Fell Audio Fell Amp review

We can’t remember the last time What Hi-Fi? reviewed a sensibly-priced stereo amplifier from a start-up UK-based manufacturer.

Fell Audio is backed by British retailer Peter Tyson and currently makes just two products, the Fell Disc CD player (£499) and the integrated amplifier on test here. At the time of writing, the Fell Stream music streamer is shown on the company’s website but is not available to buy.

All are pitched at the affordable end of the market, which is relatively sparse in terms of quality products. It seems that Fell Audio has identified a genuine gap in the market, but the question is whether its products are talented enough to fill it.

Build & features

On paper, the Fell Amp should be a winner. It is as though Fell Audio, with no doubt the insights offered by its retailer parent, has come up with the ideal template for the ultimate affordable stereo amplifier, and ticked just about every single box.

Unlike most of its competitors, this amplifier is made in Britain and, where possible, uses locally sourced parts and materials. Fell’s products used to be UK retailer Peter Tyson exclusives, but are now available on Amazon UK as well. Wider availability across Europe and beyond is expected later this year.

It’s always good to have plenty of power, and the Fell Amp duly obliges. Its Class D modules deliver a claimed power output of 89 watts per channel into an 8-ohm load, supported by a relatively chunky 170VA mains transformer. Most of the class-leading alternatives at this level tend to produce around 40-60 watts per channel, so the Fell seems to have a solid advantage here.

There is a moving magnet phono stage to accommodate the steady growth of interest in playing records and a Bluetooth 5.0 input for those that prefer to use their smartphone, computer or tablet as their source. In addition, the Fell Amp includes a trio of standard analogue RCA line level inputs, optical and coaxial digital ins and, on the front panel, a 6.3mm headphone output. That’s a pretty comprehensive set of features, all told.

Build quality is good too. The Amp feels solid and pretty well finished, though the front panel touch buttons aren’t always as responsive as we would like. Unconventionally, the rotary control on the left (as you face it) is for volume, while the one on the right doesn’t turn at all and is merely the power switch. The supplied remote is simple to use and works well.

The Fell Amp seems styled to evoke the classic British integrated amplifier designs of old, and does so without being a direct copy of anything. It is a characterful design, which admittedly, split opinions on our team. Still, we can’t help but admire Fell’s decision to go for something distinctive rather than bland.

Sound

An amplifier at this level has to perform a difficult balancing act. It has to be forgiving enough to make the most of less-than-perfect budget sources, yet still have the sonic stretch to show the benefits of more capable and expensive alternatives. Unfortunately, this Fell Amplifier doesn’t manage that.

We test this amplifier with a range of sources from a Cambridge Audio MXN10 streamer and Cyrus CDi CD player to our reference Naim ND555/555 PS DR music streamer. We also use the digital outputs from the Cyrus CD player and Naim streamer to listen to the Fell’s optical and coax inputs.

An iPhone 12 Pro Max provides the Bluetooth signal and a Technics SL-1000R/ Nagaoka MP-200 combination feeds the integrated’s moving magnet phono stage.

As for speakers, over the test sessions, we connect the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1, the Acoustic Energy AE30 Mk2, the KEF LS50 Meta and, just for fun, our reference ATC SCM50. Our comparison amplifiers are the Mission 778x (£549 / $899 / AU$1199) and the Arcam A5 (£749 / $769 / AU$1495).

Regardless of partnering equipment, the Fell Audio amplifier turns out to be a consistent but ultimately limited performer.

That’s not our first impression, though. Straight out of the blocks, this amplifier sounds bold and powerful. It makes most similarly priced alternatives sound a little tentative. Given a bombastic piece of music such as Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony or Michael Jackson’s Jam, the Fell Amp shows promise, delivering an impressive sense of authority.

That power advantage it has over its rivals certainly makes itself evident here with crowd-pleasing punch and low-end heft. This is the kind of presentation that does well during a shop demo, and so is likely to play into this integrated’s favour.

Stereo imaging is pretty good too, with pleasing scale and an expansive soundstage. It isn’t the most focused or layered we’ve come across, but considering the price, there is little here open to major criticism.

We like the balance Fell Audio has struck tonally, with no particular part of the frequency range gaining undue prominence. The midrange is well projected while the highs have bite without sounding brittle.

However, as we spend more time listening, the cracks in the Fell Amp’s performance start showing. For all the muscularity on offer, it turns out that it isn’t a particularly expressive performer. Judged by the highest standards at the price, this amplifier can’t convey dynamic contrasts convincingly, and so the music ends up sounding pretty flat and uninspiring.

We find ourselves increasing the volume level to get more excitement, but then the Fell becomes a little shouty. It doesn’t help that this amp sounds decidedly lifeless when played quietly, either.

Those looking for interesting insights into the music or recording aren’t in for a treat. The level of clarity isn’t particularly high here, while detail resolution and articulation are reasonable enough, they are easily bettered by the cheaper (and similarly-equipped) Mission 778x integrated.

The Mission may sound smaller and less front-footed than its Fell rival, but it counters with a degree of musical cohesion, finesse and rhythmic drive that the Fell Amp just can’t match. The refined and admittedly pricier Arcam A5 is even further ahead in most respects.

The Fell’s moving magnet phono stage is a reasonable effort, producing relatively low noise levels and staying consistent with the character of the line stages. But, once again, we notice a lack of finesse. This amplifier doesn’t seem to organise the music particularly well, so whether we’re listening to Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever set or Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis, we find our attention wavering pretty quickly.

This story doesn’t change when we try the digital inputs or via Bluetooth. They work, we get a decent sound, but nothing that gets close to the transparency or expression of the class leaders.

Verdict

We love the idea of an all-new contender coming into the affordable hi-fi market, and commend Fell Audio for its ambition. However, the level of competition is high, and as things stand, the Fell Amp is nowhere near good enough to worry the best in the class.

To say we’re disappointed at this result is an understatement.

Review published: 4th September 2025

SCORES

• Sound 3
• Build 4
• Features 5

MORE:

Read the matching Fell Audio Fell Disc review

Check out our review of the Mission 778x

Also consider the Arcam A5

Best stereo amplifiers: 9 class leaders chosen by our review experts