Live Multitest Integrated Amplifiers - 2500 euro

Index:
0:00 - 14:17 - Countdown
14:18 - 15:24 - Start of the stream
15:25 - 24:53 - Introduction of the test
24:54 - 42:08 - Amplifier 1 (Advance Paris A12)
42:09 - 59:11 - Amplifier 2 (Arcam SA30)
59:12 - 1:15:16 - Amplifier 3 (Atoll IN300)
1:15:17 - 1:31:19 - Amplifier 4 (Yamaha A-S1200)
1:31:20 - 1:53:15 - Amplifier 5 (Moon i250)
1:53:16 - 1:56:00 - Short discussion on the reference gear
1:56:01 - 2:30:18 - Lunchbreak
2:30:19 - 2:36:08 - After lunch summary
2:36:09 - 2:42:44 - The Advance Paris refresher
2:42:45 - 2:59:00 - Amplifier 6 (Cyrus Classic Amp)
2:59:01 - 3:11:32 - Amplifier 7 (Rega Elicit MK5)
3:11:33 - 3:18:15 - Revealing the amps
3:18:16 - 3:38:35 - Conclusion

The list of amps:

Yamaha A-S1200
Cyrus Classic AMP
Rega Elicit MK5
MOON i250
Advance Paris A12
Arcam SA30
Atoll IN300

[jmtennapel]

Start of the stream: 14:18 - 15:24
Introduction of the test: 15:24 - 24:53
Amplifier 1 (Advance Paris A12): 24:53 - 42:08
Amplifier 2 (Arcam SA30): 42:08 - 59:11
Amplifier 3 (Atoll IN300): 59:11 - 1:15:16
Amplifier 4 (Yamaha A-S1200): 1:15:16 - 1:31:19
Amplifier 5 (Moon i250): 1:31:19 - 1:53:15
Short discussion on the reference gear: 1:53:15 - 1:56:00
Lunchbreak: 1:56:00 - 2:30:18
After lunch summary: 2:30:18 - 2:36:08
The Advance Paris refresher : 2:36:08 - 2:42:44
Amplifier 6 (Cyrus Classic Amp): 2:42:44 - 2:59:00
Amplifier 7 (Rega Elicit MK5): 2:59:00 - 3:11:32
Revealing the amps: 3:11:32 - 3:18:15
Conclusion: 3:18:15 - 3:38:35

[iamamixurnot]

For a long time I thought the Atoll I300 would be an exceptional amp if you are into pace, rhythm and timing, so I was surprised not to hear it at all in this test. I also found it to be a little dull, lacking resolution. Both were not lacking on other YT sound demos of this amp. Now I wonder whether there could be some synergistic problems, eventually with the speakers?! My favourites are the Advance, the Yamaha, undecided about the rest. No ranking, though. Thanks for the huge amount of work, time and money, you guys seem to invest, best HiFi channel on YT!

[thebestoffools]

I bought a Rega Elicit Mk5 a few days ago and I have to say it surpasses my expectations. I liked my previous Rega Elex-R, but the Elicit sounds much more hi-fi. It has a beautiful rich sound, and the dac, the phono stage and headphones out are a great addition and sound a lot better than I expected. It took my sound system to a whole new level.

[timothyfreeseha]

What I love about tests like these is that it makes me realize what a great time in audio history we live in. To me, it is a matter of appeal over objective quality. I want them all! But I will say the moon did the most appealing job with voice- richer more natural, at least on the first track.

[yippie]

The more I listen to all of these amps the more I appreciate the Cyrus. It's not as transparent or detailed as most of the amps here, but there is some quality about it that draws me into the music more than the others do. It connects me on an emotional level.

[aussie]

Good to see Cyrus getting some time in the spotlight. I’ve had a Cyrus 8 for about 5 years and it’s astonishing what comes out of that little black box. Interesting that one person says it’s very boring yet another says it’s definitely not boring.

[rupertherbert]

Great job guys, my top 3 here is Cyrus, Yamaha and Rega. Thanks a lot! :)

[thnotehifireviews]

Interesting your results show a big leaning towards power and the amps that can probably drive lower loads which tend to be the winner when they all use similar quality power supplies and similar circuit designs. Essentially then there is on the whole a positive correlation between power (giving lots of current) and sound quality and why taking out preference so far as tonality/voicing, they always tend to be the better amps, especially using 87db sensitive speakers as in your test. That’s exactly what your 3 team reviewer results show. The current and power helps with dynamic headroom of tracks. Then eek out reviewer sound preferences so far as tonality / voicing is concerned (you aren’t listening to slight changes in voicing when you did the test but dynamic capability) and categorise those and you have the winners. I think this goes to show hifi isn’t rocket science and there are not millions of different opinions, as some would have us believe, but that objective consensus exists in hifi. Not sure of the validity of home public tests though, as correct me if I’m wrong aren’t I playing back your room into my room, but not sure how you are doing that Jaap.

[cyrilgandolfo]

1 - Moon pour le suivi mélodique et la délicatesse des voix.
2 - Atoll pour l’énergie et la résolution.

[Romulus]

For me via Dac, headphones & youtube was the MOON and Rega. Moon had me tapping and involved most in the music. Rega was impressive in the fun factor. Arcam third for it's large presentation...

[stuartboros]

Interesting test!

I use an older amp which I bought from an audio reviewer. He used it as one of his references as it has no output transformer so it was dead flat into any speaker load.

As mentioned in the test, amps load slightly differently so frequently response differences occur causing amps to sound different.

[johncallaghan]

Greatly enjoyed. Thanks.

I didn't watch as you changed amps, and even if I had, I only recognised two of them -- the Arcam and Yamaha as it happened. So effectively, it was blind for me. My three favourites were first, the Arcam, followed by the Cyrus and Rega. Interestingly, all three are British designs -- and I am British, so maybe I picked those that most suit past familiarity and preference. That said, the amp I use at home in my main system is a combo of pre- and power, neither of which are British.

I was interested to hear about those amazing powered speakers you mentioned -- didn't quite catch the name. Could you repeat it for me please?

[vishalnatarajan]

Hi guys! Thank you so much for doing this, this was so informative and fun to watch. Question: What other amps would you say sound similar to the Cyrus?

[MatthieuMAZERA]

Hi Alpha Audio! Thanks. Following your idea of matching a regular buyer’s setup I wonder why the available integrated phono preamplifier of each contender wouldn’t have been a nice choice? How costly is the combination of this record player and the Primare Phono preamplifier? In a nutshell your choices are very « composite ». A more affordable record player or a more available one in the shops would have been great ;-) How nice to listen to these well chosen recordings ! Your language is very exotic to my ears -;) These fast lyrics are very tricky for hi-fi replay. Your loudspeakers are so good as for these listening tests. I have never eared their coloration or intrinsic signature. How to find such a great listening demo in a physical reseller? So grateful of your commitment in sharing this live sessions with us

[sebastiannegrus]

Thank you for your time and work ! Very profesional test as we expect ! Can you please tell me when sample will be available for download in Database?

[joeythedime]

It would interesting to see a comparisons of A/B integrated amps with VU Meters up in the next price range. For example: Advanced Paris X-I1100, Yamaha A-S3200, Luxman L-505z, Accuphase E-280.

[RiaTolstoy]

Great test, very interesting results… shows sources make a difference too. Nice to see the vinyl in the mix. Glad Rega was favourable. I have the Aethos with Spendor D7.2 speakers, very happy with it. Am jealous of the TADs though, would love to hear them one day. 🥰

[sebastiannegrus]

I downloaded samples from the Database, and I have listened carrefuly, I made my choice, and then revisited top 3 from your guests, and yours and surprise...I like the best two of the favorites based on your votes Arcam(3 votes) and Yamaha(3 votes)... I'm glad that I hear somehow close to yours educated ears :)...so my top 3, starting to the best is : 1.Arcam; 2.Yamaha; 3. Cyrus

[jazzabana]

How does cyrus classic compares to keces e40 if your memory serves you, I wonder? Thank you in advance, I have been obsessively listening this video and the old 2500€ video.

[HristijanCurukoski]

Thank you for your time and effort. I would suggest to play the reference amplifier (pass labs) in this kind of tests in future so the audience can make it's own comparisons with the reference sound.