I bought this 2nd hand in a shady but incredibly well equipped shop in Monkok together with an audiolab CD player and a pair of ProAc Tablette 2000 as a second system while on an expat mission in Hong Kong. When I returned back to my great surprise the system offered by far the better sound than my first system (CD and amp from german audio manufacturer T+A paired with also german Audioplan Konzept speakers) ... what happened after separation from my ex-wife was, I kept the audiolab/TAGMcLaren - ProAc and left her with the german chain ....
I certainly do not think there wouldn't be anything better in this world, but I do firmly believe you'll have to put up quite some money to outbeat anything coming from the audiolab manufactury ....

Power, dynamics, control, excitement, detail, build.

Won't turn everything you own into easy listening wallowing warmth.

This is a great amp, it never seems to run out of steam. It's far more powerful and dynamic than it's 70w rating suggests and it always sounds authorative and under contol. I wouldn't call this amp cold sounding, it just doesn't warm every thing up the way old arcams used to. It has excellent timing and dynamics sounding exciting and detailed. It's excellent playing fast rock and dance music, but it has more than enough finesse for jazz and classical. Personally, I've never found it too bright or harsh either, I suppose that could depend what you partner it with. I run mine with an Arcam cd 92 player and mission 780s with an MJ pro 100 sub. It sounds fantastic and for the £400 I paid for mine in a closing sale, it's an absolute bargain. Did I also mention is really nicely built with simple yet classy looks. Great amp.

Soild Bass, Great timing and looks!

Not the most airy or natural. Can sound a little cool for some.

This Amp was a major step up from the NAD C340 I was using before. The timing and quality of the bass most obvious improvements. A fine clean sounding amp with the muscle to back it up. Plays loud and hard without signs of stress. Bi-amping using a 100p raised the sound with more of everything. On selection I prefered it to the MF X-A2 (too Warm) and Cyrus 5 (limp). Whilst not the most natural sounding amp it certainly loves drum and bass and the treble is always refined never harsh. Don't mistake that for warmth though it can sound a little cool. But for me thats fine I like detail, even more so when it times so well. A good solid purchase I just wish I'd waited a few more months till they cut the price from £800 to £500. Still I sure I made the right choice.

Similar Products Used:

Nad C340, Muscial Fidelity X-A2, Cyrus 5 and Roksan Kandy

Clean clear sound and good power output.3 digital tape inputs. I use BFA and spades at the same time for my speakers cable.

Highs are bit harsh at first but will warmed up after a month of burn in. No phono stage if you want to play turntable.

Great improvement from the audiolabs. Seem to have more power than it specify, 60W. Sound and Music is life-like and almost quite errie after midnight. System : Martin Logan, Aeon speakers with MIT 770 speaker cables and MIT 330 S2 interconnects.

Similar Products Used:

Audio refinement Amp.