The 2011 Editors' Choice Awards: Power Amplifiers Under $10k (TAS 211)

Berning ZH-230 ZOTL

$8360
davidberning.com
David Berning’s latest refinement of the ZOTL technology offers 30Wpc of pure tube delight. It is intended to work with nominal loads in the range of 4 to 16 ohms, and ideally, would appreciate a speaker sensitivity of at least 90dB. Superlative transient speed at the point of attack leaves conventional transformer-coupled tube amps in the dust. Control of transient decay is also exemplary. Treble nuances are silky smooth and delicate. Its considerable gift lies in blending the best of tube and transistor sound.
Reviewed by DO, Issue 210

Plinius SB-301

$8685
eliteavdist.com
Big and heat-sinked to beat the band, the Plinius outputs 310Wpc of the sweetest Class AB NG has heard. A model of silken control and neutrality, it doesn’t sound like tubes or transistors, or any combination of either. Rich in tone color, with wide-open dynamics and sweet, embraceable highs, it never failed to improve any set of speakers that it hooked up with.
Reviewed by NG, Issue 169

Air Tight ATM 300

$8795
axissaudio.com
The Air Tight ATM 300 is one of the handful of 300B SET amplifiers that lays claim to magical sound extending beyond the midrange. This amp’s airy highs, natural tonality, and low-bass extension defy common perceptions of 300B SETs.
Reviewed by Scot Markwell, Issue 128

Parasound Halo JC 1

$9000
parasound.com
The latest collaboration between legendary designer John Curl and Parasound has resulted in the Halo JC1: “…silky-smooth, crystal clear, and abundantly detailed. The kind you could listen to all day long without fatigue.”
Reviewed by SK, Issue 141

Electrocompaniet AW180 monoblock

$9590
electrocompaniet.com/usa
The AW180 is a “tube-like” solid-state monoblock amp offering 180W into 8 ohms (considerably more into lower impedances). It provides a very natural timbre and exceptionally realistic upper bass and lower midrange. Both low- and high-level dynamic contrasts are excellent.
Reviewed by AHC, Issue 198