Integrated Amp Reviews

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The Fifth Element Integrated Amp Reviews

The Fifth Element #56

John Marks Oct 23, 2009 First Published: Oct 23, 2009 0 comments

There have been lots of great, and even some fabulous books of music criticism or reportage, and I've recommended several in these pages. So far, however, only one has made me chuckle, chortle, or laugh out loud, time and time again.

Integrated Amp Reviews Audacious Audio

darTZeel CTH-8550 integrated amplifier

Wes Phillips Aug 24, 2009 First Published: Aug 24, 2009 0 comments

As the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show neared its end, I wandered into Blue Light Audio's room, which was dominated by the innards of darTZeel's new NHB-458 monoblocks—think of a 3D "exploded" diagram and you'll be on target. So impressive was that display of brute engineering that I almost didn't notice the amplifier that was actually making the music: the CTH-8550 integrated ($20,300).

The Fifth Element Budget Component Reviews Integrated Amp Reviews Computer Audio Reviews

The Fifth Element #55

John Marks Aug 24, 2009 First Published: Aug 24, 2009 0 comments

When I was a kid, I saw the Marlon Brando remake of Mutiny on the Bounty. I'm sure you know the story—lots of bad-guy/good-guy tension between Captain Bligh and Fletcher Christian. There's also an overlay of class conflict, but with a twist: The up-and-comer is the sadist, while it's the aristocrat who is nature's nobleman.

Integrated Amp Reviews

T+A Power Plant integrated amplifier

Jon Iverson Aug 15, 2009 First Published: Aug 15, 2009 0 comments

With the Music">http://www.stereophile.com/mediaservers/ta_music_player_media_streamer"… Player, T+A also sent along the Power Plant integrated amplifier ($2700). The Power Plant (PP) looks almost identical to the MP, and the two comprise a handsome, fully functional audio system in a single modest stack. To make this even easier, you connect the two at their rear panels with a supplied RJ-12 cable (T+A calls this the E Link), which coordinates their functions and allows the MP and PP to be operated with a single remote control.

Art Dudley Listening Integrated Amp Reviews Audacious Audio

Listening #78

Art Dudley Jun 19, 2009 First Published: Jun 19, 2009 0 comments

A new integrated amplifier called the Lars Type 1, which made its debut at the 2009">http://blog.stereophile.com/ces2009/lars_by_lars">2009 Consumer Electronics Show, has given my notion of a dichotomy between mainstream audio and alternative audio a severe beating. In that sense, the Lars Type 1 has been a life-changing product, although the change took longer than expected for me to digest.

Integrated Amp Reviews

Vincent TubeLine SV-236MK integrated amplifier

Michael Fremer Apr 16, 2009 First Published: Apr 16, 2009 0 comments

If you ever find yourself in an audiophile-type argument and need proof that, in the 21st century, manufacturing high-performance audio gear to sell for a reasonable retail price is becoming an impossibility, point to Vincent T.A.C.'s TubeLine SV-236MK integrated amplifier, designed in Germany and built in China.

Integrated Amp Reviews

Boulder 865 integrated amplifier

Wes Phillips Apr 13, 2009 First Published: Apr 13, 2009 0 comments

After Fred">http://www.stereophile.com/solidpreamps/1207bo">Fred Kaplan reviewed Boulder Amplifiers' 810 line preamplifier and 860 power amplifier for the December 2007 Stereophile, John Atkinson requested that I listen to the 860 in my own system for a while. Never having reviewed any Boulder kit, I was curious.

Stand Loudspeaker Reviews The Fifth Element Budget Component Reviews Integrated Amp Reviews

The Fifth Element #52

John Marks Feb 24, 2009 First Published: Feb 24, 2009 0 comments

I've been chipping away for some time at the task of trying to put together a music lover's stereo system for about half the money of my last such effort: $2500 to $3750 now, vs around $7500 back in 2005. My timing was good: CD and DVD receivers are a hot product category, with several attractive new entries at various prices.

Integrated Amp Reviews

Sugden A21ai Series 2 integrated amplifier

Art Dudley Feb 18, 2009 First Published: Feb 18, 2009 0 comments

Winter has returned to Cherry Valley, New York, and I'm reminded of a bad habit that I used to conceal: On cold mornings I started my car well before driving off, then actually weighted down the accelerator pedal—with the heavy socket tray from my toolbox—in an effort to keep the idle high, and thus more quickly warm the windshield and the interior. Whether my lazy trick had the desired effect is a matter of some debate, but I wish now that I hadn't been so wasteful and so casually fouled the air.

Budget Component Reviews Integrated Amp Reviews

NuForce Icon USB-input integrated amplifier

Wes Phillips Jan 25, 2009 First Published: Jan 25, 2009 0 comments

In a world of me-too products, NuForce distinguishes itself from all those other components whose names begin with i by actually using a capital I. Actually, that statement is unkind, even unfair—unlike the myriads of products designed to capitalize on the Apple iPod's current sexiness, the NuForce Icon isn't designed to be portable (although NuForce does offer an Icon Mobile). What the Icon unquestionably is is a fine little piece of audio engineering, which most of those other i components are not.