Audiophile's Guide to the Galaxy
The Catalog of All Known High-End Audio Amplifiers

Collected & Compiled by
Audio Federation
The Best and Nothing but the Best
For the Music Lover in All of Us

Our ever-evolving list, in order, of recommended
SOLID STATE AMPLIFIERS		 TUBED AMPLIFIERS
     
 
Edge Electronics
Reference Monoblocks $125,000.00
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 800 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms 1600 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms 3200 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms N/A
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms N/A
Continuous current/channel >50 amperes
Maximum peak current/channel N/A
Transformer size/channel 4000 VA
Output transistor type 24 NPN Bipolar Transistors
Slew rate 120 Volts per microsecond
Other  
NL Signature One Monoblocks $31,000.00
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 400 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms 800 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms N/A
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms N/A
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms N/A
Continuous current/channel 41.67 amperes
Maximum peak current/channel N/A
Transformer size/channel 3000 VA
Output transistor type 32 NPN Bipolar Transistors
Slew rate 120 Volts per microsecond
Other  
   
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 225 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms 450 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms N/A
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms N/A
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms N/A
Continuous current/channel 27.73 amperes
Maximum peak curren/channel N/A
Transformer size/channel 1000 VA
Output transistor type 12 NPN Bipolar Transistors
Slew rate 120 Volts per microsecond
Other  
 
 
 

OUR TAKE:
The prime example of the latest wave of solidstate amplifiers, those that are able to render microdynamics and smoothness like a tube amp, but have the slam and convenience of soldstate. No solidstate 'glare' or harshness, and all this is accomplished without sacrificing detail or clarity.

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed 90
Detail 90
Smoothness 90
Clarity 90
Agility 90
Solidity 85
Air 95
Slam 85
Naturalness 90
Enjoyability 90
Microdynamics 90
Macrodynamics 85
Glareless 95
Power 90
Drive 90
Ergonomics 90
Hours spent with amplifiers: > 1000 Systems heard with amplifiers: 6 1435
Recommended Speakers: All.
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
The Absolute Sound issue 137 Aug/Sep 2002 NL Signature One monoblocks
The Absolute Sound issue 127, Dec 2000/ Jan 2001 NL 10
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
Lamm Industries
M1.1 Hybrid Monoblocks $17,290.00
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 100 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms 100 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms 200 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms 300 watts
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms 200 watts
Continuous current/channel N/A
Maximum peak current/channel 5 amperes
Transformer size/channel N/A
Output transistor type MOSFET Transistors
Slew rate 32 Volts per microsecond
Other Class A
M2.1 Hybrid Monoblocks $16,490.00
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 200 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms 200 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms 400 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms 600 watts
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms 400 watts
Continuous curren/channel N/A
Maximum peak current/channel 7.07 amperes
Transformer size/channel N/A
Output transistor type N/A
Slew rate 40 volts per microsecond
Other Class A/AB
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed TBD
Detail TBD
Smoothness TBD
Clarity TBD
Agility TBD
Solidity TBD
Air TBD
Slam TBD
Naturalness TBD
Enjoyability TBD
Microdynamics TBD
Macrodynamics TBD
Glareless TBD
Power TBD
Drive TBD
Ergonomics TBD
Hours spent with amplifiers: 1 Systems heard with amplifiers: 1 TBD
Recommended Speakers: All but the most inefficient (for example MBL speakers rated at 80 db efficiency).
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
Stereophile M2.1
   
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
Halcro
dm68 Monoblocks $35,000.00
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 225 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms >400 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms N/A
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms N/A
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms N/A
Continuous current/channel 12 amperes
Maximum peak current/channel N/A
Transformer size/channel N/A
Output transistor type N/A
Slew rate 100 volts per microsecond
Other  
dm58 Monoblocks $25,000.00
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 200 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms >350 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms N/A
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms N/A
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms N/A
Continuous current/channel 12 amperes
Maximum peak current/channel N/A
Transformer size/channel N/A
Output transistor type N/A
Slew rate 100 volts per microsecond
Other  
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: Is not designed for speakers with large impedance swings or impedances that go below 4 ohms (as described in the manual, downloadable from the Halcro website). This prevents the amps from sounding their best on many popular speakers.

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed 85
Detail 85
Smoothness 85
Clarity 80
Agility 80
Solidity 80
Air 80
Slam 80
Naturalness 70
Enjoyability 80
Microdynamics 80
Macrodynamics 80
Glareless 85
Power 75
Drive 20
Ergonomics 95
Hours spent with amplifiers: 3 Systems heard with amplifiers: 3 1290
Recommended Speakers: Wilson Sophia, Watt/Puppy 7, Grand Slamm (very easy to drive speakers). Do not recommend Wilson Maxx (or other somewhat hard to drive speakers).
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
Stereophile dm68
   
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
darTZeel
NHB-108 Model One $14,141
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 100 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms 160 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms 100 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms 160 watts
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms 100 watts
Continuous current/channel 8 amperes
Maximum peak current/channel 25 amps/20ms, 40 amps/10 ms, 100 amps/1ms, ...
Transformer size/channel 300VA toroid wound on a 450VA core
Output transistor type One pair bipolar transistors
Slew rate 100  volts per microsecond (peak to peak)
Other Open loop output stage, no input feedback,
6 transistors junctions from in to out, more than 1MHz bandwidth
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed TBD
Detail TBD
Smoothness TBD
Clarity TBD
Agility TBD
Solidity TBD
Air TBD
Slam TBD
Naturalness TBD
Enjoyability TBD
Microdynamics TBD
Macrodynamics TBD
Glareless TBD
Power TBD
Drive TBD
Ergonomics TBD
Hours spent with amplifiers: 0 Systems heard with amplifiers: 0 TBD
Recommended Speakers:
 
OTHER TAKES
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
Accuphase
M-8000 Monoblocks $27,000.00
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 250 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms 500 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms 1000 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms 2000 watts
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms 310 watts
Continuous current/channel N/A
Maximum peak current/channel N/A
Transformer size/channel 1500 V/A (3000 max)
Output transistor type 22 push-pull MOSFET transistors
Slew rate N/A
Other  
A-50V $15,000.00
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 50 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms 100 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms 200 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms 400 watts
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms N/A
Continuous current/channel N/A
Maximum peak current/channel N/A
Transformer size/channel 500 V/A (1000 max)
Output transistor type 10 push-pull MOSFET transistors
Slew rate N/A
Other Class A
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed 70
Detail 70
Smoothness 80
Clarity 70
Agility 80
Solidity 80
Air 75
Slam 85
Naturalness 70
Enjoyability 85
Microdynamics 70
Macrodynamics 80
Glareless 80
Power 80
Drive 90
Ergonomics 85
Hours spent with amplifiers: 10 Systems heard with amplifiers: 1 1250
Recommended Speakers:
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
   
   
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
Goldmund
Goldmund Millennium Mono Power Amplifier (Subscription Only) Monoblocks $49,900.00
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 600 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms N/A
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms N/A
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms N/A
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms N/A
Continuous current/channel N/A
Maximum peak current/channel N/A
Transformer size/channel N/A
Output transistor type N/A
Slew rate N/A
Other JOB3 circuitry
Mimesis 29.4M Millennium Edition Monblocks $21,500.00
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 350 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms 350 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms 350 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms 175 watts
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms 500 watts
Continuous current/channel N/A
Maximum peak current/channel 28 amperes
Transformer size/channel N/A
Output transistor type N/A
Slew rate >200 volts per microsecond
Other JOB3 circuitry
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed TBD
Detail TBD
Smoothness TBD
Clarity TBD
Agility TBD
Solidity TBD
Air TBD
Slam TBD
Naturalness TBD
Enjoyability TBD
Microdynamics TBD
Macrodynamics TBD
Glareless TBD
Power TBD
Drive TBD
Ergonomics TBD
Hours spent with amplifiers: 0 Systems heard with amplifiers: 0 TBD
Recommended Speakers:
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
AudioReview.com 29.4
   
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
FM Acoustics
Resolution Series 811Monoblocks $59,800.00
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 440 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms 750 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms N/A
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms N/A
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms N/A
Continuous current draw/channel N/A
Maximum peak current draw/channel N/A
Transformer size/channel N/A
Output transistor type N/A
Slew rate 50 volts per microsecond
Other Class A
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed TBD
Detail TBD
Smoothness TBD
Clarity TBD
Agility TBD
Solidity TBD
Air TBD
Slam TBD
Naturalness TBD
Enjoyability TBD
Microdynamics TBD
Macrodynamics TBD
Glareless TBD
Power TBD
Drive TBD
Ergonomics TBD
Hours spent with amplifiers: 0 Systems heard with amplifiers: 0 TBD
Recommended Speakers:
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
The Absolute Sound  
   
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
Hovland
Radia $9,500.00
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 125 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms 200 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms N/A
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms N/A
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms N/A
Continuous current draw/channel N/A
Maximum peak current draw/channel N/A
Transformer size/channel N/A
Output transistor type N/A
Slew rate N/A
Other  
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed TBD
Detail TBD
Smoothness TBD
Clarity TBD
Agility TBD
Solidity TBD
Air TBD
Slam TBD
Naturalness TBD
Enjoyability TBD
Microdynamics TBD
Macrodynamics TBD
Glareless TBD
Power TBD
Drive TBD
Ergonomics TBD
Hours spent with amplifiers: 1/2 Systems heard with amplifiers: 1 TBD
Recommended Speakers:
 
OTHER TAKES
Reviewers Reviews
   
   
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
Karan
KA-PAM 1200 Monoblocks ?
? Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 1200 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms 2000 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms 3600 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms N/A
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms N/A
Continuous current/channel N/A
Maximum peak current/channel N/A
Transformer size/channel N/A
Output transistor type N/A
Slew rate N/A
Other  
KA-PAS 450 Monoblocks ?
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 8 ohms 360 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 4 ohms 600 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 2 ohms 1000 watts
Continuous RMS watts/channel into 1 ohms N/A
Maximum peak watts/channel into 8 ohms N/A
Continuous current/channel N/A
Maximum peak current/channel 400 amperes
Transformer size/channel 1200 VA
Output transistor type 20 RET transistors
Slew rate N/A
Other  
 
 
 

OUR TAKE: N/A

Company Sound* Rating 1 (poor) to 100 (fantastic)
Speed TBD
Detail TBD
Smoothness TBD
Clarity TBD
Agility TBD
Solidity TBD
Air TBD
Slam TBD
Naturalness TBD
Enjoyability TBD
Microdynamics TBD
Macrodynamics TBD
Glareless TBD
Power TBD
Drive TBD
Ergonomics TBD
Hours spent with amplifiers: 0 Systems heard with amplifiers: 0 TBD