Atoll electronique AV500
Three-channel power amplifier from Atoll Electronique, designed to be driven by a separate 5.1 preamplifier within a home cinema system.
Description
The AV500 is a three-channel power amplifier from Atoll Electronique, a French manufacturer of audio electronics. It offers no preamplification or decoding function: its role is limited to amplifying three channels, typically left, right and centre, from the signal sent to it by an upstream multichannel preamplifier.
Atoll positions it as the natural extension of its own 5.1 preamplifier. Together, the two units form a separates-based home cinema system whose overall footprint remains close to that of a conventional integrated AV amplifier, a rare feature in this approach, where chassis are usually stacked. It is available in black or, as an option, natural aluminium, allowing the unit to be matched to the rest of the system or to the furniture.
This type of configuration suits the listener who wants to move away from the all-in-one home cinema amplifier without turning their living room into a technical room. Separating amplification from signal processing also allows for staged upgrades: the preamplifier can be renewed as formats evolve without having to reconsider the power section. The AV500 therefore fits into a system intended for film, possibly complemented by a second unit for the rear channels.
Technical specifications
| Number of channels | 3 |
| Finishes | Black or natural aluminium (optional) |
What to check before buying used
With this type of power amplifier, attention should first focus on the output stage: gradual power-up, no hiss or hum at idle, and above all identical behaviour across all three channels, as an imbalance between channels often points to a worn transistor or protection circuit. Check the firmness of the speaker terminals, which suffer from repeated tightening, as well as the condition of the RCA input sockets. A unit that has run hot inside an enclosed cabinet warrants a check of the heatsink and the power supply capacitors. Finally, make sure the finish, black or natural aluminium, matches what was expected, as the front panel is the element most prone to micro-scratches.
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