Tonewinner AD-2PRO+ Review: A 36 kg, 240W Integrated Amp With a Class A Switch

Pick #3 of 3 in our Best Speaker Amps and Preamps guide.

I have great admiration for massive and powerful high-end amplifiers, especially when their size is not just for show. The Tonewinner AD-2PRO+ fits this description perfectly. Although it is a costly amplifier, it isn't exorbitant - and it is truly thrilling. Stick with me till the end and you will understand why I feel this way.

Coming at around $2,700, greatly depending on when you find it, it promises a lot - but does it deliver?

A 36 kg build with heatsinks on both sides

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It makes a statement with its build quality. It's got a solid, hefty feel thanks to the classic black and silver aluminum alloy chassis. The black finish feels smooth and looks great - it should easily complement most audio setups. Tonewinner prioritized durability here and you can feel it. It weighs almost 36 kg, or close to 80 pounds. I can stand on it comfortably without any harm - but please don't try it.

On both sides of the amplifier there are large heatsinks that serve a purpose beyond just looking impressive. The large surface area of these heatsinks is designed to effectively handle high power output without overheating. This is particularly beneficial for those who enjoy extended listening sessions, as the device is less likely to shut down or become damaged due to overheating. Trust me, this is important - because the amplifier generates a significant amount of heat over time.

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A remarkable design feature of this amp is its easy-to-read LED screen located on the front panel. The screen is capable of clearly displaying the current input of the amplifier, its volume, the mode in which it's working, and the type of files it's playing back, which is a pleasant addition.

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Phono and digital inputs, two speaker outputs

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The AD-2PRO+ is an integrated amplifier that offers a variety of input/output options.

Let's start with the digital inputs, which go through the internal DAC. There is one USB Type-B port to connect computers and some music streamers, along with two optical Toslink connectors and a single COAX RCA port.

Then we've got some analog options, that bypass the internal DAC and stay analog through the entire remainder of the audio chain. We can also connect the phono output of an MM or MC turntable. But most of you will probably use regular single-ended RCAs or balanced XLRs for the left and right channels.

The power connector is separated by some space from everything else on the back to accommodate even the thickest audiophile-grade power cables. A useful addition is a ground connection, which can be connected to some kind of grounding unit to reduce noise or solve ground loop issues.

The speaker terminals are large and sturdy, and there are two sets of them. This allows you to connect two pairs of speakers, which can be useful for A/B testing. You can use a remote to switch between the outputs, or you can simply choose to bi-wire your speakers, setting the amplifier to use two sets of outputs at once.

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If you want to use a subwoofer, you can connect it to this amplifier using dedicated sub outs - either RCA or XLR.

240 W, DSD512 and a modest THD spec

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The device has a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of over 100dB (A-weighted), which indicates a decent level of clarity in the sound. The frequency response range is wider than the standard 20Hz to 20kHz, with a range of 15Hz to 95kHz. It has a maximum power output of 240W when one channel is driven at 8 ohms.

Despite being rated at 8 ohms, the device can handle speakers with an impedance of less than 4 ohms without any issues. The total harmonic distortion of the unit is below 0.05% at 1kHz, which is not extremely low, but it applies to the entire unit, including the DAC and amp.

The USB input supports DSD512 and PCM 32-bit up to 768kHz - that's quite impressive. The optical and coaxial inputs go up to 192kHz, due to their nature.

Neutral sound that favors width over imaging

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Tonality-wise, both Class A and Class A/B modes have a neutral sound, without any added bass or treble energy like some cheaper Class D amps.

It's very dynamic, which can largely be attributed to the immense power it provides to the speakers and the headroom it has in most cases. While the Class A/B mode offers higher headroom, making it slightly more dynamic, I still prefer Class A in most situations. Regardless of the mode, it produces a rich and full sound with a well-done midrange that brings out the vocals.

The separation of instruments is exceptional, which means that they are easily distinguishable and do not blend at all. Regarding the soundstage, this amplifier slightly widens it but sacrifices imaging a little bit. The center image is sometimes fuzzy. That's not a big issue in my opinion, but I know that some people prefer crystal-clear imaging with a dead center, that's why I think it's worth bringing up the fact that this amplifier focuses on soundstage width more.

In general, this amplifier provides a high-end audio experience with a refined sound that pairs well with a wide range of speakers. It is versatile and can handle both low and high impedance loads, and also allows for switching between Class A and Class A/B modes. The high power of the amplifier ensures consistent and powerful performance, no matter what it is connected to.