I heard you’re willing to spend just over a grand to get a new integrated amp to run your nice speakers. What’s your smartest choice to make them sound their best?
Here are two integrateds that run about the same money. Each has chosen a different target.
In This Corner…
We have the incredible Atoll IN50 Signature ($1200) built in France with three year warranty. It runs $1200 in line stage configuration. You can add MM for $130. You can add a fabulous DAC for $300.
Atoll has a massive toroidal transformer, big filter caps and matched MOSFET output transistors. The Atoll components are well spaced out on an exquisitely crafted circuit board to minimize RFI and noise. Atoll’s boards use through hole parts and are constructed by hand, with TLC in France.
In That Corner
We have the new feature laden NAD C379 ($1100). The NAD is built in China with a two year warranty. NAD builds in MM, DAC, & Bluetooth.
NAD opts to run a tiny transformer and filter caps. It runs many circuit boards which are easy to mass produce and link by ribbons or small wires. NAD uses surface mount components instead of through hole parts. The amp section is a power chip instead of discrete transistors.
Comparison
The Atoll is more like a muscle car with huge acceleration. Your speakers will start/stop lightning fast and wield a sledgehammer for solid bass response.
The NAD is more pedestrian, like a lightweight family sedan. It has convenient features built in. But it has about half the “water pressure” to drive your speakers compared to Atoll.