Amplifiers
As the engine room of your system, the amplifier provides you with the power needed to make your speakers sing. Amplifiers come in all shapes and sizes, from half pint integrated amps through to gargantuan Pre/Power multi-box monoliths!
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Musical Fidelity M8Xi Amplifier ... a Goliath amongst us
I think there was a designer in Musical Fidelity who had been spending too much of his life on caffeine and narcotics and marathon listening sessions who in a fit of mad innovation made this massive battle tank of an amplifier with every wet dream specification and design feature for an audiophile fantasy.
If it was a tank it would be Ferdinand Porsche's Panzerkampfwagen VII Maus 188 ton Hitlerite monster that fortunately never went into service. It makes no less than 550 watts per channel into loudspeaker systems with an impedance of 8 ohms, while with a 4 ohm load the figure is a remarkable 870 watts per channel. The manufacturer even goes so far as to speak of even higher power reserves, namely a peak of no less than 1.6 kW at 2 ohms.
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McIntosh MA352 200 watt per channel hybrid amplifier
People seem just truly mesmerised by the lights and the bling aesthetic of this amplifier. But this unit really backs it up with a sound quality that matches the aesthetic. Big bold and fun!
This is a hybrid amplifier - meaning it uses both vacuum tubes and solid state circuitry - combining the best of both.
This is a strong no-compromise amplifier that can drive a huge range of speakers and bring out the best in them.
"Want valve [vacuum tube] sound with solid state power and reliability? McIntosh have a long history in both fields and bring their expertise to glorious fruition in the audacious MA352 hybrid amplifier, packed with power, glowing valves and the expansive sound they enjoy... The MA352 is an amplifier that we thought was glorious in both appearance and sound." Named Best Hybrid Amplifier 2020. – Hi-Fi World
"Hi-Fi World" on the McIntosh MA352
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PS Audio BHK 250 Stereo Power amplifier
The PS Audio Power Amplifiers are part of our triad of high end amplification that we believe can fullfill any niche of desire and satisfy the demands of the most ardent Hi-Fi enthusiast.
“The first amplifier I gave up a lifetime obsession with tubes for” Arnie Nudell, founder, Infinity Systems.
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Synthesis A100 Titan KT66 Ultra-Linear Integrated Amplifier "A Beast"
Top of the ACTION range, the A100 Titan is a hi-performance valve integrated amplifier using all tube technology. 100W per
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per channel using 8 x KT66 valves in ultralinear push-pull configuration. Input stage uses ECC83/12AX7, phase splitter uses
12BH7. Utilising a custom output transformer resulting in a rich sound stage with an authority that must be heard to be
appreciated. 4 line input, USB and SPDIF inputs, pre out. Inbuilt DAC uses dual mono Wolfson WM8740 dacs, sampling up to
192KHz / 24bit. Remote control for volume and inputs. -
Denon PMA-S1 integrated Japanese Amplifier
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.
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McIntosh MA7200 Integrated Amplifier ... sweet spot of the range
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.
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OAD Ultrafidelity Vajra Power Amplifier
Made in Melbourne, this is one highly refined power amplifier. John De Sensi has been making electronics for decades previously under the Music Labs brand name. We sold the the Music Labs gear a long time ago but this is a lot better than that.
Firstly the case work is expertly machined and has a high end luxury feel that isn't present in any other Australian manufactured equipment. The sound is also tighter, more detailed and refined. And that's all down to a lower noise floor.
We think that this pre and power combination are actually their European counterparts a run for their money.
On display now at Carlton Audio Visual.
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Audio Research VSI75 SE....Now with KT150 Valves
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$16,995.00 -
Chord Electronics Ultima Integrated Amplifier
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.
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Audio Research LS28SE Pre Amplifier
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.
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Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista integrated amplifier ... smoothness with glorious controlled aggression
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
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Audio Research VT80SE...... 75 Watts of Valve Powered Goodness
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 -
Chord Electronics Ultima 5 Power Amplifier
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.
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McIntosh MA9500 Integrated Amplifier ... Electric glide in blue
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.
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Marantz Model 10 Integrated amplifier
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...
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PS Audio BHK 300 Signature Mono Amplifier (Pair)
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 -
McIntosh 12000 series amplifier and CD Player ... 75 years of integrity ...
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
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Audio Research Ref 160M
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.
The official website for the Ref160M.
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Audio Research Reference 80S Power Amplifier
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
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Audio Research Ref 160M MkII, Tube Mono Blocks
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.
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