Our favourite amps - The pricey stuff!

I discuss with Ian White, (Ecoustics Editor and Chief) our favourite amplifiers over £3,000.
Link to my Patreon
/ abritishaudiophile
Link to Ecoustics website
www.ecoustics.com/
Link to manufacturers' webpages
Rotel
www.rotel.com/en-gb/product/x3
Trilogy
www.trilogyaudio.com/integrat...
Cambridge Audio
www.cambridgeaudio.com/gbr/en...
Musical Fidelity
www.musicalfidelity.com/produ...
Cyrus Audio
www.cyrusaudio.com/products/i...
Rega
www.rega.co.uk/products/aethos
Sugden Audio
www.sugdenaudio.com/anv-50-in...
Time stamps
Intro 0:00
Rotel Michi X3 0:40
Trilogy 925 3:55
Cambridge Audio Edge A 6:13
Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 600 10:33
Cyrus i9-XR 13.35
Rega Aethos 16:34
Sugden Anniversary 50 17:56
Outro 23:22

[@scottbaylor6215]

Nice job guys. Love the conversation. I really enjoy seeing reviewers work together to discuss gear. Keep up the good work.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Scott. Much appreciated 😊👍

[@sylvio1980]

Thanks Tarun for another great video, and this one is a real gem 💎! Great discussion, love the fact you guys were giving examples of what speaker would possibly match well the particular amp. Pleasure to listen to you guys, we need a lot more from you two. Thanks !

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Sylvio. Much appreciated 😊👍

[@bobbycaldwell9478]

Hi I'm French and I listen to your discussion with a lot of interest. The topics you talk about are so interesting and pertinent. No commercial, no over priced or considered electronics. Just objectivity and passion. Thank you.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Bobby. Much appreciated 😊👍

[@truman4956]

Love this format and looking forward to more specials like this.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 👍

[@harrisedgar]

What a great video this is, and the series for that matter. I keep comming back to re-watch, to absorb the info... Thank you.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

That is much appreciate 😊👍

[@kjbiz]

Great chat once again. Opened my eyes to more options at there on the journey 🙏 happy new year 🇱🇰👍☮️

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you my friend 😊👍

[@cruzingrsx4484]

Love hearing you expertises on audio

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you buddy 😊👍

[@Firebottleman]

Hello Tarun. Excellent discussion with Ian. I just wish that when you present us with a video like this, that you would have the short edited version like this is, and a long unedited full version of this type video, for us nerds that want to actually learn as much as possible about these amplifiers and anything else you are presenting us with. That way, everybody has the choice to watch the short or the full spec version of your videos. I'm sure that would satisfy a whole bunch of us, that eat and sleep audio. As always, excellent work on your part. Thank you sir.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. Much appreciated 👍

[@RafeLavine]

Boy! The problem is that, after listening to you guys this time, I now want ALL of these amps. Sometimes it's like going down a rabbit hole. Great reviews guys. Thanks.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

😉 As I already commented on, we only need friends that we can visit and enjoy them 🤗😍😍😍

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Rafe 😊👍

[@bobb.9917]

All these amps seem very interesting…and for different reasons. …COOL grouping! I just went thru this with power amps. I got a keeper…but am now trying to sell off a set of mono blocs, and my 45-yr. old Bob Carver. I got the sound that I like, but am taking a financial bath getting there. 😂😂😂 Still enjoying the hobby, tho!

[@steverees1936]

Hi Tarun. Great video my friend and the MF Nu Vista is a great choice of amplifier and one amp on my list of top five amps to own 🙂 I love Musical Fidelity products and used to own their 3D Nu Vista cd player. what a battleship that was on the rack. I really enjoyed this video. 😁

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Steve. Much appreciated. I hope to review some MF gear going forward 😊👍

[@jasperstromy2778]

Which of these or maybe another amp is best for low to medium volume listening?

[@kevinfaulkner1095]

I’ve just watched your REL T-7x review which is very informative thanks. I’d like to connect two of them to my two-channel system at the speaker end not the amplifier end for ease of physical connection. What do you mean by don’t connect in this way if you have a balanced amplifier?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Kevin. You can’t use the REL high level input connected to the speaker end of terminals if you have a balanced amplifier 😊

[@MrVoayer]

Eye opening selection of amps. Or, should I say, ear cleaning choices! As well as mind clarifying one! Great job, guys! Great job!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you very much 😊👍

[@ranelime]

It is aways a pleasure to start the weekend with your videos, Tarun. What would be your personal favorite amp to match with the ATC SCM 40 you mentioned, is it the Sugden?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. That would be my starring point 😊

[@jasonme3557]

Hey guys love the channel. I am listening to this using the Cyrus DAC 6

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@aussie8114]

Good to see Cyrus getting some positive words, makes me feel better about my Cyrus 8 QXR amp. Though the XR amps are priced too high for what they are.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cyrus have made some very nice products over the years 😊

[@nazaholicable]

Had a demo (in one afternoon) of Sugden, Rega, Naim , and the i9XR Cyrus amp. The Cyrus was the clear winner with CD playback of brands: Musical Fidelity, Primare, Roksan. After buying said amp, I was blown away by the phono stage too.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@nazaholicable that is great. Thank you for sharing 😊

[@randyhelou5412]

Great session gents, yes speakers please!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Randy 😊

[@markjeroendurr2626]

Nice as always Tarun! I am considering the Moonriver 404 at the moment. Could be a good recommendation for you to review one day…

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. I appreciate the suggestion 😊

[@andreashjort4756]

Hi Tarun. Another great video! A quick question, the Roksan Attessa is mentioned on the list but not in the video, why is this? I am asking because I have been thinking about buying this product, so would love you hear a review from you. Kind regards Andreas

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Andreas. Sorry, that was cut and pasted in error from a previous video. Unfortunately, Roksan didn’t respond to my requests to review that amplifier.

[@dillysfury1933]

Don't know about the Roksan Atessa but I recently purchased a used Roksan Blak to replace my broken (unfortunately) Musical Fidelity Trivista which I loved. However have to say the Roksan Blak is just about as good)enjoyable as my Trivista and I am very happy with it.

[@daveappleton7871]

Thanks for this. I have been a Sugden fan since the sixties when I first heard one - and had some sugden kit in the 90's. So I watched this keenly when you released it - and shortly afterwards saw an almost new ANV-50 for sale in a Facebook SUGDEN group. The price was right (and my local dealer was hopeless) so I went for it, paying for it to be shipped half way round the world to Malaysia from the UK. This review certainly boosted my confidence. It is now a key part of my work in progress system driving an incredible pair of hORNS Mummy speakers with temporary input from a Pi streamer and a Marantz CD6007 deck. It sounds magnificent.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@philpepp]

Hi Tarun, that was really interesting. I’m considering down sizing the number of boxes I have when I move house for a high end integrated. You’ve peaked interest in the Musical Fidelity nuvista! It’s been on my short list with Sugden, but I suspect very different sounds. Thanks again. Hope to make the next ABA chat, to pick your brains further. Enjoy your Easter break.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank Phil. I am planning the next ABA club meeting when I return after the Easter hols. Would be great to chat about it 😊

[@hoobsgroove]

check out croft acoustics exceptional value for the money

[@saugghos]

I own a Sugden 21se . I am happy with how it matches with my Dali Icon6 mk2. Any suggestion on whether it will match better with other speakers.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

If you are happy I wouldn’t be in a hurry to change 😊

[@Benvos]

I tested the Michi X3 against the Hegel H390, I wanted to prefer the Michi as I had an incredible deal on it. For some reason I didn’t find it grab me musically like the Hegel did. I was using the internal DACs on both amps in testing so I wonder if that was the reason. I don’t own an external dac currently, that is a future purchase, so I had to make the judgement based on the whole package. Saying all this I’m over the moon with my choice, I listen to music everyday and hours at a time, no large purchase has ever brought me so much joy.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I suspect it all come down to system matching. Thank you for sharing 😊

[@ntserver1]

Nice to hear about (dream about) some higher end amps. Thank you

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for watching Stephen 😊

[@Romulus980]

This was a very interesting discussion. What really caught my interest was the Sugden & ATCSCM40 combination. From your description it seems this amp drove the ATC speakers well (to highlight the talents of the speakers), how would you describe the sound itself as oppose for same speakers driven by a powerful solid state amp?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you SS. The Sugden Ann 50 has warmth whilst maintains good control of the SCM40s. This imparted a really alluring tone to the ATCs with acoustic music in particular. I would expect something like the Rotel Michi X3 with 200W on tap to have better grip, play louder but not necessarily impart the same tone. I would have to get them home to find out for sure. It all come down to what your goals are from your system 😊

[@Romulus980]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Interesting combination I read the same sort of positive review from Asia when a Moonriver Amp404 (50watts x2 into 8ohms) was driving ATC SCM40's. Same sort of situation where the review states "The combination of ATC's high-end monitor and Swedish integrated amp doesn't seem like a good match at first glance, but the high resolution, transparency, and dynamic sound combine with the strength of the speaker and the objectivity of a purely musical amplifier without coloration, so the music in the recording is natural. You can get a system of excellent hi-fi sound that delivers the information without adding or subtracting."

[@seogulee]

It was great to see that you mentioned Sugden with ATC pairing. I run ATC SCM 19 with Sugden A21Se Signiture. Unlike many assumptions that Sugden cannot drive ATC. my experience is that 30watt Class A could be equivalent of 150 Watt class AB. but with more body and rich tonality. Hope you can do a video of any Sugden with ATC pairing. I really wonder how you would rate that pairing.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. I would love to try that one day 😊

[@shankararora8117]

Hello Tarun, wondering what thoughts you have on Naim. I haven’t ever seen a Naim product review in your channel on featured in a top 10..just curios to hear your audiofile view..

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I like Naim amps but haven’t got a contact for them as yet 😊

[@markcarrington8565]

Hey guys, great list. With you all the way to 19mins 30secs 😂 I noted the Supertech slit foil smoothing caps in the Rotel amp. I buy them from DNM for all my upgrade projects. No surprise to me it sounds good if they’ve gone to that extent on parts.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Mark. You should check out the Sugden Ann 50. You may be surprised 😊

[@AudioFlat]

Japanese amplifier manufacturers have always been in the habit of using sprinklings of premium components in their designs. On a separate note, many years ago I was visiting the Mission/Cyrus factory (the two were one company back then) and met Denis Morecroft (DNM) who was apparently working on the Cyrus amps. Subsequently they used his ‘slit foil’ reservoir caps and Cyrus produced some thin, solid core, speaker cable.

[@dksculpture]

Enjoyed this!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@kirlu50]

Tarun and Ian, thanks for this. It's interesting to focus on the diffences in your choises of commentary details. Tarun, what do you lean by "Gryphon control"?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. I hope to review the Gryphon entry integrated and find out what their sound is about 😊

[@kirlu50]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 That's a great idea. I look forward to that. Apparently they are good - that's what people say. I am not a fan of their man-cave design though.

[@davidblanchard8524]

love to know your opinion on Monitor Audio speakers gold series 5th gen. Would it be good with Aethos? love your channel!!!!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. Much appreciated. I hope to get to them in time 😊👍

[@sound-flies]

Did you ever do a review of the anv-50 ? Would love to see a comparison between the audio lab 9000 and sugden:) or the rotel x3🎉

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for the suggestion 😊

[@gg0297]

Haven't even started watching the video and Mr. Ian's nickname popped, really popped! 😂 Good one! I'll hit like in advance, because I like this discussion, watching already pt. I and II.

[@JimGobetz]

Did the same thing!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you guys. That is greatly appreciated 👍😊👍

[@paolobonfanti1194]

Some advice, with some planars likes Magneplanar LRS+ or 0,7 which amplifier would you raccomend between: Rotel Michi X3, Cambridge Edge A, Musical Fidelity Nuvista 600 and Hegel H-390? Thank you

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Decisions, decisions… 🤔

[@bobb.9917]

OK…I am a separates guy and very pleased with my current set-up amp-wise…so not in the market for an integrated amp (just pre-ordered a Mercury Streamer from Pi2Design this morning, though!😬)….but I was looking forward to this high-tier amp pics from you two….and I have to say I am totally blown away by your choices and that I am not familiar/aware of any of them!!! They all seem intriguing and worthy of serious consideration! I really enjoyed this new exposure to unfamiliar products and companies. It’s a GREAT time to be an audiophile!!! 👍🏼

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Bob. That is great feedback 😊👍

[@avro66]

Hi tarun, great choice of amplifiers tonight, ive had some great musical fidelity integrated amps over the years, the A1 was my first, also had a rotel michi, amp back in the 80,90s, sugden also make great integrated amps, had plenty of cyrus amps as well, ive never really had the room for pre power amps in my RAF Days, so integrated suited me best, after leaving the RAF ive had some great pre power amps, solid state and valve based, hope to see another review soon, keep up the good work, your chanel is a breath of fresh air in the hifi reviewing world.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. You have had some great amps over the years 😊👍

[@avro66]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 I hate to think what ive spent over the last 40 years, probably could have bought a couple of nice cars with the money, needs must and all that, 😂

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@avro66 I suspect you have had more enjoyment out of the hifi gear 😊

[@avro66]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 without a doubt

[@avishaiankri]

what you liked most paul?

[@jos5067]

Hi Tarun, which one would you choose (without saying one is better than the other) ,the Accuphase E280, or the Sugden 50 you mentioned in this video? That would be great help! It’s all about your personal taste sound wise.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I would need to get the Sugden 50th Ann home before deciding 😊

[@jos5067]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thanks Tarun, unfortunately, there are not many reviews on the Internet about this amplifier, so it's a difficult choice to make...

[@ggmoumi8228]

Tarun, I think that to be an audiophile is to choose a system that you really like for yourself. Its so subjective !!! I have my vintage system (alchemist forseti amp, paradigm studio 80 speakers and Teac vrds 25 cd player) which wins every time for every song for me. I heard a lot of other new systems, like hegel with focals, atc, B&W...but my vintage system is the best for me. I think that its more important to find new music than new gear....congrats for your channel...:) ...good idea to make a video vintage vs new....what have changed???

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you GG 😊

[@serloinoflamm1119]

Agree with you on the Musical Fidelity. Been a loyal fan since I bought the A1 back in the 80’s. Now running the Nu-Vista 800 with Kef Reference 5’s (fed by a PS Audio DS dac) and the sound is amazing. But if I had to choose any other amp, it would be a Sugden.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Th am you for watching and sharing my friend 😊

[@bburkie55]

I own a Musical Fidelity amp. Their entry level M2si. I absolutely love it.

[@markmcfeaters9116]

Nice set up. That I'm sure sounds incredibly amazing... My set up is awesome for me. My breakdown. Nad m17 V2 master series processor. Musical fidelity M6 series 5 channel amp. Bowers n Wilkins speakers 🔊 Front= 702S2. Center= 705S2 paired together for the center channel. Rear= 705S2 For home theater SVS PB3000 subwoofers. This sounds amazing in stereo and home theater.

[@lonniefarmer7067]

Thanks, these are amps I enjoy!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@TheChrisleekay]

I really like Ian!! Not at all arrogant or preachy!! He knows a lot but he knows there's still more to learn! Sign of an intelligent person!! :)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Chris. He is a great guy 😊👍

[@toneswinger]

I was considering buying the spendor d9 the two amps I am considering is the edge a or tucana anniversary which one would be better

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I haven’t tried that combo 😊

[@markmcfeaters9116]

Great video guys. Im a fan of Musical Fidelity and user of 1. My system breakdown.. Nad m17 V2 master series processor. Musical fidelity M6 series 5 channel amp. Bowers n Wilkins speakers 🔊 Front= 702S2. Center= 705S2 paired together for the center channel. Rear= 705S2 For home theater SVS PB3000 subwoofers. This sounds amazing in stereo and home theater.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 👍

[@truman4956]

Which of these integrated amps would be a good combination with Q Acoustics Concept 500 speakers?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

It will depend on taste 😊

[@jazzlouise]

Really enjoyed theses reviews for amplifiers that aren't on the "popular" list.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@fattnersgeekfile5478]

any reviews coming dwn the pipe in musical fidelity M5 si series ?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I hope to sometime 😊

[@markphilpot8734]

Maybe you could do a review on Cyris and Sugden. Those would be the gear. What about a ProAc review. See if the new stuff can compete with your pair. You know their sound. It was fun to hear about other gear you didn’t get to review. This hobby can be frustrating, but it more than makes up for it in the joy it brings to the owner/listener. Cheers Tarun! Stay safe my mates!😊👍🏻😁

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I hope to review more Cyrus and Sugden gear. Unfortunately, ProAc declined to send me products to review 😊

[@ianjones487]

As you use Proac speakers as benchmark in a lot of your reviews Tarun if find that a very strange decision on their part maybe they haven't seen your videos

[@shanestephenson8423]

Loved it, Loved it, Loved it...... I've had the S5 Poweramp and loved that, unbelievable power and grip. Why stop the Tarun you should have an all in best integrated amplifier wrap up as well. A scare the pants off the bank manager category😂😂😂

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Shane. I don’t think Ian will be up for it but I think it would be cool to do 😎👍

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

Which one of these amps do you think would be a good match for Falcon ls3/5a Golf Badge?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Depends on what sound you are after 😊

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

​@@abritishaudiophile7314I guess, everything 😂.

[@willmac5642]

Have Cyrus released any BluOS combined products yet? Looking forward to these

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I will be checking them out 😊

[@manuzach]

Hi Tarun! Curious if a Schiit tyr review is on the horizon

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I hope to review some Schiit gear when the schedule clears 😊

[@elkartian]

I have the huge Musical Fidelity A1001 Class A Super integrated amp driving Ruark Accolade loudspeakers,Linn Sondek Ittok Audio Tecnica OC9 moving coil, Roksan Caspian M2 cd player,I also have the Zen ifi Bluetooth streamer.I haven't found anything else that compares ,I relegated my Quad 67 cd 66/606 Amps and KEF 104'2s to the spare room

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

That is great 😊

[@mwalker2496]

Interesting discussion Tarun. Surprised no Accuphase at this level. Too high end?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

No, I haven’t had much recent experience with Accuphase. It isn’t easily available here 😊

[@markusschulzbro]

Nice video. Please do Cyrus review :)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. I hope to do just that 😊

[@MiljenMaletin1212977]

My choice is Pass INT 250. Great amp for the price, superb build quality, huge amount of power and legendary Nelson Pass engeneering genius. Musical, muscular, and pure A class in the firts 25W of amplification.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool 😎 thank you for sharing 😊

[@morespinach9832]

Runs very hot. At that range Accuphase, or Luxman, or Hegel 390/590.

[@MiljenMaletin1212977]

@@morespinach9832 hot yes, but I woulldn’t say it’s unbearable. Around 20-25 degrees more than the environment. It never feels like it’s warming up the room.

[@alanmartinez4177]

Many people say this is their favorite integrated and so I concur that there is something special about it

[@carlitomelon4610]

Glad to hear that Mu-Fi are still on the radar after they sold to Pro-Ject. 🎶🙂🎶

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Carlito 😊

[@ondrejzita7442]

Great video as always. Many thanks for that! So many choices for our ears :-). Cambridge Edge A was my original choice to replace CA 851A. But then I had the opportunity to try Simaudio Moon 340i D3PX integrated. I fell in love with it and bought it. I would like to hear your review about any of Moon's amps in the future.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. I appreciate the suggestion 😊

[@matthewtieman8842]

Where in the US can one buy a Sugden? I found one dealer in OH, but that's it.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I would email Sugden 😊

[@scottcarlon6318]

Tarun have you auditioned the Anthem STR integrated amplifier, I like it a-lot, lots of power and features.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I haven’t 😊

[@keithbertschin1213]

Great to see Cambridge Edge A get some love. Despite the profile of the company, the Edge series feels almost entirely ignored

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I hope to check it out someday 😊

[@frostycanada6404]

Hello Tarun, an interesting and surprising choice of amplifiers. There’s literally a ton of make and models at the price point you both were talking about and they all sound great. I currently own that wonderful Sugden ANV50 with an all black (stealth) custom finish. Sugden touts a (mean time before failure) of 100 years on the power supply. Built like a tank and designed for longevity and reliability. Love it, Brian

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you Brian. You are a lucky man. I am hoping to review that amplifier find our just how good it is 😊

[@xstensl8823]

i have the Rega Brio and i am scratching my head, how can anything sound better? very happy with the Rega RS1 speakers and a NAD D1050 DAC. streamed the new Neil Young Live at Carnegie Hall via Roon.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

That is a nice amp 😊

[@Alex-io6ky]

love that Neil young concert and sound recording is top notch ..

[@TheChrisleekay]

Would love to hear a £3000++ amp! I've read in reviews that my Audreal XA6950 can compete with £3000 amps but I know £3000 is just a starting point for many manufacturers!!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for the heads up Chris 😊

[@benpit2762]

How about our favorite pre-amps next and perhaps our favorite pre-amp power amp matching combination? Favorite tube pre-amp with power amp tiers? Cheers!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank Ben. We are going to do speakers but I hope get around to doing that 😊

[@monsieurlehigh4912]

Tarun, I hope that you will someday come across a Symphonic Line RG 14 made by legendary German manufacturer Rolf Gemein. Your opinion about these beautiful integrated amplifiers would be super interesting. (British distributor is Ikon Audio Consultants.)

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for the heads up. I shall look into it 👍

[@TheDoctor46]

Tarun. Can pls compare between Denon PMA 110 vs Rotel Michi X3.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I hope to get to them in time 😊

[@TheDoctor46]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 🙏🏻 hope u can do complete comparison. Hard decision for me between those two.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗THANKS TARUN AND IAN … FOR A “ well-balanced “ …review of amplifiers we may dream 💭 about…but don’t dare to ever plan to have 😉 but it would be great if we have a friend that we can visit and enjoy them with a nice bottle of wine 🍷😍😍😍

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you buddy. Much appreciated 😊👍

[@phil393]

What amplifier would you recommend to someone that has a family,,, ie no money to spend on yourself to get one,or amp,cd player,tuner,i have eltax liberty 3+ speakers to play around with at thr moment, any ideas guys will be much appreciated.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I like the SMSL SA100 at lot. It is about £130 😊

[@phil393]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 hey there, thanks for that, wasnt expecting a reply from yourself, but its a bonus ,thank you, i really appreciate that, im hoping to build a decent setup for now or maybe itll be enough for me, seeing some of these amps,pre amps,speakers are gonna be just a pipe dream for me,. But someday aye.👍 thank you

[@phil393]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 and thats made by monacor yeah,

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

Phil..another option for you is to visit any hi-end stores 🏬 in your area and make friends with the owners/ managers and listen to their opinions and suggestions…that is what I did till…many years later I was able to build my current system and we are still friends to this day 🤗😍😍😍

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461 that is great advice 😊

[@gmamou6862]

anyone has compared Michi x3 to marantz ruby/pm10?

[@thepickyaudiophile]

Oh yes, the Rega Aethos is Amazing ❤️

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool 😎 if Rega change their policy about not sending products to KZbin reviewers, I hope to review it someday 😊

[@mihai6976]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 lol, do they actually do that? I wonder what’s the reason behind it, since they do pretty good amps

[@faludabutt8253]

I think Luxman 590 class A is a real contender. It has tone controls & ability to chose between 2 pair of speakers. In terms of warmth, it might surpass all the above mentioned pieces.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I hope to review some Luxman gear sometime 😊

[@juanmillaruelo7647]

Nuvistors were very low noise. Tuner makers often used them in the "front end" handling weak RF signsls.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool 😎 thank you for sharing 😊

[@broadhurst5000]

Hey got any reccos for good hifi electronic tracks?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Daft Punk, Kraftwork, Ghost Rider 😊

[@plasticpenguin1]

Two of my favourite expensive amps are: Luxman L-509 with Wilson Benecsh Discovery speakers = Awesome. (Love dancing VU wattage meters) Leema Tucana MK2 with Dali Epicon speakers = mind blowing for the price. (Drums fingers on chin). Both way out of my pay grade

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thanks Richard 🙂

[@hoobsgroove]

why does nobody mentioned dnm design, they make some outstanding amplifiers and offer customers upgradeable path. have you had any experience, any chance getting some in Tarun.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Not that I recall in recent memory. Thanks for the heads up 😊

[@hoobsgroove]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 they are the company who invented the split foil capacitor. check them out I'm sure they send you a demo peace. 🥰

[@howardskeivys4184]

Interestingly enough, I quite recently auditioned the Rega Aethos. It is, with out doubt, a superb integrated amp. But then, I’m bias. The Rega Elicit had been the beating heart of my hifi rig for the last 30 years. I recently sent my 30 year old Rega back to the manufacturer to undergo a full service. When it came back my local Audio T let me blind test it against the Aethos. Considering the Aethos retails at almost twice the price of the Elicit, I had to listen very hard to notice any difference. It wasn’t until we tried both amps on more difficult to drive speakers that the Aethos demonstrated better grip and control. Even the guys at Audio T were shocked at how close the 2 amps were.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing Howard 😊

[@mauricecuffee7220]

With Bluetooth you can stream to the Michi X3. It is amazing. HOWEVER, with the Hifi Rose 250 and the Denafrips Pontus II it is bad ass!!!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊

[@billywindsock9597]

Having heard a few stupid expensive amplifiers when looking for my forever amp, I got the “stupid grin” moment. I know exactly what you mean.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

It can get a bit silly. Thank you for watching 😊

[@xstensl8823]

did you try some large orchestral pieces? small chamber works? with the Rotel? rock is great but it's Classical music that separates the boys from the men

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@warfam_clan6933]

Some really nice gear on this episode, Tarun. I have just taken delivery here in the UK of the Willsenton r800i 805/300b tube amplifier. I also had the r8. This amp cost approx £2600 including delivery and import from China HiFi. This baby performs way above its price point and is a stunning partner to my Tannoy xt8F speakers. It is definitely one of the best amplifiers I have personally heard and produces a performance that I find difficult to fault. I would love to see how the r800i stacks up against some of the gear you have spoken about in this episode. I have a feeling that it may throw a huge spanner in the works!

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing. I am hoping to review it 😊

[@derekmarinelli874]

Tarun, time for a Cyrus review, if only they were brave enough to hand one over for a UK You Tube review.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I have reviewed the Cast one and hope to review more 😊

[@thomasbrice8884]

Despite Cyrus being burnt into my mind permanetely from reading What HiFi growing up, I'm glad to finally actually be owning the Cyrus 82 DAC and CDi. Both amazing for their price point especially the CD player

[@user-hu4ez6ew2q]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 Hello 👋 Mr. Tarun. Mr. Tarun this old man absolutely no professional. Perhaps He can only write 📝 articles in a magazine. Michi X3 and S5 catastrophic cheaply and bad made, have only biggest capacitors, which kills sound signal. Rega have beautiful design, but very primitive circuit design, bad made. Cambridge Audio all time made beautiful amplifiers, but have very stupid circuit design. Nu-Vista (Music Fidelity amp.), have big power, but for own price have very rude sound. Sudgen same made very primitive and extremely cheaply. This Man remembered about big quantity primitive amplifiers, but forget about one great English amplifiers. England made for all own history one really great integrated amplifier - Leema Tucana II Anniversary Edition. Leema Tucana II Anniversary Edition have sound much better than all Cambridge Edge amplifiers and Music Fidelity amplifiers.. Mr. Tarun., and specifically for you - today best affordable amplifiers next - Music Hall a30.3 and Indiana line Puro 800. (price level 800 Euro). Unfortunaly Music Hall a70.2 today out of production. Music Hall a70.2 great amplifier, which have amazing circuit design, unique for own price,but today out of production. Music Hall a70.2 absolutely champion amplifier for 1500-2000 euro price. But because it doesn't exist. For 1000-1500 Euro very good amplifier Magnat MA-900 and Atoll 200.

[@neilparry14]

I listened to a Cyrus CDI-XR a couple of weeks ago, totally blew me away. I’ve not heard a CD player that good before! On my shortlist with the i9-XR amp.

[@deantaylor1512]

@@neilparry14 if your set on that amp why not get the matching cd transport..it will definitely sound better.. you will have a top dac in that amp …

[@taylorfusion]

My experience with Schiit Audio was abysmal so I’ll check another one of your reviews for a killer amp for 96db Tektons

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

That is a shame. I hope to review some Schitt gear 😊

[@LesleyWesleyPresley1]

Just ordered the Edge W to paid with Lumin T2. Expecting big things ❤

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool 😎

[@LesleyWesleyPresley1]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 so unapologetically cool

[@chrisbailey2471]

Tarun you rearly should try the perreaux amps they are amazing.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool. Thank you for the heads up 👍

[@michaelbuchan451]

Anyone paired Sugden class A with Neat speakers?

[@bhupendraparekh6225]

Some great amps here, if I had a money tree, would probably (demo required) go for a lavardin IT. We could wish.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you. I doubt I will be spending circa £5k on an another amp anytime soon either 😊

[@danielesbordone1871]

I think the Michi blows everything away , even the Trilogy at triple the price.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool 😎 I hope to find out for myself 😊

[@morespinach9832]

Hegel Or Naim.. but the "high end" isn't complete without Luxman, Hegel and Accuphase in there.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

We are lucky to have so many good choices 😊

[@jaredpmoser]

No Hegel?

[@hankgorman2722]

c•100s-2-channel-stereo-amplifier Channel Islands Audio has anyone tried this amp?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

I haven’t 😊

[@AudioFlat]

Trilogy used to be much more competitively priced but, some years ago, they made the decision to use a distributor rather than sell directly to shops (as most U.K. manufacturers do). Inserting a distributor into the sales chain meant that prices more than doubled over night and instantly rendered them poor value.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Interesting. I would like to review it sometime and find out really how good it is 😊

[@AudioFlat]

@@abritishaudiophile7314, the last time I heard Trilogy amps they had just released some new pre-power - both hybrid designs and very nicely built. Sound quality really stood out, great flow, dynamic shading and sound stage - really very transparent.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@AudioFlat the 925 integrated did sound might impressive in the demo but I would have to get it home to tell for sure 😊

[@henriksrensen3220]

You could also add the Gryphon Diablo 120 amplifier. One of the very best in the price class. (10000£) To me it's even better than it's bigger brother the Diablo 300, some reviewers think the same. The 120 is definitely sweeter sounding than the Diablo 300.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool 😎 I hope to review it sometime 😊

[@divertiti]

Where is Gryphon, CH Precision, VAC, Boulder, Pilium?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

There are many good brands. We just shared the ones that I pressed us without going into stratospheric prices (Trilogy excluded).

[@andreasmoller9798]

Hegel h390 is on my list to drive b&w 702 s2. Have Hegel h190 at the moment But the crave for more power

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Cool 😎 please let me know how you get on 😊

[@andreasmoller9798]

@@abritishaudiophile7314 thanks enjoying your videos, is there a chance you would be reviewing the h390

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

@@andreasmoller9798 I hope to get to it at some point 😊

[@rhwinner]

Cheap is whatever you can easily afford. Expensive is the most you can afford. And unaffordable is whatever is beyond your means. ☺️

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Agreed 😊

[@oohtob6685]

Im surprised you didn't have a Hegel in there Tarun.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Hegel makes some great products for those who want a good integrated DAC and basic streamer. However , in pure fidelity terms there are more purist solutions out there that can sound better 😊

[@paulomontero12]

Hegel should be on your list no?

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Almost 😉

[@Labor_Jones]

*My Question is:* _HOW DID MUSIC EQUIPMENT BECOME 20X TIMES MORE EXPENSIVE since the 1970s in order to get REAL QUALITY?_ & I really like this format for some of your shows and illuminates items or even economic changes..., leading to examination. - I'm a NERD!

[@billiondollarbaby3276]

Actually if you factor in INFLATION over the past 50 years you actually paid MORE back in the 70's for the TOTL Monster Receivers than the gear featured here.

[@circattle]

Personally, I think the inclusion of DACs in integrated amps has muddied the waters. The Sugden is line level only, doesn't even have a phono stage and it's in the same shootout here with Integrateds that have phono stages and complex digital audio inputs. What is "better" for the same price? In my opinion, it would have to be the amplifier with no additional digital circuitry - there has to be compromise somewhere as you ladle in more features.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you guys 😊

[@ENGLISHISBEST]

Hmm. In the 70s aged 17 I paid £30 for my first record player from woolworths where I worked along with an Al Green album that I played to death. At today's rate with your calculation that deck would be worth around £600 today, which it's wouldn't be. I could probably pick up a record player integrated like I had now for around £90. So it's not all that bad & the tech is better now. I do think more homework is now done on the tech side & electronics are smaller & smarter. So maybe it's not so bad today. By the way I still have that Al Green plus more of his in many formats sounding so much better. I also think years ago much hifi was surround in teak wood (awful).

[@Labor_Jones]

@@ENGLISHISBEST like I said high quality, but I got a Sansui 4500 quad near 50 pounds weight new for $250... 1973, but what I've heard reviewed for the last several years is that kind of Quality would be over $5,000 to $8,000. I bought a lot of records at woolworths in texas where I was a kid and teen. ... lot of stores on the border selling cut out back then. I sometimes got as many as 10 for $1. I had every single Stones album that way and so much more. I had an AR Turntable $100 bucks 1969 that could on most days compete today with $500 buck TTables.... thats' like 5x Times more expensive. It doesn't matter currently since the COST of PARTS are high because the owner and the distributor and grocery store are all the same company.... Their tricks make them BILLIONS. seems that way to me anyway. THANKS.

[@AudioFlat]

I’ve not heard the current Michi amps but I remember their predecessors. As said by your friend they were beautifully built but produced quite a cerebral type of sound that had good detail and delicacy but dynamic was not the best.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@AudioFlat]

@@abritishaudiophile7314, I should add that the pre-amp (it was a pre-power combo) was a passive design (they hadn’t quite caught on then in the way they have since) and that may well have been the reason for the lack of dynamics. Unfortunately, I never heard the two units in isolation.

[@connorduke4619]

That all changed after Marantz legend Ken Ishiwata moved across and worked for Rotel before he passed away. He taught them how to create bass dynamics, solving the one weakness they had. And now Rotel has taken over the mantle from Marantz if producing the best integrated amplifiers in the world.

[@richardcarden4161]

Audio Research has the most accurate and smooth sound.

[@abritishaudiophile7314]

Thank you 😊