Saturday
Jul092016
Out with the old and in with the new (amp)
Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 8:56AM I recently bought a new amplifier and it is the most expensive piece of HiFi equipment I've ever purchased. This was something for me rather than an oddity acquired just for the purpose of making a video. Whilst it's not as flashy or quirky as most of my HiFi equipment, I suspect it will outlast the other components and quite probably me as well. Some people wanted to see a video about it, so here it is.
You can aquire refurbished Azur 851A Amplifiers on eBay in the UK - CLICK HERE.
Reader Comments (4)
Hi Mat,
Nice amp...great review as usual.
You mentioned you'd like a VU meter this might be right up your street its got a nice retro look - http://www.nixiekits.eu/IN9-VU.htm - not cheap but it does look like top quality.
There are some very items on that site.
Very cool, looks great!
As usual, I enjoyed the video. I have worked in hifi for almost 40 years, including some very high end gear. I had a laugh at the comment about audiophiles and tone controls. Well put. While I understand very well about the purist approach, bottom line is it is all about whatever makes you happy. If you enjoy dialing bass or treble up and down, or messing with an EQ, this is what is is all about.
I look forward to the next audio review.
Like Joe I also worked in the Hi Fi trade and had many prestigious customers at my London Marble arch shop.
People like John Entwistle, Vangelis and people from the BBC wanted tone controls, others didn't.
I used to have a comparator set up so customers could listen to a cheap 10 watt Sony Amp and compare it to a 200 watt Technics or Quad amplifier. Most could not tell the difference in sound quality.
The only ability of a powerful amplifier was it's ability to drive a difficult load presented by some of the bigger loud speakers.
A lovely well presented review and as I said to many of my customers, "Listen to the music and not the equipment"