Review: First Watt SIT-3 Amplifier
Skunkworks Legend To those who follow aviation history, Clarence “Kelly” Johnson is something of a legend. In case you are unfamiliar with the name, Johnson was a chief [...]
solid state
Review: McIntosh MA252 tube/solid-state integrated amplifier
In the world of high-end audio, there are solid-state tribes and there are tube tribes. Usually the two pretty much stick to their own camps, except for scattered skirmishes [...]
The List: Five of the Best Power Amps in The World
Welcome to something new we’re going to try here on PTA thanks to our friend Wynn Wong of Wynn Audio in Richmond Hill, Ontario. I’m going to be curating a new list [...]
RMAF 2017: Best In Show
This year dawned with plenty of questions facing the high-end audio industry. The most pressing were: Would the U.S. economy hold up, allowing manufacturers and retailers to [...]
McIntosh releases tube/solid state hybrid integrated amplifier MA252
Our very own John Stancavage teased the release of this amp last week HERE. Seems like McIntosh is unveiling a new model every month this year. This is a very good thing [...]
RMAF 2017: McIntosh teases new MA252 hybrid integrated amp
For a company that has kept the style of its gear virtually unchanged for decades, McIntosh maintains a steady of flow of innovative products. They resemble past units, of [...]
Review: McIntosh MP1100 Phono Preamplifier, digging into your vinyl grooves
When the McIntosh MP1100 phono preamplifier arrived at my doorstep, I was as excited as when I saw the first McIntosh product at 12 years old. I admit, I am a McIntosh fan [...]
LA Audio Show 2017: McIntosh in a World of its Own
World of McIntosh is a brand name developed in 2015 by the longtime manufacturer’s parent company, Fine Sounds Group. Audiophiles who haven’t been paying close attention [...]
Review: First Watt J2 Amplifier
I reached out to Nelson Pass of First Watt this summer and asked the “what’s what with First Watt”. By way of response, Nelson agreed to send me a pair of [...]
Look what the cat dragged in: Plinius Koru
I went to pick up Scot Markwell’s (of Elite A/V) show-room demo Plinius Koru phono preamp from Command Performance A/V today. This is that phono stage that I had a [...]