{"id":3210,"date":"2025-03-19T11:08:35","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T10:08:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/?p=3210"},"modified":"2025-04-22T17:13:02","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T15:13:02","slug":"atoll-in50-signature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/tests\/atoll-in50-signature\/","title":{"rendered":"ATOLL IN50 Signature"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Atoll Electronique’s evolutionary integrated model is designed to support users as their expectations evolve. Since its creation by St\u00e9phane and Emanuel Dubreuil in 1997, the ambition of French company Atoll has always been to offer audiophile-quality equipment at a contained price. For many years, Atoll has therefore concentrated on the design of integrated products whose excellent quality\/price ratio has seduced many demanding enthusiasts. With the introduction of the Signature range, the brand has accentuated its policy of upgradability. As a result, users can upgrade their equipment according to their expectations and budget, while benefiting from top-quality components every time. And today, we’ll focus on the Atoll IN50 Signature.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"amplifier<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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The new Atoll IN50 Signature is the perfect illustration of this concept. At its heart is a fully analog integrated preamplifier and power amplifier. It’s worth noting that, even though these are fairly conventional structures, these sections have benefited from the most up-to-date technological attention. For example, Vishay capacitors are used in the signal path. Similarly, Nippon Chimicon capacitors are used for filtering. Output stages have also been optimized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This evolution has also enabled the significant reduction of the feedback rate, while keeping the quiescent current at an unchanged value. The power transistors of previous generations have been replaced by complementary transistors for perfect balancing of output push-pulls. In fact, while the IN50’s schematic structure is still based on bipolar transistors on the input stages and as drivers, MosFet transistors are still responsible for power management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the power supply side, a generously dimensioned 170 VA toroidal transformer designed to specific specifications is responsible for supplying the energy required by these power stages. It should be pointed out that the slight increase of a few VA it provides is essentially intended to meet the (very moderate) increase in the IN50’s power requirements. These are essentially linked to the digital stages offered by the eventual evolution of the IN50, and to the motorization of its volume control potentiometer. Similarly, the capacitors in the filtering system have a total capacity of over 17,000 microfarads, guaranteeing the IN50 a substantial energy reserve. In this basic configuration, the Atoll IN50 Signature acts as a dedicated analog amplifier for line sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first development is the addition of a phono preamplifier card. Indeed, even if vinyl records are becoming increasingly popular, the presence of a turntable within a system is not yet systematic. So it was only natural that Atoll should offer this card as an option. Priced at \u20ac100, it is compatible with both moving-magnet (MM) and high-end moving-coil (MC) cartridges. What’s more, in order to best adapt to the recommendations of each cell manufacturer, this preamplifier card features a gain setting offering a choice of three possible values: 40, 42 or 56 dB. An input capacitance of 100 pF can also be selected or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"amplifier<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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In the same spirit, and in response to current trends in digital and dematerialized sources, the IN50 can be fitted with the same card as the IN200 and IN300 amplifiers. However, Atoll has also designed a dedicated card for the IN50. Simpler, it’s also more affordable. Based on a Burr Brown PCM 1744 DAC, it handles 24-bit\/192 kHz hi-res audio streams. Equipped with two optical and two coaxial inputs, which replace the IN50’s auxiliary input, this card is perfectly suited to the requirements of a home installation. The main differences between this little card and its big sister designed for the IN200 and IN300 are the disappearance of the USB port and the Bluetooth transmitter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, the main printed circuit board is housed at the bottom of the chassis, allowing the power stages to be equipped with larger heat sinks. This optimizes cooling of the power transistors during dynamic peaks. What’s more, a thermal sensor automatically reduces the amplifier’s power output if the temperature rises too high. This eliminates the risk of thermal runaway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The set up<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It doesn’t get much simpler than this sober device. But everything is there, nothing is missing for our daily use. Care should be taken to select the correct mains phase. On paper, the IN50 Signature’s power output may not be colossal, but in practice, we paired it with several loudspeakers without the slightest hint of energy deficiency. It proved itself capable of driving a large number of loudspeakers in its price range, and even more expensive ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"amplifier<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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The sound<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The last amplifier we were able to test from the Cotentin region was the prestigious 400 series split-element set. Today, we’re listening to the small integrated Atoll IN50 Signature. In other words, we’re at opposite ends of the spectrum. But between these two extremes, the same guideline emerges, the one that presided over the creation of the Signature generation. In other words, continuity and attention to the small details that make all the difference to the listener. Atoll has become an expert in circuit optimization and fine tuning. And you can hear it immediately. Connected to our ZUs, which are not at all gentle, the IN50 reveals a presence and solidity that are uncommon for an amplifier priced at \u20ac750. From the outset, we perceive a beautiful soundstage. The image is truly three-dimensional. Not only does it blossom in depth, but it also extends laterally. Listening is not at all compacted. On the contrary, it expands far beyond the stereophonic triangle to occupy the whole space of your listening room. On one of our favorite records, with its many different-sounding tracks (NXworries Yes Lawd), you can clearly perceive a universe specific to each track. And the IN50 Signature captures this very faithfully. The feeling of proximity to the performance is very well rendered. Between the more intimate takes and the much more dense parts, the difference is obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This amplifier alternates raspy tones and refined sequences with an ease unheard of at this price. True to the brand’s philosophy, it doesn’t try to stun you with spectacular effects, but it’s nonetheless surprisingly vigorous and varied enough to make you realize just how wide a world can separate two tracks on the same disc. This ability to stick to the modulation keeps it relevant and fluid at all times. Not only will you never get bored with it, but you’ll never feel like you’re listening to the same record over and over again. This is the hallmark of mature electronics designed with authenticity in mind. It’s a sensation you’d expect from more expensive amplifiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We experienced this excellent power of analysis not only on the line inputs, but also on the DAC and phono inputs. We were indeed spoilt for choice, as the Atoll IN50 Signature we tested was \u201call options\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The digital section took over from a CD transport and enabled us to make the most of it. It also proved its worth as a digital output for an old, high-end CD player, which was given a new lease of life. As for the phono input we used with our Nagaoka MP150 cartridge, it surprised us with an extremely low noise threshold and very quiet operation. It has to be said that we were treated to the P100 module, developed entirely from discrete components. Its price\/performance ratio is hard to beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"amplifier<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Our conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As good wine improves with age, the Atoll IN50 Signature represents the culmination of over 25 years of research, testing and improvement of a now-proven design. Although intended to be accessible to the widest possible audience, this device is nonetheless endowed with a rather aristocratic character. In any case, we can’t evoke its positioning here without legitimately asking whether it doesn’t simply represent the beginning of the high-end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At its birth, Atoll remained perfectly within the mainstream. As it explored very high-end products, it discovered that this quest for the absolute was reflected in all its products, including the least expensive. As a result, for \u20ac1,000, the Atoll IN50 Signature \u201call options\u201d can be the nerve center of a very good hi-fi system at a very reasonable price. We’re repeating ourselves here, but the Cotentin-based manufacturer has hit the nail on the head once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Author: Laurent Thorin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technical sheet: ATOLL IN50 SIGNATURE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Origin<\/strong>: France<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Price<\/strong>: \u20ac750<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Dimensions<\/strong>: 440 x 90 x 300 mm<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Weight<\/strong>: 7 kg<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Rated power<\/strong>: 2 x 50 W at 8 ohms, 2 x 70 W at 4 ohms<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Frequency response<\/strong>: 5 Hz to 100 kHz<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Signal-to-noise ratio<\/strong>: > 100 dB<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Inputs<\/strong>: 5 x analogue \u2018line\u2019 on RCA, 1 x by-pass on RCA<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Outputs<\/strong>:
    1 x monitoring on RCA, 1 x pair of gold-plated screw terminals,
    1 x 3.5 mm headphone jack on front panel<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Atoll P100 phono card<\/strong>: MM and MC cell compatible<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Input impedance<\/strong>: 47 kilo-ohms<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Input capacitance<\/strong>: 100 pF or 0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Gain<\/strong>: 40 dB MM, 46 dB MC High, 52 dB MC Low<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Total harmonic distortion<\/strong>: 0.05<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Suggested retail price<\/strong>: \u20ac100<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Atoll SPDIF digital card<\/strong>:
    • Burr Brown PCM 1744 DAC<\/li><\/ul>
      • Two 24-bit\/192 kHz optical inputs<\/li><\/ul>\n
          \n
        • Two 24-bit\/192 kHz coaxial inputs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Guide price<\/strong>: \u20ac150<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Atoll Electronique’s evolutionary integrated model is designed to support users as their expectations evolve. Since its creation by St\u00e9phane and Emanuel Dubreuil in 1997, the ambition of French company Atoll has always been to offer audiophile-quality equipment at a contained price. For many years, Atoll has therefore concentrated on the design of integrated products whose […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3211,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[35,25,43,38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3210","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tests","category-amplifier","category-atoll","category-types"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3210","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3210"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3210\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3210"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3210"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vumetre.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3210"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}