General Asylum: REVIEW: Alchemist Maxim Integrated Amplifier (SS) by Johann E

If this is Alchemist's entry level amplifier I would love to listen to their more upstream gear!

Easily the equal of the Audio Analogue Puccini SE(the first version), Musical Fidelity A1, and similarly priced integrated European integrated amplifiers, the Maxim has the most gorgeous sculpted face plate of any integrated amp in the business. The Maxim is a looker all right. Gold volume, on/off and selection knobs displayed on the fascia and everything on this baby, and I mean everything, makes this spice girl look ten times her asking price.

As in other minimalist-perfectionist integrateds, the Maxim does not sport(or is that spout?) tone controls or loudness buttons. On the back you will see the most stunning array of gold plated RCA input jacks and four(!) golden speaker output binding posts for bi-wiring. Note that the speaker terminals cannot accomodate spades. So be mindful of that. They only take banana jacks.

Build is first class down to its heft. It is surprising solid for a small English integrated amp. AC cord is detachable, and I outfit it with a Harmonic Tech power cord.

So down to the sound. Straight up, the music flows easily. Smoothly.
While not the last word in soundstage and depth, nor in speed or pace, the balanced tonality of voices and instruments outclass other integrateds at its full retail ($750) price point.

When I had to sell my Cary 300B mono blocs, I subbed in this amp. I knew what the trade-off are, but the Alchemist wasnt half bad. This is one lil amp that got people asking me "Where are the tubes?". The answer:

There are none.

This is one of the finest and most beautifully crafted MOSFET integrated amps around. As it is only 20-25 watts per side, a pair of speakers with 86-90dB efficiency should be employed in its mating.

May ye mate well, my Alchemist!

REVIEW: Alchemist Maxim Integrated Amplifier (SS) Review by Johann E at Audio Asylum