Tag Archives: Amplifier
Marantz MusicLink: it’s back, with the new HD-AMP1
To hear of a new audiophile amplifier-in-miniature from Marantz is exciting enough: when you discover it’s also part of the revival of one of the most covetable series in the company’s history, it’s time to take some serious notice. The HD-AMP 1 first broke cover at the D+M Group’s annual European dealer/press event in the […]
The end of Linn preamps means – well, the end of Linn preamps. That’s all.
Having claimed to sound the death-knell for the CD player six years ago, Linn’s now calling time on the hi-fi preamplifier. It’ll take more than that…
REVIEW: Arcam A49 – a transatlantic triumph
Designed in the UK, made in the USA, Arcam’s A49 amplifier is a thrilling-sounding exercise in effortless power OK, I admit it: I haven’t been the greatest fan of some recent Arcam amplifiers. Rather as I find some Cyrus designs overbright and forward-sounding, so the amps from the near neighbour in Cambridgeshire have been […]
Two-channel audio alive and well in Japan’s megastores
So hi-fi as we know it is on its last legs, is it? The huge selection on sale in a couple of Japan’s consumer electronics superstores suggests otherwise… Some will have you believe that hi-fi as we know it is on its way out, replaced by small speakers, Bluetooth whatnots and streaming services, but having […]
Why Classé is ignoring the AV features arms-race
New Classé Sigma SSP processor, launched with two matching power amps, plays it simple in the quest for ultimate sound quality Interesting afternoon at the London Bowers & Wilkins office yesterday, hearing about – and hearing – the new Classé Sigma series with company CEO Dave Nauber. The range is designed to slot in below […]
REVIEW: Oppo HA-1 headphone amplifier
Bells, whistles and solid engineering in this all-in-one headphone amp and DAC, plus a smooth, confident sound to make the most of the superb PM-1 ‘phones Headphone amplifiers are clearly like buses: you wait ages for one, then two come along at once. And so it was, just as I was wrapping up my review […]
REVIEW: Sony TA-A1ES amplifier
For various reasons, it’s taken a while to get my hands on Sony’s flagship high-resolution audio player, the HAP-Z1ES – which isn’t the subject of this review. The buzz has been building about this novel approach to the whole computer music thing, with its onboard storage, DSD upconversion and lack of any sign of network […]
REVIEW: Quad Platinum DMP and Stereo power amplifier
While the links to history are obvious, there’s a distinct whiff of ‘I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore’ about the Quad Platinum range. In my position as Audio Editor of Gramophone, I do occasionally have to disabuse people of a few well-rehearsed myths about the readership. No, the magazine’s readers didn’t all start […]
REVIEW: Peachtree Audio nova125 – reinventing the integrated amplifier
From time to time, you have to challenge your preconceptions of what constitutes ‘serious hi-fi’: fortunately, the Peachtree Audio nova125 is everything a ‘normal’ amplifier isn’t It’s mainly designed for use with digital sources, yet has a valve in its preamp stage; it’s capable of a hefty 125W per channel output, yet comes wrapped – […]
REVIEW: Naim SUPERNAIT 2 – proving that less is more
There’s setting trends, there’s following trends – and then there’s apparently flying in the face of fashion, which is usually either very brave or very dumb. I mean, look at the consumer electronics market: it’s simply stuffed with ‘me too’ products, showing a woeful lack of inspiration and an entirely risk-averse strategy. A company launches […]
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