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monoblock combines the rich textures and timbres of an SET amplifier (though it is not an SET) with the fine resolution, more extended bandwidth, more neutral balance, and superior transient speed of Class A solid-state (though it is not solid-state). A little marvel of fidelity, it mates wonderfully well with fast loudspeakers like Quad 2905s. JV, 188 Pass Labs XA160.5 $22,000/pr. www.passlabs.com
“An amplifier with soul,” the XA160.5 monoblock is the most “tube-like” transistor amp AHC has heard. Its sound is warmer than most, and the music emerges from a deep black silence. Moreover, its soundstage depth matches its width, dynamics are musically natural and slightly “soft,” and the amp has terrific harmonic integrity. AHC, 192 Lamm M1.2 Reference $23,890/pr. www.lammindustries.com
Another winner from the fertile mind of Vladimir Lamm. Combining brawn and finesse, the M1.2 drives even challenging loads with ease. Its siren song of suave harmonic textures, tight bass control, articulate transients, kinetic drive, and essential tonal neutrality is musically most persuasive. DO, 188
94 Guide to Audio Electronics
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Burmester 911 Mk III $29,995
Ayon Vulcan II $40,000/pr.
www.burmester.de
www.ayonaudio.com
Burmester components are unquestionably expensive, but also uncommonly versatile and aesthetically exquisite. The sound of this stereo amplifier is on the same plane, with hold-yourbreath dynamics, uncanny timbral realism, and a remarkable sense of “inevitable” pace. AT, 212
If you value huge panoramic soundstaging with velvety black backgrounds and eye-popping detail, the Ayon Vulcan II monoblock is for you. A rare do-it-all design, it marries the drive of solid-state with the magic of SET. One of the most holographic amplifier ever, it is not as tonally pure as the Lamm ML3; nonetheless, it is referencequality due to its outstanding spatial presentation. PB, 211
Classé Audio Omega $35,000/pr. www.classeaudio.com
Classé’s statement monoblocks possess Stygian bass slam, whiplash speed, and power galore. The abundant power on tap means that the soundstage is utterly holographic, allowing the listener to pinpoint each instrument. A superbly liquid midrange and refulgent sound make it one of the most commanding monoblocks around. JHb, 203 conrad-johnson ART $35,000/pr.
Boulder 1050 $44,000/pr. www.boulderamp.com
A truly superb monoblock that offers the very best in bass, power, transients, and low-level detail. It’s slightly warmer and more tube-like than many competing solid-state designs, but this adds—rather than subtracts—from musical realism. If you want the real-world sound of acoustic instruments, this may be the amplifier for you. AHC, 188
www.conradjohnson.com
The 275W ART monoblocks are far and away the lowest noise, highest resolution, highest transparency c-j amplifiers JV has heard, with wonderfully expansive soundstaging, robust midbass and lower mids, slightly sweet upper mids and treble, and excellent grip and extension in the bass. One of JV’s references. JV, 218
Soulution 710 $50,000 www.axissaudio.com
Jaw-dropping resolution and transparency-to-sources sets this 120Wpc into 8 ohms (240Wpc into 4) solid-state stereo amp apart. It is preternaturally “not there,” making inherently neutral speakers, in turn,
sound more “not there,” and music (and the engineering and mastering that went into putting that music on LP or disc) “more there.” If you truly want to know what’s on your records, this supremely honest amplifier must be heard. JV, 199 Krell Evolution One $65,000/pr. www.krellonline.com
While the Evolution One mono amp is not a radical sonic breakthrough— the best aspects of Krell “voicing” have been preserved—the Krell virtues of deep-bass power and rich natural timbre have been enhanced, while air, life, microdynamics, depth, detail, and the upper octaves have improved to contenders for the state-of-the-art. A true sonic benchmark. AHC, 158
two or three best amps AHC has auditioned. AHC, 212
www.lammindustries.com
BALabo BP-1 MK-II $88,500 www.balabo.com
This exquisitely made, extremely powerful (500Wpc) solid-state stereo power amp from Japanese master-designer Fumio Ohashi is as lovely to listen to as it is to behold. If ravishing gorgeousness of tone color, outstanding resolution of detail, quick natural transient response, huge reserves of power, and superb bass grip are your cup of Saki, you will have to look long and hard to find an amp that sounds this lovely and this lifelike. JV, 201 Soulution 700 $130,000/pr. www.axissaudio.com
Octave Jubilee $67,500/pr. www.octave.de
An assault on the state of the art by the German firm Octave and its lead designer, Andreas Hoffman, the Jubilee monoblock is a tall, superbly styled tube amplifier that that can easily put out some 280W. Our reviewer AHC “struggled to find something to criticize.” Oh, he said that the Jubilee could use just a touch more warmth, but freely admitted that this was a matter of taste and that other listeners didn’t feel this way. One of the
Lamm ML3 Signature $139,290/pr.
Capable of 860W (into 4 ohms) these huge, Bauhaus-handsome, solid-state monoblock amplifiers are, like their littler brother the 710, paragons of neutrality and transparency. Just a touch warmer and more gemütlich in tonal balance than the utterly colorless 710, the 700s bring nearly the same astonishing resolution to the table, reproducing sources with standardsetting high fidelity. JV, 199
This two-chassis, 32Wpc SET monoblock sets new standards in sound reproduction. The ML3 delivers amazing speed plus captures the full harmonic envelope of each instrument. The result is unparalleled tonal neutrality. Surprising, for an SET design, the Lamm can be used with a wide range of loudspeakers, though care must be exercised in impedance and sensitivity matching. PB, 208 Constellation Audio Hercules $140,000/pr. www.constellationaudio.com
A monumental product in every sense of the word, from the audacious design effort, to the sheer size and weight (270 pounds, 12” x 29” x 20” chassis), to the stellar sound quality. With a whopping 64 output transistors per monoblock, the Hercules lives up to its name by delivering 1000W into 8 ohms. Many mega-powered amplifiers lack the delicacy, refinement, and ease of lower-wattage designs, but not the Hercules. Its sound is reminiscent of an SET amplifier in its palpability. Throw in a complete absence of grain, colorless rendering of timbre, a super-black background, phenomenal resolution, and seemingly limitless dynamic reserves, and you have a stunning amp. RH, 215 www.theabsolutesound.com
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