Price Paid:  $800.00 from second hand

Summary:
This is a beautiful-sounding amp. I'm not of the 'valve generation', so this is the first valve amp i've ever owned. I'm never going back to transistors again. This kind of amp is the perfect introduction to valves, it's an 'integrated' with separate pre and power stages and easily-available replacement valves. Sound is just so much more natural, unforced, detailed, dynamic than any transistor amp i've owned. Output is 12 watts per channel (push-pull) but i've only needed to push the volume to 9 o'clock as it's so clear - i used to drive a 150 wpc Musical Fidelity A300 harder to achieve the same level of clarity. I haven't even begun to explore the possibilities of upgrading valves etc for an even better sound. I was never really happy with other (transistor) amps costing up to £1500 new - this is the first amp i've owned that i'm totally pleased with.

Strengths:
Detail, warmth, clarity, simplicity

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Musical Fidelity A220, A300, A1000, other transistor amps.