Pre/Power Amplifiers

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Review: Mark Craven, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jul 21, 2025  |  First Published: Jul 01, 2025
hfnoutstandingFirst rung on Pass Labs’ ‘XA’ series of Class A amplifiers is a stereo model weighing in at a full 40kg, but don’t let the seemingly parsimonious 30W rating fool you – this is a beast!

In this era of all-in-one amplifiers and ‘crossover’ products, where even a tube amp might come to market with a built-in USB DAC, there’s something refreshing about Californian brand Pass Labs. Now approaching 35 years in business and named after founder and chief designer Nelson Pass (also the man behind Threshold in the 1970s), the company has long been known for its focus on frill-free, performance-first designs.

Review: Tim Jarman, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jul 20, 2025  |  First Published: Jul 01, 2025
hfnvintageThe genius combination of red Perspex and black alloy heatsinking ensured the late Neil Burnett’s Albarry Music brand brought a welcome splash of colour to the ’80s hi-fi scene

Whatever else can be said about Albarry Music’s amplifiers, they looked fantastic – products that proudly had their works on show, but done with consummate grace and restraint. The M408 was the first amplifier from Albarry, one of many boutique firms that sprang up in the early 1980s in reaction to the mass-produced ranges from Europe and Japan.

Review: Jamie Biesemans, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jul 02, 2025  |  First Published: Jun 01, 2025
hfnoutstandingWith a CD transport, network streamer and integrated amp already launched, Audiolab’s top-tier 9000 series is now made complete with this partnering pre/power amp combo

Since its debut in 2022, and with models introduced on a piecemeal basis, Audiolab’s 9000 series has sought to offer improved performance and specification above the company’s already popular 6000 and 8000 ranges. And now, with the launch of the 9000Q preamplifier/DAC and 9000P power amplifier, the family is truly complete.

Review: Andrew Everard, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jun 30, 2025  |  First Published: Jun 01, 2025
hfnoutstandingNo off-the-shelf chips for Holland’s Grimm Audio as the networking and custom code of the MU1 music server are joined by a Roon-equipped DAC/preamp in the same chassis

Network players have the potential to be a great leveller for ‘family listening’ outside of the exclusive audiophile world. It’s even possible that younger music fans will discover the joys of sitting and listening via a proper hi-fi system. Of course, that means everyone getting to grips with streaming music from internal storage or Tidal and Qobuz, putting together the odd personal playlist, and even routing the TV sound through the system.

Review: Mark Craven, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jun 28, 2025  |  First Published: Jun 01, 2025
hfnoutstandingNovel thinking is in generous supply inside this line-only preamp with its high capacity PSU, transformer-coupled four-tube audio circuit and 140-step, remote volume control

Balanced Audio Technology, otherwise known as BAT, doesn’t beat about the bush when it comes to its audio philosophy. The main page on the US manufacturer’s website lists core principles, all of which have an engineering bent: ‘balanced is best’, ‘dual-mono construction maximises performance’, and ‘zero global feedback achieves natural sound’. All three of these are at play in the company’s VK-90 preamp.

Review: Jamie Biesemans, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jun 06, 2025  |  First Published: May 01, 2025
hfnoutstandingWith its macho industrial design, large touchscreen interface, fibre network connection and cutting-edge digital technology, Eversolo’s flagship streamer/preamp raises the bar

Eversolo’s DMP-A8 was an indication of the Chinese brand’s ambition to progress beyond affordable but very capable DACs and streamers into ‘real’ hi-fi territory. The DMP-A10, which ratchets up both features and finish, is the next step. It’s also Eversolo’s first full-sized component, alongside a new AMP-F10 power amplifier that’s clearly been designed to be a perfect visual match.

Review: Ken Kessler, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jun 04, 2025  |  First Published: May 01, 2025
hfnoutstandingHere’s a traditional triode tube amplifier with a modern twist as Manley’s evergreen Neo-Classic 300B proves there’s more than enough power to energise your music

Are you the hands-on type who finds most power amps a bit boring because all they have is an on/off switch? Manley Laboratories’ Neo-Classic SE/PP 300B monoblock (£13,699 per pair) is the opposite: it lets you fine-tune the sound by fine-tuning the applied feedback.

Review: Andrew Everard, Lab: Paul Miller  |  May 28, 2025  |  First Published: Nov 01, 2024
hfnoutstandingThe latest iteration of Auralic’s streamer/DAC boasts a new generation of the Tesla platform at its core, and an updated version of its ‘Lightning’ operating system

Almost as tricky as keeping up to speed with Taylor Swift releases is staying abreast of the range offered by network audio specialists, Auralic. Wrestling with the products’ naming and respective functionality can also be less than straightforward... The Altair G2.2 is the latest version of the company’s streamer/DAC, designed to be used into a conventional preamp, or direct into power amplification or active speakers via its analogue volume control.

Review: Jamie Biesemans  |  May 28, 2025  |  First Published: Nov 01, 2024
hfnedchoice Produced under the watchful eye of Monitor Audio, Blok’s modular ‘hi-fi furniture’ combines acoustic engineering with contemporary design.

As the EISA Awards jury noted this year [HFN Oct ’24], AV furniture is ‘often overlooked… but has a crucial part to play’. Monitor Audio would agree, and having acquired Blok in 2019, it has launched a redesigned Stax 2G system this summer. Retaining its predecessor’s wooden box-like supports and full-width shelves, the improved modular form-factor promises to be easier to configure and assemble.

Review: Andrew Everard, Lab: Paul Miller  |  May 27, 2025  |  First Published: Nov 01, 2024
hfnoutstandingOnce again there’s nothing fishy about this innovative Dutch brand’s latest catch – a reference-quality stereo Class D amplifier netted into the Kaluga’s mono chassis

Time, it seems, to forget all the stereotypes of high-output power amplifiers as massive devices that dim the lights when fired up and convert even the chilliest of spaces into a listening-room sauna. Instead, the £7299 Perca stereo power amp from Dutch manufacturer Mola Mola is just 215mm wide and 110mm tall, and weighs a mere 5.25kg, yet claims a stereo output of 150W/8ohm, doubling to 300W/4ohm.

Review: Andrew Everard, Lab: Paul Miller  |  May 02, 2025  |  First Published: Apr 01, 2025
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Debuted at the UK Hi-Fi Show Live 24, Audio Research’s new flagship monoblocks are not quite its most powerful ever, but are the first to feature the mighty KT170 output tubes

The latest arrival from US high-end brand Audio Research Corp., the Reference 330M monoblock amplifier (£92,000 per pair) may not quite be the most powerful amp the company has ever built, but by any standards a rated output of 330W – into 4ohm or 8ohm speaker loads – is going some for an amplifier using tube technology. Indeed, it will come as something of an eye-opener for those still subscribing to the belief that for the purity of the valve sound – or whatever else you consider to be the sonic traits of the genre – you must settle for low output power, and start looking for speakers of appropriately high sensitivity.

Review: Ken Kessler, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jan 31, 2025  |  First Published: Feb 01, 2025
hfncommendedBargains are something we like, so an all-valve pre/power combination for under £7000 is worthy of all our attention – say ‘hello’ to Fezz Audio’s Sagita Prestige and Titania

Baffled by its name, I assumed Polish manufacturer ‘Fezz’ took it from its distinctive toroidal transformer covers, which reflect the shape of the famous Moroccan hat if not the city itself. Here was a valve amplifier with the full complement of toroidal transformers – not all that common with tubes – but there’s even more novelty to the Sagita Prestige preamplifier (£3499) and Titania power amplifier (£3495). Eastern European price advantages are just the start.

Review: Mark Craven, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jan 29, 2025  |  First Published: Jan 01, 2025
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Long anticipated, Constellation’s series two amplifiers witness the transition from huge linear supplies to custom switchmode PSUs. Weight is slashed, and performance boosted

Californian amplifier specialist Constellation Audio isn’t one to regularly refresh its product catalogue, so when – after years of maintaining the same models – it begins a complete overhaul of its entire range, audiophile ears prick up. First to hit the market are the new Inspiration 2 and Revelation 2 series, with the latter’s stereo pre/power system being debuted at the UK Hi-Fi Show Live 2024. These will be followed by the Performance 2 and Reference 2, with the lineup then topped off by the flagship Statement amps first ‘teased’ in 2023 at the Munich High End show.

Review: Adam Smith, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jan 29, 2025  |  First Published: Dec 01, 2024
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A compact MOSFET amplifier module, designed in Denmark, is tickled-up with tech from ex-members of the Vertex AQ crew. So is this Quiescent unit a boutique barnstormer?

One of the annoyances of modern life is noise. Outside, our ears might be assaulted by traffic roar, construction clamour or roadworks cacophony, plus buzzing leaf blowers and lawn mowers. Indoors, however, it’s rather more subtle. The prevalence of wireless communications around the house, plus the switched-mode power supplies that run pretty much everything, mean the noise is electrical in nature – and more insidious. Enter the £21,900 T100SPA power amplifier from the aptly-named Quiescent, which aims not only to delight your ears, but also ensure this ever-present noise doesn’t get in the way of the music.

Review: Tim Jarman, Lab: Paul Miller  |  Jan 18, 2025  |  First Published: Dec 01, 2024
hfnvintageAvailable in two guises – with an integrated or pre/power amp – Aiwa’s system 30 is emblematic of an era when miniaturisation was in vogue. How does it stack up today?

The mini/micro system craze was one of the Japanese electronics industry’s last great flourishes of the 1970s. Aiwa joined with Technics, Toshiba (Aurex) and Mitsubishi in producing tiny equipment with the same (or better) performance than many full-sized units, the contention being that improved component miniaturisation meant large boxes were no longer needed.

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