Audiophilepure

https://www.hifinews.com/content/primaluna-evo-300-hybrid-power-amplifier

For all the satisfaction the EVO 300 Hybrid provided for this pro-valve listener, I could imagine those diametrically-opposed purist audiophile species – tubes vs trannies – finding grounds for criticism because the two have been weighed equally, exactly as the mission statement required. But perhaps this is an academic debate, for purists of either discipline might not contemplate a hybrid design. For those undecided or who like both, the EVO 300 Hybrid ‘poweramplifier’ is one of the best examples of cross pollination I’ve heard.

If choosing an amp is a matter of tubes-only-vs-solid-state-only-vs-I’m-not-bothered, then your own predisposition will influence your reaction to this remarkable amplifier. Via the RCA input it sounds just like the EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated, but via the XLR – even if you resort to an RCA-to-XLR adapter – the EVO 300 Hybrid ‘poweramplifier’ embraces the hybrid concept, perfectly blending tube colour with solid-state grip. For the undecided, this may well be the best of both worlds.

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/0126/Pass_Laboratories_X600_8_Mono_Amplifier_Review.htm

The large Pass Labs X600.8 amplifiers also looked very impressive sitting on their amp stands in front of my equipment rack. Their cool blue, large, illuminated meters on their aluminum front panel, and their large black heat sinks, which took up all the room on their side panels, gave the amps a high-tech, industrial-chic look.

At $31,460 for the pair, the Pass Laboratories X600.8 monoblocks aren’t bargain-priced. Nor are they the most expensive monoblocks Pass Labs offers. Simply because the X600.8 monoblocks are worth their asking price doesn’t mean much if one cannot afford them. Still, readers of Enjoy the Music.com realize that audiophiles can get quite crafty when it comes to raising funds, especially when we become enamored of a component and wish to purchase it. Highly recommended? You bet!

https://www.hifinews.com/content/ta-symphonia-streaming-integrated-amp

Neatly styled and refreshingly compact, T+A’s Symphonia appeals before it’s even powered up – then you discover its wide-ranging connections, excellent app/remote controls, and vibrant, revealing sound. Proof, if needed, that good things can come in small packages, this premium streaming amp is ready to be the centrepiece of a forward-thinking hi-fi set-up. A colour display would be nice, though…

https://www.headfonia.com/cambridge-audio-edge-w-review/

the Cambridge Audio Edge W provides a remarkably detailed and precise sound, with excellent low-end reach into the sub-bass. Bass is tight, fast and dynamic with top quality texture and body. No matter if you’re a listener of acoustic or electronic genres, the Edge W has you covered with a full and dense sound that delivers punch and impact.

From sub-bass to upper bass, the Edge W has a full body with excellent – not exaggerated – size. You get a natural and organic low-end with heaps of resolution to bring out the fine nuances of music. Bass on the Cambridge amp is tuned in a natural-neutral fashion, where it is ever so lightly forward, but still in a way, that it’s not shoving anything in your face.

It places low-end instruments and lower pitched sounds just minimal up-front to give them a boost in body and coloration.

https://audiophilepure.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php

It’s difficult to fault, even at this price. Arguably its only downside is that it lacks balanced operation. Some purists won’t like this, but others won’t be in the least bit bothered. In absolute sonic terms it lacks just a touch of transparency and there’s a subtle softening of dynamic peaks. Yet its delicate, atmospheric treble more than makes up for this. Indeed its sheer breadth of ability shines through with a London Philharmonic Orchestra reading of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ A London Symphony. It’s an exhilarating listen that’s tremendously musically articulate.

Last but not least is the moving-magnet phono stage. Some people will not buy the Downton for this, but it’s great to know you’ve got it. A Technics SL-1200G/Ortofon Concorde Music Bronze spinning The Stone Roses’ Fools Gold shows its intrinsic quality; there’s a lovely, lilting groove from the percussion and rhythm guitar that transports you right to the heart of the music. It’s infectiously fluid – dreamy, even – and a reminder of just how special well-designed valve phono stages can sound.

https://www.hifichoice.com/content/english-acoustics-downton

It’s difficult to fault, even at this price. Arguably its only downside is that it lacks balanced operation. Some purists won’t like this, but others won’t be in the least bit bothered. In absolute sonic terms it lacks just a touch of transparency and there’s a subtle softening of dynamic peaks. Yet its delicate, atmospheric treble more than makes up for this. Indeed its sheer breadth of ability shines through with a London Philharmonic Orchestra reading of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ A London Symphony. It’s an exhilarating listen that’s tremendously musically articulate.

Last but not least is the moving-magnet phono stage. Some people will not buy the Downton for this, but it’s great to know you’ve got it. A Technics SL-1200G/Ortofon Concorde Music Bronze spinning The Stone Roses’ Fools Gold shows its intrinsic quality; there’s a lovely, lilting groove from the percussion and rhythm guitar that transports you right to the heart of the music. It’s infectiously fluid – dreamy, even – and a reminder of just how special well-designed valve phono stages can sound.

I have spent a considerable amount of time with the Matrix Audio MP-1/MA-1 pre and power amplifiers. Arthur at Power Holdings Inc and Mr. Cao at Matrix Audio should be commended for their patience with me while I asked questions regarding the manufacturing process of these components. These two pieces stayed in my system for a number of months and I became intimately familiar with them. What I have experienced reflects the vision and goals that Mr. Yang Jing has for Matrix Audio, and provides insights into what the future may hold for high performance audio in East Asia. The circuit design of these components are based on solid engineering principles, and have been implemented with precision manufacturing processes. The innovative H frame that is the heart of these two components provides a robust foundation for the power supply, audio boards, and output devices to be anchored to. Parts are either machined in company owned facilities, or sourced from the finest suppliers such as WBT, Mundorf, or ONSEMI. The machined aluminum panels are works of art with impeccable fit and finish. The controls and operation of the MP-1 preamplifier are as smooth and refined as a courtier to the royal family. The MA-1 amplifier is reminiscent of a finely tuned sports car where power and control are the calling cards of the day. I suspect the power output rating of 250 WPC is a conservative one, as this amplifier has no difficulty controlling the woofers in my JBL 4367 monitor speakers, and the volume levels I achieved were spectacular.