Had the brio till last year and it’s a great little amp. The phono is unbeatable for the price and is better than standalones like ifi zen. Arcam sa20 is around £600 in uk now class G (class A to 12 watts then class AB) 90watts and unbelievable value.
watching you pick these things up with one hand made me chuckle I wish I had the strength to do that with my Luxman L950Aii. I recognize the price difference but I was expecting these to have a little more heft
Great review, thank you. I recently got the Atoll IN 100 along with Wharfedale Lintons and it’s fantastic, just as you said: endless power and control.
I recently bought Leak Stereo 130. In my opinoin it sounds very good, creating anough of bass and clear mid and high frequency. Sound stage is nice and wide. Leak Stereo 130 drives my Dali Zensor1 and DaliLector6. This amplifier has enough power for floorstanding Dali Lector6. Jazz, Pop and Instrumental music sound very nice to my ears.
Great Video, especially your sound discriptions are very interesting to me. I currently have a Naim Nait and I`m searching for a clearer sound, not so dark und strong in bass like the Naim is. I`m focused on Audiolab 6000a and hope I will not miss the warm sound in the mids.
A Primare and also a Musical Fidelity (both the models around the €1200 mark) would have done really well in this list, the MF probably would have come out on top easily. It would have been interesting to throw a couple of SET amps in too, just to throw a spanner in the works ;-) the cheapest Decware and Primaluna amps (both around €1000) are absolutely wonderful...if the "feel" of music is more your thing, as opposed to analytical detail. Good vid! (P.s I've always really loved that Roksan, it looks so cool!).
Hello Jaap, I really enjoyed this type of video review. I liked how you shared some objective data points and combined it with your excellent subjective feedback on each amplifier model. It’s unfortunate that you didn’t add some objective data and feedback on the DAC sections of each amp too (maybe next time). 😉🙂 I’m currently looking at an Atoll IN400se as a new integrated amp (I’m not sure if Atoll will be upgrade it to the signature model this year) but I would love to have your subjective feedback, and test results on this particular Atoll model. Thanks again, Brian
We purely measured the amps this time. It is alteady an ENORMOUS amount of work to measure, sample and listen to them. But indeed... Maybe next time. Atoll makes great prducts. Really liked the IN100! I Will check if I can het my hands on the 400... You are a supporter after all! :-)
@@TheAlphaAudio I just can’t imagine all the work it must take to make these reviews happen. Thank you Alpha Audio for producing all this great content: reviews, tests, and live streams. Brian
Somebody should tell the hi fi manufacturers that their products looks like SHIT! It's unbeleviable how UGLY looks these objects....ugly expensive boxes....LOTS of people DO WANT the look of the 70's amplifiers in modern products , I don't wanna spend money for ugly boxes.
Comment about the Rega: The only experience that I have with Rega is their turntables. I used to have the Rega RP3 with the Elys2 cartridge. Right off the bat, I notice that the sound of my Rega turntable + Elys2 cartridge was on the exciting and energetic side, not at all laidback. And you kind of just confirmed my observation with your evaluation of the Brio. I guess that is the sound signature they are going after. Almost feels like the signals are on the hotter side, on the verge of distortion but not really distorted - enough to make it forward sounding, exciting and energetic.
Interesting piece in this review about the Leak Stereo 130. I had the same experience trying it with Wharfedale Lintons. Sounded OK but a bit thin and I got the feeling the Lintons had a lot more potential. A refurbished Denon PMA-1060 amplifier for 325 euros did much better. From watching movies to listening to Yello or Yes, no subwoofer necessary and lots of fun.
@@TheAlphaAudio By the way, "A British Audiophile", a well respected reviewer from the UK, also did a review of amplifiers in this price range. But yours is better, giving more information. Keep up the good work 👍
It's interesting. I have both the the Spendor 3/ 1 and the Klipsch Heresy 3, which is touted as being high sensitivity. However- in practice, the Rega would get very hot driving the Heresys! This was explained to me and it's understandable. Yet another example where the numbers do not tell you everything about how drivers in the same box will not be a benign load to your amplifier.
@TheAlphaAudio yes. Thank you. That was explained to me once I became curious about it. So- a good example of paying attention to the measurements that might matter in your system.
the SA10 is not a warm sounding amp?! airy, and no grunt in the bass?? wow! completely different impressions to mine! i think is one of the warmest, mid bass augmented amps! not neutral at all. the audiolab is way more neutral and the bass has way less "grunt" than the arcam. own both and they are extremely different amps...
0.8 % distortion... at 160watts in 4 ohm . well cant imagine many use 160 but 0.8% is loudspeaker distortion territory. use a normal power connector C13 like any normal person would. and you got no problems with the rega power terminal. cool you can remember your old cyrus sounded back in the day... audio memory does not work like that but ok. you could not remember details that small in a time span of seconds let alone years.. with different speakers rooms etc..
Wonderful review and walk-through of the different amps. The Atoll and Rega sounded amazing. But i ended up ordering the Leak. Got it new for around 500€ with the wood case so couldn't resist.. My speakers are 94db efficient (Klipsch) so hoping for a good match.
Hi ive been looking at the Audio lab for a while now to pair up with my Dali Specktor 2 but i read someone comment that it may not be powerful enough to drive them can you advise me on this please, great video by the way.
@@TheAlphaAudio thanks for your reply it's because somebody mentioned that they have low sensitivity and I'm all new to hifi so I don't understand how the wattage thing works.
@@marktodd7397 Sensitivity is only one element. It says how loud it will play with a certain input power. That is not really important. Impedance and variance in impedance is what makes a speaker hard to drive.
Hello!! Congratulations on the review!! I would like to know what would be the best combination for the KEF Q150. Would a Cambridge AXA35 or ARCAM SA10 or REGA BRIO deliver the best of the Q150 to my ears? Thanks!!
What a great channel and wonderful work that you do. I would like to ask if, for a non expert listener (me), is possible realize the difference in sound with Atoll IN100 and a Bryston or Pass Lab as you mentioned below. The money you can see it...it is possible feel the difference? Using Spendor A4 or Proac D8..
Nice video 👍 you mentioned Dali! Would you say Dali and the roksan go together well? I have Dali opticon 2 mk2 and going around in circles looking at amps! I am thinking about the roksan or the audiolab 6000 🤔 don’t need streaming as I will connect a Sonos port 👍
It completely depends on taste. Both the Audiolab as the Roksan are capable amps. The Roksan has more resolution and is more 'detail' focussed. Both have enough grip and power.
Hallo Jaap. Heb hier een paar wharfedale diamond 12.4 staan. Wil deze gebruiken om 12 inch platen te spelen met mijn technics 1210 sl met mm element. Welke van de versterkers lijkt jou hier het best voor. Groetjes
Little bit disappointed with Attessa, everyone is a bit reserved with their praise of the sound quality...it sounds good, clean, correct and that's about it, no one is enthusiastic about the sound, it seems that there are better options than Attesa in that price range, it's simply impression that something is missing...engagement, emotion, fun...
I have tried the audiolab 6000a, Cyrus one with triangle Genese Trio the 6000a was to laid back and came harsh at high volume, loose details. The Cyrus one was much in ya face power engaging, detailed but not suited for triangle speakers. The attessa is a spot on match with Trio everything is at their place in music genres.. If you have the option to hear the attessa with either Trio or comete 40th anniversary think you will like the presentation attessa comes with.
Hi there. Great video as always. Let me make you two questions: You've shot a lot of videos with the Focal Sopra NO1. Is it your favorite book shelf speaker? Besides, in your opinion, what is the best amp to play them? TKS!
Nice revieuw but the plastic and the looks.are not for me i dont know about the sound of this amps but i love vintage the looks and the sound please convince me this modern stuff is sounding beter.
Could you at least drop a few lines on how keces e40 compares to atoll in100? From what I hear from ur videos, atoll sounds par with 2500€ integrateds. From the videos with sound samples that I found, my take on keces e40 would be that it sounds creamy as in less textured and less layered so music flows easier, and it sounds laidback. On the other hand atoll in 100 in your videos sounds full bodied and a little bass heavy and neither laidback nor forward sounding. I am about the purchase one but I don't have the chance to demo. Thanks✌
@@TheAlphaAudio Well, it seems that it's more expensive to shop in France these days😋. Here the average price on internet for the Cyrus one HD is 1199 euros.
I think terrible measurements should be considered in terms of long term reliability. Terrible sound- if that is your game, can be achieved at all price points, with the best measuring amps available. Measurements can tell you a bit about the sound of your system, regardless, and that is where they become useful.
I don't quite understand your statement about Playfi to be horrible since you tested it before and seemed to be fine. See th-cam.com/video/KOn70UYjHGo/w-d-xo.html I think the Playfi addition makes the Audiolab 6000a even more interesting price wise... Last but not least, it is the only amp with a pre amp out AND main in. Very interesting if you combine this amp in an active crossover setting.
That video is 5 years old. And I actually show how illogical some stuff is. :-). And that hasn't changed since then. But aside from playfi, the Audiolab is very nice.
This is about a year ago. Loved the review and how you got right to the point. I also like how you did not sound persuasive one to another.
Thanks!
One of the best audio reviewers! You do a great job of explaining without being in a hurry or promoting. Cheers!
Thanks man!
I have the Arcam SA20, and I simply love its warm yet detailed sound.
Yes... lovely amp!
And great phono
@@gman5218 Iw traded up to to the SA-30. Great phono, YES. My Denon DL-103r loves that amp. 💖
@@IrenESorius does the sa30 retain the warmth of the sa20?
I've had the Arcam SA10 for 6 months and I love it.
Great amp!
As usual, a fun watch and your hard work is much appreciated.
Had the brio till last year and it’s a great little amp. The phono is unbeatable for the price and is better than standalones like ifi zen. Arcam sa20 is around £600 in uk now class G (class A to 12 watts then class AB) 90watts and unbelievable value.
watching you pick these things up with one hand made me chuckle I wish I had the strength to do that with my Luxman L950Aii. I recognize the price difference but I was expecting these to have a little more heft
Of course, this fuy if from the alpha equipment tests on You Tube. He's great!
Great overview of your process.
Great reviews, nice and tight but informative! Love your channel!! Keep up!!!
Great review, thank you. I recently got the Atoll IN 100 along with Wharfedale Lintons and it’s fantastic, just as you said: endless power and control.
Happy listening!
That sounds like a nice pairing
honest,,, good,,, u guys got good ears
I recently bought Leak Stereo 130. In my opinoin it sounds very good, creating anough of bass and clear mid and high frequency. Sound stage is nice and wide. Leak Stereo 130 drives my Dali Zensor1 and DaliLector6. This amplifier has enough power for floorstanding Dali Lector6. Jazz, Pop and Instrumental music sound very nice to my ears.
Glad you like it!
Great Video, especially your sound discriptions are very interesting to me. I currently have a Naim Nait and I`m searching for a clearer sound, not so dark und strong in bass like the Naim is. I`m focused on Audiolab 6000a and hope I will not miss the warm sound in the mids.
Great video👍 Looking forward to the next one. Keep up to good work!🤩
Very interresting thank you for the reviews
A Primare and also a Musical Fidelity (both the models around the €1200 mark) would have done really well in this list, the MF probably would have come out on top easily. It would have been interesting to throw a couple of SET amps in too, just to throw a spanner in the works ;-) the cheapest Decware and Primaluna amps (both around €1000) are absolutely wonderful...if the "feel" of music is more your thing, as opposed to analytical detail. Good vid! (P.s I've always really loved that Roksan, it looks so cool!).
The Rega Brio has a dynamic sound, but I found the noise floor far too high. Particularly if using headphones.
Hello Jaap, I really enjoyed this type of video review.
I liked how you shared some objective data points and combined it with your excellent subjective feedback on each amplifier model. It’s unfortunate that you didn’t add some objective data and feedback on the DAC sections of each amp too (maybe next time). 😉🙂
I’m currently looking at an Atoll IN400se as a new integrated amp (I’m not sure if Atoll will be upgrade it to the signature model this year) but I would love to have your subjective feedback, and test results on this particular Atoll model.
Thanks again,
Brian
We purely measured the amps this time. It is alteady an ENORMOUS amount of work to measure, sample and listen to them. But indeed... Maybe next time. Atoll makes great prducts. Really liked the IN100!
I Will check if I can het my hands on the 400... You are a supporter after all! :-)
@@TheAlphaAudio I just can’t imagine all the work it must take to make these reviews happen.
Thank you Alpha Audio for producing all this great content: reviews, tests, and live streams.
Brian
Somebody should tell the hi fi manufacturers that their products looks like SHIT! It's unbeleviable how UGLY looks these objects....ugly expensive boxes....LOTS of people DO WANT the look of the 70's amplifiers in modern products , I don't wanna spend money for ugly boxes.
Wow!!!
You are great!
Thanks for the compliment man!
Great video, really enjoyed it
Thanks!
It's funny Jay says the LEAK Integrated was the best sounding amp with his Cornwall IV's of all the integrated amps he tested.....
Comment about the Rega: The only experience that I have with Rega is their turntables. I used to have the Rega RP3 with the Elys2 cartridge. Right off the bat, I notice that the sound of my Rega turntable + Elys2 cartridge was on the exciting and energetic side, not at all laidback. And you kind of just confirmed my observation with your evaluation of the Brio. I guess that is the sound signature they are going after. Almost feels like the signals are on the hotter side, on the verge of distortion but not really distorted - enough to make it forward sounding, exciting and energetic.
Glad to hear you have the same experience. Must be their tuning!
I had a ELYS2 and my opinion is : ELYS2 is very bad but if you try the EXACT , is really a other world ….
I own the Atoll In 400 se ….. just awesome in every way…..try it….
We will
Interesting piece in this review about the Leak Stereo 130. I had the same experience trying it with Wharfedale Lintons. Sounded OK but a bit thin and I got the feeling the Lintons had a lot more potential. A refurbished Denon PMA-1060 amplifier for 325 euros did much better. From watching movies to listening to Yello or Yes, no subwoofer necessary and lots of fun.
Yes... It is a bit thin sounding...
@@TheAlphaAudio By the way, "A British Audiophile", a well respected reviewer from the UK, also did a review of amplifiers in this price range. But yours is better, giving more information. Keep up the good work 👍
@@colanitower thanks man! I know huis channel. Definately a good reviewer. So thanks!
Have you tested the Audiolab 8300a, how does it compate?
Nope
@@TheAlphaAudio actually I just got it. Still don't know how it compares but like it nevertheless :)
@@shs747 thats what counts!
It's interesting. I have both the the Spendor 3/ 1 and the Klipsch Heresy 3, which is touted as being high sensitivity. However- in practice, the Rega would get very hot driving the Heresys! This was explained to me and it's understandable. Yet another example where the numbers do not tell you everything about how drivers in the same box will not be a benign load to your amplifier.
You should look at the impedance dips and electrical phase.
@TheAlphaAudio yes. Thank you. That was explained to me once I became curious about it. So- a good example of paying attention to the measurements that might matter in your system.
Hi, I would like to hear ur opinion about the Exposure 2510 integrated amp pls?
Haven't heard it. Sorry.
the SA10 is not a warm sounding amp?! airy, and no grunt in the bass?? wow! completely different impressions to mine! i think is one of the warmest, mid bass augmented amps! not neutral at all. the audiolab is way more neutral and the bass has way less "grunt" than the arcam. own both and they are extremely different amps...
In our case... Nope. Check the samples.
Are you planning to try any Exposure amp?
The distributer in the Netherlands doesn't really support reviews... Unfortunately.
0.8 % distortion... at 160watts in 4 ohm . well cant imagine many use 160 but 0.8% is loudspeaker distortion territory. use a normal power connector C13 like any normal person would. and you got no problems with the rega power terminal. cool you can remember your old cyrus sounded back in the day... audio memory does not work like that but ok. you could not remember details that small in a time span of seconds let alone years.. with different speakers rooms etc..
Wonderful review and walk-through of the different amps. The Atoll and Rega sounded amazing. But i ended up ordering the Leak.
Got it new for around 500€ with the wood case so couldn't resist.. My speakers are 94db efficient (Klipsch) so hoping for a good match.
Thanks!
Hi ive been looking at the Audio lab for a while now to pair up with my Dali Specktor 2 but i read someone comment that it may not be powerful enough to drive them can you advise me on this please, great video by the way.
It will be fine. Audiolab is stable enough and Dali is not hard to drive.
@@TheAlphaAudio thanks for your reply it's because somebody mentioned that they have low sensitivity and I'm all new to hifi so I don't understand how the wattage thing works.
@@marktodd7397 Sensitivity is only one element. It says how loud it will play with a certain input power. That is not really important. Impedance and variance in impedance is what makes a speaker hard to drive.
@@TheAlphaAudio Thanks for giving your time to answer my questions 🙂
Hello!! Congratulations on the review!! I would like to know what would be the best combination for the KEF Q150. Would a Cambridge AXA35 or ARCAM SA10 or REGA BRIO deliver the best of the Q150 to my ears? Thanks!!
The best is what you like best... I can't decide that.
What a great channel and wonderful work that you do. I would like to ask if, for a non expert listener (me), is possible realize the difference in sound with Atoll IN100 and a Bryston or Pass Lab as you mentioned below. The money you can see it...it is possible feel the difference? Using Spendor A4 or Proac D8..
Of course! There is a huge difference.
Nice video 👍 you mentioned Dali! Would you say Dali and the roksan go together well? I have Dali opticon 2 mk2 and going around in circles looking at amps! I am thinking about the roksan or the audiolab 6000 🤔 don’t need streaming as I will connect a Sonos port 👍
It completely depends on taste. Both the Audiolab as the Roksan are capable amps. The Roksan has more resolution and is more 'detail' focussed. Both have enough grip and power.
Hallo Jaap.
Heb hier een paar wharfedale diamond 12.4 staan. Wil deze gebruiken om 12 inch platen te spelen met mijn technics 1210 sl met mm element. Welke van de versterkers lijkt jou hier het best voor. Groetjes
Ik zou heel graag weten waar de Audiolab 6000A staat tegenover de Rotel A11 tribute en de cambridge audio cxa61. Hebben jullie hier een idee over?
Nope... Sorry.
Little bit disappointed with Attessa, everyone is a bit reserved with their praise of the sound quality...it sounds good, clean, correct and that's about it, no one is enthusiastic about the sound, it seems that there are better options than Attesa in that price range, it's simply impression that something is missing...engagement, emotion, fun...
For me ... It is lacking a bit of involvement.
I have tried the audiolab 6000a, Cyrus one with triangle Genese Trio the 6000a was to laid back and came harsh at high volume, loose details. The Cyrus one was much in ya face power engaging, detailed but not suited for triangle speakers.
The attessa is a spot on match with Trio everything is at their place in music genres..
If you have the option to hear the attessa with either Trio or comete 40th anniversary think you will like the presentation attessa comes with.
Hi there. Great video as always. Let me make you two questions: You've shot a lot of videos with the Focal Sopra NO1. Is it your favorite book shelf speaker? Besides, in your opinion, what is the best amp to play them?
TKS!
The Focal is not hard to match. I like it with the Bryston. But you can use - for example - a Pass Labs as well. The XA25 is marvelous.
@@TheAlphaAudio Tks for the reply! What abou the Pass Labs INT-25? Is it a nice match to Focal too? (I am assuming it is, since the XA25 is...)
@@Ricardo-fs1xe Yes... it's really nice. Check out our review on www.alpha-audio.net. We also made a sample video.
Hi, please review the NAD C 368 amp!
We did... Just not in this test.
@@TheAlphaAudio Thank you for your response. I'll check better. I appreciate your work.
@@robcylo thanks man. We have a written review. Check Alpha audio in Google. :-).
About the Leak: "The stereo image is very big but the focus is not as tight." What does this even mean?
It means what it says... The imaging is big (deep, wide) but is not pin point accurate. The focus is not really tight.
@@TheAlphaAudio These are all words to describe photography no? To follow this analogy there is a wide picture but it's a bit blurry?
@@dal2258 yes. Indeed!
make a video of amps in betwin 1500 .2000 with amps from rotel,naim,rega,yba,atoll,electrocompaniet,hegel ....
We will. It also depends on who dares to compete. :-)
There's not enough description of how they sound compared to each other.
We have a written review on the website: alpha-audio.net.
"or something like that"? Very scientific
Nice revieuw but the plastic and the looks.are not for me i dont know about the sound of this amps but i love vintage the looks and the sound please convince me this modern stuff is sounding beter.
And no Keces E40???? Common.
Well... we can't have them all.
Could you at least drop a few lines on how keces e40 compares to atoll in100?
From what I hear from ur videos, atoll sounds par with 2500€ integrateds.
From the videos with sound samples that I found, my take on keces e40 would be that it sounds creamy as in less textured and less layered so music flows easier, and it sounds laidback. On the other hand atoll in 100 in your videos sounds full bodied and a little bass heavy and neither laidback nor forward sounding.
I am about the purchase one but I don't have the chance to demo. Thanks✌
The price is closer to 1200 euros though.
Audiolab - 850, Cyrus - 900, Leak: 900, Arcam... 900...
@@TheAlphaAudio Well, it seems that it's more expensive to shop in France these days😋. Here the average price on internet for the Cyrus one HD is 1199 euros.
@@mikepreamp6053 Sorry... Rega is 900. Cyrus is indeed 1199...
I think terrible measurements should be considered in terms of long term reliability. Terrible sound- if that is your game, can be achieved at all price points, with the best measuring amps available. Measurements can tell you a bit about the sound of your system, regardless, and that is where they become useful.
I don't quite understand your statement about Playfi to be horrible since you tested it before and seemed to be fine. See th-cam.com/video/KOn70UYjHGo/w-d-xo.html
I think the Playfi addition makes the Audiolab 6000a even more interesting price wise... Last but not least, it is the only amp with a pre amp out AND main in. Very interesting if you combine this amp in an active crossover setting.
That video is 5 years old. And I actually show how illogical some stuff is. :-). And that hasn't changed since then. But aside from playfi, the Audiolab is very nice.
ASR measured the Roksan and it was dogshit sadly :/
@@0M9H4X_Neckbeard uhhh...we measured it and its perfectly fine: www.alpha-audio.net/review/the-best-amplifier-for-1000-euro-2022-edition/4/
Returned my Brio....for a grand US....there's alot better out there....
Such as?