ATC SIA-150 Amplifiers

ATC SIA-150 Amplifiers 

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-7 of 7  
[Nov 12, 2011]
Blaine
AudioPhile

Wow.... Effortless, Natural, Musical, Warm, Controlled, Powerful, Detailed, Lush, Captivating. This is truly the kind of amp I'll keep, and grow old with... It's that good!!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 30, 2007]
Ian Grimshaw
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Neutrality , accurate tonality , wide bandwidth , consistency of sound regardless of volume .

Weakness:

Takes a few hours to reach top performance from standby mode .

I have been using this amplifier for over a year now ( replacing Plinius equipment ) , and can say categorically that it has been nothing short of exceptional . The neutrality , and sheer ability to accurately portray a soundstage and tonality of an intrument , and / or a recording ambience , is terrific .
There is no shortage of power ( very rarely use over half-way on the voulume control ), and it sounds exactly the same regardless of volume .
I have a suspicion that it sounds a touch better when left out of standby mode permanently ( just use standby when on holiday , etc ) , but apart from that , everything else is absolutely terrific .
I can say that the previous ( implied ) advantage of separate pre / power amplification is not applicable anymore , if this ATC amplifier is anything to go by .
In fact , the shorter signal paths , and associated benefits this brings , probably account for much of this .
The build quality is excellent , and with its intelligent grounded source output stage and the wide-bandwidth that this brings , it is one amplifier that really brings out the benefit of SACD .

Customer Service

Excellent . A big thank you to Robert Judd .

Similar Products Used:

Plinius amplification
Musical Fidelity amplification .

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 28, 2007]
George5
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Sound!
neutral, deep and wide soundstage, lively,

Good build quality

Weakness:

the remote control looks cheap and ugly.

I tested severel amplifiers at home a few month ago. The candidates were as follows: VTL 85, Cayin 88, Naim Audio NAC 122 with NAP 150 and NAP 200 and ATC SIA 2 150. First, I was very impressed by the sound of the tube gear. I loved the warm, musically sound of the cayin. but by time, it went a little boring. It was not neutral enough. The VTL had a nice punch in the bass. the highs came extremely clear, almost too bright. the stage depht was not very deep and wide. then i listened the naims. the sounded very nice, lively, with a dark and good deep base. Finally i tested the ATC. Wow, what a step forward! What a wide and deep soundstage! Very musical, lively and smooth. And the same good control of the bass like the naims. The highs are smooth. This amplifier sound very natural, and does not add an own sound to the music. So, my decision was pretty easy. I had to buy this fantastic amp.

Similar Products Used:

Cayin 88, VTL 85, Naim Audio NAC 122 / NAP 150 / NAP 200

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Sep 28, 2007]
George
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

the sound. neutrality, good deep bass, imagery, wide sound stage, sweet highs,
very good build quality.

Weakness:

the remote control looks cheap and ugly.

I tested several amplifiers a few month ago at home. The candidates were as follows: VTL 85, Cayin 88, Naim Audio NAC 122 with NAC 150 and NAC 200 and ATC SIA 2 150.

First, i was very impressed by the sound of the tube gear. I loved the warm, musically sound of the cayin. but by time, it went a little boring. It was not neutral enough. The VTL had a nice punch in the bass. the highs came extremely clear, almost too bright. the stage depth was not very deep and wide. then i tried the naims. the sounded very nice, lively, with a dark and good deep base. So far, i had my favorite. But then, finally, i tested the ATC. Wow, what a soundstage! Very wide and deep, very musical, lively and smooth. And the same good control of the bass like the naims. The highs are smooth. This amplifier sounds very natural and does not add an own sound to the music. So, my decision was pretty easy. I can highly recommend it.

Similar Products Used:

VTL 85, Cayin 88, Naim Audio NAC 122 / NAP 150 / NAP 200,

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jun 12, 2000]
Michael Stevenson
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Smooth, but detailed (similar to a valve sound).

Weakness:

Ugly

I do not own this amplifier, but intend to buy one in the next few weeks. I have auditioned it now on many occasions in direct comparison with other amps. The best way of describing it is that it is like a valve amp - very smooth to listen to, but with so much detail. In fact I was set on buying a valve set, but heard this amplifier next to it. The ATC had MORE detail and the same warmth. It can also be used to drive tricky speakers as it is not short of power. True it is ugly and costs 3 times the price of the valve amp!

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 28, 2001]
George Chirayus
Audiophile

Strength:

Superb clarity, warmth, depth, realworld power and soundstage

Weakness:

Takes ages to be properly warmed up - Needs to be left on permanently despite standby facility.

I agree with previous reviewers' experiences - this amp is great! Superb clarity - you can pickout instruments within a 3-D space. The bass is very tight and well controlled and definitely better than my past systems - (I'm glad I made the right choice!)

As an intergrated, it offers the convenience of a great amplifier without the two-box bulk and the cost savings of only 1 set of interconnects. Has enough power for most domestic situations (I never go above 12 o'clock on the dial).

A couple of minor niggles though - 1)It takes a long time to warm up (even when it's on standby) and should be left powered-up all the time to sound its best. 2)THe ATC has a warm but clear sound but doesn't quite match up to that valve quality.

To conclude - check this amp out if: 1) Pre/power amp combos (and the expense of interconnect and dedicated power leads) are getting you down(!) 2) Valves CANNOT be left on permanently and you are either impatient or don't have the time for a warm up period. 3)You want great sound at a reasonable price

Similar Products Used:

Past systems - Musical fidelity XA200, Beard P100, Ear 834L preamp.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 30, 2000]
Fern
Audiophile

Strength:

very musical,dynamical ,detailed and a lot of depht good soundstage

Weakness:

none for me!

I had this amp. just for one week to listen at and i can say it sounds better then my valve amp which is hard to beat ,i know for experience.
i gonne buy it thats for sure!

very good product!!

Similar Products Used:

classè ca 101,cap 101.sam(audionet),sphinx,densen 100,300.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 22, 1999]
troels MR. 12
a Casual Listener

one of those rare products that just works. plug and play.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
Showing 1-7 of 7  

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