Atoll IN200, $3330, 120×2, Built in France, 3 year warranty

PS Strata Mk 2, $3500, 150×2, Built in US, 3 year warranty

Atoll’s IN200 is my favorite integrated amp value at about $3k. It runs $2900 in line stage form. It runs $3330 with on board DAC and phono, which I’ve spec’d here to be apples to apples with the PS.

PS has come out with a new version of its integrated in the same price range. Since it’s not made in China, it’s worth a look. Let’s compare these two integrateds.

Source of Service

Atoll is made in France. It has a US importer and service center in Chicago. It has a strong dealer network which also is a source of service. As I’m writing this in early 2025 there are approximately 30 Atoll dealers and sources of service. You can audition most Atoll gear in our shop through a variety of speakers and sources.

PS is sold-serviced factory direct.

Take A Look

Have a look at the inside of the Atoll vs the PS. For me, it’s an easy decision to buy Atoll with one quick gander.

• Atoll features huge DUAL (340VA ea) toroidal transformers.

• Atoll transformers are made in Spain with a steel case and absorbing resin.

• Atoll has big banks (63,000uF) of filter capacitors.

• Atoll caps are low ESR film caps made to spec by Nipon in Japan, not China.

• Atoll runs 8 MATCHED MOSFET output transistors vs a D module from a parts bin.

• Atoll takes the time, effort and expense to test and match its MOSFET transistors.

• Atoll employs Mundorf caps which it houses in mumetal boxes to eliminate RFI.

• Atoll only has running wire from its transformers to the PCB. There’s no spaghetti or ribbon wiring to act as an antenna to promulgate RFI / noise.

Class Of Operation

Atoll’s design is Class AB running about 15% in the Class A domain.

PS is class D, using an Icepower 200AS2 module. YOU can buy this module from a myriad of parts houses for $89.

Class AB done well, as Atoll does, has a more powerful, rich sound, with exciting headroom.

Class D sounds leaner/thinner, with virtually no headroom.

The concern with AB is whether the manufacturer built the amp properly to accommodate the heat the amp will produce. Atoll manufactures in its own house in France with tight QC.

Class D runs endemically cooler which is the nature of the module. D is tougher to BREAK. If you’re an abusive listener, class D deserves extra consideration.

Yet if your first goal is to make a cello, stand up bass or a drum kit sound lush and warm, I’m going Atoll all the way. Atoll will bring more body and weight to music with full figured, muscular sounding speakers.

Class D has literally no headroom. The Icepower module specs 117w at 8 ohms and peaks at 120 under dynamic conditions. This is a test result from British hi-fi news (March 2025 issue, p 75).

DAC

Atoll runs Burr Brown DACs without negative feedback.

Atoll takes great pride in voicing a burnished sound quality through its DAC performance.

PS uses a Sabre 9018/2 DAC chipset with high processing.

Volume Control

Atoll’s ALPS volume control operates in the analog domain.

PS runs a CMOS digital volume control.

Smart Features

Atoll IN200 has two sets of buffered preamp outputs, to allow connecting separate power amps or powered subwoofers. PS has one. Atoll offers a full tape loop and home theater bypass provision. Atoll has heavy duty, gold plated binding posts. PS has an IS2 digital option.

Sound Quality

We’ve run the Atoll IN200 with a large array of speakers from small to tall. IN200 makes stand mounts like Bryston Mini As and Mini Ts sound like you’ve got subs attached. It also has the courage to positively hammer Bryston towers and bring “bashing bass” out of Magnepans- that you wouldn’t believe they were capable of.