Amplifier Reviews (271 Reviews)

Sudgen A21 Amp Reviewed

Another Richard Allan design from overseas woos, Ken Kessler with its Class-A (not to be confused with Classe') operation in the esoteric Sugden A21 power amp. Continue Reading

Sonus faber Musica Amp Reviewed

Yes Sonus faber makes an amp. Yes, it comes in a wood case and has the same Italian hand craftsmanship that you'd expect from their wonderful speakers. Does it pack the audio power of Mark Levinson, Krell or ARC? Read the review to find out. Continue Reading

Unison Research Simply 845 Integrated Amp Review

Ken Kessler compares the Unison Research Simply 845 tube power amp to an Audio Note Ongonku for one fifth of the price. Can this sexy, yet affordable amp live up to this much audiophile hype. Read more to find out. Continue Reading

Roksan Five Channel Amp Reviewed

Roksan's Caspian model five channel amplifier is the first amplifier model from the company to truly aspire to be a home theater amp. Does it rise to those aspirations? Read on to find out. Continue Reading

Pathos Twin Tower Amps Reviewed

Pathos Twin Tower power amps were named long before the reference would carry another meaning. Their sexy, Italian styling appeals to Anglophile and audiophile Ken Kessler much in the same way that Unison research does. See which amp is better. Continue Reading

Nagra VPA Amplifier Reviewed

It turns out the Swiss know how to make a new form factor tube amp just as alluring as their timepieces. Nagra, known in the world of high definition recording as a standard, is a now a player in the illusive world of tube power amps north of $10,000. See how they stack up in this full review. Continue Reading

Trilogy Vti Integrated Amp Reviewed

Nic Poulson's newest and more affordable integrated amp design packs an affordable price tag considering it also comes with high end accouterment such as carbon fiber feet and a wicked industrial design. Continue Reading

Armonia Integrated Amp reviewed

Ken Kessler might not be as into American audio but with it comes to Italian tube anything - you can catch his attention. This Armonia Integrated amp is on the more affordable side of audio obscurity for the US market but it has the sexy lines that we all like from Italian audio, cars and other exports... Continue Reading

Theta Dreadnaught Amp reviewed

Theta is better known for digital but their Dreadnaught power amp has some serious weight and respect from those who know. Theta, now owned buy Morris Kessler of ATI, packs a lot of heat in the their audiophile amps but this was their first shot over the bow and it was one people took notice of. Continue Reading

Sugden Masterclass Preamp and Mono Amps Reviewed

If there were ever an esoteric combination of electronics to grace the pages of Home Theater Review the Sugden Masterclass Preamplifier and Monaural Amplifier would be it. Like spying Loch Ness or being abducted by Aliens the Sugden Masterclass is a rare audiophile combo that not many have heard or even know about. Continue Reading

McIntosh MC2000 Power Amp Reviewed

The McIntosh MC2000 is the type of amp that any audiophile drools over (but hopefully not into) as it has the power, cloud and gravitas to compete with anything from the likes of Krell, Mark Levinson and Audio Research while packing a little bit of audio history into every chassis. Continue Reading

Unison Research SR1 Tube Amp Reviewed

This tube-transistor hybrid packs both a retro-wood look with a modern industrial design to deliver from a company known more for single ended tube amps, a sound that is worth of this amp's good looks. Continue Reading

Fase Nimis Integrated Amp Reviewed

While Ken Kessler can't resist taking a pot shot at Apple's industrial design (possibly the most popular ID of any company making any product in the world) en route to reviewing this uber-esoteric Fase Nimis integrated power amp. See if he predicts if Fase's stock will his $400 per share or topple the market capitalization of Microsoft on this full feature. Continue Reading

Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista M3 Integrated Amp Reviewed

While the Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista M3 integrated amp may not come from the Motorsport Division of BMW it does have that solid build quality and is arguably harder to come by than an M3 with four wheels. Ken Kessler takes this integrated amp for a spin in this full review. Continue Reading

LOTH-X JI-300 Amp Reviewed

Normally eight watts per channel scares the hell out of Ken Kessler but it didn't take him long to fall in love with the Loth-X JI-300 tube power amps. Compared to a dinner at Gordon Ramsay's place - see if this exotic tube amp lives up to the Petrus comparisons in this review. Continue Reading

Theta Intrepid Amp Reviewed

The little brother of Theta Digital's well reviewed Dreadnaught power amp is the Theta Intrepid. While still rocking the battleship analogies - this amp is a little lighter, less powerful but still very stout. Continue Reading

Croft Series V-C Amp reviewed

Ken Kessler takes this stereo power amp to task for both its tacky industrial design as well as its dual volume controls. Read how far he is willing to go in tearing into this audiophile offering. Continue Reading

Red Rose Music Model 5 Integrated Amp and Baby System Reviewed

Post-Cello Mark Levinson electronics for your review-reading pleasure here. Ken Kessler takes a look at this imported tube integrated as well as Levinson's Baby music system which was oddly borrowed from his entry level Cello rig. Continue Reading

WAVAC Amp Reviewed

WAVAC could very well be called "WAY BACK" by its industrial design. Packing 15 whole watts of tubey power - this amp is just what the audiophiles in Asia long for. Is this the right audiophile amp for you? Ken Kessler takes a long look here. Continue Reading

Trilogy RC211 Power Amps Reviewed

In the mood for some good car analogies and Anglo-self-loathing - then I have the review for you. Amazingly, Ken Kessler ends up loving this esoteric amp. Who could have guessed it from the introduction but you never know. Continue Reading