Audiophilepure

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I enjoyed my time having the AVM AS 5.3 Integrated Streaming Amplifier in my media room. Besides its good looks, it was easy to use and sounded musically lush and detailed. It is not inexpensive, but it is a high-resolution streamer, a powerful amplifier, a tube pre-amp, and can breathe new life into your CD and LP collections. Purchasing separate components would also cost you some coin, but the AS 5.3 does it all in a small, compact powerhouse. It is well designed and flexible enough to control all your musical needs. The App is more than an afterthought and was intuitive and functional. The Cellini Chrome finish was just icing on the sonic cake. I still like my all-analog Musical Fidelity, but if I had vinyl or digital devices, I’d consider the AVM AS 5.3 as a lifetime component.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/burmester-232-classic-line-integrated-amplifier

Examining the bottom of the unit, I discovered thin felt pads rather than dedicated footers. Since I hadn’t yet received a link to an online manual or conducted technical interviews, I checked with Norm Steinke, Burmester’s US sales manager, to see if he objected to me trying aftermarket supports. Once he gave the okay, it took all of 15 minutes to learn how much better the unit sounded when supported by Wilson Pedestals. “Dramatically quieter backgrounds,” I scribbled in my characteristically hideous handwriting. “A HUGE improvement. Everything seems louder because it stands out more against a blacker background.” Bass was strong and excellent from the get-go, but now it sounded even more controlled. I urge prospective owners to explore different support options and to use whatever works best for their sound and wallet.

The first time I listened after the burn-in, the W4 greeted me with neutral tonality. There is no boost or excessive energy anywhere in the frequency range; bass, midrange, and treble are equally represented, yet the overall presentation is lively and energetic.

Although the bass is flat, neutral, and extended, it is not the tightest, the most detailed, or the most textured I’ve heard. There is good punchiness in the mid-bass and good rumble in the sub-bass, but the grip or control of the W4 over the IEMs and the headphones is loose.

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0202/silbatone.htm

So it seems the review above is one of those reviewer unadulterated raves. Well dammit it all if you had this piece in your system i would challenge you to say bad things about it. Ok, so it is three large chassis, takes up quite a bit of physical real-estate, weights what seems like a ton and costs $30,000. So what?!?! The end result is a unit that reproduces music beyond that of any other pre-amplifier ever heard… and i have heard more than one cares to mention. This is not a subtle improvement over my reference units either, but then again all my reference pre-amplifiers price added together do not equal the price of this unit. Sadly, i decided to not sell a few of my chachkies to buy this unit. The good news (for me) is that the United States distributor Joe Roberts sent me the Silbatone JI300 integrated 300B stereo integrated amplifier. While it is not battery powered, next month my review of the JI300 will be complete and we may get some idea where the magic to this Silbatone stuff is. If you have the financial means to buy the C-102 pre-amplifier, this wonderful piece is beyond any lousy Class rating system or fave of the month club. What we have here is something so far beyond what i previously felt possible that the gauntlet has been raised for other designers to step up to the challenge. Of course in the end what really matters is that you…