Amplifiers

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 

 Official site for the MA352 

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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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This brand new NAP 250 is something to behold! Fast and pacey with extra ordinary bass response. I had a customer ask me twice whether I was sure there weren't any subwoofers attached to the system.

We've had this playing for a couple of days on a set of Spendor D9.2s along with the matching Naim NSC 222 and NPX 300 and it is a standout. Crisp, fresh, pace and rythym.

We just put it on some Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage speakers and we think it may be a match made in HiFi Heaven.

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

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The English brand Chord Electronics have taken the HiFi world by storm in the last couple of decades. Their new Pre 3 and matching Ultima 5 embodies their progress over that time.

It was emblematic to see Chord Electronics Pre and Powers on a whole range of systems at the most recent Munich Hi-End HiFi show. Most notably Monitor Audio chose Chord to power their brand new Concept 50 Loudspeakers even though they own a not to shabby amplifier brand, Roksan.

Chord produces equipment on another level. There is no trial and error, snake oil or guesswork that goes into Chord. It's cold hard engineering, knowledge and a dedication to simply producing exceptional quality units - with no compromise.

 

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This is a unit that is ultimately a high-end Hi-Fi component but it's ease of use and multitude of functions put it into the upmarket lifestyle realm as well. 'Lifestyle' for me has become a bit of a cringeworthy term that has too often become associated with some compromise in audio quality for the sake of a better end user experience. To be honest though, we should be aiming for both and they are not mutually exclusive!

Naim embody that ease of use combined with incredible sound. Their streaming app works every time, they have on board DACs to simplify connections and the units are sleek, beautifully finished yet understated and classy. 

And this combination takes things to the next level. Where the Uniti Nova lets you down on separation and power to drive a difficult set of speakers, this combination proffers that in spades. 

We tried a couple of different sets of speakers with these three units and like them most with the Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage...but come in and try some combinations for yourself.

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

 "Audiophilia" on the NSC222

 "What Hi Fi?" on the NSC222

 "Secrets of Home Theatre and High Fidelity" on the NSC222 as a system with 250 power and 300 power supply

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With more than 130 years of experience, Yamaha has grown to become the world's leading sound company. The M-5000 embodies this spirit with time-honoured craftsmanship and market-leading innovation and serves as the epitome of high-fidelity audio reproduction. 200 W + 200 W (4 ohm, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.07% THD, 2-ch driven) 100 W + 100 W (8 ohm, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.07% THD, 2-ch driven) Meticulously designed, balanced signal transmission Floating and balanced power amplifier layout for improved drivability Perfectly symmetrical design for isolating left and right channels Low impedance design with shortened signal and power supply paths Improved construction delivers state-of-the-art rigidity Massive toroidal core power transformer

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In pursuit of the intangible musical quality that breathes life into high-fidelity audio, the world's largest sound company presents the C-5000 pre-amplifier. From the concert stage to the home, Yamaha has drawn on its vast musical history to create an instrument capable of faithfully reproducing every nuance and emotion in the performance. Perfectly balanced signal transmission Floating balanced pre-amp Symmetrical, folding-book circuit design Low-impedance design Rigid and precise design Dual Toroidal Transformer

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The Synthesis A50 Taurus is the middle model in the high-end Action series of integrated amplifiers. It's a 50W stereo tube amplifier that incorporates four KT88 valves into its sleek design. This beautiful amplifier also includes an onboard 24-bit / 192kHz Wolfson DAC for added convenience alongside a listening experience like no other.

The A50 Taurus is crafted from a sophisticated blend of research and experience using only the finest quality materials and the most advanced technology practically available, allowing this "traditional" amplifier to sit at home in any modern hi-fi system

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Power corrupts they say ... but in this case it provides for control and authority. 600 watts into 8 ohms and 1200 watts into 4 ohms. A unique combination of ultra-linear, high-current, ICE Edge Class D technology for the output stage; and a discrete, Class-A vacuum tube for the all-important input stage. Learn More

A lovely piece of Italian craftmanship to help you have a love affair with your music. If you listen to a sad song this is likely to make you cry. Not an amp for the cold and analytical. Learn More

This made an immediate and frankly stunning effect when I added it to the system pictured. Before we had been running the PS Audio Transport, DAC, and power amplifier together as a minimalist high powered high current set of kit readily able to drive the highly transparent Monitor Audio Platinum II loudspeakers. Adding the BHK Signature Preamp bought the system to life. The music leapt holographically into the room and was just a consuming experience. Whereas before it had been good, but somehow unmoving, now one was just swept up and carried off by the music. Brilliant. Learn More

In Leema's words this is a 'hot rod' model of the Tucana II with low resistance double weight copper circuit boards, Nichicon muse capacitors, Noratel extra quiet transformers and hand matched transistors.

What looks the same from the outside (besides the little Anniversary badge) is actually a souped up version under the hood.

Made in Wales, Leema are a fastidious true audiophile company proud of their Welshness and passionate about audio.

"The Speaker Shack" on the Leema Tucana Anniversary

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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 S5 Stereo Amplifier delivers 500 watts per channel into 8 ohms loads with best in class audio performance. The dual monoblock design includes twin, oversized, in-house manufactured toroidal transformers for exceptional bass energy while maintaining control and precision of the finest detail all packaged in an elegant design.

The Michi S5 Stereo Power Amplifier is a best in class linear amplifier delivering 500 watts of Class AB power in 8 ohm and over 800 watts to 4 ohm loads. The dual monoblock architecture is equipped with twin, custom engineered oversized, in-house manufactured 2,200 Volt Amp toroidal transformers in individual epoxy filled enclosures eliminating noise and vibration. A bank of 4 British patented bulk storage capacitors totaling 188,000uF delivers exceptional bass energy while maintaining precise detail and control to 32 high current output transistors ensuring effortless accuracy of the timing and rhythm under even the most difficult of load conditions.

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The Michi M8 Monoblock Amplifier no-compromise Class AB amplifier delivers 1,080 watts into 8 ohms and an astounding 1,800 watts into 4 ohm loads. The design architecture ensures a smooth, accurate and relaxed delivery of the audio to even the most demanding loudspeakers while maintaining critical energy, rhythm and timing.

The stunning control and authoritative power of the Michi M8 Monoblock Amplifier is the result of a perfect balance of science meets art delivering 1,080 watts of Class AB power into 8 ohms and an astounding 1,800 watts to the most demanding 4 ohm loudspeakers. The M8 is powered by a pair of custom engineered, low noise, in-house manufactured toroidal transformers supported by 4 British patented slit foil, high efficiency, low ESR bulk storage capacitors for impactful bass with exceptional control under extreme loading conditions.

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Looking for the iron hand in velvet glove in an amplifier? Then this new top of the range Prima Luna integrated may be the one.

An excellent Ken Kessler review here:

https://www.hifinews.com/content/primaluna-evo-300-hybrid-integrated-amplifier

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At Carlton Audio Visual we're not normally ones to jump up and down at a $10500 amplifier and streamer all-in-one unit. But this one by Naim Audio is different, much different.

A sublime combination of musicality and clarity. Music jumps alive in the hands of this unit. It's fast, clear and precise but it doesn't compromise that with any sort of harshness to the sound.

A brilliant performer if you're after a compelling reproduction in an 'all-in-one' box.

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

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A small yet powerful and very resolving sound, this power amplifier is a classy option in that $10K price point.

The perfect unit to pair with Chord Electronics Prima Preamplifier.

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The Hegel H390 arrived only a short time ago and it has already managed to impress some hardend and cynical ears at Carlton Audio Visual. In fact, at the moment we have it on main rotation in the Lygon st demo room because it's sounds so good on such a range of speakers.

This demo space is used not only to entertain staff while they're beavering away doing the office work but also to run in speakers. With all the choice we have in store, I found myself going back to this amp when I had a choice on which one to pair with the Acoustic Energy Coriniums that are now being run in.

The thing of these Hegel amps is the damping factor. That is the ability of the amplifier to overcome the reactive load and spring effect of the loudspeaker drive units and render absolute control over the micro motions of the transducer cones.

It gives you such grip and control and it's warm fast and dynamic whilst being super easy to listen to, Plus all that on board streaming means I can sit in the office typing away and change the song via Roon or Tidal. This is a serious amplifier with serious streaming capabilities built-in.

Come and listen today, you'll be impressed too.

Hegel H390 official site. 

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The new Audio Research i50 integrated amplifier is the new entry level offering from US tube manufacturer, Audio Research. 

Audio Research is the sort of brand that hardened audiophiles lust after, drool over and buckle at the knees for...myself included. The sort of effortless, unadultered, rich sound that keeps us back late at night playing tracks that we've heard thousands of times before because they suddenly sound so real with Audio Research. 

Aesthetically, Audio research has a timeless elegance to it not only because of the valves but also the brushed aluminium finish. There's no plastic add ons with this brand or ostentatious flashing, multi-coloured lights...

Like a German piano from the early 20th century, you lust after them because they're beautiful pieces of furniture but also because their sound is rich & warm yet clearer and more natural than others.

For many people, like myself, Audio Research is an aspirational brand, something we hope, with a bit of luck will grace our living rooms one day. But with the new offering of the i50, we hope that day will come sooner for us all. 

Audio Research has spent years perfecting this design so as not to compromise on their stingent standards of quality and tone but to nevertheless offer something at a more modest price level. You can opt out of a built-in phono stage or DAC module depending on your needs as well. Learn More