They say that certain things are better kept secret.
I would argue that the Audiozone Amp-1 most likely falls into this category.
The Amp-1 is a tiny, beautifully handcrafted integrated amplifier, contained in two aluminium small boxes, with a sound, presence, clarity, rapidity and precision that surpass anything I have ever come across before. If I were to describe this tiny machine to someone in one word, that word would be “OPEN”. But let’s take it from the beginning, shall we?
A year ago or so I took an order on the Audiosector Patek Integrated, which is more fully described in an earlier review. I ordered this amplifier unseen and unheard, simply relying on the positive reviews I had found on the Internet from people having bought this little amplifier themselves but also from 6 moons. After completed break-in, during which period the sound moved from initially perhaps being a bit thin, flat and lacking enough bass to eventually provide a close to a full spectrum of body, depth, clarity and presence, the performance of the Patek was truly impressive and quite addictive considering its rather small appearence and modest output. If this little amp, initially available as a DIY chip kit but now only sold as a fully assembled unit, was able to display such qualities, what else did Peter Daniel from Audiosector have in his tool box that would be at least as good as his Patek?
After having read some further reviews and also contacted Peter about my plan, it was clear to me that the next project would be yet another machine bearing his signature, the awarded Audiozone Amp-1. However, since the Amp-1 comes only as a single-input integrated amplifier, which is obviously not very practical if you have more than one source, Peter suggested to build me a one-and-only Amp-1 with two input sources. Said and done.
Right out of the box, it was immediately clear that this tiny machine was going to be something spectaculor. Having now two of Peter’s custom-made amplifiers right in front of me, it of course prompted me to conduct a head-on comparison between the Amp-1 and the Patek Integrated. Many of the qualities I described in my other post regarding the Patek Integrated directly apply to the Amp-1 as well. They are rather similar in many ways. Before I had a chance to listen to the Amp-1, I thought the Patek Integrated gave a very life-like and natural presentation with a tight and controlled bass and a pretty good sound stage (both depth and hight). This is still the case, but with the Amp-1 entering the stage, it is as if it takes all these qualities and multiply them by at least 10. Its openness/transparency is close to mindblowing. It immediately draws your attention to it. The Amp-1 is not really for late-evening laid-back listening sessions, even less so than the Patek Integrated. You can of course do it, but it is really as if it requires you to let go of other things and pay attention to it – and I mean this in a positive sense. It is also extremely balanced and with an impressive separation of instruments. The bass is wonderfully tight and controlled, and subjectively it seems to provide a bit more bass than that of the Patek Integrated.
The overall performance of this little machine is most impressive – and very addictive! I still think the Patek Integrated is a good performer, but everything it does, the Amp-1 does so much better. You really notice the difference from the very first tunes. It is almost like night and day. However, what both these amplifiers have in common is that they require high-efficiency loudspeakers to perform to the best of their ability. So, if you own a pair of 85db standmounts and want to rock until you drop, then you are probably better served somewhere else.
For some of the reviews and awards that the Amp-1, please see links here below:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/audiooasis/audiozone.html
http://www.audiosector.com/downloads/review_hifi_world.pdf
http://www.audiosector.com/downloads/review_hifi_choice.pdf
As always, I think we can comfortably conclude the following: The perfect amp for ALL sources does NOT exist. It all comes down to what your personal preferences are. Once this is decided, then the right combination for this taste can normally be found, but it is not sure or even likely that this combination will work at all with any other source. So, is the solution to have one set-up for each source you listen to? In theory, perhaps – in practice, impossible. It’s rather a question to find the right balance, and I think I have managed to find an amplifier and overall set-up that is very close to meet all my demands.
My highest recommendation.