Atoll IN300 Review - The only Amplifier you will ever need?

[@mortimersnerd1348]

Bought this unit on the used market here in Canada about 6 months ago. It looks great and sounds great with the rest of my rig. I love the fact that it doesn't come stuffed with a bunch of features I would never use. I couldn't be happier.

[@ajithchandrakumara]

how much was the price, where did you buy?

[@mortimersnerd1348]

@@ajithchandrakumara Here in Canada the IN300 sells for $5000. I picked it up on CanuckAudioMart for $3000. Great buy. It will likely be my final purchase for an integrated amp. "End Game" as they say.

[@mortimersnerd1348]

Update: until now I was driving very old PSB Alpha speakers with this amp @ 8ohm load. I just received a new set of speakers from Arendal, the 1723 Monitor S speakers which are rated at 4ohms. The soundstage is fuller, richer and the bass is more articulate. So far the synergy is working properly. Very happy with my purchases.

[@johnsimpson8187]

I have owned the Atoll IN300 for a year and a half and I love it more each day. My external DAC recently died and I started using the internal Atoll DAC and I love it also. I do not play record so I have not tried the phono amp. I use the pre-outs to drive sub woofers. Allow time for break-in when it is new and you will be rewarded as time goes by.

[@Hysteric2006]

I own the bigger brother to this amp IN400SE and can say it is a beast. Absolutely love it. Perfect sound for my taste and plenty of power under the bonnet. I took the plunge and glad I did. Coming from the Rega Aethos which in its own right is a good amp the IN400SE has it beaten. Separates the instruments so well and with out any hard edges or fatigue. Also the bass is amazing and the Aethos was no slouch when it came to the bass. Anyway, very happy 😊

[@johntucker5994]

How does the IN400SE compare to the Rega Atheos in terms of naturalness of sound, meaning how true to life the vocals and instruments sound?

[@Hysteric2006]

@@johntucker5994 I think the biggest difference between the two is the way they sort and separate the instruments. Sound signature is pretty similar, the Atoll has a little more bottom end value. The Atoll just separates the instruments with ease and at high volumes if you wish to pump it. The Aethos is great up until a certain volume and then it’s starts to get messy and a little edgy in the sound.

[@johntucker5994]

@@Hysteric2006 Thanks! That helps!

[@calumk]

Would you go for the Aethos or IN300? (Currently my dilemma as the IN400 is out of my reach). Any help greatly appreciated!😊

[@Anatatto]

There is a new IN300 Evolution ​@@calumk

[@carminedesanto6746]

It looks like a nicely built unit..a d with a great power supply!👍

[@AntoninPassemardPaintings]

I love the in300. To best it you could go separate with a preamp pr300 and 2 monoblocks am200. It is amazing... and it is almost the same price.

[@ronellis1894]

Hi Phil As a subscriber, good to meet up with you briefly in Cranage on Saturday. I was the guy with the Rega t shirt (Not from Rega, but available online, and I also have a Linn one from the same company!) Interesting stuff at the show, and as I mentioned to you, impressed by how engaging the budget Rega set up was in the 'starter system' room, for those wishing to get an audio set up, fit and forget, and not worry about upgrading. If I'd done that, would have saved a fortune, but still appreciate the difference provided by my Klimax level Linn LP12, plus Aethos, plus PMC twenty five23i speakers. Hope to hear your take on which of the rooms were the most successful in your opinion. Oddly didn't like the `Cyrus demo, but it could have been the poor streamed source. Really enjoyed the direct cut demonstration in the Chasing the Dragon room. Did you manage to hear that demonstration? regards. R

[@PanAmStyle]

I agree about the silver - much nicer than the black. I bought the IN100 in silver.

[@elkartian]

Im sticking with my Rega Atheos amplifier, absolutely love it

[@xstensl8823]

love my Elex 4, end game. i would however love to visit your shop next time in the UK

[@Hysteric2006]

I can say I went from the Aethos to the IN400se and prefer the Atoll but the Aethos is still an awesome amp for sure.👍

[@timothytester1673]

A couple of things to clarify; the Aethos does not have a phono stage. The in300 does have an internal dac(which is very good) but can be bought without the dac. They also offer an mm and an mm/mc phono board for silly cheap. I run my lp12 through it and it's really good value. The 400 and 300 both now replaced by what they're calling the Evolution range. I live in France, so I speak of french market. Price here in euros matches or betters uk pounds price so very good value here. I run an in200 signature with dac and phono installed. I really like it. Replaced my Rega Elicit.

[@timschutte3961]

Heard a few amps in a battle and my most liked where the Advance Paris A12 at nr 1 and Atoll IN300 2nd all others where obsolete.

[@dougg1075]

Love the look.

[@snarf4058]

I love mine. Demoed against a Sugden A21 and Exposure 3510. The IN300 won out. All the amps were very good. I originally wanted the Exposure or Sugden but Exposure was a little bit fatiguing and the A21 couldn't quite push my speakers to that "balls out metal apocalypse" spot that i sometimes want. Definitely try them all to see which you prefer, all great choices. I don't use the DAC, i have an Audiolab 9000N streamer\DAC for that, and a Classic Audio MM Pro phono. ProAc D2R speakers. Technics 1210GR2 TT. Can;t see myself replacing any component.

[@kevinwilson598]

Been waiting for the signature 400 to come out which is in about 2 weeks time

[@teobrousalis575]

demo sound test please !!!!

[@ilianstoimenov6619]

Everything is optional wit Atoll, base model comes without dac or phono. They have 2 different boards for dac and 2 for phono that are sold separately. The larger dac was pre-mounted here.

[@wikdwizz]

What is your take between Atoll and Exposure for an amp?

[@tessie4204]

Is this the new "Atoll IN300 Evolution" amplifier or the old signature range?

[@teobrousalis575]

Atoll sda 300 is the same ???

[@ianjones1034]

How does the Atoll in300 and the Atoll dr200 compare with the Atoll in300 and the Atoll cd 200 ?

[@Romulus980]

Would this Atoll IN300 be quality enough to match with ATC SCM11, 19 & 40...?

[@justinparkman3585]

The outboard dac would be hand to connect the tv

[@MrSidMuff]

Phil, driving 3.6R Maggie's?

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Two 440va transformers? 😮 Son of Ampzilla II w 1.7is & 20.7s 350w@4ohms, 2kw toroidal 100k uF, 24 power transistors Now Coda Ts v3 800w@4ohms

[@Staybrown11]

I owned that amplifier when I got into Hifi. It’s supper soft sound. It was lovely sound. It’s the opposite of sharp sounds like Yamaha as int amps. For those looking for a soft sound that allows you to put you to sleep-this is the amp for you.

[@jmtennapel]

Yamaha sharp? Well, it is a lot, but sharp Yamaha ain't. Yamaha is leaner sounding with neutral tonality, where Atoll is dark sounding and a bit rolled off. Soft sounding? Maybe with the wrong speaker combination. Lovely with Neat speakers. Both Yamaha and Atoll have one thing in common: big transformers. Stable and capable to give current when needed.

[@Staybrown11]

@@jmtennapel in comparison Yamaha has sharp tonal quality that make brass and guitar instruments sound “real” compared to the Atoll. So yea you described the differences quite well and as I remember the Atoll. One important quality to point out is that the Atoll has quite a sensitive transformer that will buzz like a rabid honey bagger if you don’t have your power outlets up to standard.

[@justasimplefox]

You can make it even better by changing some parts like capacitors, resistors..they are quite basic from the factory 😊

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Start w HUGE power supply Two 440va transformers? Coda has 3kw toroidal 😮 80k uF, 40 Motorola BJT

[@justasimplefox]

Changed all 6800 to 10000uF Mundorf caps, all resistors to Ohmite Gold and all other caps to Panasonic, changed brass speaker connectors to pure copper ones 👍🏻

[@richardsinger01]

​@@justasimplefoxdoesn't the inrush current blow the fuse?

[@justasimplefox]

@@richardsinger01 No problem with the fuse(s) 😊

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

Can I get one of your mugs please Cheshire audio

[@Coneman3]

He shud sell them innit

[@andrewlittleboy8532]

They’re on his website

[@Coneman3]

Always prefer separate preamp and power amp(s)

[@davidchingching167]

Waiting for the IN200 review.

[@jasonme3557]

right. The architecture is the same can't be too different. But I am in the same corner.

[@kolapinne]

i have an in200 to power my Larsen 6.2. and it sounds really nice, very good control of the speaker.

[@davroster]

Power: 150W 8Ω; 260W 4Ω.....not 300W then

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

I think I've seen the words "the only amplifier you'll ever need" and "end game amplifier" Said about 247 different amplifiers now.

[@dougg1075]

There can be a great many amps that are really all you ever need.

[@devaplan]

That can be true for many brands of amplifiers and other equipment. When you have been through the many years long process of upgrading or changing gear and you end up with something you are satisfied with then you do indeed have an "Endgame" system. Everyone's requirements and tastes are unique of course. One of the problems of being an audiophile is that you must go through this process before you can be sure that you have arrived at the end point. The industry business model is always to tempt people to change and spend money on "Upgrades" and "Redesigns". It has to do this to feed itself and survive. This can be part of the appeal of the hobby of course. Ebay is useful because you can buy used at a fraction of the new price and return it if you don't like it or its not a perceived improvement.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

@@devaplan There is no end to this game, we're all hamsters on wheels chasing our own shadow

[@pauldavies6037]

Should be good driving Magnapans if Ok on 4ohms more power still

[@CarlVanDoren61]

BS Node N130 w REAL amplifier 😮

[@TrueAudio]

Class AB, 150 Watts @ 8 Ohms, BANDWIDTH: 5 Hz to 100 kHz. Warning: NO HDMI ARC. $5,500.00 CAD$

[@CheekyFest]

do i hear a cat?

[@xcvbxcvb2179]

My cat reacted 😂

[@onlyhumblehuman]

So hard to understand.

[@Carl-yx1ww]

Waffles on doesn't he mate 😂 I told him b4 and got banned .

[@edwardgonczy3170]

No phono and not even an optional one? Thumbs down. Enthusiasts, my a**. At least Naim has come back around and has a phono stage even Nait 3.

[@pietrozagato3107]

Optional phono card, P50 MM cartridge, P100 MM, MC cartridge.

[@edwardgonczy3170]

@@pietrozagato3107 My bad. But why doesn't Stereo Phil at least make us aware of these options?

[@TrueAudio]

@@pietrozagato3107 how much CAD$ ?

[@pietrozagato3107]

​@@TrueAudioIn Europe they have a price around €100-130.

[@TrueAudio]

@@pietrozagato3107 well that doesn't make any sense at all - €100-130 is 30x times less than the cost in Oh Canada. In any country, no HDMI ACR, at all.

[@davidcarr2216]

"Well, you put this Atoll IN300 on , and it does this, and sounds like this, and makes your Pinlk Floyd sound better ....But if you put that Rega Atheos on , it does that, and sounds like that, and makes your Dire Straits sound better" All is well in the BS land of HiFi. How about it's not supposed to do any of that Keep drinking the HiFi Phool Aide guys.

[@Romulus980]

Let me guess you did not get any jam when you were growing up😉

[@davidcarr2216]

You mean like “Going Underground”

[@flash4973]

What do you use bro ?

[@Z4d0k]

No HDMI ARC? No thanks.

[@Yiannis2112]

The IN300 Is an old model. Goes back to 2017.

[@Z4d0k]

@@Yiannis2112 oh okay, that makes sense. I just like flexibility with my devices and appreciate any extra input I can get.

[@Yiannis2112]

@@Z4d0k Well yes of course. All of us do like variety of connections, cause it adds to the longevity and future relevance of the product. This amp is not any longer the last word in this. But its a monster of an amp with a very good digital section still, in '24. What I didnt like about this review, is that he didn't mention, its a seven year old amp. Why was that? Was it because he sells them? He said he sold 40-50 black ones and a couple silvers. Made me sceptical as to what the motive was.

[@NSWO4642]

@@Yiannis2112 That has nothing to do with it, that is Atoll's philosophy. However, I could imagine that an update of a DigiBoard could include an HDMi Arc.

[@michaelbooth6007]

Under priced for the money? Ha Ha Ha!

[@johnsmith-i5j7i]

Where's room correction, subwoofer out, high pass? Features a stereo amp is useful to have.

[@jonathandavis9507]

@@johnsmith-i5j7iThat’s better suited for home theater receivers.

[@dazaaw]

What’s it sound capabilities..! Strengths and weaknesses, what music does it excel with it and how well does it image..?

[@jmtennapel]

@@johnsmith-i5j7i Stuff you don't want in an amplifier of this class.

[@PanAmStyle]

@@dazaawGo listen to it. I have the IN100, which is excellent, though not as good as the 300.

[@Coneman3]

Me thinks Phil is getting carried away again…best ….only one you’ll ever need.

[@Abefroman-lq3md]

Not very good😊