(2009) Stereo Integrated Amplifiers and Receivers
Stereo integrated amplifiers and receivers reviewed on the SoundStage! Network in 2009. All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted and are accurate at the time of the review.
The entries are shown alphabetically by company name.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Stereo Integrated Amplifiers and Receivers
Price: $1099
Website: www.arcam.co.uk
Aron said: One thing that the Arcam FMJ A18 made abundantly clear in these listening sessions is that it’s an overachiever. Built on a rock-solid platform, it’s brilliantly engineered, and performed admirably against an A/V receiver offering half again as much power.
The gist: Bulletproof sound from a Full Metal Jacket.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Stereo Integrated Amplifiers and Receivers
Price: $2299
Website: www.arcam.co.uk
Roger said: It’s solidly built, its operation during the review period was straightforward and without fault, and, most important, it sounded simply fantastic.
The gist: Unassuming package, unexpected sound quality.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Stereo Integrated Amplifiers and Receivers
Price: $5500 (add $500 for optional phono stage)
Website: www.classeaudio.com
Doug said: The CAP-2100’s seductive smoothness throughout the audioband is reminiscent in ways of the silky sound of tubes, but with proper bass and high-frequency extension.
The gist: Still great integrated after all these years.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Stereo Integrated Amplifiers and Receivers
Price: $10,000
Website: www.luxman.co.jp
Uday said: The Luxman L-509u is a versatile, full-featured integrated amplifier, complete with a MM/MC phono section and a headphone output, and it offers sonic performance that easily outclasses my current reference.
The gist: Luxman is back with a vengeance.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Stereo Integrated Amplifiers and Receivers
Price: $999
Website: www.marantz.com
Thom said: The Marantz PM8003 is a fine amplifier! It has all the inputs and outputs you could want, and delivered sound as good as anything I’ve heard for the price.
The gist: Classically styled integrated from a company that knows about classics.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Stereo Integrated Amplifiers and Receivers
Price: $7150
Website: www.passlabs.com
Uday said: As for its presentation of the music, I really came to appreciate the INT-150’s more diffuse staging, and I suspect that others will enjoy this too. You just have to give it time so you can get used to the perspective, which, to my ears, replicated the live experience in an obvious way.
The gist: Does anyone know more about amplifiers than designer Nelson Pass?
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Stereo Integrated Amplifiers and Receivers
Price: $1200
Website: www.simaudio.com
Thom said: The key point is that the Moon i.5 is among the best of the best at its price. If you have a relatively small listening room and/or efficient speakers and you’re looking for an integrated amplifier that sounds really fine, find your local Simaudio dealer and check out the Moon i.5.
The gist: Entry-level ampage from a northern heavyweight.
- Details
- Parent Category: 2009 SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guide
- Category: (2009) Stereo Integrated Amplifiers and Receivers
Price: $3300
Website: www.simaudio.com
Philip said: If you value a revealing, engaging sound that will get your toe tapping and your head nodding, you owe it to yourself to audition the Simaudio Moon i3.3.
The gist: Better than the i.5, and better than most at the price.