Amplifiers

These units have been years in the making. Stepping up from the Ref 160Ms that we have in our reference system powering a set of Sonus Faber Aida 2s. These are not yet in Australia but I got to hear them in Munich in May.

Some amplifiers of this calibre sound simply of muscle and grunt. In a very different sense, these sound effortless, quiet, calming and beautiful. Like the difference between a powerlifter and a Ballerina. 

(Priced each)

Learn More

This is an ambitious high end single brand system that throws down the gauntlet from Japan to the rest of the World. Needless to say Yamaha have the resources to pull something like this off. Although the elements of the 5000 are firmly based on the iconic NS1000 loudspeakers and the turntable pre and power amplifiers of the time, this system is thoroughly representative of third decade 21st century materials and design. The Absolute Sound on the Yamaha 5000 system

Learn More

Now on demonstration this is the much awaited successor to the Ref 150 and incorporates the revisions that made the Ref 160 mono blocks the "best amplifier in the world".

This Stereo version uses the same four layer circuit boards that dramatically decreased the signal length in the 160M monoblocks. It has been described as like buying a pair of 160Ms but just buying one and getting the second for an extra twenty percent ...

With eight KT150 valves inside ... and not just any KT150 but a group of specially made and selected and matched ... this has the option of Ultralinear or Triode modes of operation.

Ultralinear gives double the power apparently while triode offers the simplest circuit mode possible with lower power and sweeter sound.

And the first review from "Stereophile": Stereophile January 2020 on the Reference 160S

Learn More

The Evolution of the Ref 160Ms, the Ref 160M MkII have an upgraded audio topology with fewer and better components in the signal path. This means even less chance of corruption of the signal for a cleaner, more pure, more musical sound.

The difference is quite marked between the old and the new. The MkII version sounds more Audio Research than the previous model. Audio Reseach is all about purity of sound and getting to the real music of the recording without corruptions. That's why they are an all tube company now because they feel that tubes do this best. That's why the MkIIs are more Audio Research because they exhibit more clarity, more purity than the older version.

Like all Audio Research, these are handmade in Minnesotta, USA. From design to polish, it's all done in house with the utmost care and attention to detail. All in the pursuit of the ultimate musical experience. 

Priced each.

Learn More

The Reference 6SE replaces the Reference 6 and offers the highest performance ever available in a single-chassis preamplifier. Benefitting from the development that went into the Reference 160-series amplifiers, and the latest Reference 750SEL, the 6SE incorporates a myriad of new parts that have been judiciously incorporated into its design. The final 6SE would not have been possible without these revolutionary amplifiers.

Learn More

This replaces the much loved Reference 75 ... now with the Ghost Meter display and the minimal signal path circuitry that characterises thius new range.. It's a beautiful thing.

The Audio Research Reference 80S stereo amplifier continues Audio Research’s latest design effort in creating a vacuum-tube amplifier that not only redefines ultimate music reproduction, but does it in an incredibly beautiful package. Learn More

Every now and then one gets the privilege of being in custody of something that is a work of absolute beauty and performance ... having a pair of these on demonstration is the High Fidelity equivalent of a violinist being rendered with a Stradivarius by a patron.

Putting them into the Sonus faber Aida 2 system immediately bought the musicians into the room ... I have a particular opera recording that was sold in by Hartleys in Melbourne in 1957 that I procured in a lost corner of a curio store from a deceased estate. Playing this with these amplifiers Puccini and la Boheme were born again in the space ... time travel is a reality with a system like this ... yes we cried a little.

"Hi-Fi News" on the Ref160M. 

The official website for the Ref160M. 

Learn More

Only a rare handful of power amplifiers withstand the test of time. The BHK Signature 300 is one such amplifier. Hand built, uncompromising. Learn More

There is occasionally in this saturated market place a product that elicits a raw primeval desire to own and nurture.

Surround sound amplifiers come and go with their intemperate changes of HDMI protocols and surround formats.

The sheer conservatism of many excellent UK stereo products never penetrates the aesthetic sensibilities of many a potential music lover.

And then there is this McIntosh reference kit. Like a turbocharged Harley Davidson gate crashing Moto GP it is impossible to ignore, absolutely functional but outrageous design and audio quality.

An immediate object of desire after encounter and audition.

Come and try them

. McIintosh MA12000 Amplifier official site 

McIntosh MCD12000 Cd Player official site 

Learn More

It has taken Marantz 5 years and a century worth of expertise to engineer this, their new top tier, integrated amplifier. Their aim was to create an amplifier that showcases the traditional Marantz products encased in contemporary functionality and styling of Marantz of today.

The amplifier they've built demonstrates how power can meet refinement in a single unit. 

Fully balanced dual mono construction for the ultimate in low distortion and high performance. Details like copper chassis and LED lights that light up the inside of the unit add such class and luxury to this unit. 

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of this unit into Carlton Audio Visual. We are proud to be one of the select handful of Australian stores to carry these beauties. Stay tuned for more information and our thoughts once we've given it a test run.

In the meantime drool over the pictures! We have been...

 

Learn More

The day this amplifier came into the shop was the day of our annual Christmas party. We plugged in this unit and played it hard. In fact it was still being blasted at 2am in the morning with a soundtrack of Madonna and Daft Punk.

In an era where so many products in consumer electronics are retro faux this is the real thing, it has a quintessential character that is true to the brands own rules with no compromise to marketing theories. It is sheer fun.

Straight out of the box, it doesn't feel tight and reserved. We've had it mainly playing on a set of Spendor D9.2 and they come alive. The bass is deep and full; bouncy and agile. There's also a consistency through the speaker and a real presence that lifts this amp above the rest.

Learn More

350W of serious power amplification. This unit is not only a work of industrial art, it's everything and more than what you'd expect in terms of grip, control and musicality.

I've been pleasantly surprised with the new versions of Chord Electronics Pre and Power combinations. I found many of their previous models of stereo power amps harsh and brittle but this is different - this sings. 

This is a must listen if you're looking for a beefy power amplifier.

It has had some stellar reviews, unsurprisingly and it's no wonder that there were lots of Chord Power amplifiers powering speakers at the latest Munich HiFi show earlier this year.

Learn More

Available for Demo. This wonderful power amplifier has Audio Research's proprietary auto-bias circuit which adjusts for tube wear. The new VT80SE is Audio research's much-anticipated entirely new entry point power amplifier combining an enticing new esthetic with worry-free operation and great audio performance, the VT80SE is a vacuum-tube amplifier that will open doors to a new customer base. Learn More

Now born again under Heinz Lichteniger tutelage this massive state of art integrated amplifier has beautiful needles, remarkable nuvistor hybrid semiconductor devices, and makes 2.2 kilowatts into 1 Ohm.

Now this uses the unique output devices being the Nuvistor valves.

Nu-Vista refers to Musical Fidelity’s spin on Nuvistor tubes/valves that, according to the press release, “…were invented in the 1950s to solve the many shortcomings of conventional tubes. Unlike them, Nuvistor tubes offer very high reliability, low microphony, low noise, consistency from batch to batch, small size, relatively low power consumption and great technical performance.”

 

 Musical Fidelity official site for NuVista800.2 

Learn More

The LS28 has been a favourite pre-amp of mine for a number of years trumped only by Audio Research's Ref 6SE. But that Ref 6SE stays put (generally) in our reference system. It's the LS28 that gets moved around, played and loved in a whole lot of combinations. It was sad to see our demo unit go but it's gone to a good home where it'll be appreciated.

The new LS28SE has the same musicality and relaxed engagement but even more clarity, focus and quickness. It's taking the expensive gold coupling caps from the REF 6SE and the same wiring and parts upgrades that the REF6SE went through.

Learn More

Chord Electronics has generally steered clear of full size integrateds prefering to manufacture separate pre and power amplifiers. There are many advantages with the separates design but many HiFi enthusiasts will appreciate the convenience and simplicity of the single chassis.

This is still a 'no compromise' sort of integrated amplifier. The focs is on the very best of components especially the power supplies to create that Chord Electronics signature resolving sound. We find the new Ultima range though is warmer than its predecessors making it more forgiving and suitable to a broader range of speakers.

At the moment, we are love the Ultimas with Spendor D-range and Dynaudio Contour and Confidence.

This unit is expected to arrive in Australia in September/October 2023.

Learn More

Significant step-up from the VSi60 in every meaningful way Muscular 75 watts per channel, 50% more than the VSi60 New low profile anodized front panel Power transformer designed around the new (4x) KT150 output tubes Incorporates some key parts from the REF75 including proprietary coupling caps Learn More

A Solid state beast of a machine that can play loud and hard.

"An astonishingly good amplifier... Blending together the brand's modern take on traditional analogue approaches with a healthy dose of digital inputs plus a top flight phono stage, headphone amp and battleship build quality." ... "A very elegant sounding amplifier with a lot of power in reserve... a hefty amplifier that is capable of great things and a lot more than just brute force, the MA7200 doesn’t just look the part, it sounds the part!" ...

Come and try it out.

McIntosh MA7200 official site 

Learn More

This is a rare amplifier and Rab's favourite. A classic, Japanese built elegant monster. We believe this is the only one in Australia.

It has sat in Rab's favourite demo room for many years and he has in particular loved its pairing with a set of Monitor Audio Platinum 500s. As we're moving around our demo rooms a little, it's time to find a good home for this chiseled jaw beauty...

The extension in the bass that this amp can produce is incredible and its mids are smooth and mellow. The highs are agile, brilliant but not harsh.

This is a whole different ball game from the commonly available Denon amps. It was a classic as soon as it came out of the factory.

Learn More