who wouldn't want to hear their favorite music in…
Recently, I received an email from Editor Jim Austin. "Larry, do you still use your Day Sequerra FM Reference tuner1 to listen to FM radio?" he asked.
"Jim, yes, I still listen to FM classical music in the Bay area. Why?"
"I had kind of a crazy idea. McIntosh has lots of good new stuff coming out now, but I want you to review the MAC7200 receiver, which isn't new. I like FM radio. I'd listen to FM a lot more, except that I'm stuck on the first floor in a neighborhood full of very tall brick and stone buildings. I am literally a 3-minute walk from Columbia, but I cannot receive…