Words about Hi-End are not an empty phrase, at least the company strictly follows the selected principles of circuitry and selection of components, using symmetric amplifier stages on discrete elements, the “double mono” architecture, potentiometers Alps, separate power supply circuit blocks, toroidal transformers, film capacitors and steel resistors, transistors MOSFET.
CONSTRUCTION
The Atoll circuit design concept is based on using the simplest and shortest possible circuitry, so, for example, the developers did not use timbre blocks at all. While many companies gradually shifted production to Southeast Asia, Atoll is still based at home. In 2001 it built a factory in Brecey Lower Normandy .
All parts of Atoll’s chassis and electronics enclosures are manufactured in different regions of France and components are purchased from well-known European manufacturers, which simplifies and improves quality control of the output products. In the beginning the company’s range only included components for stereo systems, but today Atoll makes several devices for home theater.
In general, the company’s lineup includes almost the full list of possible audio equipment: CD and SACD players, tuner, DAC, pre and integrated amplifiers, power amplifiers, multichannel power amplifiers and A/V processor with DTS, Dolby Digital and ProLogic II decoders, built-in and “external” phono stage solutions.
The components we tested have in common that belong to the Reference series. It’s interesting, that the CD players 50/80/100SE, despite the different stuffing, have identical, identical housings. The IN 50/80/100SE integrated amplifiers are based on the same principle.
The Atoll CD 50SE player is made in the strong steel case, the front side is made of anodized aluminum with the thickness of about 0,5 cm. The transport tray occupies a central position on the front, with a matrix display on the right, under which are seven round aluminum buttons giving access to the main functions of the device.
Mounted on a vibration-proof chassis, the Teac transport can read CD-R/RW discs in addition to regular ones. In addition, the player can play MP3 recordings and understands CD-Text. Wolfson WM8729 chip 24 bit/96 kHz is used in digital-to-analog converter of the player. Toroidal transformer has separate outputs for analog and digital circuits power supply.
MKT film capacitors are used in the pathway, and the output stage is built according to Akihiko Kaneda’s scheme with buffer capacitors with a total capacitance of 14K. μF. The rear panel of the unit offers just two outputs: digital and analog line stereo with gold-plated RCA connectors.
The Atoll IN 80SE integrated amplifier is made in the design and dimensions of the CD 50SE player. The amplifier is designed for 2×80 watts RMS output with standard 8-ohm load, but according to the certificate it produces 2×120 watts RMS with 4-ohm load. Amplifier is equipped with a 340 VA toroidal transformer power supply and a set of “smoothing” capacitors with total capacity of 30 thou. μF.
The circuits use audiophile polypropylene capacitors MKP. Gain cascades are built with symmetrical scheme on discrete elements, the output are MOSFETs. In the center of the front panel of the unit is a large round volume knob, realized with motorized potentiometer ALPS.
On the right side is the headphone output with the mini-jack, and further on are the power and source selection buttons, the selector is made on the base of high-quality relays. User can “rewind” inputs with two buttons forward/backward through the list , current selection is indicated by corresponding LED-indicator with a green light.
The rear panel of the amplifier makes four inputs visible, one of which can be converted into a phono stage socket, a recording loop and two outputs of the preliminary amplification stage. In addition, the SE modification developers have added a By-Pass input, which turns the IN 80SE into a power amplifier. For connection of acoustics the amplifier is equipped with two pairs of large metal terminals.
The devices are controlled from a distance by one multifunctional remote control which is common not only for these models, but also for the whole model range
Atoll series . It is worth mentioning, that the remote control is included with the CD player, not with the integrated amplifier. Buyers of a separate IN 80SE amplifier should keep this in mind.
SOUND
To listen Atoll components we used NORDOST Blue Heaven LS interconnect cables, NORDOST Red Dawn acoustic cables, as well as PENAUDIO Rebel 3, DAVIS ACOUSTICS Vinci 2, RAIDHO Ayra C2 speaker systems.0.
The sound of the French pair marks a well-drawn, slightly forward-facing midrange: the main timbres are slightly emphasized, the overtonal structure slightly smoothed. But overall the performance of the instrumental and vocal parts remains beautiful and exciting. Somewhere since the upper middle of the frequency range the sound picture begins to lighten, the system adds in the accentuation of large and small details of the treble.
The same effect is observed on the upper bass. The French bass is rhythmic and the percussion is pleasantly percussive in the chest. The timbres of low-frequency instruments are conveyed with decent relief, which gradually softens in the lower octaves, from the bottom of the mid-bass, and deeper the system lacks a little articulation.
The musical scene as performed by the Atoll components is characterized by a good localization of virtual objects, the contours of the images are delineated, and the proportions are well preserved. To be fair, we should note that the overall scene volume is a bit cramped, and the edges and far backgrounds are worked out a bit worse than the central area, which is designed perfectly.
In any case, high enough resolution allows the system to handle scene building on orchestral compositions with a dozen or so musicians without much trouble. Errors of the sound image are so small that they do not strain or distract the listener, that is the system possesses the main advantage – musicality.
SUMMARY
The Atoll components showed a choppy character, but just enough to not hide the emotion of the music, able to combine the dynamics and correct tonal balance of sound. At the same time they are better suited for more mellow, neutral sounding partners, otherwise the sound of the stereo system can get excessive brightness, especially in the high-frequency region.
We want to thank “Audiomania” company for help in organizing the test.
Specifications
Atoll CD50SE
Wolfson WM8729 audio DAC, bit/kHz, 24/96
Frequency range Hz 5-20k -3dB
harmonic distortion factor THD , % 0.002
Signal to noise ratio, dB 105
dynamic range, dB n/a
Channel separation, dB n/a
media: CD/CD-R/CD-RW yes/yes
Audio formats: SACD/HDCD/CDDA n/a
MP3/WMA yes/no
Outputs analog Stereo 2.0 2xRCA 1
analog Stereo 2.0 XLR 0
digital optical Toslink 0
digital coaxial RCA 1
digital coaxial BNC 0
on headphone 0
Dimensions HxWxD mm 90x440x280
Weight kg 5
Atoll IN80SE
Transistor type
Output power W 2×80/120 8/4 Ohm
Frequency range Hz 5-100k -3dB
CER % 0.05 1k Hz, 10W
TFI % n/a
Signal/noise dB 100
Damping Factor n/a
Channel Penetration dB n/a
Analog Inputs Impedance/Sensitivity 5 47kOhm/100mV
Phono Input Type/impedance/sensitivity Optional
Acoustic Outputs Impedance/Sensitivity 1
Output stage 1 input
Preamp Outputs Impedance/Level 2
Headphone Out Impedance Yes
Peak voltage V n/a
Peak current A n/a
Balance adjustment no
Tone Control None
Turn tone control off No
Remote control: No
Bridge connection: No
HxHxD mm 90x440x280
Weight kg 8
Can anyone who has tested the Atoll Electronique CD 50SE Player and IN 80SE Amplifier provide some feedback? How do they perform together? Are they worth the investment? I’m looking for a reliable CD player and amplifier combo, and I want to make sure I’m making the right choice. Thanks in advance for sharing your experience!