Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
How useful are hifi reviews? We consider them useful for three things: (1) Surfacing new products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've ever heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's unique attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on everything—rarely being negative for fear of souring relationships with manufacturers. Further, they seldom have more than a couple products on-hand at once, relying on their imperfect memories to compare to past products.
Video Review
Compared to their other products
We think it's helpful to understand how this product fits into the brand's full lineup (below). To learn more about these products, visit the brand's page.
Prestige Series
- Positioning: The entry-level lineup offering high-quality audio performance with accessible designs.
- Description: Delivers impressive sound quality through carefully engineered components. While it provides a solid foundation, it lacks the advanced technologies found in the higher-tier Reference and Signature Series, resulting in comparatively less refined audio reproduction.
Reference Series
- Positioning: Mid-tier products that introduce enhanced features and performance over the Prestige Series.
- Description: Incorporates improved circuit designs and higher-grade materials, offering a more detailed and dynamic listening experience. However, it doesn't include the proprietary Inverted Triode technology present in the Signature Series, which limits its ability to deliver the same level of sonic purity and realism.
Signature Series
- Positioning: High-end products featuring Aries Cerat's proprietary technologies for superior audio fidelity.
- Description: Stands out with the implementation of the unique Inverted Triode technology, providing exceptional linearity and low distortion. This results in a more natural and immersive sound compared to the Reference Series.
Limited Edition Series
- Positioning: The flagship lineup representing the highest level of craftsmanship and audio performance.
- Description: Features top-of-the-line components and exclusive designs, such as the dual-chassis configuration for improved isolation and power supply integrity. This meticulous engineering surpasses the capabilities of the Signature Series, delivering extraordinary soundstage and detail retrieval.
See all the brand's products
Read the reviews
Genus
images
No items found.
Manufacturer's notes
The Genus SET integrated amplifier is our answer to the challenge of making a smaller one-box integrated amplifier which would carry our design philosophy. In development for some years, we are proud to announce the 'Offspring' or 'Genus' to our family of single ended amplifiers. With a footprint of 520mm x 530mm it is our most compact design to date, yet remains faithful to our no compromise approach. The Genus can fit where it's bigger brothers are unable to.
The Genus integrated is 25W in Class A1 yet only has two gain stages. It takes key design ideas from our Concero 25 monoblock circuit. It is effectively a small stereo SET amplifier driving a bigger stereo SET in one chassis. The input / driver stage is a small 0.7W SE amplifier built around the Siemens E280F super triode and is loaded with a double c-core bifilar wound interstage transformer. This single tube stage offers maximum linearity and bandwidth for maximum transparency. No coupling capacitors are present anywhere in the circuit.
Manufacturer Specs
- Output Power: 25W Class A1
- Bandwidth: 11Hz~60kHz
- Noise floor: <100db unweighted
- Harmonic distortion: -64db H2 and -73db H3 @1W
- Tube list: 2x Elrog 845, 2x Siemens E280F
- Feedback: No local or global feedback
- Speaker Impedance: User Selectable from 1-16 ohms
- Power Consumption @ idle: 400W
- Dimensions: 520 mm W x 530 mm D x 280 mm H
- Weight unpacked: 67kg
- Inputs: 4 RCA pairs, 1 XLR pair (balanced)
- Outputs: 3 pairs of speaker posts and headphone out
Visit Manufacturer Site
Average Price
$20,001-$30,000
Used Products
3
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
257
of 600+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products
29
Founded
2010
Our take on the brand
Aries Cerat is a hifi brand known for its use of oversized components and TriodeFet technology, which combines tube and solid-state designs to create a distinctive sound signature. Their products, including the Kassandra DAC and Symphonia horn speakers, are built with massive power handling capabilities and carefully selected drivers to deliver a muscular, dynamic sound that rivals top analogue systems.
Brand Page
Most data on ExtremeHiFi is proprietary—researched and reviewed after thousands of hours of loving labor. We archive our site's data and its pages on Archive.org and take legal action against those repurposing the data. We also fingerprint data to know when text and numbers came from us first.
Visit Full Brand Page
Used
Aries Cerat
What if you spend a bit more?
Hybrid Stereo
38000
38000
/
3
Reviews
Absolare
The Signature series is a significant step above the Passion series. The entire signal path utilizes Duelund’s select CAST coupling capacitors together with Echole’s Orius cabling. Critical parts of the power section and signal path utilize other custom components such as proprietary Silver/Gold/Palladium signal path on the PCB and matched Amtrans AMRG resistors to name a few
Absolare pioneered a hybrid amplifier design that combines the warmth of single-ended circuits with the control of push-pull formats, achieving the rare feat of bringing single-ended's signature midrange qualities to a hybrid configuration. Absolare is renowned for its luxuriously designed, leather-wrapped amplifiers and world-class expertise in vacuum tube hifi amplifiers.
Expand Details
.svg)
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Preserves the sonic signature of tube electronics, while being able to drive a wider range of loudspeakers
- Has astonishing liquidity of timbre, and is utterly grain-free
- Projects a sense of presence that sounds very much like the best SET amplifiers
- Creates a directness of musical expression, fostering an intimacy with the music and performers
- Produces a very warm midrange, and sweet top end
Product Considerations
- Treble was less bright, and open than that of many other amplifiers
- Favors warmth, fullness, and texture in the bass rather than slam and extension
- May not be the most resolving amplifier for the money
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Absolare Hybrid sounded remarkably like the Passion 845 SET, but with deeper bass extension and greater dynamic authority
Takeaway: The Absolare Hybrid Stereo amplifier delivers the emotion of music like an SET amplifier, with the ability to drive a wide variety of loudspeakers. It creates a deep connection with musical meaning.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Absolare pioneered a hybrid amplifier design that combines the warmth of single-ended circuits with the control of push-pull formats, achieving the rare feat of bringing single-ended's signature midrange qualities to a hybrid configuration. Absolare is renowned for its luxuriously designed, leather-wrapped amplifiers and world-class expertise in vacuum tube hifi amplifiers.
Visit our
Hybrid Stereo
page
Product Page
AFM25
35800
35800
/
2
Reviews
Riviera
Riviera Labs designs amplifiers that match the human ear's natural distortion patterns, focusing on subjective listening experiences rather than technical specifications. Their products use a hybrid design combining tubes for signal processing and solid-state components for power stages, with the unique ability to switch between pure Class A and Class AB operation in their LEVANTE integrated amplifier.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Harmonic content is reproduced beyond what the reviewer had heard before, making instruments and voices sound more fully formed
- Creates a dimensional physicality with full voice, turning recorded events into a real-life experience
- Fast and resolving without being harsh, and presents music with a high degree of tonal saturation without feeling slow
- Reveals nuance in recordings, making small details easier to distinguish
- Achieves a balance that makes components worth the money, provides realistic experience regardless of the program material
Product Considerations
- The single-ended input was found to sound slightly more immediate than the balanced XLR input, though the difference was minor
- Requires about 90 minutes to fully warm up and stabilize for optimal performance
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Riviera amplifiers have slightly more tonal saturation than the Pass Labs XA 25
- The separates (APL10 and AFM25) are more quietly seductive and take more time and attention to fully appreciate, compared to the Riviera Labs Levante integrated amplifier
Takeaway: The AFM25 monoblocks offer a unique and captivating sound that expands the enjoyment and connection to music. When paired with efficient speakers, they provide a realistic and detailed listening experience that makes the music feel more alive.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Riviera Labs designs amplifiers that match the human ear's natural distortion patterns, focusing on subjective listening experiences rather than technical specifications. Their products use a hybrid design combining tubes for signal processing and solid-state components for power stages, with the unique ability to switch between pure Class A and Class AB operation in their LEVANTE integrated amplifier.
Visit our
AFM25
page
Product Page
Aavik U-580
35000
35000
/
1
Reviews
Aavik
Aavik Acoustics crafts amplifiers using natural composite materials inspired by musical instruments, with their cabinets designed to enhance audio potential. Their products feature unique noise-cancelling technologies including Tesla coils and dither circuitry, while offering distinctive features like their U-300's input-specific gain adjustment system and the U-380's signature "aged-in-wood" bass sound.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Proprietary noise-control techniques using dither circuits, Active coils, and Tesla coils improve perceived blackness in music
- A 'natural-based composite material' for the chassis aims to reduce influences from mechanical resonance
- A large LED-Matrix display is easy to read from a distance
- A weighty and solid rotary volume dial offers a perfect speed of adjustment
- Input switching is not straightforward, requiring use of a navigate button and rotation of the volume dial
Product Considerations
- Menu navigation is cumbersome, requiring toggling through all items or using the remote control to exit
- The U180 is described as technically correct but not hugely emotional or lyrical, with a darker sound
Takeaway: The Aavik U-series integrated amplifiers offer unique noise-reduction technology and a distinctive design, which could be a great addition to an audiophile's set-up. The amplifier's overall operation is straightforward, and it responds very quickly to all commands.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Aavik Acoustics crafts amplifiers using natural composite materials inspired by musical instruments, with their cabinets designed to enhance audio potential. Their products feature unique noise-cancelling technologies including Tesla coils and dither circuitry, while offering distinctive features like their U-300's input-specific gain adjustment system and the U-380's signature "aged-in-wood" bass sound.
Visit our
Aavik U-580
page
Product Page
PA-01
37713
37713
/
1
Reviews
.png){kind=logo}
Zeiler
Design
Extremely sturdy enclosure, CNC-milled from a solid block of aluminium
All surfaces are glass-bead-blasted and then anodized with a highly resistive ceramic coating
Power supplies mounted on suspended sub-chassis to mechanically isolate them from the audio circuits
Extremely reduced circuit design with parts chosen in extensive listening tests
Components
Parts are manually channel-matched to close tolerances and hand-soldered point to point
Oversized choke-regulated power supplies and custom made power transformers
Internal wiring with cryogenically treated oxygen free copper
Customized Lundahl C-core output transformers
Usability
Intuitive handling, no adjustments required
The PA-01 can be switched ON/OFF automatically from the Pre-Amp → turn on/off the whole system with one switch
Gentle operating conditions ensure long tube life
Widely used, reliable tube types to ensure future availability without expert knowledge
Impedance matching for 4, 8 Ohm speakers, 16 Ohm option on request
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Designed to disappear from the audio chain functionally, leaving just music behind.
- Built to an impeccable standard, CNC machined out of solid billets of aluminium, then glass-bead-blasted and treated to a ceramic form of anodising, giving it a velvety feel and solidity of build and finish that few can match.
- Delivers both cultured and refined sound, and the dynamic force and energy needed to place you in the room with the musicians.
Product Considerations
- The degree of minimalism might be too much for some.
- Its 10W power output will limit loudspeaker options.
- Lack of indicator lights might be a negative for some.
Takeaway: The PA-01 power amplifier is a well-made product that focuses on delivering the music as purely as possible. With the right speakers, it offers a very engaging and dynamic listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Visit our
PA-01
page
Product Page
What else competes at this price?
Rhapsody
24122
/
Released
2022
Trafomatic
Rhapsody is the pinnacle of our decades of experience in developing State of the art valve amplifiers. The name itself is the expression of our devotion to the Music and the Art. By definition it implicates the profound roots and legacy to the ancient Greek Art of the rhapsodists in performing Epics, to the most modern compositions, where the one-movement work structure of highly contrasted moods, colours and tonality, is expansive and yet unified in structure.
Trafomatic Audio is unique for crafting its own transformers in-house, which gives them complete control over their amplifiers' sound quality. The brand stands out for using uncommon materials like Panzerholz (hyper-compressed plywood) for resonance control and rare tube types like the Elmac 250TL direct heated triode power tube in their designs.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers a 'silky sheen' characteristic of SET designs, which helps to prevent listener fatigue
- Offers a 'room-filling, full-blown' sound, especially with orchestral music
- The Trafomatic Audio Rhapsody presents an 'expressive' and 'real' dynamic range, creating a live musical experience
- Has an innate sense of melody that draws you into the musical mix, and an over-arching sense of sonic accuracy
- Features auto-biasing and toggles for 'Mesh' and 'Solid' 300B tubes, for enthusiasts who wish to try different valves
Product Considerations
- Limited wattage may restrict loudspeaker choices, requiring pairing with high-sensitivity models
- Bass frequencies exhibit higher distortion at lower power outputs
- The amplifier's modest S/N ratio suggests some mild background hiss may be audible
- Bright red chassis is a fixed color scheme, which may not appeal to everyone
- Reviews of the Rhapsody should be judged as very specific amplifier/speaker combos
Takeaway: The Trafomatic Rhapsody is a class act that draws attention to itself purely through its vivid and real sound. It plays music in such a way that one might never want to listen to anything else.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Trafomatic Audio is unique for crafting its own transformers in-house, which gives them complete control over their amplifiers' sound quality. The brand stands out for using uncommon materials like Panzerholz (hyper-compressed plywood) for resonance control and rare tube types like the Elmac 250TL direct heated triode power tube in their designs.
Visit
Rhapsody
Page
Product Page
AMP V Titan
22295
/
Released
SW1X
AMP V is a 3 gain stage Power Amplifier coupled with a High Quality Pre-amplifier using our in house designed and in house made stepped attenuator volume control. It is not only extremely musical but also powerful and in the same time refined sounding Integrated Amplifier. The Directly Heated 300B Triodes at the output need no introduction. They are driven by equally powerful 6N6P/5687/E182CC driver tubes or by popular 6SN7 input/driver tubes to produce seemsless linear and balanced sound.
SW1X Audio Design creates DACs that use a non-oversampling approach and vintage TDA1541 chips with tube output stages, avoiding digital filtering to maintain a more natural, analog-like sound. Their products feature separate power supply chassis designs and harmonically matched vintage components, including directly heated triode tubes and AB resistors, which are carefully selected for their distinctive sonic qualities.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Alluring and sophisticated midrange with a tonal and textural directness
- Class-leading differentiation of dynamics and tonalities between instruments
- Engineering feat so thorough in forging a signal path of the purest as to be fanatical
- Brings a whole new level of sophistication to the art of music reproduction
- Exerts complete control of speakers with high sensitivity
Product Considerations
- The RCA jacks are closely spaced, necessitating the use of thin interconnects
- Eight watts may not be enough for speakers with lower sensitivity in larger rooms, potentially leading to dynamic compression and distortion
- Low output limits the range of suitable speakers compared to solid-state amplifiers
Takeaway: The SW1X AMP V 'Titan' Special is a handcrafted, ultra hifi amplifier from the United Kingdom, offering definitive performance, beauty of sound, and functional options. It stands apart in the field of the most exalted directly-heated triode amplifications, especially when paired with high-efficiency speakers.
Video review
Our take on the brand
SW1X Audio Design creates DACs that use a non-oversampling approach and vintage TDA1541 chips with tube output stages, avoiding digital filtering to maintain a more natural, analog-like sound. Their products feature separate power supply chassis designs and harmonically matched vintage components, including directly heated triode tubes and AB resistors, which are carefully selected for their distinctive sonic qualities.
Visit
AMP V Titan
Page
Product Page
Diablo 333
24900
/
Released
2023
Gryphon
Integrated amplifiers have become the essential audio component, distilling sources, amp, preamp and interconnects into a single chassis. And since 2015, connoisseurs have revered the Gryphon Diablo 300 as the finest integrated amplifier ever produced and a genuine "Object of Desire." Unanimously praised by critics and with thousands sold, it became High End Audio's most coveted "Ultra-Luxe" integrated. Surpassing the '300 was no easy feat; however, thanks to the engineering genius of Gryphon's Chief Designer, Tom Moeller, the artistic sensibilities of Gryphon Founder Flemming Rasmussen as well as the development of cutting-edge component technologies, Gryphon has authored a new benchmark, better in virtually every respect than its iconic predecessor. A completely reimagined amplifier whose ideal feature set, aesthetic beauty, heirloom build quality and enormous performance envelope establish an unprecedented level of excellence. Gryphon proudly introduces Diablo 333: The World's Finest Integrated Amplifier.
Gryphon is one of the most respected high-end amplifier brands in the world. Its bass grip is phenomenal, thanks to an unusually high level of capacitance, which keeps everything tight and controlled, even with demanding speakers. Gryphon is also known for its bold, brutalist design—a look that a lot of people love. You’ll find their gear all over Europe and Asia, and the Diablo 333 is often considered an ‘endgame’ amp by those chasing the very best sound and aesthetics.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional bass control, power, speed, and definition provides a bedrock foundation for the music
- Wide and deep soundstage with precise imaging
- Dead-neutral tonal balance with grain-free clarity, effortless speed, and precision
- Life-like dynamic expression and detail resolution, sounding exquisitely lifelike
- Lively, energetic sound combined with pleasing harmonics, warmth, and a kind of lusciousness achieves a nice balance
Product Considerations
- The binding posts are located low on the rear panel, which might be problematic for some installations
- It gets hot, requiring adequate ventilation
- It's a heavy unit, making it difficult to move and set up
- The cost is very high, making it exclusive-level hifi
- The speaker spiked feet can make it difficult to position the amplifier
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Diablo 300, the Diablo 333 gives more music and musical information, developing the soundstage with harmonic information, knitting all the individual parts together; the music becomes less about individual things and more about the whole
- Strong resemblance to the Apex Commander combination, but at a fraction of the cost
- While the Antileon digs deeper and presents a fuller presentation across the low frequencies, the Diablo 333 slams harder and slightly tighter
Takeaway: The Gryphon Diablo 333 is a powerhouse integrated amplifier that combines exceptional power and control with refined sound and detailed musicality making it one of the very best amplifiers, be it integrated or not. Its versatility and musical soul make it a solid choice for anyone looking for an end-game component.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Gryphon is one of the most respected high-end amplifier brands in the world. Its bass grip is phenomenal, thanks to an unusually high level of capacitance, which keeps everything tight and controlled, even with demanding speakers. Gryphon is also known for its bold, brutalist design—a look that a lot of people love. You’ll find their gear all over Europe and Asia, and the Diablo 333 is often considered an ‘endgame’ amp by those chasing the very best sound and aesthetics.
Visit
Diablo 333
Page
Product Page
032
25000
/
Released
Burmester
With a mighty power supply and a wide variety of connectivity range, the 032 Integrated Amplifier effortlessly delivers complex loads. Excellent resolution and musicality perfectly describe the 032 amp.
Burmester, a high-end audio brand renowned for its German craftsmanship, designs and handcrafts its components in Berlin. Known for its distinctive industrial aesthetic with chrome finishes, the brand supplies premium sound systems for Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Music is delivered without perturbation, showcasing a 'grip' on the music
- A beautiful sonic palette is present, with a warm, detailed bass and very smooth, detailed highs
- Understated approach to music replay is pure and precise, without coarseness or grain
- Fabulously well made, with impressive build and finish
- Volume control has a hefty, well-damped but very precise feel to it, and the amplifier's on-board software is quick to respond
Product Considerations
- The headphone output is hidden on the rear panel, making it inconvenient to connect
- Large and heavy (around 40kg), requiring sturdy equipment support and assistance when unpacking
- The combination of heatsinks all-round and reflective chrome front panel may not be to all tastes
- Highly transparent sources and speakers are required to get the best performance
Takeaway: The Burmester 032 integrated amplifier sounds exceptional with refined sound and impressive insight. If the system is talented, this amplifier could be a great match.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Burmester, a high-end audio brand renowned for its German craftsmanship, designs and handcrafts its components in Berlin. Known for its distinctive industrial aesthetic with chrome finishes, the brand supplies premium sound systems for Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.
Visit
032
Page
Product Page
Sigsum
20252
/
Released
2022
Avid Hifi
Driven by sound quality and our uncompromising approach to offer the best in class, the sensational SIGSUM Integrated was conceived. Our single chassis amplifier offers unparalleled performance for those that desire less clutter or with demands on their dwellings.
AVID Hifi is a brand known for its turntables featuring unique engineering like sapphire bearings and dual-stage clamping systems that improve bass grip and soundstage projection. The brand's design philosophy involves developing technology in their high-end models and then adapting it for more affordable products, with their components made from solid aluminum and speakers weighing 100kg for exceptional build quality.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Very low noise floor creates a wide open and clear soundstage with excellent space between each musical element
- Delivers subtle intricate details of music, the decays, and the harmonics
- The built-in phono stage—the Pulsus—provides a clear and clean sound, allowing for a more open and see-through soundstage
- The ALPS RK50 volume knob is satisfying to adjust with its stiff—yet smooth—resistance
- The unit is handmade in the UK
Product Considerations
- Limited number of inputs may not be sufficient for all users
- Lacks a remote control, which may be inconvenient for some users
- Awkward access to the underside cartridge adjustment for gain, resistance, and capacitance may be annoying to adjust
- May emphasize upper vocals, which may not be ideal for all types of music, especially at louder volumes
- The mid/upper bass may be a little shy, lacking the solidity, impact, and warmth that some listeners prefer
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The NAD M23 has a bolder, stronger, and punchier bass compared to the Sigsum
- The McIntosh sounds more powerful, solid, secure, and full in terms of tone—and bigger overall—compared to the Sigsum
- The Pulsus phono stage sounds clearer and cleaner than the Avid Pellar phono stage, but the Pellar sounds fuller and thicker
Takeaway: The Avid SigSum is a specialized amplifier that is designed for the audiophile who values the preservation of detail, particularly from vinyl playback. It's a great amplifier to highlight the nuances of music, while offering a clean and precise sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
AVID Hifi is a brand known for its turntables featuring unique engineering like sapphire bearings and dual-stage clamping systems that improve bass grip and soundstage projection. The brand's design philosophy involves developing technology in their high-end models and then adapting it for more affordable products, with their components made from solid aluminum and speakers weighing 100kg for exceptional build quality.
Visit
Sigsum
Page
Product Page
Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
How useful are hifi reviews? We consider them useful for three things: (1) Surfacing new products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've ever heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's unique attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on everything—rarely being negative for fear of souring relationships with manufacturers. Further, they seldom have more than a couple products on-hand at once, relying on their imperfect memories to compare to past products.
Video Review
Want to see more similar products?
Head on over to our Search page to browse our entire database. Find the perfect hifi gear for your system.
Visit Search Page
How to buy
Amplifiers
.svg){kind=icon}
