Rating: Hot: Signature Naim sound with immaculate pace and timing with all sorts of music. It communicates effortlessly and fluidly, creating an expansive and holographic sound stage, especially with acoustic material. Significant gains to be made in performance using Naim’s own power cord, which evens out tonal response, and outboard power supplies. Clear upgrade path […]
Current version of this integrated amp from ATC, better known for its speakers, incorporates no major reworking, just some fine-tuning. Natural and effort-free delivery, but showing firm control of the proceedings and very transparent, in line with the company’s pro studio cred.
Rating: Hot: These monoblocs amps present an expansive and detailed aural perspective, especially when driven hard. Very nicely balanced with rock and fusion recordings. They’re honest and non-coloured amps, fluid, and show great poise and control. They don’t run very hot with extended sessions. Shoebox sized means fewer worries about rack space. Cold: Busier recordings […]
Rating: Hot: This is for the Extreme SE version. Excellent speed, slam and resolution; punches well above its class and on par with some more exotic amps. Very transparent and still musical, with enough grunt to drive hungry loads – and it’s no bass shirker, displaying fast and tight bass. Very natural textures, with a […]
Rating: Hot: The finish itself – the chassis is hewn from aluminium – gives rise to expectations from the Continuum 250 integrated amplifier. There is a more powerful 500 in the range, but the 250 shows itself to be a pretty ballsy performer, driving fussy loads without tripping. The sound is pristine across the range, […]
Rating: Hot: A very musical unit, with a typical “Marantz” midrange. Sweet treble with good bass control and extension. The amp has good “listenability” factor, and is able to draw you into the music. Power output is rated at 70W, but still able to drive moderate loads to high levels without breaking up. MM phono […]
Rating: Hot: Sometimes, a product comes along that has you asking why you should spend anything more – the 3010s2 is one such paradigm shifter. This integrated amp is speedy and articulate, with a sound that is alive and sparkling. It drives hard loads easily, thanks perhaps to the high gain (not always a good […]
Rating: Hot: Like most Krell amps, this made-in-China unit is a powerhouse, but it delivers this in a more refined manner than its ancestors. There’s very little effort even with difficult speaker loads, and of course, there’s the bass, which is smoother and more cultured than previously but has no less impact. And it comes […]
Rating: Hot: Clarity, with a middle-of-the-road presentation – neither too imposing or relaxed. Won’t trip up driving difficult loads for long hours, played at reasonable levels. Well staged vocals, with good focus, a dash of warmth occasionally, but allows a deep insight into the recording. Inky sonic backdrop, allowing gentler nuances to sift through without editorial. […]