Onkyo A-50 streaming amplifier The Onkyo A-50 stands out as a powerful, feature-rich, and great-sounding all-in-one amplifier, with only minor usability and connectivity drawbacks holding it back. Indelible association A quick search through the archives of The Ear reveals that the A-50 is the first Onkyo product to be reviewed on the site. For many […]
Gold Note IS-1000 MkII Deluxe streaming amplifier Italian brand Gold Note have certainly been making waves over the last decade. From its beginnings back in 2011, this once-boutique brand now produces a full range of equipment that covers all bases, from vinyl and digital replay to loudspeakers. I also spotted some rather natty-looking racks in […]
The Ear’s reviewers pick the best hi-fi of 2025 If you want to discover the best hi-fi of 2025, the audio products that really wowed our reviewers over the last 12 months, look no further. These components made a lasting impression, they are the ones reviewers would have held onto if they could and in […]
Hegel H150 streaming amplifier The 75W Hegel H150 integrated streaming amp replaces the brand’s popular H120 but with a world of difference. The timing is also apt because my long-in-the-tooth original H190 has had a hard life over the past six years and has been surpassed by Hegel’s latest circuitry; not least the option of […]
Arcam Radia A15+ integrated amplifier Tom Hanks. You know where you are with Tom Hanks. And that’s kind of a problem. A fine actor, yes. But I wonder if he ever feels a bit hemmed in by his much lauded ‘everyman’ persona. If, in a career shaped by good guy casting – the ultimate safe […]
Bonawatt Triton integrated amplifier There is often talk of technologies becoming obsolete and even in the world of audio it occasionally happens, but more often than not older tech carries alongside the new. Vinyl was written off as dead in 25 years ago yet appears to have the upper hand on its enemy CD today, […]
Bryston Bi-200 integrated amplifier There are a few refreshingly candid companies in audio; organisations where the outlook is defined by an almost pathological honesty. Even among these firms, Bryston stands out for a nigh on complete lack of fluff in terms of how they describe their product. It is their considered opinion that all their […]
Axxess Acoustics Forté 3 streaming amplifier Axxess Acoustics is the entry level range from Audio Group Denmark (AGD), a company that already has the Aavik, Ansuz and Børresen brands under its umbrella and which brings out more new product than your average conglomerate. This is entry level Danish style however so we’re not talking beer […]
Unitra WSH-805 integrated amplifier You might be forgiven a brief, unvoiced ‘who?’ when confronted with the Unitra WSH-805. Answering that question isn’t the work of a moment either. Unitra was the umbrella group of Polish companies involved in consumer electronics back in the Cold War who produced audio equipment for domestic and export purposes. I […]
Vitus Audio RI-101 MkII streaming amplifier The Danes appear to have a knack for producing great hi-fi. Vitus may be a niche brand for some but for those who have experienced the brand’s products, it is a name often mentioned in hushed tones. Indeed Vitus’s products, and particularly their range of amplifiers, are considered by […]
Cambridge Evo 150 SE streaming amplifier Launched with its new branding to the fore, sans Audio, the Cambridge Evo 150 arrives sporting an SE suffix as a new version of this ‘all-in-one’ streaming amplifier in a condensed package bristling with digital and analogue facilities. But does new branding come at the expense of the sonics? […]
Moor Amps Angel 4i integrated amplifier I have often enjoyed listening to Moor Amps amplifiers and speakers at audio shows, especially the Angel 6 and Ascalon-8 speakers. The Angel 6 is the amplifier of choice of a couple of fellow reviewers, including The Ear’s esteemed editor, Jason Kennedy. So naturally I was keen to try […]