Amplifier Finds That May Have Slipped Under Your Radar

The Tonewinner AD-60 is a stereo Class A/B integrated amplifier designed to accommodate both traditional hi-fi sources and television or wireless playback.

It is specified to deliver 2 x 80 watts into 4 ohms and 2 x 50 watts into 8 ohms, with total harmonic distortion of no more than 0.025% at 1 kHz.

Connectivity is a central strength: HDMI ARC, optical, coaxial, USB-A, USB-C, TF card, stereo RCA and Bluetooth 5.0 inputs are accompanied by speaker, headphone and subwoofer outputs. That breadth makes the AD-60 particularly adaptable when one amplifier must serve several source types.

The Mark Levinson № 523 is a dual-mono analog preamplifier with five line-level inputs and a dedicated Pure Phono input.

Its two balanced XLR and three unbalanced RCA line inputs are joined by balanced and unbalanced stereo outputs, while the front-mounted 6.3 mm Main Drive Headphone output uses the main Class A output chain rather than a secondary circuit.

The phono section supports both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges, with five capacitive loading settings for MM and three gain plus ten resistive loading settings for MC. Ethernet/IP, RS-232, USB configuration, triggers and infrared input provide extensive integration options.

The Magnat MA 1000 follows a hybrid design philosophy, combining valves, transistors and integrated circuits rather than relying on a single amplification technology.

Its preliminary stages use a pair of ECC82 double triodes selected for closely matched characteristics after a 60-hour warm-up process.

The supplied source focuses on the rationale behind this small-signal valve implementation but does not provide output ratings or a complete connection list, so the MA 1000 is best understood here as an architectural alternative to conventional all-solid-state integrated amplifiers.

The Magico S-Sub is not a conventional standalone amplifier, but its built-in amplification makes it relevant to systems requiring self-powered low-frequency reinforcement.

Designed for stereo and home theater installations based on Magico S-series speakers, it combines two long-throw 12-inch drivers with a sealed aluminum enclosure.

The internal amplifier is rated at 2,000 watts, while a digital signal processor and electronic crossover manage setup. Its stated operating range is 15 to 150 Hz, and connections include two balanced XLR inputs plus Ethernet and USB-B ports.

The DT-series Black Edition is a headphone range rather than an amplifier, so its relevance here is limited to headphone-output and system matching.

The collection covers closed, semi-open and open designs intended for monitoring and mastering, with 80- and 250-ohm impedance options represented across the range.

The 80-ohm DT 770 PRO Black Edition is specifically described as suitable for portable amplifiers and hi-fi players, while the DT 880 Black Special Edition retains the technical basis of the 250-ohm DT 880 PRO. The range also emphasizes ergonomic fit and monitoring-oriented construction.

The Moon 341 consolidates a Class A/B power amplifier, fully balanced preamplifier and vinyl playback support within one chassis.

It is rated at 100 watts into 8 ohms and incorporates two technologies adapted from Moon’s North collection.

Moon Hybrid Power combines aspects of a traditional supply with switch-mode technology, an approach intended to improve efficiency while maintaining stable operation. Moon Distortion-Cancelling Amplifier technology applies error correction outside the audio signal path to reduce distortion. The result is a focused integrated design for systems that do not require separate preamplifier and power-amplifier components.

The Krell K-300i is a high-output integrated amplifier rated at 150 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 300 watts per channel into 4 ohms.

Its circuit uses Krell’s iBias technology, which the company developed to retain the stated sonic advantages of Class A operation without the heat and power consumption associated with a traditional Class A design.

The proprietary Current Mode topology is fully differential from the input stage through the final output stage. Those features distinguish the K-300i as an integrated option for systems that need considerable power without separating preamplification and power amplification.

The Violectric PPA V 790 is built for vinyl systems using several cartridges or tonearms.

Its balanced architecture provides three RCA and three balanced XLR phono inputs, with impedance, capacitance, gain, equalization and subsonic filtering adjustable independently for each input from the front panel.

Seven gain levels span +30 to +66 dB, and a clipping indicator helps verify the selected setting. In addition to standard RIAA equalization, the preamplifier includes NAB and Columbia-LP curves for specialized recordings, with stated curve accuracy of 0.1 dB.

The Rakoit B50 combines conventional speaker amplification with television, computer, vinyl and wireless-audio functions.

It delivers up to 50 watts when connected to a 4-ohm load and includes HDMI ARC, optical, USB-A and USB-C connections alongside an RCA line input and an MM/MC-compatible phono input.

Its Qualcomm QCC3040-based Bluetooth 5.2 implementation supports aptX, AAC and aptX HD. The receiver can pair with two devices, while the transmitter provides Auracast sharing to two receivers such as wireless headphones and speakers. Speaker terminals and an active-subwoofer output complete the system connections.

The MA-1 is Matrix Audio’s first Class A/B power amplifier and forms part of the company’s M-series alongside the MS-1 streamer and MP-1 preamplifier.

Each channel uses ten ONSEMI high-power transistors in a push-pull circuit operating with high bias current.

The amplifier is rated at 250 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 450 watts per channel into 4 ohms, giving it the highest stated stereo output in this selection. Its bridgeable architecture also allows it to be considered for systems configured around separate mono power amplification.