Integrated Amp Reviews

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Krell FBI integrated amplifier

Fred Kaplan Jul 22, 2007 First Published: Jul 22, 2007 0 comments

There's something a bit oddball about the notion of a $16,500 integrated amplifier—until you stop to consider that the market is fairly drenched with preamps and power amps that, together, cost that much and more. And putting both pre- and power amp in a single chassis cuts down on storage (one less shelf), accessories (one less pair of cable), and electrical outlets (one socket freed up).

Integrated Amp Reviews

Flying Mole CA-S10 integrated amplifier

Robert Deutsch Jun 24, 2007 First Published: Jun 24, 2007 0 comments

The naming of audio companies is a tricky business. Ideally, the name should be distinctive, so that people will remember it, and descriptive of the products. However, given the proliferation of audio manufacturers, it's getting more and more difficult to come up with a name that fulfills these criteria, and some names are similar enough to lead to confusion. In one of my show-report blog entries from the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show, instead of correctly listing a company name as Divergent Technologies, I called it Definitive Technologies, which is the name of an another audio company—and was rightly chastised for it in a comment by a reader. I'll bet that no such confusion will occur in the case of Flying Mole Electronics. (As far as I know, there is no Flying Groundhog Electronics.)

Integrated Amp Reviews

Simaudio Moon Evolution i-7 integrated amplifier

Art Dudley Jun 24, 2007 First Published: Jun 24, 2007 0 comments

I was the member of the family on whom the others could depend for technical assistance: mending eyeglass frames, fixing the radio, replacing the lightbulb in the oven, getting the car to idle smoothly. No job too big or too small. House calls a specialty.

Digital Processor Reviews Integrated Amp Reviews

Bryston B100-DA SST DAC/integrated amplifier

Larry Greenhill Apr 22, 2007 First Published: Apr 22, 2007 0 comments

Over the years, I have used and enjoyed in my audio system large, single-purpose components. Each of these chassis has had but one role: preamplifier, amplifier, digital-to-audio converter (DAC), etc. I guess I've been just a little suspicious of products with multiple functions crammed into a single small chassis; I've figured that the designer may have cut a corner that could affect the sound.

Integrated Amp Reviews

Cayin A-300B integrated amplifier

Art Dudley Feb 18, 2007 First Published: Feb 18, 2007 0 comments

"Guitar groups are on the way out, Mr. Epstein."—Dick Rowe, Decca Records, 1962

Integrated Amp Reviews

NAD Master Series M3 integrated amplifier

Michael Fremer Jan 21, 2007 First Published: Jan 21, 2007 0 comments

Older audiophiles remember the splash NAD made in the late 1970s with the introduction of their 3020 integrated amplifier ($175). Ridiculously cheap, it looked graceful and sounded warm, inviting, and holographic. Removable jumpers between the 3020's sections permitted enthusiasts to determine whether the magic resided in its preamp, its power amp, or in some synergy of both.

Integrated Amp Reviews

Creek Audio Destiny integrated amplifier

Robert J. Reina Jan 21, 2007 First Published: Jan 21, 2007 0 comments

The one thing I've liked about designer Mike Creek of Creek Audio as much as his design talent is his predictability. I've been following his integrated-amplifier designs for nearly 20 years now, having reviewed, in sequence, the CAS4140s2 (for another magazine), the 4240SE (Stereophile, December 1995, Vol.18 No.12), and the 5350SEhttp://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/327">5350SE; (March 2001, Vol.24 No.3). In each case, I was sufficiently impressed with the review sample that I bought it and made it my new reference in my second, affordable system. The predictable part comes from Creek's traditional nomenclature: an "s2" or "SE" (Special Edition) designation has always denoted a modest upgrade, and a numerical uptick in the model number a more significant upgrade, the level of significance denoted by the specific digit being increased. Hence, the update from 4240 to 5350 is intended to indicate a greater improvement in sound than the update from 4140 to 4240.

Budget Component Reviews Integrated Amp Reviews

NAD C 372 integrated amplifier

Jim Austin Oct 22, 2006 First Published: Oct 22, 2006 0 comments

At the extreme high end—Halcro, VTL, Boulder, etc.—reviewers gush about a lack of character. If you're paying $20,000, you want a preamplifier or power amp to disappear. At those price points we also want extreme, unfatiguing resolution, and noise that's well below what most people would consider audible. But at those prices, an absence of character is definitely something most people aspire to.

Integrated Amp Reviews

ASR Emitter II Exclusive integrated amplifier

Michael Fremer Oct 15, 2006 First Published: Oct 15, 2006 0 comments

As you read this, are you listening to your stereo? Whatever the music, what you're actually hearing is your public utility's AC as modulated by your power amplifier. No matter how good the gear, the final result can be only as pure as the power feeding your components. Unfortunately, plenty of sonic schmutz usually comes along for the ride.

Integrated Amp Reviews

DK Designs VS.1 Reference Mk.III integrated amplifier

Robert J. Reina Jun 26, 2006 First Published: Jun 26, 2006 0 comments

Each time I attend Stereophile's annual Home Entertainment Show, I look forward to two things. The first is the opportunity to performhttp://blog.stereophile.com/he2006/060406reina/">perform; classic and original jazz music with John">http://blog.stereophile.com/he2006/060406rayjazzed/">John Atkinson and Immedia's">http://blog.stereophile.com/he2006/060406perkins/">Immedia's Allen Perkins. The second is to seek out the most exciting new, affordable speakers to review over the following year. Both buttons were pressed for me quite admirably during HE2005 at the New York Hilton, but this time it was not an affordable speaker that most impressed me.