Audio Emporium Newsletter 11-1-24

Atoll Streaming Integrated Amplifiers

Atoll makes two dynamite streaming integrated amps. First and foremost, these are fabulous sounding integrated amps! They just happen the have Atoll’s outstanding streaming app built it. The streaming app has proven to work quite well in our time with it. Of more importance is the magnificent integrated amp within which it is housed.

These SDA (streamer on board) models have dual, powerful transformers that Atoll has built to spec for them in Spain. The filter caps are also of Atoll design, built specifically for them in Japan- not China. Both models use Mundorf caps that are housed in mumetal boxes to prevent RFI from being generated.

Both models also feature the same Atoll hand matched MOSFET output transistors- used in all Atoll integrateds and power amps. Taking the time to match transistors delivers a smoother sound than just plugging in any and all transistors yanked out of boxes. Atoll feels this cost is well worth the more mellow sound you’ll garner from this SIGNIFICANT effort.

Both models feature Burr Brown DACs that are run without negative feedback. Many competitors brag about latest greatest chip sets with more processing power. But this processing has to be controlled and Atoll prefers the sound of BB running with no feedback. So please appreciate that plugging in the latest chip… does NOT give you the best sound. More processing doesn’t lead to a less electronic aural experience.

Atoll products are made in France, not purchased from a vendor in China. The warranty is three years. Atoll amps are AB in design, running about 15% class A. They have a warmish, muscular sound that differentiates them from all of the D amps out there. Virtually every other streaming integrated is a D, or low powered AB.

Atoll sounds stronger, heavier and more dynamic. It’s a real piece of hi-fi gear, not just a slapped together one box convenience package.

When you study what’s available in streaming integrateds, it’s mostly D designs from China. The Euro guys, like Naim’s Uniti Atom, only provides 40×2 for $3800 and the streaming platform is notoriously buggy. What good is a streamer that sputters or drops signal?!

SDA200 $4300 (120×2)

While rated at 120×2, SDA200 sounds much gutsier than you’d expect from that rating. That’s because… it features two 340VA toroidal power transformers. Filter caps are 66,000 uF. This… is a thunderous power supply that leaves the Asian and Euro streaming integrateds looking like pikers. It uses four matched MOSFET output transistors per channel. Read the comments we offer at Daves Faves on IN200. They hold true for SDA200.

SDA300 $5500 (150×2)

SDA300 is a beast that delivers a much bigger kick than you’d infer from its 150×2 rating. It features a pair of 440VA toroidal power transformers. Filter caps are 66,000 uF. It runs six matched MOSFET output transistors per channel. Read the comments we offer at Dave’s Faves on IN300. They hold true for SDA300. SDA300 is like SDA200 plus 25% more PUSH to your speakers. I can’t think of a speaker that SDA300 wouldn’t be comfortable with.

We’ve sold many IN300 integrated amps from Atoll. They’re out there driving speakers from Pans to huge towers. Every IN300 buyer has told us they luv it. SDA300 is the same product, with the Atoll streamer on board.

If you’d like the streamer on board, by all means go for SDA300. If you want to save a few bucks and don’t care if the streamer is in another box, you can buy IN300 and an outboard streamer like a Bluesound. Run digital out of the Bluesound into the Atoll and you’re in business. Either solution works great!

Ms Moji Rates Top 30 Songs Displaying Best Singing Harmonies

30 Boyz to Men: It’s So hard to Say Goodbye

29 Billy Joel: Longest Time

28 Heart: Alone

27 ELO: Telephone Line

26 Tremeloes: Silence Is Golden

25 Simon & G: Scarborough Fair

24 5^th Dimension: Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In

23 Hollies: The Air That I Breathe

22 Peter P & Mary: Early Morning Rain

21 Association: Cherish

20 Wilson Phillips: Release Me

19 Bangles: Eternal Flame

18 Seekers: I’ll Never Find Another You

17 Extreme: More Than Words

16 CSN: Helplessly Hoping

15 En Vogue: Don’t Let Go

14 F. Mac: The Chain

13 Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody

12 Carpenters: Rainy Days & Mondays

11 Bee Gees: To Love Somebody

10 Righteous Bros: You’ve Lost That Lovin Feeling

9 Ronettes: Be My Baby

8 Byrds: Turn, Turn, Turn

7 Beach Boys: God Only Knows

6 Beatles: Because

5 Abba: Thank You For The Music

4 Simon & G: Sound of Silence & Bridge Over Troubled Water

3 Eagles: Seven Bridges Rd

2 Mamas & Papas: California Dreamin

1 Everly Bros: All I Have To Do Is Dream

Atoll IN400 Evo Integrated Amp, $7000 (160×2)

{5.11h, 17.3w, 14.6d, 43 lbs)

Atoll has just updated its flagship integrated amp. IN400 is built like a Mac truck. Don’t worry about the modest power claim. That’s just Atoll being conservatively French.

When an amp is built with massive transformers and power supply caps, it produces a much weightier sound than its wattage rating would imply. Atoll builds this big boy like a brick out house. It can crush virtually any speakers you’ll ever own. IN400 has a silky smooth sound but wields Thor’s hammer just in case you ask for it. It’s ideal for speakers that have a LOT more to give- if you have the muscle on board.

Speakers from Bryston, Magnepan and Atohm, among many, will sound good with a cost effective integrated like Atoll’s IN100 ($2100, 100×2). But if you pair these speakers with Atoll’s big boys, IN300 and now IN400- get ready for a new level of impact and dynamics.

The IN400 is a tour de force! It starts as a dual mono design with two toroidal transformers. One is a 1050VA monster with dual windings and handles the audio. There is a second 1.6VA toroidal for control logic.

The chassis is made of steel.

The face plate is just under a half inch of brushed aluminum.

Filter capacitance is huge at 96,680uF.

MATCHED MOSFET Output Transistors

IN400 runs eight MATCHED MOSFET transistors per channel. Why the matching?

No two transistors are exactly the same in their distortion characteristics. Think of tuning forks that are supposed to play at middle C= 261.63 Hz. If you have 16 tuning forks and they’re all a bit different from that reference, what you’ll hear is some fuzziness or distortion. You won’t hear the intended pure tone of middle C. Precious few companies take the trouble to hand match transistors. Atoll does- even on its little brothers. By taking the time to test and use MOSFET transistors in groups of precise tolerance, you won’t hear the grainy distortion characteristics of miss matched transistors.

This takes more time, and subsequently expense, but that’s one of the advantages of Atoll vs almost everyone else.

IN400 comes in line stage configuration. You can add a DAC board for $320 and an MM phono board for $130. While these prices might sound cheap for a serious DAC or phono addition, the quality is top shelf. The reason these boards are so inexpensive is that they’re going into an integrated amp that already has a hearty power supply. You don’t have to pay for a chassis, face plate, knobs, jacks and power supply- all over again. The infrastructure is already there.

Inputs: Aux, CD, Tuner, DAC, Tape LOOP, Bypass, Two XLR

Outputs: Two RCA pre outs

General Manager

I often write that as owner of Audio Emporium I’m the equivalent of a general manager of a baseball team. In all the years I’ve been in the hi-fi business, which goes back to 1971 in high school, I’ve never seen a full line as good as Atoll.

When it comes to integrated amps and CD players in particular, what Atoll offers in terms of industry leading performance at great price points is a staggeringly strong lineup. Atoll knocks everyone else, similarly priced, off the team.

Atoll is built in France with a 3 year warranty. Atoll is so good that this GM had to release NAD and Hegel, both of whom are built in China with a 2 year warranty. Atoll has made both expendable. Regardless of the price point, Atoll is such a clear winner that I am happy to not do business with Chinese made competitors. Time… marches on.

Hazel Scott (1920-1981)

We all know about Jackie Robinson. Hazel Scott was the first black pianist/singer to have her own TV show (1950) after a successful career in music and movies. She was a child prodigy on the piano and could play virtually anything she HEARD. She went to Julliard at age 8. She was active in civil rights and made over $75k by 1945 (worth $1.3m today). Talk about a lady ahead of her time!