Amplifiers

The heart of the audio system

At the heart of any audio system is the amplifier. It, of course, provides the power and determines, to a large extent, the other component pieces that will be selected. In particular, it dictates to a large extent, the type of speaker that will be "matched" successfully to the amplifier. The issue is principally one of sensitivity, that is are the speakers sensitive enough to successfully play music?

High power amplifiers vs. power amplifiers of low voltage

Over the years, I have grown less and less to enjoy high power amplifiers. To me, they sound a little course, and they fail to provide the inner detail in the music that is so important to its enjoyment. I have found well designed and executed power amplifiers of low voltage to be perfectly satisfactory, provided, of course, that the speakers can handle music played with only a small power input.

Low powered amplifiers at Audio Evidence

Because I only offer equipment that I would personally wish to myself own, it follows that I only represent the manufacturers of relatively low powered amplifiers. Those looking for a big beefy power unit, must, I am afraid, look elsewhere!

I have brought into the Audio Evidence "family" some of the best examples of the low powered kind of amplifier that I know of.

Single ended triode amplifiers

I endorse the notion that single ended triode amplifiers produce the best music. Their pureness of tone and timber and the sense of "wholeness" they create make them the amplifier of choice. The drawbacks with owning a single ended triode power amplifier is finding the right speaker to match it with and having reasonably deep pockets to afford it in the first place! Unfortunately, single ended triode amplifiers tend to be quite expensive.

Kondo Amplifiers

Audio Evidence is proud to represent the very best single ended power amplifiers manufactured, namely Kondo, products made by the legendary Hiroyasu Kondo himself. Kondo San ("San" being the Japanese equivalent of "Mr.") was responsible for the renaissance in single ended amplification. This occurred when he first creating Audio Note Japan in 1976. Shortly thereafter, he unveiled the universally acclaimed ONGAKU amplifier the audio industry parameters moved dramatically. Today the ONGAKU made by Kondo San, remains the most revered 211 single ended triode amplifier.

Kondo San went on to develop other legendary amplifiers (such as the KEGON and NEIRO) and pre-amplifiers such as the M7 and the M10. Please note here that Audio Note Japan, is NOT to be confused with Audio Note UK, which is an entirely separate and distinct company. The two entities were once linked by virtue of the fact that the owner of Audio Note UK was the worldwide sale representative for Kondo San in the last century.

No doubt intended as the sincerest form of flattery, Audio Note UK has now produced a line of amplifiers using the "Kondo" range of names. This, I fear, may cause some confusion, and thus it is mentioned here.

Kondo San and his chief designer and engineer, Masaki San, still hand build their beautify amplifiers, using expensive and rare materials to last a life time.

I have tried to find alternatives for those who are looking for a less expensive solution, and have added some other highly accomplished amplifiers to the Audio Evidence range.

Mactone Amplifiers

Kenjiro Matsumoto San of Mactone has been designing and manufacturing audio equipment since the early 1960's and is again based in Japan. Fortunately, the Mactone equipment not only sounds wonderful but is offered at a relatively affordable price. For those looking for a valve based push pull amplifier, or valve pre-amplifier, the Mactone range will provide years of truly satisfying listening.

Loth-X Amplifier

Lastly, the Loth-X JI300 integrated power amplifier, being the odd man out being made in Korea, but nevertheless carved beautifully out of aluminum, provides 9 watts of pure musical delight. Again, the reviews in respect of this amplifier can be easily found and they tell the tale of this most successful piece of audio equipment.

Admired amplifiers only

Audio Evidence only represents amplifiers that I would care to own myself. This does not, of course, mean that you will necessarily agree with all my recommendations, but it does mean that they are recommendations made solely because of my admiration for them.

Red Wine Audio Amplifiers

With all Red Wine Audio products, their two models of amplifier, the Signature 30.2 & 70.s amplifiers are powered by clean, high-current sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries. By running on internal SLA battery power and isolating itself from the AC power grid, the amplifiers are free from the entire AC to DC conversion process and the associated electrical noise problems that hinder the performance of conventional AC-powered amplifiers. These amplifiers are designed to deliver a well-balanced musical presentation and long-term listening pleasure, they combine the finest sonic attributes of classic tube amplification (midrange warmth, rich tonal character, and smooth high-frequency resolution) and solid-state amplification (rock-solid bass response, realistic dynamic range and clarity)

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