| Review Summary: |
Meaning only to buy a stop-gap set-and-forget piece and casually interested in returning to vinyl, I picked this little British integrated from his shelves, only because it looks so cool. (Magnum makes a MAJOR mistake by not having any pictures on their website, because the products really do look great--especially the new, more powerful IA200. Get their brochure.) It has a polished stainless-steel faceplate and knobs. Magnum was founded by 1/2 of the founders of Rega, of Planar turntable and Planet CD player fame. Rega = RElph and GAndy; Roy Gandy still runs Rega, and Tony Relph now owns and operates Magnum Audio. Well, what do you know--this little amp is *really* nice. It puts out about 90 watts per side (rated at 70) and has a decent amount of power. But its distinguishing characteristic is its delightful musical abilities--the sound is what I would call "dancey," very dynamic and tuneful. In some ways it beat the $3,400 SS linestage-poweramp combo I had at home at the time. The much more expensive combo had better slam and weight in the bass, but compared to the integrated sounded a little dull and plodding. The only way I would say the Magnum is lacking is in that it is just very slightly lightweight and very slightly thin, but neither of these faults is egregious or at all intrusive considering all it does right. And the phono section is GREAT for such a cheap integrated. I know there is better out there, but believe me, at this price you won't care. Heck, you can spend $750 just for a "budget" phono section these days. The whole thing is just a great package for the price, nearly unbeatable for anyone who wants to spin vinyl records especially. For dorm rooms--WOW. Wish I'd had something this good at school. Decent power, great looks, handy small size, very fine phono section, and moreover a great way with music--tuneful, articulate, dynamic, ALIVE. Beats the pants off a lot of the crap I've heard in the under $1K budget category--Creeks, NADs, Musical Fidelities (which I like, but they sound thick and slow compared to the Magnum). Highly recommended for anyone its specs would suit. Fours stars for sound in absolute terms and five for the whole everlovin' shebang. |
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