How cool is this...

[jaxwired]

iFi Retro Stereo System at Music Direct

 

[cmalak]

Yep...highlighted here a few months ago. I actually think Tone Audio did a review recently and they gave pretty decent grades to the integrated/DAC/phono pre but were less enthusiastic about the speakers. But they did say the amp punched above its weight as did the DAC and phono sections.

 

[cmalak]

Here are a few reviews:

First Listen: iFi Audio Retro Music System | Hi-Fi+

iFi Audio STEREO 50 + LS3.5 - Integrated amplifier/DAC + loudspeakers

Page 185 of current issue (171) of Tone Audio also has a review of the iFi Retro system. To quote Jeff's commentary in various places:

On the amp:

This amplifier is all about quality and delicacy. Regardless of the speakers you choose, the Retro 50 conjures up a soundfield that is both wide and deep. Tracking through Neu! is an amazing exercise in trippiness, with cool sound effects all over the room as if you were nestled in between a six-foot-tall pair of headphones. The Retro 50 doesn’t so much color the lush midrange as maximize texture and tonal saturation. This amplifier is perfect for listening at low to moderate levels.

On the speakers:

Investigating those little speakers

iFi calls the speakers accompanying the Retro 50 “Retro 3.5” in homage to the legendary LS3/5A BBC monitors. The similarity to the LS3/5A ends with the form factor. They don’t really suck, but they don’t really rock either. Judicious use of the tone controls and signal processing at your disposal on the front panel of the Retro 50 mitigates this, but they perform much better in a desktop system than out in the listening room. Sold alone, they carry a retail price of $795 – forget about them at this price, but as part of the Retro 50 system, not bad.

Overall Conclusion:

Like every other iFi product we’ve used or reviewed, the Retro 50 screams high performance and high value – more than worthy of one of our Exceptional Value Awards for 2015. Whether you use the speakers or give them to a friend, the Retro 50 is one of the greatest combinations in the audiophile world today. I can’t think of a better place to start your high end audio journey.

 

[mep]

The old KLH system with built in TT would probably smoke it.