Amplifiers

The Altair G2.1 is the unit in Auralic's range that does it all. A Preamplifier, DAC and Streamer with options to put in a 2TB hard drive and even a CD ripper. 

The Preamplifier is also a full blown analogue preamplifier. Not only does it have the analogue line and Moving Magnet phono inputs, it also doesn't simply convert these into digital signals within the chassis. Rather they are kept completely separate from the digital circuitry. Also the volume control is an analogue design based on resistive ladder construction. A less noisy, cleaner choice than other designs out there. Such all-in-one units have tended to use cheaper less fullfilling preamplifier modules that I normally recommend customers to bypass. That's not the case here.

Also a superior power supply and thick copper shielded chassis with isolating feet mean that noise and vibrations are kept to an absolute minimum. Couple that with a pair of super accurate clocks reducing jitter and this is a unit that stands above others in its category.

Clean, effortless sound and a unit that ticks all the boxes.

This little brother carries the charisma and quality of the X5 dinosaur killer in a sleeker 30Kg package and that is desperately affordable ... relatively ...

The new S2, second generation of the integrated amplifier has a new DAC. That's the only difference with the new version. The word on the ground is that that's due to the AKM factory fire and continuing supply shortages of those chips. They've swapped the chips out for ESS Sabre DACs of very good quality.

A classic integrated amplifier that takes it cues from its celebrated 30 year heritage. The best Nait amplifier to date.

Naim put the money into their componentry where it counts and where there is auditive sound benefit, not where corporate bosses enforce an obscure cost/benefit analysis. That's why Naim has such a cult following in the HiFi industry. And their reputation is again reinforced with this super amplifier. On sheer tactility and product feel you know thios is going to be a really special amplifier before you even switch it on. Think a good modern Bentley ...

Naim products bought from us, a genuine approved Naim dealer, include the full 2 year warranty.

Here's Kevin from Upscale Audio talking about the Supernait 3...and SPIVs and commissions in the HiFi business (Carlton Audio Visual agrees with Kevin in this respect)

Naim SUPERNAIT 3 Official site.

A killer all-in-one unit including amplifier, streamer and CD player. And this isn't just a thrown together assembly of various componentry. Each of its parts are in their own right, exceptional value and performance.

Naim products bought from us, a genuine approved Naim dealer, include the full 2 year warranty. 

Yes, it has now come to pass - Carlton Audio Visual now serves McIntosh!

This is a 'little' unit in the range but it quickly makes its presence felt. It is so shiny that some customers have have to shield their eyes from the sun reflecting off it as they walk into the shop!

A 100W Hybrid tube integrated amplifier with presence and personality. Like Lady Gaga walking the Met Gala red carpet.

I can't help but compare the McIntosh to the Naim gear we now sell too. Both are brands that Carlton Audio traditionally hasn't done. Both are brands that are still made in their country of origin - USA and England respectively. 

But that's where the comparisons stop. McIntosh demands attention when you walk in a room even when the gear isn't on with Knobs and Gadgets and Lights whilst Naim is just a series of well made black boxes that can fade into a background. They often only have an on switch on their front panel.

McIntosh have power and lots of it and Naim doesn't have the same power but what power it delivers, it delivers cleanly, precisely and accurately.

Both are brilliant. Some will gravitate towards one over the other...and that's why we have both!

Our Prima preamp forms part of the stylish and compact Choral range and has been designed to complement our Mezzo power amps. Despite its compact dimensions and space-saving footprint, the Prima is every bit a pedigree Chord amplifier.

Precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium billet, the Prima offers both remote control and front panel operation. Prima’s fascia offers volume and balance controls while its push-button controls atop the unit, offer input selection and tape line selection, the latter enabling its tape outputs to be selected for recording from source components.  Further design features include a top panel display, offering input choice and volume information, plus a clever porthole which enables the internal circuit board to be seen.

The Prima also benefits from our legendary proprietary Ultra-High-Frequency power supply, which is common to all Chord amplifiers. Prima offers fully balanced circuitry throughout and useful flexibility with five inputs, four unbalanced RCA and one balanced XLR, plus a balanced XLR output and a tape output. For added versatility, Prima’s audio circuit offers six independent input gain adjustments for the five inputs and low impedance outputs.

The M8-700 has received outstanding reviews and an enthusiastic reception from knowledgeable audiophiles. The combination of high power and cutting edge technical performance has proved a compelling combination. However some customers do not have the space for two large monoblocs and do not necessarily need that much power. For them we have designed the M8-500s. Pairing it with the matching M8 Preamp gives an amplification system fit of the highest levels of reproduction.

Musical Fidelity describe this Pre-amplifier as one with no limits. 

The inside of this machine looks more like the circuitry on a dual mono integrated amplifier rather than a pre-amplifier. Two big toroidal transformer power supplies sit front and centre. That's unusual for a pre-amplifier and gives it an extraordinary sense of heft and musical importance.

The new reference model pre amplifier from Cyrus has tongues wagging at Carlton Audio Visual. We're massive fans of Cyrus gear and admirers of the expertise and craft that goes into this small boutique English manufacturer.

It's no coincidence that many world renowned HiFi brands like Cyrus have popped up around the University town of Cambridge. Cambridge has forever promoted and celebrated the kind of individual obessed with the pursuit of knowledge, engineering prowess and creativity needed to create amazing HiFi. Brands like Arcam (or Audio & Research Cambridge), Cambridge Audio, Mission Electronics and Quad were all born and produced in this corner of the English countryside.

And like those brands the goal of Cyrus is to produce the best sounding electronics possible. They're able to draw on the rich knowledge and innovation that spews out of a town like Cambridge.

The Cyrus Pre XR is on demonstration now at Carlton Audio Visual.

A beautiful beast of an integrated amplifier. 500 Watts of power that's capable of pulling your heart strings. A rich sound that's not shy. Vocals and solo instruments will sit centre stage and come out towards you.

The Dual Mono design of this and the smaller M6si is very unusual. A completely symetrical circuit design that doesn't share components between the two sides of the amplifier. Meaning you get the benefits of a separate mono blocks within the single chassis of an integrated amp.

Fantastic deal on all PrimaLuna models. 20% off until the 31st of March.

This amplifier replaces the Dialogue Premium HP, PrimaLuna's highly regarded original flagship integrated. It builds on the superior performance of the HP by tweaking things here and there but retaining what makes PrimaLuna special - superb Tube amplifier performance.

At 70 Watts per channel, the power of this amp may sound modest but don't be fooled this is a very capable machine that can power the hungriest of speakers. 

Upgraded swiss made wiring inside the unit and german made resistors...that haven't spared any expense with the makeup of the circuitry and the design of the amp.

A good stereo amplifier is a lifelong companion and Michael Creek has been designing and manufacturing amplifiers for his whole life.

We love amplifiers to a fault. We are the children in the sweetshop of this marketplace and we behave badly with very little sensible restraint when it comes to putting beautiful and musical things on display on the shelves of Carlton Audio Visual.

The European made Voyage i20 combines an analogue pre-amplifier and digital to analogue converter with a power amplifier, powered by a unique stabilised power supply, housed in a slim and attractive case.

Creek homepage for the Voyage i20 amplifier 

Reviewary on the Voyage i20 amplifier 

The new M8-700m monobloc power amp is fully balanced, and offers a staggering 700 watts per monobloc, with stellar sound quality and technical performance.

The M8-700m has extremely low distortion, typically 0.001% at 1 kHz. At 20 kHz distortion is still below 0.005%. Distortion at 50 kHz (a ridiculous and unreasonable measurement, but revealing of the total amplifier performance nonetheless) is 0.02%. At 100 kHz, it is about 0.06%. These extraordinary measurements, and the extremely low high-frequency distortion, are highly significant sonically.

The noise ratio of the M8-700m is extremely low at -120 dB A-weighted.

The M8-700m has huge power reserves, producing 700 watts RMS into 8 ohms and just on 1300 watts into 4 ohms. It is an absolute powerhouse.

The power, low distortion and the extremely low noise contribute to its fabulous, effortless sound.

If this was an asteroid on its to hit the planet then it may well cause the extinction of the mammals. At 50kg it is one of the most massive single box amplifiers that I have ever encountered and is gorgeous.

First encounter was playing it through a pair of Dynaudio Confidence 60 sourced by a Marantz SA10. Fresh out of the box the Michi X5 lacks the glare and oft harsh treble of many of the super amplifier designs without being salubrious like a Musical Fidelity X8i. It has needless to say terrific poise with no overhang or bloom on these critical speakers and an instant rendition of space that is immensely gratifying.

I dived straight in with Patti Smith Horses and her raw proto punk seventies energy was immaculately recreated with this powerhouse running the system. 

The amplifier is physically gorgeous, although some may find the black looks unsettling. In use it is both tactile and entertaining. The new Michi Trademark display that suddenly illuminates in the panel is excellent fun.

The official Rotel X5 site 

I've been waiting years for this amplifier. Even before there was a tantilising rumour that Rega had started designing the elusive amp that sits between the Elicit R ($3799) and the Osiris ($13,995), it was a near constant lament from customers - 'but why doesn't Rega make an amp at the $5K - $7K range. I love the Osiris but it's out of budget and I need something more than the Elicit R'. 

Well it has arrived and it is beautiful. A newly designed casing that is solid and industrial but with some sexy curves that form cutouts to reveal the bulky heat sinks underneath.

And how does it sound...well...it grips and it dictates yet its smoothness is alluring. Detail, tightness and extension in the bass is all there but there's also the lusciousness and enveloping blanket of sound that you only get with a Rega.

The Aethos has set a new benchmark at this price point.

Michi is a flagship series of products built on the history and heritage of Rotel. Michi represents over 55 years of experience coupled with the passion of a family business and ever-growing family of satisfied product owners. Acoustic Elevation. Sonic Evolution. Visual Perfection. Michi, because our reputation is personal.

The Michi P5 S2 Pre Amplifier delivers the ultimate culmination of audio performance with a full complement of source inputs. The meticulous circuit design, critical component selection and over 3 years in the making ensures the P5 S2 meets the highest of standards allowing this preamplifier to proudly wear the Michi logo.

The new version of this preamplifier boasts new DACs. The AKMs have been replaced by ESS Sabre DACs.

A really unusual amp from this rather fanatical UK comnpany. The Blak is all about refinement and composure but with serene unflappable power. 

The Blak Integrated Amplifier is a powerful and musically enthralling design, with ample control and headroom available for exceptional grip and drive. Bass is quick, deep and exceptionally tight, ensuring a sense of speed and rhythm with an ultra-spacious and detailed soundstage that benefits all recordings and musical genres. Specially-selected components feature throughout the fully symmetrical circuit and a top-quality power supply design ensure the best possible performance.

The Blak Integrated Amplifier contains very high quality internal Moving Magnet phono stage for direct connection to a turntable, aptX Bluetooth capability, an internal high-end DAC with USB connectivity and a circuit switchable headphone input. Rich in both sound and features, it represents the pinnacle of Roksan’s amplification.

https://www.whathifi.com/au/roksan/blak-integrated/review

There has never been an introductory integrated amplifier with the fit, finish and sound of the ROMA 753AC. At first glance, this stunning amp simply takes your breath away. This high performance amplifiers brings out the best of other components in the system. Created by those obsessed with great sound and for those who love great music.The result is 50 watts of pure pentode output per channel built around a pair of 12AU7 on input/driver tubes and a pair of EL34/6CA7 power tubes in push-pull configuration for a detailed, delicate and dynamic sound.

The new Cyrus i9 XR stands as the reference integrated amplifier for this English manufacturer, ;

Cyrus has been a mainstay at Carlton Audio Visual for nearly 30 years. Many of us who work here own gear ourselves.

This boutique English brand prides itself on exacting musical quality which has seen it be wildly popular with our customers as well.

This half-sized integrated amplifier is a killer unit capable of powering even the hungriest of speakers and all in a neat little box.

Try this with the add on PSX power supply and you will find it out performs many high end sacred cow products at double the price ...

Read the Stereo Magazine review of the i9 XR here

And the official Cyrus website here

 StereoNet on the Cyrus i9XR amplifier 

 "Hi Fi Choice" on the Cyrus i9XR amplifier