07.2024 - Audio Emporium

We received our first batch of Atoll (made in France with 3 year warranty) gear in April. I focused on the entry level integrated amps right away. Wow! They are CLASS BUSTING!

Atoll handily surpasses its like price, Chinese competitors.

The brawn… weight and horse power they bring to the party at unusually fair pricing is absolutely unique in our industry. I’m referencing sound quality, not bells and whistles.

All of the Atolls are dual mono design. The IN100 Signature for only $2100 is the first unit in the line to incorporate TWO large toroidal transformers. Have a look inside Atoll and then check out the other guys- ANY of the other guys. You’ll be impressed with Atoll.

If you’re hunting for an integrated amp that can wake your speakers up, and deliver bass power like you’ve never heard before, you’re in for a treat.

Atoll’s three entry level integrateds are power houses. They leave the flimsy imports high and dry. The difference, especially with IN100 Sig, is dramatic. $2k alternatives from China feature flimsy switching power supplies and thin sound.

I’ve gotten to know Atoll very well and appreciate what they do – even more so every day. Each time we run Big Boy Brystons, Atohms or Magnepans off these integrateds, I can’t believe so little money buys such big performance with Atoll integrateds.

Bigger Brothers

More recently, I’ve gotten to the Atoll bigger brother integrateds. The three entry level integrateds were so good, I wasn’t sure the two bigger brothers could offer proportionately more for the extra money.

Well… I’m happy to report that if you have commensurate speakers, Atoll’s IN200 Signature and IN300 Signature- do to their price-like competition, what the three smaller brothers do to THEIR competition!

It starts with GIGUNDO dual mono design, from the transformers on. Both the 200 & 300 have dual transformers, large banks of filter caps and MATCHED MOSFET output transistors. Further, the transformers and other parts aren’t generic “off the shelf’ components. Atoll has transformers custom made for them in Spain. They use metal casing for isolation and internal resin to eliminate any buzzing. The filter caps are custom made (Japan) for Atoll as well. These caps achieve outstanding ESR and you can hear the benefits in rich, gripping bass response.

Atoll hand matches MOSFET output transistors. By running hand matched transistors, you don’t incur the grain or harshness of randomly installed transistors. Atoll achieves a smooth, warm sound compared to the edgy sound you’ll hear in any of the Chinese competitors.

Have a look inside these two marvelous integrateds. You get large and superior parts. Further, these integrateds are constructed like a work of art. The boards are symmetrical with no spaghetti. Amps built with wire running all over the place attract hum/noise as the wires pick up RFI- and hundreds of solder joints invite poor connections and early failure.

We’re making the effort to spell out these nuts and bolts because most people start their shopping experience online. You need to know what to look for. Instead of shopping watts and features, please look for bigger/better transformers, filter caps and matched output transistors. Also look for a CLEANLY laid out and constructed design. Nobody beats Atoll. By paying attention to these details you can make sense out of which products will sound the best. You won’t find the answer on advertisements / data sheets.

Atoll IN200 Signature Integrated Amp $2800 (120×2)

IN200 Sig uses two 340VA transformers. It uses 62,853uF filter capacitance. It uses four MATCHED MOSFET output transistors per channel.

IN200 Sig achieves resolution a distinct cut above its smaller brother, IN100 Sig. When you hear IN100 Sig, you’ll love it. If you get to hear IN200 Sig right next to it, you’ll notice how the focus tightens and the bass improves. At $2800 the IN200 Sig is in line stage form. If you want a DAC or phono board, you add them a la carte.

Atoll IN300 Signature Integrated Amp $4500 (150×2)

IN300 Signature is my favorite integrated amp on the market, all things considered. For openers, the price includes the DA200 DAC board- which is an option for $500 on IN200 Sig above.

IN300 Sig uses two 440VA transformers. It uses 86,400uF filter capacitance. It uses six MATCHED MOSFET output transistors per channel.

IN300 Sig is something extra special. To unveil its power and glory, you have to have speakers in the same league. If you have some Chinese import speakers, just buy a lesser integrated and call it a day. Save the extra $ to help with better speakers some day.

If you’re lucky enough to have fabulous speakers like Brystons, Atohms or Pans, NOW we’re talkin’! IN300 Sig will bring music out of your floor boards even better than the 200 can.

To appreciate Atoll’s value, take a look at what you get from the other guys. Hi-Fi news magazine is particularly forthcoming about what is IN the gear they review. The new Lux 509z sells for $12,500 (120×2). I’m sure it’s very nice. IN300 Sig uses a pair of toroidal transformers, EACH almost as large as the SINGLE e-core transformer used in the Lux. IN300 Sig even uses more filter capacitance. Atoll runs matched output transistors. The Lux includes phono and meters (which are worthless as they don’t depict wattage like McIntosh does). Atoll is made in France. Lux is made in Japan. The Lux costs $8000 more. I’m not saying the Lux isn’t good. I AM saying Atoll is a smarter choice for your money! Saving $8k on the amp allows you to spend a lot more on speakers where it will pay off.

Atoll PH100 Phono Preamp $700

Also in Atoll’s arsenal is an outstanding phono preamp that supports MM & MC. We have sold PH100 for both applications. The customers have nothing but raves for its performance, whether running an MM or low output Ortofon MC.

You COULD buy a Bryston for $3200, or a Hegel for $1650. But, I’d recommend you spend $700 for the Atoll. The diff in phono preamps is tiny. We can find smarter ways to allot your audio investment.

Stars Who Popped From Groups

There have been many groups where each member was strong, but one member went on to have even a greater career on their own. For me, the singer who has gone the longest way above her group is Beyonce, from Destiny’s Child. Some others that didn’t do half bad:

Beatles, All 4 did great, but the sum still beats the parts

Buffalo Springfield, Neil Young

Commodores, Lionel Richie

Cream, Eric Clapton

Doobie Bros, Michael McDonald

Eurythmics, Annie Lennox

First Edition, Kenny Rogers

Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks

Fugees, Lauryn Hill

Generation X, Billy Idol

Genesis, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel

Go Gos, Belinda Carlisle