Integrated Amp Reviews

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Budget Component Reviews Integrated Amp Reviews

Simaudio Moon i-1 integrated amplifier

Robert J. Reina Dec 19, 2008 First Published: Dec 19, 2008 0 comments

Fearless leader called me and asked if I'd be interested in reviewing the Simaudio Moon i-1 ($1500), the entry-level integrated amplifier in Simaudio's Classic line. Hmmm. I'd been very impressed by all of the more expensive Simaudio products I'd heard at Stereophile's Home Entertainment shows over the years, and the 50Wpc Moon i-1 would be an interesting match for the affordable speakers I've had in-house lately. Send it on, JA!

Integrated Amp Reviews

Bel Canto e.One S300iu integrated amplifier

Wes Phillips Jun 28, 2008 First Published: Jun 28, 2008 0 comments

After using Bel">http://www.stereophile.com/digitalprocessors/1107bc">Bel Canto's e.One DAC3 with the McIntosh">http://www.stereophile.com/mediaservers/108mac">McIntosh Laboratory MS750 music server, I was so impressed that I wanted to hear Bel Canto's CD transports as well. But willing as Bel Canto president and CEO John Stronczer was to supply me with a CD-2, he suggested I audition the S300iu ($2195, footnote 1).

Integrated Amp Reviews

Exposure 3010S integrated amplifier

Art Dudley Jun 25, 2008 First Published: Jun 25, 2008 0 comments

Three years ago, the idea of a solid-state integrated amplifier that sold for only $1250 yet combined some of the best performance aspects of a Naim">http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/660">Naim Nait and a Dynaco">http://www.stereophile.com/tubepoweramps/992dynaco">Dynaco Stereo 70 seemed likely to resonate with consumers and critics alike. And it did: Introduced in early 2005, the British-built Exposure">http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/1105exposure">Exposure 2010S was an unequivocal hit on both sides of the Atlantic, and remains in Class A of Stereophile's "Recommended Components." Deservedly.

Budget Component Reviews Integrated Amp Reviews

Cayin A-50T integrated amplifier

Robert J. Reina Mar 19, 2008 First Published: Mar 19, 2008 0 comments

Late in 2006, I was watching John Atkinson set up a pair of DPA cardioid microphones in front of the stage of New York City's Otto's Shrunken Head to record a performance of my jazz quartet, Attention">http://www.myspace.com/attentionscreen">Attention Screen (footnote 1). Before the first set, Wes Phillips approached me. "Bob, I found a piece of equipment you must review—the Cayin A-50T integrated amp. It's only 1300 bucks and you'll love it!"

CD Player/Transport Reviews Budget Component Reviews Integrated Amp Reviews

Shanling MC-30 Music Center CD receiver

Art Dudley Mar 18, 2008 First Published: Mar 18, 2008 0 comments

My first one-piece stereo—I think I paid $60 for it, including a pair of speakers with pegboard backs—gave me a lot of pleasure when I was young, and I loved it. Everything that came after has been better in every way but one: None has inspired that kind of love. And most have left me wondering if there might be something just a little bit better.

Integrated Amp Reviews

Mastersound 300 B S.E. integrated amplifier

Art Dudley Feb 22, 2008 First Published: Feb 22, 2008 0 comments

Although she'll deny it, my wife thinks ill of me because I've failed to buy her a new Mini Cooper. I can point to a number of things in my defense—especially the Mini's lack of all-wheel drive, which we need for climbing our quarter-mile driveway in bad weather, and its insufficient cargo and passenger space—all of which would constrain a Dudley-owned Mini Cooper to recreational use only. And a new round of car payments would be difficult to justify for those reasons: not because I'm cheap, and not because I'm too old to appreciate a car that's fun to drive.

Integrated Amp Reviews

Naim Supernait integrated amplifier

Art Dudley Jan 30, 2008 First Published: Jan 30, 2008 0 comments

"We've tried making it more powerful. When I was away on holiday, some of our people cooked up a more powerful version and presented it to me on my return. It sounded awful."

Budget Component Reviews Integrated Amp Reviews

Musical Fidelity X-T100 integrated amplifier

Art Dudley Nov 15, 2007 First Published: Nov 15, 2007 0 comments

Specialization seems to be an inevitable consequence of progress: As the products of man and God become more and more complex, they're called on to do fewer things in more focused ways.

The Fifth Element Tube Power Amp Reviews Integrated Amp Reviews

The Fifth Element #44

John Marks Oct 28, 2007 First Published: Oct 28, 2007 0 comments

Ars-Sonum is a Spanish audio company that, as far as I can tell, makes only one product—but it's a doozy (footnote 1). The Filarmonía SE is a tube integrated amplifier that is, in many ways, an homage to Dynaco's iconic Stereo 70 power amplifier of 1959, but the Filarmonía is by no means a slavish copy. Get down to specifics, and it's actually more of a clean-sheet-of-paper design.

Budget Component Reviews Integrated Amp Reviews

Onkyo A-9555 integrated amplifier

Robert Deutsch Sep 16, 2007 First Published: Sep 16, 2007 0 comments

"Onkyo Returns to its Stereo Roots to Debut New Digital Amplifier Technology." This heading of the press release for Onkyo's A-9555 digital integrated amplifier was surely intended to warm the cockles of the two-channel audiophile's heart. Some of us remember the Onkyo Grand Integra amplifiers of the 1980s, which were considered competitive with the big Krells and Mark Levinsons of the day. To refresh my memory, I looked through my Stereophile archives and found the December 1985 issue (Vol.8 No.8), which included Larry Greenhill's review of the Grand Integra M-510, a 300Wpc power amplifier covered in lacquered persimmon wood, weighing 139 lbs, and costing $4200 (about $8000 in 2007 dollars). Larry was most impressed with the M-510, describing it as "a very powerful amplifier with outstanding sonics across the board—power with delicacy."