Following on from the IN400 (VU#56; Remarkable) and CD400, French manufacturer Atoll continues to transform its highest series by upgrading the Signature models to Evolution versions.
Like the integrated amplifier and CD player, the AM400evo power amp and PR400evo preamplifier have been softened in their curves, bringing them closer to the design of the 300 series, although the preamplifier retains the specific aluminum rotary knobs of the previous version (and of the IN400evo), and the solid aluminum plate is 10 mm thick.
The rear panels are virtually unchanged: the AM400evo retains two pairs of speaker outputs, a pair of RCA and XLR inputs and a pair of RCA outputs. The PR400evo retains its multiple RCA inputs (with optional phono), five digital inputs (2 optical, 2 coaxial, 1 USB Audio), Tape Out, two pairs of RCA outputs and two pairs of XLR inputs and outputs, for signal transfer to two or even four bridged AM400evo (or in bi-amp mode).
Weighing in at 15 kg, the PR400evo’s power supply has been upgraded to make it even quieter; it is still filtered by capacitors with a total capacitance of 112 000 µF. For its part, the AM400evo still weighs 19 kg and has also had some components reworked, in addition to new shielding for the moving capacitors. It gains 10 watts at 8 ohms and 20 watts at 4 ohms, to reach 170W and 320W peak power respectively at these impedances. Total capacitance is in the same order of magnitude as its acolyte, at 111 300 µF.
The release date is announced for the end of June, with a slight increase of 300 € over the Signature versions, for a PR400evo now priced at 4 900 € and the AM400evo at 5 200 €.
21/05/2025
