Products

This Japanese manufacturer has a long history of making some of the most respected solid state amplifiers and CD players in the high-end business. Around the world, their equipment is used as references for others to be judged against. The sound for solid state design is very valve like in its presentation. A smooth tonal balance without any bloom, their products produce a very transparent and deep soundstage. Superb power supplies ensure superb dynamics and a realistic presentation of the rhythmic qualities of the music. The build quality is of a very high order which contributes to Accuphase's enviable reliability record.

The appearance is deliberately retro, with meters showing, and has a pale champagne anodised fascia panel. The amplifiers have tone controls and balance adjustment but all of these controls are eliminated from the audio circuit when not in use.

We are now demonstrating the remakable pre-power combination of the C-2000/A-30. This has an exceptionally holographic soundstage for its price point. The amplifier produces 30 watts of pure class A power - a truly beautiful sound. The pre-amplifier includes the latest Accuphase developed volume control based on tiny op-amplifiers.

We also have both the new E-350 and E-450 integrated amplifiers on permanent demonstration. Truely superb sound due to the upgraded circuits and speaker terminations.

Products on Demonstration

E-213 integrated amplifier 90wpc/8ohms £2450

E-350 integrated amplifier 100wpc/8ohms £3495 (pictured top)

E-450 integrated amplifier 180wpc/8ohms £4600 (pictured middle)

C-2000 Pre-amplifier £4400 (pictured bottom)

A-30 power amplifier - 30w Class A £3850 (pictured bottom)

Accuphase prices have been adjusted to reflect the current value of the pound. Please note that these prices may be subject to currency fluctuations.

Other products could be available. Please ring for details.

Accuphase website    Return to top of page

This US company manufacturers some of the finest solid-state amplification we have heard. Very smooth, open, transparent sound, on a par with the best valve amplification. All the products have true, fully balanced circuits and constructed on dual mono layouts. Fit and finish is exceptional at this price point. Competes with products up to 50% more expensive, a true audio bargain.

Products on Demonstration

AX-7 Integrated amplifier - 60wpc £2200 (pictured top)

K-5xe Pre-amplifier £2200 (pictured top)

V-5xe Power amplifier - 150wpc £3300 (pictured bottom)

K-1xe Pre-amplifier - seperate power supply/
choke regulation £5495

V-1 power amplifier - £6995

Other products could be available. Please ring for details.

Ayre website    Return to top of page

The new product from this well established manufacturer. It is a one-box solution to those that do not want a pre-power combination but without the compromise to sound that most integrated amplifiers have. A very high quality sound with the build quality to match.

Products on Demonstration

DI 150 integrated power amplifier - 180wpc £5550 (pictured)

Other products could be available. Please ring for details.

GamuT website    Return to top of page

This Swiss company is synonymous with making the world’s best professional portable recording equipment, both for audio and visual. They also make some of the finest sounding high-end audio replay equipment. Their design philosophy is based on valves but they also have parallel products with solid state circuitry. The build quality is to military standards with the pre-amplifiers in jewel-like machined case work. Internal circuitry utilises the shortest path possible philosophy and ensures the high level of quality for the signal.

The company is well known for its philosophy of ignoring any compromise on quality.

We are evaluating various products for our portfolio but if a certain item in their range is of interest please call.

Forget everything that you have read in the UK press about the Pyramid range of amplifiers. These are amongst the very best we have heard. Exceptionally transparent with a correct tonal balance. Partnered with the appropriate level of ancillary equipment these are a near bargain for the sound they offer.

Products on Demonstration

PL-L valve pre-amplifier £5650 (pictured top)

PMA Pyramid Mono amplifiers (pair) £6850 (pictured bottom)

Nagra prices have been adjusted to reflect the current value of the pound. Please note that these prices may be subject to currency fluctuations.

Nagra website    Return to top of page

This electronics manufacturer has been around for many years and is respected in the industry for making audio equipment of the ultimate quality and that many others use as a reference. Once heard, their sound and presentation is not easily forgotten. Their combinations of pre-amplifier and power amplifiers present the most transparent, holographic soundstages we have experienced, at any price point. The ultra wide band width, very high current design results in the resolution of the finest details and the most accurate imaging within that soundstage. The high-speed, ultra-fast settling circuitry produces a level of dynamics and grip that the amplifier can have on any speaker of quality. The overall resulting sound is then of a much higher level than would have previously thought possible through those same loudspeakers. With high quality recordings, and a commensurate level of ancillary components, it is the closest to a live experience as you can get from an audio system.

The Spectral pre-amplifiers offer tremendous performance and can transform the level of resolution of any system when partnered with other amplifiers. The DMC 30SL Reference pre-amplifier is probably the finest sounding pre-amplier we have heard even compared to many costing much more.

The DMC 15S Series 2 pre-amplifier is not very far behind in terms of sound quality and offers exceptional value albeit in a no compromise, manual operation configuration.

NEW PRODUCT ASSESSMENT - FIRST IMPRESSIONS

We have just received the new variant in the Spectral 30 series of pre-amplifiers. This is what we heard.

With a cold pre-amp, straight from the box, the DMC 30SS is incredible. After just one track, one realises that this is big step forward from the already pretty marvellous DMC 30SL. The transparency level is much improved; low level detail, particularly the harmonics of the instruments, comes across so clearly. Holography is increased and the focus is even more precise than before. The bass is tighter and more natural. Dynamics are there of course but seem more controlled. The lack of colouration is very noticeable, not that I would have considered the 30SL or any of the Spectral products “coloured” but this is much more “real”. I am wondering how much better can it possibly get with a bit of running-in! The new technology incorporated in their unique volume control and an improved power supply has certainly paid off. An early audition is recommended.

The new Spectral 160 amplifier is clearly an audiophile bargain. The transparency and the dynamic capabilities of this ampliers bring the sound normally associated with their more expensive products down to a more affordable price point. Partner it with the DMC-15 for a system costing under £10,000 or go almost state of the art by partnering it with the new DMC-30SS. With 40 amps of current delivery, this amplifier with get the best out of almost any speaker.

Because of the ultra wide band width, extending up to 5 MHz, and the incredible dynamic power of the amplification, it is highly recommended to use Spectral's ultra linear cables in order to realise the full potential of their systems. There are two ranges of cable - Foundation and Reference series - and these are very competitive in price to other well known high-end cables. We can suggest some less expensive alternatives that are known to work from the MIT range of cables (see our Cables and Accessories page) but there may be some loss in the ultimate performance capable from the amplification. If you have any queries about the suitability of your own cables, please contact us.

Products on Demonstration

DMC-30SS Gen 2 Reference Pre-amplifier - line only, remote, NEW MODEL £10850 (pictured top)

DMA 15S Generation 2 High Resolution Pre-amplifier - line only, manual operation £4800. (pictured middle)

DMA 100S Series 2 High Resolution compact amplifier £4800.

DMA-160 High Resolution Amplifier - NEW MODEL £6700 (pictured bottom)

Other products could be available. Please ring for details.

Spectral prices have been adjusted to reflect the current value of the pound. Please note that these prices may be subject to currency fluctuations.

Spectral Audio website    Return to top of page

The Aesthetix Calypso Line pre-amplifier has a sound so unlike most tube designs, it has to be heard. A very transparent sound, revealing the finest detail but without sounding analytical. A deep soundstage and a correct tonal balance with none of the usual “bloom” associated with some valve amplification. The internal design is dual mono and fully balanced. Each input has parallel XLR and RCA connectors. The build quality and features are exemplary and these alone could justify a higher price.

Products on Demonstration

Calypso Line pre-amplifier £3500 (pictured)

Anticipated soon: Atlas valve hybrid power amplifier - 200wpc price to be confirmed but expected to be no more than £5000.

Caution: All Aesthetix products manufactured for the UK are fitted with 245 volt transformers. Those supplied to Europe have lower rated transformers and are not suitable for use in the UK.

Other products could be available. Please ring for details.

Aesthetix website    Return to top of page

This Japanese company makes some of the finest sounding valve amplifiers at most realistic prices. The level of transparency and the big open soundstage is not normally experienced at these prices. Beautifully built with retro styling and compact sizes. Although the amplifiers have fairly low power output, their sound is full bodied with robust, fast presentation. Even the lowest powered design will work with loudspeakers with sensitivities as low as 87dB.

Leben prices have been adjusted to reflect the current value of the pound. Please note that these prices may be subject to currency fluctuations.

Products on Demonstration

CS-300X(S) integrated valve amplifer 12 wpc (improved circuitry on CS-300) £1800 (pictured top)
CS-300X with Mullard EL84 valves 15wpc - whilst stocks last £1900
CS-600 integrated valve amplifier 6L6 valves 35wpc £3400 (pictured bottom)

Other products could be available. Please ring for details.

Leben prices have been adjusted to reflect the current value of the pound. Please note that these prices may be subject to currency fluctuations.

Leben Hi-Fi website    Return to top of page