Can an IC based amp be considered 'high end'?

That’s an interesting view, I take that to mean an uncompromising focus on audio quality - is that what you mean?

I remember when I first got asked that question about 35 years ago. I had to think about it. I know it isn’t price! There are things that are expensive that are not high end and there are things that are cheap that are. So price isn’t it.

Sound quality is a better indicator, but it too isn’t the last word. One problem here is sound quality is highly subjective. Some people don’t care what it sounds like if it doesn’t measure well. So that doesn’t work either.

Appearance - ? Things can wind up being valuable due to their appearance but that doesn’t make them ’high end’! A good example of that is the Clairtone console stereo.


If the intention of the manufacturer is to be high end (as opposed to being expensive; these are two very different goals!) that ultimately is the final arbiter. This does not mean that the unit is great sounding but it does mean that it was **meant** to be great sounding.


So a chip amp can be built to a profitable product and/or it can be built with the intention to be high end. Its usually pretty easy to discern which is which.

@atmasphere Thanks for the considered response. So, do you go for 'high end' or do you favour some of those criteria over others?

So, do you go for 'high end' or do you favour some of those criteria over others?

I'm a manufacturer. So my criteria might be a bit different, but I'm also an audiophile. We all like to think we're getting good quality and we try to search for it; that is certainly what I do. I don't like getting something and finding out its so much junk... Most of the gear I own I've also auditioned in some form before purchase. In your case that will be your first move if you get serious about this amp.

All audiophiles know that no matter what the spec sheet says, what the dealer says, what the reviewer says, you have to bring it home and audition it. Even people that rely on specs only do that :) Irony is still in.

Sure if you charge enough for it. 

I have one of these and sounds pretty darn good.   Might pass as high end in a blind listening test  but not much to look at. 
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Audio-Amplifier-Receiver-Integrated/dp/B076XSBCCL/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ke...