Articles

Eximus S1 Stereo/Mono Amplifier

27 Dec 2012 07:01
Written by Administrator
Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2012) Power Amplifiers

Price: $2500

Doug said: The S1 has several attributes that will make it the ideal amp for someone. It has plenty of stiff competition in and around $2500, but more than holds its own with a refined, appealing, distinctive sound that’s highly listenable over the long term and is worth the price. It’s a compact, high-style, audiophile-grade masterpiece of visual design for those who want their products to blend beautifully and discreetly into their surroundings.

Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.

The gist: Compact, powerful, and super cool looking.

First Watt J2 Stereo Amplifier

28 Nov 2012 02:22
Written by Administrator
Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2012) Power Amplifiers

Price: $4000

Website: www.firstwatt.com

Vade said: The J2 is one of the best amplifiers I’ve heard, regardless of the type of circuit used, and it provides an opportunity to own a product from audio master Nelson Pass at a moderate cost. I thought I was a hopeless tubeaholic, but I think I’ve just been cured.

Read the Ultra Audio review.

The gist: Solid-state circuit, tube-like sound.

Blue Circle Audio NSL Stereo Amplifier

25 Sep 2012 07:51
Written by Administrator
Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2012) Power Amplifiers

Price: $19,500

Website: www.bluecircle.com

Michael said: I can say with confidence that if you have speakers that it can drive, the NSL will be a revelation of just how wonderful music can sound, rewarding you with making your music sound special in ways you probably haven’t heard from your system. The NSL was one of the best-sounding power amplifiers I have ever heard. I give it my highest recommendation.

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Read the Ultra Audio review.

The gist: One look and you know this thing is different.

Boulder Amplifiers 1060 Stereo Amplifier

25 Oct 2012 12:14
Written by Administrator
Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2012) Power Amplifiers

Price: $25,000

Website: www.boulderamp.com

Ryan said: This is a component for mature listeners who are getting to the finish line and aren’t trying to use their amps to re-edit the signal. Built to last a lifetime, and with a mix of capabilities to match, the Boulder 1060 is an easy component to recommend for listeners looking for their final power amplifier.

Read the Ultra Audio review.

The gist: That good, that expensive, and it's not even their top-of-the-line amp.

Audio Research Reference 250 Mono Amplifiers

25 Sep 2012 07:50
Written by Administrator
Parent Category: 2012 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
Category: (2012) Power Amplifiers

Price: $25,990 per pair.

Website: www.audioresearch.com

Peter said: Ultimately, and as good as I know the sound of my reference amplifiers to be, I must conclude that the sound of Audio Research’s Reference 250s is finer. If I had air-conditioning, and if my primary reference system were dedicated solely to me and my music, I would have been more than tempted to buy them.

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Read the Ultra Audio review.

The gist: Peter was smitten.