Atoll IN100
Contents
Atoll IN100 – 1150 Euro
French Atoll is no stranger to Alpha Audio. Colleague Geoffrey has been to the factory and held several products in his hands. So has your author, including a d/a converter that went along for a multi test. It did appear that Atoll is a pretty steady performer. And the same is true of the IN100.
The Atoll IN100 is an integrated amplifier with – the name says it all – 100 watts into 8 Ohms and 140 watts into 4 Ohms. We measure 87 watts into 8 Ohms (0.8% THD) and 128 watts into 4 Ohms (0.45% THD) at the tipping point. Since Atoll does not specify how they measure, we cannot verify it.
The Atoll has absolutely no problem driving the Focals. We hear a nicely complete and round sound and excellent control over the entire range. The bass is tight and nicely defined. The center is pleasantly balanced: not too prominent, not too soft. We can follow the various layers very well.
The layering is really something that stands out with this amplifier it also comes across as a little less forced than with the Roksan, for example. Noteworthy. The stereo image is slightly lower than with the Arcam, Cyrus and Rega. The voice is just above the Focals, placing the trio a bit higher. The Atoll also plays a little more backwards, where for example the Arcam, Roksan and Rega play more forward. The Atoll sets more of a relaxed stage. However, it does feel very natural. It does make us feel relaxed!
Measurements
The Atoll IN100 measures a bit in the middle of the field. The noise floor is low, but the harmonic distortion is higher than competitors. It runs up in a straight line from 0.01 to 0.6 or 0.7%. We get the feeling that Atoll uses no or very little feedback. Then the distortion is a bit higher, but it gives a fine looseness in the reproduction. That ‘trade off’ we see more often. Also in higher price ranges. The frequency response is pretty flat: the bass just runs to 5 Hz without any loss in power. And the high frequencies run to 30 kHz -1dB. Great!
Specifications
| Brand and Type | Atoll IN100 |
| Inputs digital | Optional |
| Inputs analog | 5 x rca line (optional phono), 1 x power bypass |
| Outputs | 2 x pre-out – tape-loop |
| Power specs | 100 watts, 8 ohms, 140 watts, 4 ohms |
| Measured power | 86 watts, 8 ohms, 0.8% THD+N, 128 watts, 4 ohms, 0.45% THD+N. |
| Dimensions / weight | 44 x 9 x 30 cm, 11 Kg |
| Price | 1150 Euro |