Another Dayens Ampino review

indyhawg
indyhawg Posts: 1,642
in 2 Channel Audio
Last week, I snagged an upgraded version of the Dayens Ampino integrated off ebay. There is not much to say about this little jewel has not already been written by various members of this forum and on other websites. Prior to the Ampino purchase, I have been using a NAD 2600 amp and a Dared MC-7P pre driving my Usher BE-718's.

The sound quality is VERY good. Bass is tighter and deeper than with the NAD/ Dared combo, believe it or not, Nice open sound stage. Layered and detailed. Has a sound on the mids and highs that reminds me of tubes, but this is solid state. Hard to believe this is 25 wpc. For giggles, I hooked it up to my 3.1 Tl's this weekend. It drove them to moderate volume okay. I would need more power to play them loudly, IMO. But for non-power hungry speakers, this amp should work fine.

The only negative I can say about this amp is there is no remote. But like Skip mentioned in one of his reviews, it is not missed. When I am listening to music with this amp, I have no desire to get up and change anything. I am really listening to and enjoying the music. How much do I like the Ampino? I have ordered a Budgie phono pre, so I can sell the Dared...and I really liked the Dared.

So in conclusion, I recommend the Ampino to anyone who needs great sound quality in a smaller room, or has moderately efficient speakers.
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Comments

  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    Man I REALLY need get over there with all that stuff you've got lol
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • indyhawg
    indyhawg Posts: 1,642
    You do need to hear the Ampino/Usher combo, along with revisiting the Maggie MMGs.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    Let me look at my calendar and get back to you. May have some time for sure in June when the wife and kids are gone for a couple days
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,285
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Let me look at my calendar and get back to you. May have some time for sure in June when the wife and kids are gone for a couple days

    Atta boy
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,020
    edited April 2016
    Nice review, Indy. I agree - it really is surprising for its size/package/specs. You almost want to laugh at it the first time you see and handle it, the notion of putting it in your system. For me, after hearing it, that turned to surprise and respect in relative short order. I really just couldn't get over it. Grew on me pretty quickly.

    Congrats on the new pieces. The Budgie is a nice little piece, too, and Shannon is a pleasure to speak and work with.
    I disabled signatures.
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  • trav0810
    trav0810 Posts: 1,056
    I had the pleasure of hearing Jeff's Amino last weekend. Impressive! I heard his Ushers with the Dayens and also with his NAD amp. I have to say, I preferred the little Ampino over the NAD. I thought it has a much "richer" sound. Very tub-like and smooth. It's pretty amazing that this little integrated had a better sound than his NAD running through a Dared pre.
    The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

    Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
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