Audiophilepure

https://www.hifinews.com/content/luxman-l-509z

If I were to meet the following criteria – aspiring to own no-nonsense but also no-compromise amplification and in possession of £11k – this integrated amp would be on my shortlist. There are separates with more slam, more forcefulness. The space-poor could argue for an onboard DAC. I even understand those who crave ultra-exclusive esoterica from companies with two employees and a penchant for quirkiness and zero visibility.

Conversely, I appreciate how some music lovers need stability, and will succumb to the appeal of the more established houses like the 99-year-old Luxman. But neither stance matters once you switch on this absolute honey of an amp. How so? Because the peace of mind the absurdly melodious L-509Z imparts allows you to do something no self-immolating amp can do. It lets you relax… to just enjoy the music.

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/technics-su-gx70-network-audio-amplifier-review

But was there enough power? On a track like “Wicked as it Seems,” the Technics had no issues delivering a “comfortably loud” listening level, via my not-too-sensitive Energys, in my 3100 cubic-foot studio. But asking for much more quickly revealed the limits, and attempting something like what I think of as “control-room” loudness — that is, peaks nudging 100 dB SPL, which in all honesty is too loud for safe long-term listening — produced a bright, hard-edged, quashed-sounding texture. If you’re in a smaller room with typical sensitivity speakers (say, 87 dB SPL at 1 watt/meter or better), I’d wager you’d be just fine, but in my setup, more juice was needed.

But if you have speakers that are compatible, high efficiency (98 dB or higher, above 100 even better), stable easy 8 ohm load, horns (front or rear loaded), or any speakers specifically designed for use with very low powered amplifiers, the Kenzie Integrated is absolutely worth checking out. It lets you hear what is special about a real triode based amplifier, rather than just a single ended amplifier using other types of tubes, without worrying about hundreds or thousands of dollars for replacement tubes. Ampsandsound may list it under their “specialty amplifiers” but with the right speakers this amp really is something special.

I’ve often pointed out that 300W into 8 ohms is an optimal level for any modern amplifier to drive a wide range of speakers, and the RI-101 MK2 proudly and boldly delivers this power with grace and thunder when required.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of electronics engineers who can build a perfectly accurate high-end audio amplifier. But building a stream of refined electronics while in sync with developing a brand based on a genuine foundation and constantly expanding is something very special. From the very beginning, Hans Ole Vitus has managed to create a unique connection between technology and passion that is part of the Vitus Audio “Forever Now” motto. The laser-sharp determination is reflected in the way Vitus Audio, under the baton of Alexander Vitus Mogensen and Lukas Eriksen, is preserving the rich Vitus heritage and leading the brand into the future.

https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1236-naim-audio-nap-350-mono-amplifier

Perhaps more importantly, this new range displays a little more of the mojo that characterized the earlier series of Naim amplification. When listening to this complete system, there was a visceral energy that I found highly addictive, capturing much of the thrill and energy of live music. This certainly isn’t an amplifier that will cosset you, or blunt the dynamics and impact of the original performance. For some, it might be a little too much; for others, it will be perfect, because it embodies everything that Naim has ever stood for.

By the end of my time with the Fezz Audio Evo Silver Luna Prestige Integrated Amplifier, I was impressed with its musicality and power. If I were a two-channel enthusiast looking for an elegant, powerful, beautiful-looking cornerstone to build upon, this would be near the top of my wish list.

If you are considering a stereo setup, the Fezz Audio Evo Silver Luna Prestige would make a great foundation. It looks as good as it sounds and has enough output to drive any reasonably efficient speakers. It lacks a headphone jack, and phono output and there is no sub out but there are ways around those things. If music is the food of the gods, Fezz will have you saying, “More, please!”

Everything under the hood of the RI-101 MK2 is based on an intensive research and development project that spanned several years and represents a world of its own when it comes to music reproduction. From the very beginning, Hans Ole Vitus had a clear vision of how Vitus Audio products should sound and look, and over the years many have tried (unsuccessfully) to imitate both the look and the sound. The exceptional know-how continues with each new generation of electronics, and this is reflected in sonic accuracy as well as the golden trinity of timbre, tone, and color.

The brand is positively obsessed with the sound of its propriety modules, which are the cornerstone of all Vitus products and which make them intrinsically and brilliantly different. They have the same extreme fanatical attention to testing and stress-testing their equipment before it leaves the factory. To this end, they have developed a series of tests to ensure the longevity of the products. Of course, this can not change the nastiness that some shipping services are so well known for, but they do their best to ensure that the product is technically perfect and packed properly before it is delivered.