https://www.hifinews.com/content/musical-fidelity-nu-vista-8002-integrated-amplifier

Indeed, largescale productions might well be the 800.2’s bread and butter as James Horner’s score for the film Titanic [Sony Classical SK 63213] came across as big as the doomed vessel itself. In ‘Take Her To Sea, Mr Murdoch’, optimistic melodies from across the orchestra pit dovetailed with resonant strings, thumping timpani and crashing cymbals, and again there was the sense the 800.2 wasn’t missing out on any elements, high or low, as the sound flooded the listening seat. Moreover, Horner’s love of dynamic stabs of brass and strings, such as on ‘Hard To Starboard’, require an amp with plenty in reserve, and these arrived with a dynamic swagger.

In a nutshell, the appeal of the Nu-Vista 800.2 doesn’t simply boil down to its obvious output. This all-analogue integrated has the kind of performance that leaves you lost in the music, and focuses you on what you’re listening to, rather than the amp powering it all. I won’t say it goes about its business quietly, because it plays loud and weighs over 40kg, but it is utterly unflappable with whatever you throw at it. As my listening segued from the delicate compositions of Philip Glass’s Glassworks [Sony Classical; 96kHz/24-bit] to the pounding hip-hop of Dr Dre’s ‘Still D.R.E’ [2001; Interscope Records 490 4862], I loved every second.

https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2023/8/4/olptmqvet8njokllrq6jm0lx3iesh9

I was first introduced to Infigo Audio (based in BC, Canada; Infigo means “impressive” in Latin) by hearing their Method 3 Class A monoblocks ($55,000/pair) at the home of Mike Levy (CEO/Founder of Alta Audio). Beautiful and unusual looking, they were gold-coloured blocks with an open top but with a clear glass protective cover, revealing the electronics inside with calming blue light. I was seriously impressed by the sound—but intimidated by the price. There was something new to my ears that was unique. I was intrigued. 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/ayre-acoustics-vx-8-power-amplifier

For current owners of Ayre Acoustics amplification and those hoping to bring the brand’s sound to their system, the VX-8 would be a worthwhile, relatively affordable purchase. The amplifier worked seamlessly with older components including its sibling Ayre K-5xe^MP (which sells for $2000–$3000 used), as well as the current Sugden LA-4, and I bet it would sound fantastic with my Shindo Allegro two-box preamp. (Ankle surgery prevented me from extracting the Shindo from its secure space.) With ample power and even sound, the VX-8 gelled easily with the highly efficient Volti Audio Razz loudspeaker. It satisfied my inner music jones while spinning vinyl or streaming digital.

The VX-8 extends Ayre’s reputation for refined amplification that commendably reproduces music of all genres while asserting its singular, special sound, as unique today, under the guiding hand of Ariel Brown, as with its originator, Charley Hansen. A heartfelt, shout-it-from-the-rooftops recommendation.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/brilliant-corners-7-dual-mono-manley-mahi-amplifiers

This musical breadth and their energetic, approachable, largely faultless sound make the Manley Mahis a pretty compelling proposition at a price that strikes me as entirely sane. If your speakers and room can make a big noise with 40 watts, then these petite but never petite-sounding amplifiers will probably delight you, doing justice to all but the most ambitious systems. They will allow your favorite recordings to excite, inform, and inspire you, like an audiophile version of my Fisher Vinyl Grinder: a magic box, now with good sound.

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/reference-components/1829-recommended-reference-component-hegel-music-systems-h600-integrated-amplifier-dac

Concluding his review, Philip pronounced the H600 “an exceptional integrated amplifier” with “a topflight DAC that can easily rival external DACs costing thousands of dollars.” He also declared, “This is the finest integrated amplifier-DAC combination I’ve heard in my time as a reviewer.” Together with the fine set of measurements from our lab, Philip’s praise earned the H600 a Reviewers’ Choice designation at the time the review was published—and now a Recommended Reference Component award. But those aren’t the only accolades that the H600 has received. About two weeks after Philip’s review was published, the EISA organization, a global group of print and online publications covering several consumer-electronics market segments, presented the H600 with one of its Best Product awards. It is unquestionably one of the most critically acclaimed integrated amplifiers on the market right now.

The Saga+ did not sound exactly like my Pass XP12 ($6100) but it was far closer than I would have thought. Far closer. Grit, grain, attenuated frequency extremes? No. I was stunned at how good the Saga+ sounded. This is a really linear reproduction of music. My benchmark for good sound is not imaging or soundstaging or the visual elements of music, but tone and timbre, they’re absolutely essential to me. The Saga+ and the Pass XP12 were far more alike than I’d have thought. Far more.

Both are just a wee bit drier than a well balanced tube line stage, but, they’re both very good. Where the Pass stepped ahead was with nuance. Music was just more elegant, performances seemed just a bit better executed. I found myself holding my breath just a little more often with the Pass than the Saga+. If the cost of the Pass does not dent your pocket book, get it, it’s better. No question. If it’s a painful stretch, the Saga+ should be on your radar.

To contextualize, if a Saga+ system is not as rich as desired, I believe the listener should reach for a richer source or richer speakers first. This small, inexpensive preamp is a stunner. Of course, if you have thick or stiff cables… forget it, the Saga+ at six pounds is going to get pushed off your shelf.

Building a satisfying system is about knowing what you want and making complimentary choices to fill your bill. Were I starting as an audiophile today, I’d look at the Saga+ as maybe a starting and destination preamp for audiophiles that don’t want to spend decades and tons of money chasing their tails. Sure, better performance is available but that’s an endless and expensive climb, summiting with the Saga+ gets a great view of music at a silly good price. Overlook it at your wallet and time’s peril.

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1827-ars-sonum-armonia-stereo-amplifier

Yes, some care needs to taken when choosing speakers to use with the amp—that’s true of almost all tube amps and other amps with similar or lower power outputs. That is where I (your friendly Ars-Sonum distributor) come in. I am more than happy to talk with anyone interested in a Ars-Sonum amplifier (new or used!) to answer any questions about compatibility with whatever gear and speakers the customer may have. As well, for those (tube-head) Ars-Sonum amplifier owners who wish to “roll” different EL34s (n.b., KT77s are not recommended), I am happy to test their set of EL34s in our Amplitrex tube tester and then try them in the Filarmonía or Armonía on my test bench to verify matching and that self-biasing measurements meet factory specs for the amp.