Up to 84% in savings when you subscribe to The Absolute Sound
Logo Close Icon

Begin typing your search above and press return to search. Press Esc to cancel.

2017 Golden Ear Awards: Vade Forrester

2017 Golden Ear Awards: Vade Forrester

Rotel A14 integrated amplifier/DAC
$1299
The astronomical prices of some current gear can overshadow the increasing number of moderately priced components that produce really enjoyable sound. Today’s sources include a number of digital and wireless devices, and many integrated amps now include DACs and Bluetooth capability that permit you to connect with almost any source you want. Such is Rotel’s $1299 A14 integrated, which produces a useful 80Wpc in a compact, easy-to-use package. Analog fans are not forgotten; the A14 also includes a moving-magnet phono input that’s surprisingly good-sounding. Using an AKM DAC chip, the A14 can play PCM files up to 384kHz/24-bits, and DSD256 files—just about everything you’d encounter except MQA files. What sets the A14 apart is how sweet it sounds, belying the notion that solid-state amps must be harsh or edgy. Yet it generates surprising upper-bass impact from the bass-shy KEF LS50 speakers. Soundstaging is among the best I’ve heard—from anything. Its headphone amp is also respectable, driving fairly low-sensitivity ’phones to decent levels. A matching CD14 CD player is available, which can be controlled by the A14’s remote. If you’re into hi-fi for musical enjoyment, the A14 may be all the electronics you’ll ever need.

2017 Golden Ear Awards: Vade Forrester

Audio Research Corporation LS28 linestage
$7500
The centerpiece of Audio Research’s new Foundation Series of components, the $7500 LS28 is a full-function linestage that combines ARC’s latest styling with its usual boatload of useful features. A hybrid circuit (JFETs and 6H30 tubes) produces wide-open, spacious, detailed, amazingly quiet sonics, while adding a robustness to the bass that improves on the LS26 and LS27. All features, including a timer that tells how many hours the tubes have been used, are accessible from the metal remote control. The LS28 illustrates how an expensive component can still be a sensational value. The Foundation Series includes a matching DAC, phono preamp, and power amp.

2017 Golden Ear Awards: Vade Forrester

Vade Forrester

By Vade Forrester

More articles from this editor

Read Next From Review

See all

Adblocker Detected

"Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit..."

"There is no one who loves pain itself, who seeks after it and wants to have it, simply because it is pain..."