Integrated amplifiers — ToneWinner AD-60

Tonewinner of Guangzhou builds the AD-60 as a compact Class AB stereo integrated amplifier that combines preamplifier, power amplifier, DAC, digital file player and headphone amplifier functions in one chassis, with Bluetooth reception and control from a smartphone app. Two finishes are listed, black and silver, and the box also holds a remote handset, a mains lead and an optical fibre cable.

Key specs that matter

Output is 2 x 50 W into 8 ohm and 2 x 80 W into 4 ohm. Total harmonic distortion is 0.025 percent or less at 1 kHz, and the frequency response spans 20 Hz to 100 kHz within plus 1 and minus 3 dB. Noise performance is quoted at 100 dB signal to noise, input impedance is 20 kohm and gain is 23.9 dB. The case measures 300 x 335 x 83 mm and weighs 5.5 kg. Versions are built for 115 V at 60 Hz or 230 V at 50 Hz mains and carry a two-year warranty.

Engineering and use context

The transistor output circuit is fed by an ultra-large toroidal transformer. Connections cover one stereo RCA analogue input, one USB-A port and one USB-C port, an SD card slot, an HDMI ARC socket, a single coaxial input and a single Toslink port. The Bluetooth 5.0 receiver handles SBC and AAC streams. The USB-A port and the card slot read storage media of up to 128 GB, so music files can be played by the amplifier itself, and USB-C accepts a computer as a digital source. Outputs include a 3.5 mm headphone socket and a stereo RCA subwoofer line alongside the two sets of speaker connections. The companion control app is available for both Android and iOS phones, giving a second way to operate the amplifier besides the supplied handset.

Pairing

The HDMI ARC input takes the audio of a television over one cable, which lets the AD-60 serve a television and a music system at once. A powered bass unit can be connected to the subwoofer line to make a 2.1 arrangement, and the headphone socket covers private listening. Within the same brand, Tonewinner produces passive bookshelf speakers such as the TD-7SE and the TD-3, both easy loads within the impedance span the AD-60 is specified for.

Alternatives

Tonewinner's AD-86D is a larger stereo integrated amplifier, rated at 2 x 120 W with an AD1955 DAC chip, three coaxial inputs and a 444 x 413 x 66 mm case.