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Announcing the latest model to join its 505 Reference Series, the AX-505 is an integrated amplifier rated at 2x 70W into 8ohm. The half-width, all-metal chassis measures 290 x 82 x 264mm (WxHxD), and the font panel sports a pair of eye-catching meters that track musical levels as they ebb and flow. For its power amplifier stage the Japanese company has employed a new cool-running and energy-efficient TEAC-tuned Ncore module by Hypex, and the AX-505 claims to offer clear sound with low distortion and excellent signal-to-noise ratio.

Carefully chosen components, from MUSE op-amps in the analogue section to a ladder-resistor type volume control, help it to deliver audio signals with true dynamism and musical verve, says the maker. Its passive-cooling design gives silent operation, and the AX-505 claims a high-capacity toroidal-core power transformer. It’s equipped with a pair of XLR balanced analogue audio inputs on the rear panel and connectors are located with a wide pitch between them to accept bulky audiophile-grade interconnects. Three sets of RCA analogue inputs are also on offer and there’s a built-in headphone amplifier, too. Speaker terminals are diagonally offset to facilitate easy wiring and can handle chunky speaker cables and banana plugs.

A four-step switch enables backlight dimming of the front panel’s level meters, and sensitivity can be increased by +20dB. The AX-505 is available now for £1,400 in black or silver finishes and you can find out more about it here.