Having scored so highly the Graham Slee Proprius Mono Power Amps are currently with second reviewer Ian Ringstead to ascertain whether they will receive the coveted Hifi Pig Outstanding Product Award. This review will be published shortly. Read Janine Elliot’s first part now!!
McIntosh Laboratory has reissued two classic amplifiers that retain the aesthetics of their era, while sporting modernised internals for contemporary system integration.
The C22
First issued in the 1960s, the reintroduced C22 preamp maintains the retro McIntosh design but has been modernised to deliver performance equal to any other McIntosh pre. The 2015 C22 features electromagnetic input-switching to provide a reliable, noiseless and distortion-free operation: distortion levels of all types are typically less than 0.08%.
The C22 boasts 10 inputs, including two balanced and six unbalanced, plus Moving Coil and Moving Magnet phono inputs; the latter offering selectable resistance and capacitive loading to enable a wide range of cartridge and turntable combinations.
The C22’s outputs comprise one set of balanced and three sets of unbalanced connections, while further features include (bypassable) bass and treble controls, plus a power control, enabling a complete McIntosh system to power up/down using the front panel or remote.
The MC75
Originally launched in 1970, the reintroduced MC75 mono vacuum tube power amplifier delivers modern performance standards in a classic design.
At the MC75’s heart lies McIntosh’s patented Unity Coupled Circuit design, which provides “low distortion, an extended frequency response and long tube life”.
Balanced and unbalanced inputs combined with power control, allow seamless matching with all contemporary McIntosh preamps and processors and a Sentry Monitor tube protection circuit ensures the MC75 will have a long and trouble-free operating life. The MC75 offers 75 watts into a 2, 4 or 8 Ohm speaker with less than 0.5% distortion.
The C22 is priced at USD $6,000; the MC75 is USD $3,750. Both are available in non-EU regions now. The C22 and MC75 will not be available in the European Union due to current power management and standby power requirements.
New British hi-fi brand, Modern British Audio Company, is launching the Status integrated amplifier. With a strong emphasis on minimising noise and distortion the Status will be a dual mono design.
Manufactured in the UK, from largely British sourced components, the Status comprises two separate 170 watt per channel (8 ohm) monobloc amplifiers within the casework, which are coupled to an analogue control pre-amp stage.
Digital and analogue power supplies are utilised for the pre-amp section, with an advanced switch mode design offering very low standby dissipation that is then regulated using linear regulators to provide clean supplies for the pre-amp control and DAC sections. Ultra-low noise regulators are used in a two-stage regulation design for the analogue side of the pre-amp.
The integrated Bluetooth 4.0 receiver and DAC allows high quality streaming of music from iOS, Android and Windows devices using A2DP and AVRCP 1.4 protocols. The DAC’s differential analogue outputs are coupled directly to a dedicated differential pre-amp input to maintain signal integrity, reject noise and minimise distortion.
The emphasis on differential circuit design, utilised in the pre-amplifier, is carried through to the Bluetooth input, which is also differential, as is the dedicated XLR input. Four single ended inputs are provided, but these too take advantage of the differential circuit topology, allowing each single ended input to operate with single point grounding.
Substantial power supplies, separate for each individual mono channel, provide high current capacity for the power stages and a separately regulated higher voltage supply to the power amplifier’s input and driver stages. A total of 80,000uF storage capacitors are used in the amplifier. Circuit design within the power stages has been as carefully planned as the preamp stage, with the use of field effect transistors in critical circuit positions, including the output stages.
Physical connection to the Status is via three sets of phono inputs, a 3.5mm front mounted socket and the balanced XLR inputs. Left, right and subwoofer pre-amp outputs are provided and the speaker terminals are fitted with WBT posts. The Status also features a dedicated Class A headphone amplifier.
Control is via the IR remote and provision has been made for integration into control and distribution systems via the RS232 port.
Darren Hollands, of Modern British Audio Co. says, “The Status represents our first amplification product and is a no compromise design; a substantial and impressive statement piece that shows off the brand philosophy of MBAco. Namely, producing hi-fi products and in this case an amplifier, that delivers a powerful yet transparent sonic performance to enhance people’s enjoyment and to reveal musical detail they’ve never heard before. Coupled with our new loudspeakers, MBAco will be bringing a whole new level of musical enjoyment to the Bristol show visitors and wider consumer base.”
£6295 UK MSRP inc. VAT
Following the rebranding of Sansui UK as Mitchell and Johnson at CES 2015, the new British based hi-fi manufacturer is launching its integrated amplifier with built in 24bit/192kHz DAC and a matching CD player.
Designed in Europe, the SAP-201V is an updated and improved version of the slim-line integrated amplifier previously sold under the Sansui brand name. The company’s press release comments ” Internal modifications at the component level have improved its audio performance significantly, without increasing the competitive retail price”.
The amplifier boasts a healthy 40 watts per channel into eight ohms and features seven inputs, including: four line level analogue inputs, a 3.5mm front panel socket, a dedicated phono input, and a coaxial or optical digital input for use with the built in DAC.
Including a DAC in such a keenly priced product and sporting a built-in phono stage is in keeping with the company’s philosophy of aiming to make the best quality hi-fi at very competitive prices. The 24bit/192kHz Wolfson DAC enables digital audio sources, such as computers, portable players or the soon to be launched matching network music player to be connected via coaxial or optical sockets for the best possible signal transfer.
The circuit topography utilises a ‘direct access’ design to shorten the signal paths to ensure unhindered music reproduction. High quality toroidal transformers and audiophile grade components are used throughout.
Packed with features not normally associated with products at this price point, the SAP-201V includes a standard ¼” headphone socket on the front panel and line level output via RCA connections on the rear for recording purposes. Loudspeaker connections are made using the substantial binding posts and the amplifier works with speakers from four to 16 ohms.
Supplied in brushed silver or black finishes, with restyled metal volume controls and flush mounted control buttons, the SAP-201V aesthetically matches the CDD-201 CD player, which is compatible with all common CD formats including; CD/CD-/+R/RW and MP3. The CD player can be connected to the amplifier via its analogue or digital outputs.
Paul Mitchell, CEO, of Mitchell and Johnson commented, “With the launch of the SAP-201V and CDD-201 and the real improvements and features we have engineered into the products, we have fulfilled our ambition of making really good quality hi-fi available to all consumers, regardless of budget.” He adds, “Independent listening tests have demonstrated that the performance is more than a match for other products in the market and we are confident that hi-fi and music enthusiasts are going to love them. And for the independent hi-fi retailers Mitchell and Johnson is providing an opportunity for them to sell British hi-fi at very competitive prices.”
The DAC and phono stage equipped integrated amplifier has a recommended retail price of £299 and the CDD-201 CD player is just £249.
Denon has just confirmed the availability of a hardware upgrade for their AVR- X7200W flagship Network AV Receiver. 
Current owners of this AVR will now be able to upgrade their unit to support future-proof HDCP 2.2 copy protection protocol, needed for copy-protected 4k Ultra-HD content playback. The upgrade, which requires hardware modification at an authorized Denon Service Centre, will start in May. The cost for this upgrade will be EUR 199. At the same time, Denon starts replacing the AVR-X7200W (SRP: EUR 2.799) with the AVR-X7200WA (SRP: EUR 2.999), which is already factory-upgraded with the above new features.
Customers who wish to perform the HDCP 2.2 upgrade to transform their AVR-X7200W into an AVR-X7200WA should get in contact with their Denon retailer. For the owners of either AVR-X7200W or AVR-X7200WA, the Auro-3D software upgrade will continue to be available via Denon.
On a different note, Denon also shared a plan to offer a software update to bring new DTS:X immersive surround sound format to the AVR-X7200W and the AVR-X7200WA later this year. Details will be revealed when the time approaches.
Denon AVR-X7200WA 9.2ch Network AV Receiver – Key Features
Marantz has just announced the offer of a hardware upgrade for their AV8802 flagship AV pre-amplifier. As promised by
Marantz this January, current owners of their home cinema centre will now be able to upgrade it to support future-proof HDCP 2.2 copy protection protocol, needed to play back copy-protected 4k Ultra-HD content. The upgrade requires hardware modification at a Marantz certified Service Centre. Starting in June, this will be arranged on request by a local Marantz retailer for a cost price of EUR 199. At the same time, Marantz will start selling the factory-upgraded AV8802A model (SRP: EUR 3.999), gradually replacing the AV8802 (SRP: EUR 3.799).
On a separate note, Marantz announced a plan to offer a software update to add new DTS:X immersive surround sound format to the AV8802A and AV8802 later this year. Details will be revealed soon.
AV8802A Multi-channel AV Pre-amplifier with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth – Main Features
Dolby Atmos (5.1.2, 5.1.4, 7.1.2, 7.1.4 configuration)
The MINT Maraschino is a two channel implementation of the Digital Amp Co’s Maraschino Amplifier Circuit plus input 
select (front/back), sleep control (on/off/auto), and volume control. Power is provided by a single, external, upgradeable power supply. There is a standard (48V) version and a KING version (60V). Output power is up to 250W with the standard version and up to 1000W with the KING version! The KING version also includes Gold WBT binding posts. The MINT is a compact (7.8″ x 6.5″ x 2.3″) based in an extruded aluminium chassis on Sorbothane feet.
MINT stands for Maraschino Integrated Nano Technology. It is a stereo amplifier, nade in USA, for use with a wide range of kit.
There’s only a very short time left on the company’s Kickstarter campaign and they are looking for a little more support, despite having hit their target.
Using borrowed techniques and circuits from the company’s top-line monoblocks like the Concero 65 and pre-amp 
stages like the Pondera Ref Aries Cerat have come up with what they describe as being “the absolute and superlative design in integrated amplifier”.
The Diana is a three stage, all direct heated triode single ended amplifier.
All three stages are designed as direct heated single ended amplifier stages. The first two stages are loaded with bifilar-wound, interstage transformers with no coupling capacitors present in the signal path.
Input tubes are a pair of DHT 814 tubes, driving another 814 pair, which drives a pair of 813 DHT output tubes.
The power supplies are fed by 800VA and 1000VA (1800VA total) transformers, controlled by a soft start circuit. The four 814 and two 813 tubes, all have their separate choke filtered PSUs and all 6 filaments are powered by 6 triple filtered PSUs, to provide solid power reserves.
Output stage power supply ,uses three film SuperCapacitors weighing 3Kg each whilst biasing of the input, driver and output tubes is attained via special biasing circuits, and all stages can be fully adjusted and monitored while listening.
Attenuation method is discrete-relay-switched-resistors.
Number of inputs: 5 unbalanced, optional Balanced input
HT pass-through ready
Gain: 24db
Power Output 25W sine, 50W square
Signal bandwidth :6Hz-100KHz
SNR >110db
Weight: 115kg
Dimensions: 570mmW X 630mmD X 360mmH
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