Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

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.

Product Strengths

  • Very simple to use with two main dials and physical buttons for key functions
  • The DAC is great and upgradable for the future
  • The C49 combines traditional McIntosh sound with speed and attention to detail
  • Delivers maximum fidelity of any music pushed through it and drives your power amp to the height of its ability
  • The C49 has a lot of inputs, balanced or unbalanced, and outputs unbalanced and balanced

Product Considerations

  • The remote control doesn't live up to the standards of the device
  • Does not have an equalizer or room correction

Takeaway: The C49 delivers pristine audio quality and precise control with a functional tone control. It is a beautiful piece that's built to last and can be integrated into a home theater setup.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

All

C49

reviews

[{"title":"MCINTOSH C49 STEREO PREAMPLIFIER REVIEW","link":"https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/amplifier/preamplifier/mcintosh-c49-stereo-preamplifier-review","source":"Home Theater Hifi","datePublished":"2019"},{"title":"Audioscore - Mcintosh C49 Review","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Ddasip2zE","source":"Audio Scaleurs","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"McIntosh C49 Preamp Review","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGgycI_OcVA","source":"Gramophone","datePublished":"2021"},{"title":"McIntosh C49 Preamp Review","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27iVYvfj8Jg","source":"Audio Advice","datePublished":"2020"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

  • Number of Channels: 2
  • Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.005%
  • Frequency Response: +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz, +0, -3dB from 15Hz to 100kHz
  • Maximum Volts Out (Balanced/Unbalanced): 16V RMS / 8V RMS
  • Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level): 100dB
  • Input Impedance (Balanced/Unbalanced): 44K ohm, 22K ohm
  • Unit Dimensions (W x H x D): 17.5" (44.45cm) x 6" (15.2cm) x 18" (45.72cm)
  • Unit Weight: 23 lbs (10.4 kg)
  • Power Consumption: 30 Watts
Be prepared for future digital music technologies with the C49 Preamplifier. The C49 features our DA1 Digital Audio Module, which can be replaced by new modules as new digital audio technologies are developed. This will allow you to keep your C49 up to date with digital music formats and viable well into the future.
Manufacturer Site

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:

  • McIntosh products blend classic, retro aesthetics, reminiscent of their 1970s designs, with modern materials and cutting-edge internal components, offering a unique visual appeal.
  • The brand's amplifiers are known for their substantial power output, often exceeding specifications, and their ability to drive a wide range of speakers across varying impedance levels due to their unique Autoformer technology.
  • McIntosh offers a high degree of customization and control through features like multi-band equalizers, adjustable input sensitivity, and advanced settings accessible via dedicated apps or web interfaces.
  • They distinguish themselves with a focus on long-term reliability and customer satisfaction, with products built to last for decades and supported by a dedicated dealer network.

MHT300

  • Positioning: Positioned as a versatile home theater receiver in McIntosh's lineup, suitable for custom installations or standalone display.
  • Description: Supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video, making it ideal for modern home theaters. Unlike other McIntosh products, it offers 7.2 channel audio with expandability to 7.2.4, providing flexibility for future upgrades. This makes it perfect for users looking to integrate advanced video capabilities and immersive audio in a custom home theater setup.

MHA200

  • Positioning: A compact, high-quality headphone amplifier designed for personal audio enthusiasts.
  • Description: Uses vacuum tube amplification, delivering a warm and detailed sound that is distinct from solid-state amplifiers like the MC462. Its compact size and multiple impedance settings make it versatile for various headphone types.

MC462

  • Positioning: A powerful stereo amplifier, offering robust performance for high-end home audio systems.
  • Description: Features a Quad Balanced design with McIntosh Autoformers, providing 450 Watts per channel with low distortion. Compared to the MC1502, it offers a solid-state solution with increased dynamic headroom.

MC1502

  • Positioning: A high-power vacuum tube amplifier, ideal for audiophiles seeking classic tube sound.
  • Description: Delivers 150 Watts per channel using vacuum tubes, offering a rich, warm sound that contrasts with the solid-state clarity of the MC462. Its Unity Coupled Circuit ensures consistent performance across various speaker impedances.

MC901

  • Positioning: A unique dual mono amplifier, combining both vacuum tube and solid-state technologies.
  • Description: Integrates a 300 Watt vacuum tube amplifier with a 600 Watt solid-state amplifier, providing the best of both worlds for bi-amping loudspeakers. This hybrid approach is unlike any other McIntosh product.

MC21KW

  • Positioning: A flagship monoblock amplifier, representing the pinnacle of McIntosh's power amplification.
  • Description: Delivers 2,000 Watts of power, making it suitable for the most demanding audio setups. Its tri-chassis design and advanced technologies like Autoformer and Power Guard set it apart from other amplifiers.
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Avg. Product Price
$5,001-$10,000
Used For Sale
543
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
2
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
77
Founding Year
1949

Our take on the brand

McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

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From our interview with
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What if you spend more?

Product image
McIntosh
C12000
16000
16000
/
3
Reviews
McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Offers both solid state and vacuum tube output, essentially two preamps in one
  • The dual-chassis design separates the power supply and control circuits from the audio circuits for noise isolation
  • Fit and finish are superb, with aesthetic enhancements such as backlit logos, blue meters, and illuminated tubes
  • Has twelve analog inputs, including configurable phono inputs
  • McIntosh designs for the lowest possible distortion and highest signal to noise

Product Considerations

  • The two chassis must be connected by short (3') umbilical cables, limiting placement options
  • It's physically pretty big, which might pose shelving challenges
  • It does not have a Bluetooth remote control
  • The C12000 does not have tone controls

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The C12000's tube output sounds similar to the MA12000—but on a bigger scale
  • The C12000 is bolder and more dynamic than the C1100
  • The C12000 has a wider and deeper soundstage with richer timbres compared to the C2700
  • The C12000's phono stage can compete with the more expensive Audio Research Reference Phono 3SE

Takeaway: The C12000 is a high-performance, flexible preamplifier offering both tube and solid-state options, allowing users to tailor the sound to their preferences. With its superb build quality, noise isolation, and comprehensive features, it offers a rewarding listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Gold Note
PH-1000
11999
11999
/
7
Reviews
Gold Note is an Italian hifi brand that manufactures all components in-house, with their DS-10 DAC offering 192 setup options to adapt to different music genres and listener preferences. Their products, including the IS-10 and IS-1000 integrated amplifiers, combine multiple functions like streaming, DAC, and phono stages in single units, delivering a rich, tube-like sound signature.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Unparalleled cartridge matching capabilities with adjustable gain levels and load options
  • Features a multitude of equalization options, including preset EQ options alongside the option to set up custom curves
  • Exceptional build quality with a chassis precision-machined from solid aluminum, offering superior electromagnetic shielding and aesthetic elegance
  • Intuitive operation is ensured by the clear display and the Single Knob Control (SKC) system, despite the unit's complexity
  • Class A circuitry throughout delivers a warmth and naturalness that brings vinyl playback to life, while maintaining exceptional detail and clarity

Product Considerations

  • Premium price point makes it a high-end investment
  • Complex feature set may require a learning curve for full usage
  • Large form factor requires adequate rack space
  • The remote control has a mute function that requires two clicks to unmute, which can be slightly annoying
  • The Owners' Manual could be improved and is not very informative

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Gold Note PH-10: PH-1000 has more cartridge loading possibilities
  • Vs Gold Note PSU-1250 & TUBE-1012: PH-1000 lacks a warm tube sound, but if you add the PSU-1250 & TUBE-1012, details are brought out with added sharpness and the music becomes more cohesive—reaching a new level of harmonic wholeness

Takeaway: The Gold Note PH-1000 is a sophisticated phono preamplifier with a wide range of features and exceptional sound quality, perfect for vinyl enthusiasts seeking to get the best out of their collections. Its flexibility and upgradeability make it a worthwhile investment for those serious about analog audio.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Gold Note is an Italian hifi brand that manufactures all components in-house, with their DS-10 DAC offering 192 setup options to adapt to different music genres and listener preferences. Their products, including the IS-10 and IS-1000 integrated amplifiers, combine multiple functions like streaming, DAC, and phono stages in single units, delivering a rich, tube-like sound signature.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Pass Labs
XP-27
12075
12075
/
6
Reviews
Pass Labs Class A amplifiers are celebrated for their distinctive sonic character, delivering a rich, full-bodied sound with a notably lush midrange. They imbue a unique sense of "plumpness" and warmth to the music, an intentional coloration that many enthusiasts find highly engaging. The pure Class A design ensures smooth, beautiful sound but comes with the trade-off of generating significant heat, which can warm up a room.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Separate chassis for the power supply and signal circuitry minimizes noise, improving low-level detail retrieval
  • Front panel controls for gain, resistive loading, and capacitive loading, provide flexibility for cartridge matching
  • Two RCA inputs accommodate two turntables or tonearms, simplifying analog setups
  • Superb detail, clarity, and a clean sound, leads to a musically involving experience
  • A high-pass filter reduces low-frequency noise, helpful for systems with subwoofers

Product Considerations

  • The two-chassis design may be problematic for audiophiles with limited space, as the power supply is ideally placed separate from the main unit
  • No remote control is included, requiring manual adjustments at the unit itself
  • Settings are not automatically remembered when switching between tonearm inputs, requiring manual readjustment
  • Some reviewers would have liked to see larger LED indicators and labels for easier visibility

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The XP-27 offers a host of useful features and operates with a great deal of attention paid to lower distortion, even RIAA performance is accomplished at much lower distortion levels than previous versions in the same price class
  • Vs Pass Labs XP-25, the XP-27 offers incremental improvements including lower noise and better bass performance due to dual transformers—vs single in the XP-25—lower noise resistors, upgraded rectifiers and improved power filtering and regulation
  • Vs Pass Labs XP-17, the XP-27 offers superior dynamics, clarity, imaging and musicality
  • Vs Pass Labs XP-22, the XP-27 is the star of the two-component show: XP-22-line preamplifier and XP-27 phono preamplifier

Takeaway: The Pass Labs XP-27 is a versatile and high-performing phono preamplifier that extracts remarkable detail and clarity from vinyl recordings. Its flexible loading options and dual inputs make it a great choice for vinyl enthusiasts seeking exceptional sound quality.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Pass Labs Class A amplifiers are celebrated for their distinctive sonic character, delivering a rich, full-bodied sound with a notably lush midrange. They imbue a unique sense of "plumpness" and warmth to the music, an intentional coloration that many enthusiasts find highly engaging. The pure Class A design ensures smooth, beautiful sound but comes with the trade-off of generating significant heat, which can warm up a room.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
CANOR
Hyperion P1
14055
14055
/
4
Reviews
Canor Audio is a hifi brand that uses proprietary CMT circuit board technology to match the performance of point-to-point wiring while maintaining consistency in manufacturing. Their tube-based designs include unique features like a tube output stage in their DACs and custom-made output transformers with Permalloy cores in their amplifiers, setting them apart in the high-end audio market.
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Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Delivers a natural, spacious, and clean sound
  • Attenuator is located in a special aluminum box (10 mm thick walls) which provides perfect shielding and absorbs the vibrations
  • Is a Class-A preamplifier and was designed to avoid ANY global feedback
  • Analogue part is separated from the power part by a solid aluminium wall (10 mm thick) which contributes to the elimination of interference

Product Considerations

  • The tubes require a lengthy break-in period of several hundred hours
  • The system remote control could be bigger

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The Hyperion and Virtus combo's sovereignty brings the acoustic events to 'life' more convincingly

Takeaway: The Hyperion P1 is made to provide high signal quality sound. It has excellent workmanship to ensure amazing sound quality.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Canor Audio is a hifi brand that uses proprietary CMT circuit board technology to match the performance of point-to-point wiring while maintaining consistency in manufacturing. Their tube-based designs include unique features like a tube output stage in their DACs and custom-made output transformers with Permalloy cores in their amplifiers, setting them apart in the high-end audio market.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

What competes at this price?

McIntosh
C2800
9000
/
Released
2024
The C2800 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier is a masterpiece of audio passion and engineering precision. Crafted for discerning audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike, performance has been woven into the very fabric of this audio treasure. The C2800 has proudly earned the McIntosh name. At the heart of the C2800 lies methodically designed vacuum tube circuitry. Leveraging the latest designs to all but eliminate noise and distortion, the C2800 reduces them to minuscule levels. Its four vacuum tubes, or valves, deliver a listening experience that transcends expectations.
Check Amazon
McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Wide range of inputs, including digital (USB, HDMI ARC, optical, coax) and analog (RCA, XLR, phono)
  • McIntosh has kept the classic blue and green look
  • An app for iOS and Android is available for setup and control
  • High drive headphone amplifier and HXD technology add dimension to the headphone listening experience
  • Excellent performance with no sign of valve quirkiness

Product Considerations

  • Setting up a turntable requires entering stylus details
  • Complex array of connections and settings may not appeal to users seeking a minimalist design

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs C55: The C2800 is a tube preamplifier, while the C55 is solid-state, with a multiband equalizer, at the same price point

Takeaway: The McIntosh C2800 is a versatile preamp with lots of connectivity and flexible features, allowing for a rich and bold listening experience. With its blend of clarity and focus, it delivers exceptional performance and user-friendly operation.

Video review

Our take on the brand

McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
McIntosh
C55
9000
/
Released
2024
The C55 Preamplifier is a pinnacle of sonic excellence designed for audiophiles, music enthusiasts, and dedicated McIntosh fans alike. As a torchbearer of innovation, it takes the baton from its predecessor, the multi award-winning C53, and propels your home audio experience into new realms of audio nirvana. With precision and craftsmanship, the C55 proudly takes its place as a true industry leader.
Check Amazon
McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Richer, denser, and harmonically more expressive sound than previous models, having a warmer and sweeter sound reminiscent of earlier McIntosh products
  • Emotionally engages the listener, drawing them into the music and making them feel more involved
  • Excellent build quality and distinctive McIntosh design ethic makes it visually appealing
  • Can be controlled via the Connect app, offering convenient access to functions
  • Boasts 16 inputs: 7 analogue, 2 phono, 7 digital

Product Considerations

  • It is big and not minimalist
  • The numerical displays were different when measuring the output of the pre-amplifiers, so if the C-53 was set at 40, the C-55 would have to be adjusted to 44-45 to get the same output level to the amplifiers

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the C53, the C55 sounds richer, rounder, denser—and more forgiving

Takeaway: The C55 is a high-quality preamplifier that offers a richer, warmer sound and greater emotional engagement compared to previous models. It is packed with features and user-friendly, making it a great centerpiece for any high-end audio system.

Video review

Our take on the brand

McIntosh is one of the most iconic amplifier brands in the world, recognizable for its signature blue LED displays and distinctive industrial design. With a legacy spanning decades, McIntosh is known to many, even outside the audiophile community, and is sold in both mass-market retailers and specialized hifi stores. Their amplifiers are characterized by a warm, tube-like sound that enriches the midrange and smooths out the overall tonal balance.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
NAD
M66
5499
/
Released
2023
The Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC-Preamplifier is a revolutionary hi-fi component that combines an audiophile-grade DAC with a high-resolution multi-room music streamer. Featuring Dirac Live Room Correction and Dirac Live Bass Control, its elegant design and vibrant 7″ touchscreen exudes quality and class.
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NAD Electronics pioneered affordable hifi equipment by focusing on essential features for good sound, with their classic NAD 3020 becoming the best-selling hifi amplifier in history. Their Masters Series features DirectDigital technology, the world's first closed-loop digital amplification that corrects output every 10 nanoseconds.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Offers a wide range of features rarely seen in a component of this type, including a high-performance DAC, analog preamplifier, BluOS streaming, Dirac Live room correction, and a high-quality phono stage
  • Includes Dirac Live Bass Control for up to four independent subwoofers, allowing for optimized bass performance and integration, and Dirac Live improves clarity and bass definition
  • Uses ESS Sabre DAC chips, known for wide dynamic range and low noise/distortion
  • Features a modular design that lets one expand its capabilities, helping to ensure product longevity and up-to-date functionality
  • Offers versatile connectivity with a comprehensive array of inputs and outputs, including balanced XLR, AES/XLR, and HDMI eARC

Product Considerations

  • BluOS is limited to a maximum resolution of 24-bit/192kHz
  • Does not offer home-theater bypass, though it could be implemented in a future upgrade
  • Dirac Live iPhone app not always successful at recognizing microphone
  • Touchscreen does not behave in the same way as an EverSolo or a FiiO, because one cannot browse music libraries with it, it is really just for input and settings and just the kind of nitty-gritty of daily use, but not music playback
  • Some found the styling a bit overdone, while others appreciated the display

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Is considered better overall than the Anthem STR due to a more sophisticated room correction system and a fully featured multiroom streaming platform with wireless capability
  • Sounds more lit up top to bottom with greater avidity than PS Audio, and it better exposes surface textures, and layer separation is more easily seen
  • The MC input quite clearly resolves more finer detail and it better inks tonal colors compared to the MC phono stage built into the Cambridge Audio Alva TT 2 turntable

Takeaway: The NAD M66 is a sophisticated and feature-rich streaming preamplifier, offering a versatile set of tools for audiophiles seeking precise sound reproduction and optimized bass performance. With its modular design and future-proofing capabilities, the M66 is a great choice for anyone building a high-end hifi system.

Video review

Our take on the brand

NAD Electronics pioneered affordable hifi equipment by focusing on essential features for good sound, with their classic NAD 3020 becoming the best-selling hifi amplifier in history. Their Masters Series features DirectDigital technology, the world's first closed-loop digital amplification that corrects output every 10 nanoseconds.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Mola Mola
Lupe
9850
/
Released
2023
The standalone version of our well-known archival grade Phono stage features three single-ended inputs and one balanced input. It has a balanced output as well as a single-ended output. The Lupe with its dedicated power supply, k and the added "subsonic filter" provides the discerning record aficionado with the most accurate set-up for recreating the magic of the turntable as it was intended.
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Mola Mola is recognized for bringing innovative Class D amplification to hifi through the work of renowned engineer Bruno Putzeys. Their products deliver clean and efficient performance with extremely low distortion, and their DAC is considered among the best.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Incredibly saturated sound packed with information, resulting in a deep and detailed presentation
  • Separate gain paths for MM and MC cartridges, optimizing performance for each
  • Extremely silent and powerful signal transmission capabilities
  • Offers a wide range of settings to optimize performance for any cartridge, including extensive gain and loading options, and dozens of equalization curves
  • Parameters can be adjusted on the fly using a custom Mola Mola app
  • Design allows it to get out of the way of the music, allowing the music to swell and breathe majestically

Product Considerations

  • The new review sample took some 300 hours to stabilize
  • A slight faltering of absolute pitch definition and texture below about 40-45 Hz
  • Some may find the sound too neutral and challenging—preferring a more lush sound
  • With so many parameters to adjust, people may use the unit's abilities as a tone control and stray away from the intended EQ curve
  • There are so many options, that it may be changed too far

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Versus GrandiNote Celio mk IV phono preamplifier, Lupe reminded the reviewer more of their Class A GrandiNote Celio mk IV phono preamplifier than the other of my references—ESE Lab Nibiru MC
  • Versus ESE Lab Nibiru MC, each of those features could be pointed out as Lupe's advantages, although they were not as prominent as with Nibiru MC

Takeaway: The Mola Mola Lupe is a versatile and high-performing phono stage that delivers a sophisticated and musical sound. Its extensive features and convenient app control make it a great choice for vinyl enthusiasts who want to optimize their listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Mola Mola is recognized for bringing innovative Class D amplification to hifi through the work of renowned engineer Bruno Putzeys. Their products deliver clean and efficient performance with extremely low distortion, and their DAC is considered among the best.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Lumin
P1
10000
/
Released
2021
Our most flexible player yet, LUMIN P1 is designed to sit right in the heart of your audio system. Use as a streamer, a DAC, a pre-amplifier or all three!
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Lumin Music, known for launching the world's first DSD-capable streamer, develops all hardware and software in-house to ensure seamless integration across their product line. Their digital sources are praised for delivering warm, analog-like sound quality, with features like upsampling to DSD 256 and dual-drive music servers that require zero setup configuration.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Combines a network streamer, DAC, and preamplifier with digital and analog inputs, offering versatility
  • Features Leedh Processing lossless volume control, which minimizes distortion and loss of resolution, maintaining sound quality even at high attenuation levels
  • High-quality build with an aluminum chassis and a well-designed internal layout, including dual toroidal transformers and a Femto Clock System
  • Has three HDMI inputs with 4k passthrough and ARC (Audio Return Channel), making it work as part of a multimedia system

Product Considerations

  • Analog input signals are digitized because the P1's volume control operates in the digital domain
  • The Lumin app is not as graphically compelling as Roon, nor is it as easy to navigate and manage a music library
  • When the volume is set at '100' or the output level is set to 'fixed,' both Leedh and the conventional volume controls are bypassed
  • It appears to have no discernible colorations of its own and delivers extremely high resolution, probably more than most systems will be able to realize

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the AURALiC Aries G1.1, the P1 delivers a considerably more realistic, musical, and engaging sound
  • Compared to the Copland CSA 100 amplifier, the P1 is a more musical and competent sounding player with greater resolution, extension, dynamics, and ease

Takeaway: The Lumin P1 is a versatile network player, DAC, and preamplifier offering high-quality sound and a wide range of features. It delivers a powerful and immersive listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Lumin Music, known for launching the world's first DSD-capable streamer, develops all hardware and software in-house to ensure seamless integration across their product line. Their digital sources are praised for delivering warm, analog-like sound quality, with features like upsampling to DSD 256 and dual-drive music servers that require zero setup configuration.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
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