Editors’ Choice: Power Amplifiers $6000-$10000

McIntosh MC275

$6000

The sixth version of this classic McIntosh amplifier is by far the best, boasting greater tonal neutrality yet without losing the beautifully solid, rounded, dimensional, and natural musicality of its tube origins. Thanks to improvements in the transformers, distortion and noise are far lower than ever, bandwidth higher, dynamic range wider, transparency greater, and transient response better than ever. At 75Wpc (though 90 is typical), the 275 has virtually all the power PS needs, but for those who want more, it’s strappable to 150W. 

Coincident Speaker Technology Frankenstein M300B Mk. III

$6499

One of the best-sounding 300B SET amps DO has auditioned, Israel Blume’s Frankenstein IIs deliver on the promise of SETs: a midrange to die for, wonderful tonal color saturation, and spectacular imaging. In short, a sensational first watt! Its combination of affordability and performance makes for a screaming buy recommendation with the right speakers. 

PS Audio Stellar M1200 

$6598/pr.

This lithe monoblock amplifier is a happy marriage of old and new technology. It boasts a tubed input stage and a Class D output stage that packs colossal power. With 600 watts into an 8-ohm load and 1200 into 4 ohms, it can drive pretty much any loudspeaker with aplomb. And it does. There are few, if any, amplifiers that will grip the bass drivers as tenaciously as the M1200. Its transient speed can only be described as stunning. The treble region can become a little bright, but the overall performance that the Stellar offers is truly stellar. 

Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Reference+

$6800

The ZOTL40 was commissioned and licensed directly from David Berning, and in many respects, is like the ZH-230. This is nominally a 40Wpc power amp based on Berning’s patented impedance-matching technology that does away with a conventional output transformer. Expect a substantial dose of tube magic with a good measure of tonal neutrality. There’s just the right touch of harmonic lushness delivered with superb transient speed and control. Reproduction of the treble range, in particular violin overtones, is grain-free and effortless and does much to enhance long-term listenability.

Linear Tube Audio ZOTL Ultralinear+

$6800

David Berning’s Ultralinear (UL) amplifier breaks new ground in emulating a traditional UL output in a ZOTL setting. It also marks the resumption of his “love affair” with TV sweep tubes. A pair of 17JN6 Compactrons in push-pull connection generates 20Wpc. Sonically, the UL has much in common with the legendary ZH-270. Both share transient speed and control beyond the capabilities of ordinary tube amps. Other common denominators are electrostatic-like midrange clarity, which allows for resolution of densely layered orchestration. The best-sounding low-power push-pull ZOTL amp Berning has designed to date. 

Sanders Magtech

$7000

The Magtech “sounds as if it has infinite power into anything with total stability,” says REG. The fully regulated power supply is unusual. The rated power output of 500Wpc into 8 ohms and 900Wpc into 4, coupled with its stability driving capacitive loads, makes it the perfect choice for electrostatics. 

VTL ST-150

$7000

VTL’s ST-150 is a relatively compact yet powerful stereo power amplifier employing 6550 tubes that can drive a wide range of speaker loads. A classic all-valve push/pull power amp, the 150 delivers 150Wpc in tetrode mode and 70Wpc in triode operation. Sonically the amp delivers plenty of wallop, but is also capable of fine dynamic shading, excellent resolution, and great overall coherence, with the attendant bloom, air, and texture tube lovers desire.

Audio by Van Alstine DVA 850

$7298/pr.

This massive hybrid monoblock with a 12AT7 input stage and a transistor output section delivers a whopping 850W into 8 ohms. Industry veteran Frank Van Alstine pulled out all the stops for the DVA 850, including a circuit based on the patented Fet Valve amplifier and unusual lateral MOSFET output transistors. The amp offers a remarkably jaunty and silky sound—with lots of headroom—that always errs on the sound of musical bliss. Despite its high power, the DVA 850’s presentation is elegant and refined. A bargain in powerhouse amplifiers.

PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium HP 

$7798/pr.

For anyone looking to indulge in the tube experience, with most of the drawbacks minimized, GW cannot recommend the 70Wpc (40Wpc in triode) PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium HP highly enough. It has creative and thoughtful design, exceptional build-quality, an elegant look and feel, and its sonic performance is clearly well above its reasonable asking price. 

Atma-Sphere M-60 Mk3.3 OTL

$7900/pr.

Atma-Sphere’s uniquely simple, 60Wpc, Class A, all-tube OTL (output transformer-less) design offers a rare and exhilarating glimpse into music that few other amps can duplicate. This triode-based classic also possesses outstanding neutrality, clarity, definition, soundstaging, and dynamics. Relatively high-impedance, high-sensitivity speakers are recommended for best bass performance. 

Mark Levinson N^o 5302 

$9000

The fully discrete, direct-coupled Class AB amplifier (with a circuit derived from the company’s much more expensive N^o 534 amplifier is rated at 135Wpc into 8 ohms (270Wpc into 4 ohms) but sounds like a much more powerful amplifier. The bass, in particular, has greater dynamic authority and extension than that of many amplifiers with higher output power. The amplifier excels at reproducing transient detail.

MBL Cadenza C21

$9600

Sounding more like a fine linear amp than the hybrid-switching amp it is, the 180Wpc C21 offers much of the sweetness, air, and texture (if not the full measure of swat) of MBL’s own Reference line 9011 amps. Its top end, the region where Class D once struggled, is smooth and extended. Its lows are elegantly controlled but not over-torqued; instead, there’s a bit of velvety bloom. An amp that can proudly stand next to the best in its class.