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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
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
All
Ovation CD 8.3
reviews
Manufacturer details
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- AVM is distinguished by its commitment to "all-in-one" designs, incorporating components like CD transports and phono stages that are often omitted in other integrated amplifiers.
- Their units have a sonic signature that delivers detail and clarity without harshness or fatigue, finding a balance between solid-state precision and the warmth associated with tubes.
- AVM prioritizes exceptional build quality, handcrafting its components in Germany and ensuring seamless integration with high-end speakers.
- The brand utilizes a modular design approach to ensure future-proof upgradability, especially in the digital sections, allowing for replacement of the DAC and streaming engine.
Select products
Inspiration AS2-3
- Positioning: The entry-level amplifier designed for compact setups and budget-conscious users.
- Description: Features a simple yet effective circuit design that delivers clear and balanced sound for small rooms. In comparison to the higher models, it offers fewer connectivity options and lower build complexity, making it ideal for those with modest sonic goals and budget limits.
AS30-3
- Positioning: A mid-range amplifier that strikes a balance between performance and affordability.
- Description: Incorporates dedicated circuitry to enhance dynamic headroom and improve overall clarity, setting it apart from the entry-level models. When compared with higher-tier products, it provides a more engaging soundstage and additional connectivity.
Ovation 6-2 Master Edition ME
- Positioning: A premium integrated amplifier aimed at delivering refined sound quality and versatile functionality.
- Description: Offers advanced digital processing combined with enhanced analog output that improves clarity over the AS series. Relative to the lower-tier models, it supports a broader range of inputs and demonstrates superior performance in mid-size rooms.
Ovation A 8-3 A 6-3
- Positioning: A flagship amplifier series built for maximum performance, extensive features, and high build quality.
- Description: Introduces groundbreaking circuit technology and top-grade components that deliver the most detailed and high-fidelity sound in the lineup. Compared to the Ovation 6-2 Master Edition ME and other products, it offers the widest connectivity, best processing power, and a design tailored for high-budget setups and larger spaces.
Our take on the brand
Look inside the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
Started in the 80s, we’ve come to make everything. We can hand you a complete AVM system including speakers and amps.
A key focus now is all-in-one units. Meaning, integrated amp with streaming. The idea is you have a customer with taste who appreciates refinement, but they also don't want a stack of gear—they just want to add speakers and be done with it. (But we also make separates too for those who want that.)
Something we care a lot about with our all-in-ones is making sure the amplifiers are strong enough to drive pretty much any speaker. We also have multiple level settings on each amp. We make four lines of products—including amps going from $4K to $20K+. A wide range for budgets.
Our software is really strong. We care a lot about making our app very intuitive—great UX. We really care about that.
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Used
AVM
What if you spend more?
Métronome give more to Audiphiles with AQWO 2 : the famous Métronome analogue sound with your CDs and SACDs, a highend converter and now a network player. Its new 7-inch 21:9 screen allows for easy monitoring of the current reading at a comfortable distance. Like many other Métronome devices, AQWO 2 can be provided with a analog tube output, installed at the factory or later by your technician. As a converter AQWO 2+ manages both PCM and DSD formats up to 512 (x8). Robust and massive, AQWO 2 is available in Silver or Black finishes.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Combines CD/SACD player, DAC, and streaming client into one unit offering versatility for digital content
- Excellent build quality, featuring a solid, elegant design and high-quality materials, such as the smooth sliding CD top plate
- Has a large, clear, and intuitive touchscreen interface for easy control and access to settings
- Delivers excellent sound quality with detail, dynamics, and a touch of warmth, making music enjoyable
- Offers a modified SACD D&M transport mechanism ensuring high-quality playback
Product Considerations
- The included remote control might not match the luxurious feel of the rest of the unit
- The Delrin puck is small and could be easily lost
- Streaming updates via firmware, and the DAC cannot be upgraded
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The AQWO 2 offers SACD functionality and streaming, while the MBL is limited to CD playback
Takeaway: The Metronome AQWO 2 is a beautifully made, versatile digital source that combines multiple functions into one high-performing unit, offering flexibility and excellent sound for audiophiles who want the best from CDs, SACDs, and streaming. It is a great choice to enjoy a wide range of digital music at a very high level.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The high-rigidity, high-precision drive traverse mechanism equipped with an outer rotor brushless DC motor drive rotates discs smoothly and delivers accurate data reading, while the 8MDSD (DSD signal) / 8MDS++ (PCM signal) type D/A converter driving the ES9028 PRO (ESS Technologies) processor in 8 parallel channels converts the inputs into highly precise analog signals. The DP-770 also incorporates numerous noise suppression technologies like ANCC* to create an unparalleled musical experience.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptionally well-made and accurately constructed
- Versatile player that professionally handles all types of media and files
- Excellent resolution and dynamics
- Super-quiet background with zero electric hash
- Bass performance is well-controlled, firm, and finely articulated
Product Considerations
- New buttons have a low stroke, and it is hard to feel when they are pushed
- Front panel print looks a bit like a cheap screen print with too much paint used
- Sensitive to power cables
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The DP-770's bass is better controlled, firmer, and more finely articulated; it moves the soundstage a bit further behind the speakers, creating a deeper soundstage, while the Accuphase DP-720 presents vocals more upfront
- The DP-770 provides punchier transients, grippier and tighter kicks, better textures, and lower noise
Takeaway: The DP-770 is a digital player masterpiece that provides better sound from CDs and SACDs. It is resolving, dynamic, differentiating, and versatile in playing all types of media and files.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our summary
Product Strengths
- The dCS Rossini Transport can handle both SACD and CD silver discs
- The Rossini DAC doubles as a network audio machine, with the ability to play from local storage and online streaming services
- The Rossini DAC can be used as a preamplifier, connected directly to a power amp or active loudspeakers
- The Rossini DAC is compatible with Spotify Connect, Deezer, Tidal, and is Roon-ready
Product Considerations
- The Rossini Transport is a purely digital device, with no onboard DACs
- The Rossini Transport relies on the DAC for its upsampling capabilities
- The various pictograms on both units take some familiarization
- When using the Rossini Transport with the DAC to play SACDs, the transmission is carried in an encrypted DSD format
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Rossini Player is a one-box CD-only player, while the Rossini Transport/DAC v2 is a two-box CD/SACD-playing package
Takeaway: The dCS Rossini (Transport and DAC) offers flexibility with disc playback and network audio capabilities. It is a high-end system that provides a range of features for those invested in both physical media and digital audio sources.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Listening to recordings exactly as the artists intended. Made possible by an improved and refined design inside and out.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Precise, clean, and articulate sound
- Excellent as a digital preamp
- Superb build and finish
- Connectivity options
Product Considerations
- Some may find the presentation a little too cultured
- Rhythmic drive doesn't quite capture the energy of the music, sacrificing some fun in the process
- Prefers to err on the side of politeness, which can be a loss on more aggressive forms of music
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Chord DAVE: Chord DAVE captures more of the verve and drive of the track
Takeaway: The TAD DA1000TX is a capable and beautifully engineered unit, providing precise and clean audio. It's a great choice if sophistication and refinement are valued in a listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality
- Superb sound in a single box
- Recreates music effortlessly and naturally with reference-level clarity, coherence, and transparency
- Offers a digital streaming option
- Commendable connectivity
Product Considerations
- The streaming app functionality was found to be sub-optimal, specifically the mconnect player
- The remote control doesn't match the same quality as the unit itself
- If the existing system is lean/analytical, the Metronome might not be the first choice
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Performance is a little more on the lively side of neutral, but still very well composed, and not so far from the Gryphon's performance
Takeaway: The Le Player 4+ offers superb sound and build quality with the added bonus of a digital streaming option, which is great for audiophiles still interested in CD collections. It functions as a complete digital hub, negating the need to purchase separate components.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Plays CDs and SACDs
- Lower noise floor than the DP450, resulting in a darker sound
- Bass notes are richer sounding compared to the DP450
- More soundstage in terms of width and height compared to the DP450
- More three-dimensionality in sound compared to the DP450, with better placement of instruments
- More texture and detail to the sound
Product Considerations
- Not the cheapest option for a CD/SACD player
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs DP450: DP-570 has a lot lower noise floor, so it was quite a lot darker sounding, and also the bass notes were particularly richer sounding
- Vs DP450: DP-570 has more detail, better positioning of elements, and sound stages
- Vs DP450: DP-570 offers a wider soundstage
Takeaway: The DP-570 is a great CD/SACD player if you are looking for richer sound and detail. It offers great improvements in soundstage and dimensionality compared to other models.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Equipped with the same SACD drive as T+A's high-end SACD player, the MP 3100 HV
- Developed to reproduce high-resolution audio files without any trace of compromise
- Equipped with both symmetrical (XLR) and asymmetrical (RCA) analogue outputs, it features a jitter-free digital output
- As a source controller, it is equipped for pretty much every contingency
- The built-in digital tuner offers FM, FM-HD, and DAB+ capabilities
Product Considerations
- The Music Navigator app refused to acknowledge the presence of the MP 2500 R, a message appearing that the app was only compatible with T+A's Cala CDR/SR and MP8 network devices
- There was no sign of the player on the Roon network, so clearly this will come in a future update
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs MP 3100 HV: The MP 2500 R comes equipped with the same SACD drive as T+A's high-end SACD player—the MP 3100 HV
Takeaway: The MP 2500 R is a versatile multi-source player that can play SACDs, stream music, and tune into radio. It has high-resolution audio capabilities and offers many connectivity options, making it a convenient addition to any hifi system
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Impressively pristine sonic presentation with exceptional clarity and detail resolution
- Solid aluminum block construction, crafted with precision
- The VRDS-ATLAS 05 drive ensures undisturbed readout and smooth rotation of discs
- Exceptionally open, transparent sound
Product Considerations
- Price puts it beyond the means of most
- The floating top plate can be disconcerting upon unpacking
Takeaway: The Esoteric K-05XD is a beautifully built and high-performing SACD/CD player that plays back music with integrity. It is filled with top-notch electronics and mechanics to portray the emotional facets of music in all its nuances.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The CD transport on Le Player is considered a pleasure to use, with a satisfying mechanism and tactile experience when loading CDs
- Le Player and Le DAC have a clean, detailed, and dynamic sound signature
- Le Player's top-panel capacitive-touch controls are elegant and avoid fingerprints
- Metronome products are known for impeccable build quality
- Le Player offers both CD playing and streaming capabilities, providing versatility
Product Considerations
- The remote included with Le Player is functional but not as appealing as the electronics themselves
- Le Player was not Roon Ready at the time of the reviews
- The CD player functionality on Le Player 4+ was considered a bit sparse
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Lampizator Big 7 with Stack Audio streamer—the Lampizator has a more 'pleasing' sound, while the Metronome is considered less colored and more hifi
- Le Player 4+ is considered to have a closer allegiance to the Denafrips Terminator +, characterized by density and minor warmth
Takeaway: Metronome Le Player and Le DAC offer a blend of detailed and dynamic sound with high-end build quality. With both CD playing and streaming capabilities (on some models), it provides a versatile option for enjoying both physical and digital music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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