Integrated amplifiers — MasterSound Dueventi

The Dueventi is an integrated amplifier with a built-in MM phono stage from MastersounD, built as a Parallel Single-Ended Class A design that captures Italian valve craftsmanship in a versatile package. MastersounD's founder Cesare Sanavio built his reputation specifically around hand-wound output transformers, a tradition his son Luciano has continued and further refined, and the Dueventi represents that decades-long transformer expertise applied to a switchable pentode-or-triode integrated amplifier.

Key specs that matter

Three line-level RCA inputs plus one MM phono input are provided, with one fixed line output and one preamp output. Speaker load impedance covers 4-8 ohms. Output power is 2x20W in pentode configuration, switching to 2x10W in pure triode mode for a more intimate, harmonically rich character at lower listening levels. The tube complement is four EL34 output tubes and two ECC802 driver tubes. Frequency bandwidth is 15Hz to 30kHz at 0dB. Negative feedback is 0dB, an uncompromising zero-feedback design. Automatic bias removes the need for manual tube adjustment, a genuine practical convenience over many rival single-ended designs. At 490 x 330 x 235mm and 24kg, the amplifier ships with a remote control as standard, and its distinctive round transformer covers house MastersounD's hand-wound EI-core output transformers, each individually wrapped on a mechanical winding machine and encased in a special resin compound.

Sound and use context

Expect rich tonal textures, vibrant mids and remarkable detail typical of classic EL34 valve sound - the switchable pentode-triode operation broadens this amplifier's character, letting a listener choose greater output and dynamics in pentode mode or a more delicate, harmonically saturated presentation in pure triode mode depending on mood or material.

Pairing

The built-in MM phono stage covers a turntable directly without a separate outboard phono preamplifier, and the 4-8 ohm load range suits a wide selection of loudspeaker impedances without unusual matching concerns.

Alternatives

MastersounD's Dueundici sits below this model as a more minimalist single-ended design with 11W output and a similarly capable phono stage, worth considering instead if a purer, lower-power single-ended character matters more than the Dueventi's switchable pentode-triode flexibility. A dedicated ground connection between turntable and this amplifier built-in phono stage remains essential for hum-free operation.