Audiophilepure

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1558-rotel-ra-1572mkii-integrated-amplifier-dac

Lyngdorf Audio’s similarly priced TDAI-1120 integrated ($2199, review coming soon) has many more features, including streaming, bass management, and room correction—but it couldn’t drive my MartinLogan electrostats to the room-filling levels I could get with the Rotel RA-1572MKII. However, for driving smaller, more efficient speakers—e.g., the PSB Alpha T20s—in a smaller room, and/or for integrating a subwoofer(s) and using room correction, the Lyngdorf is an excellent choice at this price. But when used as a straight stereo integrated driving nearly full-range speakers, the Lyngdorf couldn’t compete with the Rotel.

In terms of general design and sound, a much closer match for the Rotel RA-1572MKII was Hegel Music Systems’ H120 ($3000). Both are class-AB designs, though the H120 features Hegel’s feed-forward technology. And while the H120, too, has a very good built-in DAC, its resolution maxes out at 24/96 for its USB input, while accepting signals of up to 24/192 for its S/PDIF inputs and supporting UPnP and Apple AirPlay.

Chord Electronics ULTIMA 5 stereo power amplifier

In short, then, the Chord Electronics’ ULTIMA 5 is monumentally capable. It has a reasonably uncommon combination of on-paper promise (all that innovative engineering, all those colossal numbers), visual drama (especially if you’re into the whole steampunk/Alan Moore aesthetic) and implacable performance that makes the asking price look as if entirely reasonable. It certainly doesn’t make any demands of you in terms of the type of music you prefer to listen to; the ULTIMA 5 plays no favourites and is as happy to explain the motivations of a king-sized symphony orchestra in full attack mode, as it is those of a rapper with a sampler and an 808. 

a solid-state amp sounds tuby is rolled off highs and anemic bottom end, with high levels of THD added in to boot), what the NFB-1 AMP does sound like is what an amplifier should sound like, which is nothing, no coloration, or more to the point, like music, completely transparent.

For anyone looking for a top-notch headphone amplifier that works well with all types of headphone and music or an inexpensive preamp with a built-in headphone amp, then Audio-gd has your ticket and it is called the NFB-1 AMP.

https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/dan-dagostino-progression-integrated

It’s a taut and precise presentation; one that edges towards the lean side of neutral without going as far as to be criticised for being thin or lacking in tonal colour. It’s this balance that allows the amplifier to sound so nimble for something so muscular.

Stereo imaging is terrific. The Progression paints a broad and expansive soundstage and populates it with crisply focused instruments. The orchestra is convincingly layered and there’s a pleasing impression of depth. This positional grip isn’t compromised when the music gets difficult either.Advertisementhttps://9a57bdb350320d1455158b06de8bb766.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

We switch to Massive Attack’s Heligoland and are floored by the D’Agostino’s low frequencies. They’re superbly defined, beautifully layered and punched out with rare agility. There’s plenty of muscle and authority of course, but that’s to be expected given the power output on offer. What surprises – and impresses – us the most, though, is the Progression’s articulate nature.