
Absolare Hybrid Stereo, Signature Edition
$52,000
Absolare has managed to capture much of the magic of its reference-class products in the Hybrid Stereo power amplifier. The Hybrid combines tubes in the front end with a 275Wpc (4 ohms) solid-state output stage. Yet there’s no hint of transistors in the Hybrid’s sound; it has astonishing liquidity of timbre, is utterly grain-free, and projects that elusive sense of midrange presence that is the hallmark of the best SETs. The Hybrid creates a directness of musical expression—of hearing nothing between you and the music—that is unique among solid-state amplifiers, in RH’s experience. RH, 322

CH Precision M1.1
$54,000; $104,000/pr.
Winner of TAS’ 2015 Product of the Year award for cost-no-object amplifier, this deluxe, Swiss-made, bridgeable (or adaptable to stereo use), high-current, high-power, 200W, Class AB amplifier—authored by the same engineers, Florian Cossy and Thierry Heeb (the C and H of CH Precision) who designed Goldmund’s distinguished electronics back in the day—seems to have some of the sonic DNA of another Swiss company’s, Soulution’s, world-class electronics. Indeed, JV reports that he would be hard put to choose between the M1 and Soulution’s 711 in every regard save for the bass, where the Soulution still holds an edge in weight, power, and color. When it comes to resolution, however, it is a different story. Indeed, with a slightly less dark (i.e., “bottom up”) balance, the CH Precision draws ahead in detail. JV, 259

Soulution 501
$55,500/pr.
By joining a state-of-the-art switching power supply to its already state-of-the-art, high-speed, high-current Class AB circuitry, Soulution managed to add simply incredible bass power, grip, and color to products that were no slouches in this regard in the past and that already boasted fabulous resolution, transient speed, and low noise. The result was a transistor monoblock amp with uncommonly beautiful and liquid timbre, tube-like three-dimensionality, vast soundstaging, and jaw-dropping realism. Despite its mere 120W power rating, the 501 was also the most unstintingly powerful amp (of any topology) JV had (up till then) had in his system, refusing to give up or out on even the widest dynamic swings at the highest listening levels. Co-winner of TAS’ 2013 Solid-State Amp of the Year. JV, 236

Constellation Centaur II
$57,000
Very high resolution and voluptuous tone color generally don’t go together in hi-fi gear, and when they do—as in Class A triode tube circuits—they do so at a price in neutrality. Not so the Class AB 250Wpc Constellation Performance Series Centaur II stereo amp, which has gorgeous color and texture on top, coupled with an uncanny ability to resolve very fine details without etching or “spotlighting” them. Among the loveliest, highest-resolution solid-state amps JV has yet heard. JV

Constellation Taurus
$58,000/pr.
Part of Constellation’s trio of Revelation series solid-state electronics, the Taurus monoblocks make musical magic. Sonic compromises such as accurate-but-analytical, silky-but-smeared, musical-but-veiled simply don’t apply. You get it all: lifelike tonal balance, refined resolution, expansive soundstaging, fantastic dynamic range and control—all woven into a compelling musical whole. The Taurus mono amp puts out 500 watts and sounds more powerful than many similarly rated products. Though housed in less elaborate casework than its more expensive brethren, the Taurus delivers much higher-level Constellation magic at a less lofty price. KM, 294

T+A M 40 HV
$62,850/pr.
T+A’s monoblock hybrid amplifier boasts the kind of power you need to ride on the sonic equivalent of the Autobahn. (T+A’s accompanying P3100HV preamplifier is also extraordinarily incisive.) The M 40 produces an immense soundstage that almost allows you to count the members of an orchestra row by row. It also seems to be virtually grainless. Raise the volume and there is no sense of strain. These 550W amplifiers, whose input stage is based around a pair of 6SN7 tubes, can be run in either high power or high current mode, with the latter providing a richer sound. This amplifier offers not simply rock-solid, but also invariably seductive performance. JHb, 316

Zanden Audio Systems Model 9600mk2
$70,000/pr.
For those of you who own speakers that don’t require the very last word in power and that are well-damped in the bottom end, it is difficult to imagine a more appealing amplifier than this drop-dead-gorgeous-looking Class A/AB tube monoblock from the great Japanese engineer Kazutoshi Yamada of Zanden Audio Systems. Powered by twin 845 triodes, the 60W in Class A (and 100W in Class AB) Model 9600 Mk2 is a veritable model of neutrality, producing a near-divinely natural tonal balance from the top almost to the bottom (where it becomes a little outsized), without any hint of excess darkness or brightness. Gobsmackingly detailed and lifelike, the Model 9600 Mk2 is simply one of the best medium-powered tube amplifiers JV has heard. JV, 293

MBL9008 A
$70,200/pr.
The massive, high-current, high-bandwidth, high-power (440W into 8 ohms, 840W into 4 ohms, 1000W into 2 ohms), very-low-distortion, Class AB 9008 A monoblock amplifier sits just behind MBL’s even more massive and powerful 9011 monoblock in the company’s Reference Line. Both amps were designed by Jürgen Reis, which is tantamount to saying that both amps are bullet-proof technical and sonic marvels. Built using the finest parts, the 9008 A is a beast with a velvet voice. Seemingly inexhaustible speed, power, and plumb-the-depths resolution are here mated to a dark, rich, beautiful tonal palette. The result is something very like what you hear with Soulution’s finest amps—a gorgeous bottom-up presentation with the solidity of an ebony pillar. Perfect for any of MBL’s own speakers, including the 101s and the X-tremes, and swell with anything else. One of JV’s references. Forthcoming

Esoteric Grandioso M1X
$71,000/pr.
The M1 monoblocks are refined tigers. “Refined” because they demonstrate purity, control, and spellbinding clarity. “Tigers” because each amp effortlessly delivers 300 high-current watts into 8 ohms and 1200 watts into 2 ohms—enough for the most challenging loads. The M1’s presentation, like the rest of the Grandioso stack, is more upfront than that of traditional Japanese gear, which tends to be laid-back. AT, 280 (M1X version not yet reviewed)
By TAS Staff
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