Lavardin is reference integrated amplifier

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make lavardin is reference integrated amplifier best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test. Rarely will you see such a plain-looking product on our print edition's Temptations pages as the Lavardin IS Reference integrated amplifier.

One of my last real jobs in audio was to let down what would become Lavardin. I was working in a well-known audio retailer at the time, and we already had more than our fair share of amplifiers. Although we were always interested in new designs, the chances of the store taking on a new brand both new to the store and new to audio were limited. Sadly, we still had no choice but to turn down Lavardin, but in fairness, it was still very much a work in progress. Fast-forward to the present, and Lavardin has built a small, but loyal, following in the audiophile community.

Lavardin is reference integrated amplifier

If we look closely, it turns out that there is really no such thing as "lineup" in their case. At least if by lineup one understands the ordered, structured logically fitting to different price shelves set of devices, then only medium and large size manufacturers are able to plan the lineup and refresh it on regular basis. On the one hand, new devices appear spontaneously when the designer - usually the owner at the same time - prepares something that can be called a "new" and at the same time "satisfying" his expectations product. In such a case, we are offered something really new and well-thought-through. This is an advantage that I would call "personal". But there is also the other side of the coin. The bigger manufacturers can do more - it's a truism, but it perfectly shows the importance of the so-called "large scale". Purchasing a larger number of components of a certain kind a given manufacturer is able to negotiate a much better price for them. As a result they constitute a much smaller percentage of the costs of a given device. This is an advantage which we must naturally call a "scale". No wonder that the Lavardin company, which we are talking about this time, does not hurry with new products. It is small, so it can't use the effect of a scale, nor is the brand known to the mass customer, so it is not compelled to regularly refresh the offer. Partially for this reason, the previous IT amplifier has evolved extremely slowly - the basic model was created in , the color of the knobs was changed in , and in the input circuit was improved and the recording output was added. Version with these modifications was given the name 2K5.

An amazingly clear sound The Lavardin is full-bodied and rich, without ever sounding overcooked in the bass or rounding-off treble. The Lavardin phono section is of a piece with its line level reproduction, showing only a slight diminution of lavardin is reference integrated amplifier transient control when compared to more expensive outboard phono sections. I really can't over-enthuse about this amplifier.

Model ISx Reference Red edition optional. Its exacting circuits and power supply receive special upgrades in order to further allow the fantastic potential of our low memory technology to come to fruition. The power output remains the same as for the Model ISx, but micro-dynamics and resolution are increased to allow greater expression of the feeling and intention of the music. Thus also the sound stage is wider, detail is sharper and the presentation is more mature, even if the sound balance remains respectfully neutral as with the Model ISx. Its extreme transparency, over the full bandwidth is in contrast with midband focused transparency of the best tube amplifiers. Its micro dynamics, never aggressive, clumsy or confused is in contrast with almost all transistor and digital amplifiers.

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test. Never heard of it? The company hardly ever changes its products, making just a couple of revisions to its range over the last two decades. But most of all they are about sound quality, in which they tend to set a standard that few high-end alternatives can approach. Of course. Normally we would scoff at such claims, but in this case we can testify the original called the IS Reference was indeed a superlative product - and Lavardin can point to a survey where The most obvious differences between the two generations of IS Reference are the addition of a silver plate on the front panel and the availability of remote control. Even hardcore purists it seems will no longer put up with having to getting up from their favourite chair for every change of volume level.

Lavardin is reference integrated amplifier

One of my last real jobs in audio was to let down what would become Lavardin. I was working in a well-known audio retailer at the time, and we already had more than our fair share of amplifiers. Although we were always interested in new designs, the chances of the store taking on a new brand both new to the store and new to audio were limited. Sadly, we still had no choice but to turn down Lavardin, but in fairness, it was still very much a work in progress.

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But also as part of this offer, bass presentation is something that we have to get used to. Cons - Nothing to shout about physically - no remote control. Or, indeed, a well-rounded car radio. Highly musical amplifier with detailed and rich sound without being bright or exaggeratedin any frequency. If we look closely, it turns out that there is really no such thing as "lineup" in their case. This version is called ISx symbol series Reference better version Red Edition information about the color of the front panel. So Lavardin sounded incredibly "analog", because that's what this type of presentation is associated with, but also intensely. Percussion and percussion instruments placed further away by sound engineer, often behind other instruments, here were exactly there and did not lean towards the listener. Yes it looks a bit, well, plain. As far as I am concerned, lack of facilities equals lack of problems, and I can live with that. So, when the opportunity arose to test the latest Model ISx integrated from the brand, we jumped at the chance.

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One of them is still walking with a limp! It is far more balanced and sophisticated than that. Now being imported by the very capable Walter Swanbon of Fidelis AV, Lavardin is back to stay and with very attractive special introductory pricing. Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? The tested amplifier is not stereotypical though, it breaks out of it quite quickly. The Lavardin amps claim to produce far less of this type of distortion than even the best tube designs. Model ISx Reference Red edition optional. This cookie is set by Sumo. From the first note of guitar, I was immediately back in that state of aural Nirvana that the previous IS had left me in. By "singing" I mean the supremacy of the melody of the rhythm of the color on the control of the whole.