Plinius 9200 review

Plinius is a name still barely known in the UK, but judging from the quality of the kit we've heard, this New Zealand company makes some of the best h Tested at £3800.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

There's very little else for this money that comes close to the 9200.

Pros

  • +

    A bold and rhythmic sound coupled with refinement

  • +

    lovely build and fresh styling

  • +

    excellent handset

Cons

  • -

    Very little

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Plinius is a name still barely known in the UK. That's a real shame because this New Zealand-based electronics manufacturer has been established since 1980, and judging by the M8/P10 pre/power we reviewed back in our September 2007 issue, and this integrated amp, the company makes some of the best hi-fi around.

For example, most rival manufacturers make do with cheap, plastic, off-the-shelf remote controls that look and feel no better than those found on a supermarket-special DVD player. Plinius, in contrast, has gone to the trouble of making a chunky, metal design that looks great and is very easy to use. The remote from the matching CD-101 CD player will control this amp's volume, too.

Bags of spare power
The 9200 integrated amplifier is right on message. It's easy to use while having enough features to keep most purists happy. There are plenty of inputs, even a phono stage, and the option of both balanced and unbalanced connections.

A power output of 200 watts per channel means this amplifier will be happy driving most price-compatible speakers to decent levels even in large rooms. Not something that can always be said about lower-powered alternatives.

Outwardly, there's little about this amplifier that suggests any thing beyond the norm at this kind of price level. Start listening, though, and we doubt you'll want to stop.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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