Audiophilepure

https://www.hifichoice.com/content/primare-i2s-prisma

Some amps sound great and have fine powers of resolution and separation but show a tendency to homogenise, making contrasts – both bold and subtle – seem more similar than they should. The I25’s sound, conversely, cleaves towards a valued high-end ability to discriminate with meticulous care, not just in broad strokes but also in the finest detail. James Taylor’s latest album, American Standard, while hardly a stretch for the folksy balladeer and in danger of familiarity overkill, sounds more involving and emotionally invested than you’d credit, simple as that.

Clarity, speed, grip, strong dynamics, neutral tonality – the Primare has all its hi-fi ducks perfectly aligned in a row. But this counts for little if it fails to communicate the intention behind the playing and, again, we’re back in high-end territory. Irrespective of source – whether streaming the smooth soul of Anita Baker’s Sweet Love on Tidal or playing the densely layered musical complexities of Pat Metheny’s Imaginary Day on CD – the Primare combines impeccable timing with tight focus and a firm grasp of microdynamics, which does wonders for its ability to resolve nuance and inflection. It offers strong in-room presence where performers and instruments are portrayed with body and dimensionality in a truly spacious soundstage.

I had to remember that this was an amplifier designed to run electrostatic speakers effortlessly, so well does this amplifier drive dynamic loudspeakers; even loudspeakers with seemingly ‘punishing’ impedance loads. In fact, the load of a conventional speaker presents a much easier challenge to the Magtech. If you get the chance to demo the Sanders Sound Systems Magtech power amplifier you should take advantage of that opportunity. Like other products in the Sanders line, the Magtech amplifier is a remarkable piece of kit that deserves more attention from the press than it gets and comes very highly recommended.

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/reference-components/1684-recommended-reference-component-gryphon-audio-designs-apex-stereo-amplifier

The combination of size, weight, and price of the Apex Stereo means that it can only appeal to a select group of buyers—those who can afford it, but also don’t mind how big it is, how much it weighs, and how much heat its class-A output generates. Certainly, the Apex Stereo requires commitment from its owner—and a pair of Apex Monos more so. But it’s understandable why many would be drawn to this amp. Near the end of his review, Jeff wrote that he “expected greatness” from Gryphon’s latest flagship, but the “magnitude of improvement” over previous models he’s auditioned was “transformative.” Jeff concluded: “The Gryphon Audio Designs Apex Stereo is the most impressive electronic component I’ve yet reviewed.”

Having owned the original Ragnarok for a number of years, I remember rather well what it sounds like; I’m not sure that the differences between the two generations are enormous in that regard but I did think that the Ragnarok 2 delivered plenty of punch when called for but with good dynamics so quiet passages remained so.

I know that EIC Ian White disagrees with my assessment that the Ragnarok 2 is like a straight wire with gain; offering very little sound of its own. We’re both using rather transparent sounding loudspeakers so I doubt that we’re hearing the Ragnarok 2 on very different playing fields.

He finds the Ragnarok 2 to be slightly darker sounding and softer in the bass with his Magnepan LRS; he’s also comparing it to the $6,499 Cambridge Audio Edge A which is a lot more powerful than the Ragnarok 2 and far better at controlling the panels of the LRS with much less effort.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/technics-su-g700m2-integrated-amplifier

At the beginning of this review, I was determined to find the similarities and differences between the Technics SU-G700M2 Grand Class integrated amplifier and its powerhouse kin, the Technics SU-R1000 Reference Class Stereo Integrated Amplifier. I took note of its similar components, similar specs, and the like. But midway through the review process, I forgot the past and got caught up in the present—in listening to music.

I enjoyed the Technics’s digital playback—even more its rendering of vinyl records via its authoritative phono stage. The G700M2 is a warm-blooded, even-keeled, dynamic, capable amplifier. Offering ample power, robust build, and good value, the Technics SU-G700M2 Grand Class integrated amplifier sounded great in my reference system. If $2699 is in your comfort zone, the G700M2 offers exceptional bang for your hard-earned bucks.

I enjoyed my time with the NAD C 700. It has a great deal of flexibility and a wonderful control interface. It was able to pull off the trick of stepping aside and letting the music take center stage. It’s just that this was less common than with much more expensive amplifiers.

I found that it was at its best when streaming high-resolution files, but it can also serve as the main nerve center for a more complex system, including vinyl. This little amp surprised me at times with the performances I heard and it excelled in staging, detail retrieval, and micro-dynamic shadings.

It was most comfortable driving the friendlier load of a pair of stand-mount speakers as opposed to the large, complex speakers I started with. So, if you have the right speakers and a mid-sized room, then the NAD C 700 may be just what you need to get your music fix on.

https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/rega-elicit-mk5

Such an upfront nature means that this isn’t the most relaxed-sounding amplifier around. But, there’s enough in the way of finesse to stop this being an issue, as a music switch to Beethoven’s beautiful Moonlight Sonata shows. Here, the Elicit sounds nicely delicate and surefooted. Dynamic shifts are rendered with fluidity and there’s a pleasing sense of space in the presentation. As is Rega’s way, the presentation is slightly forward and brightly lit, but mostly this just serves to highlight the detail and clarity on offer. You do need to partner the Elicit with care though, as a bright or aggressive source or pair of partnering speakers may take things too far.

We’re pleased to report that the built-in phono stage continues the good work. It’s only compatible with moving magnet cartridges, but that’s likely to be fine in most of the systems the Elicit will be used in. The circuit is relatively quiet and retains the clarity and drive we like so much from the line inputs. We listen to a range of records, from Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run through to Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis, and never does the Elicit deliver results that are anything less than enjoyable. This is a fine all-rounder that sounds at home with just about every genre of music.