Paradoxically, it ‘sounds bigger’ than its perceived volume, because it’s not particularly imposing compared to the average power block. On the other hand, it quietly assumes its weight of almost 30 kg. And its motorisation is totally disruptive. Neither tube, transistor or hybrid, it’s all its own… The purpose of this preamble is to put you in the mood. The Kora TA480 is not a conventional amp. It has a personality all its own, and is committed to offering its own version of neutrality. A joyful, dense, highly structured neutrality. As we audiophiles are well aware, absolute neutrality is a pipe dream. We all have our own systems of representation, and we’re all looking for the equipment that will meet our expectations. The Kora TA480 is the amp of choice for the music lover who enjoys music. It offers a very exciting vision of sound reproduction. Firstly, because it’s very physical. This is a powerful amp, and you can hear it straight away.

It deploys considerable energy with a great deal of control. In the company of all the speakers we paired it with, the Kora TA480 did its job without ever encountering the slightest resistance. The 240 W announced are there, no doubt about it. Even when listening to ‘sport’ music over extended periods, it is at ease and supports all rhythms without flinching, even three hours of high-level symphony orchestra. A famous tyre dealer once said that without control, power is useless. That’s exactly right, and the Kora TA480 has lived up to that maxim. It delivers plenty of power with remarkable precision. Despite the muscular quality it can sometimes impart to the listening experience, there is a permanent clarity that allows all the melodic lines to be considered individually with great ease. The same goes for the soundstage, which can be enjoyed in its entirety, but is enriched by a multitude of components that combine to create a rich panorama.

The Kora TA480 is feisty, precise and ultra-dynamic, but completely refuses to adopt facile stylistic effects. Despite everything, it’s a sophisticated device that offers elegant listening. When we talk about the pleasure we can feel in the way it reproduces the sound message, it inevitably makes us think of a very fine bottle of wine that it would be impossible not to finish once it has been opened. This is what makes listening to the Kora TA480 so sensual. It quickly convinces us that the reproduction is meticulous and natural, but it also quickly makes us realise that beyond formal perfection, the listener is seeking pleasure above all else. And that’s what this is all about.

About four years ago, we fell in love with the ‘little’ TB140 integrated, which we continue to enjoy every day without tiring of it. Considering the number of devices we test, that’s a quality worth highlighting. With this (very) big brother, the notion of pleasure is multiplied tenfold. The Kora TA480 is a delectable amplifier. Its totally original and relevant technology ensures above all very natural sound reproduction, providing maximum sensations while perfectly respecting the codes of top-of-the-range amplification. It’s with immense satisfaction that we test a big French electronic that has absolutely nothing to envy the behemoths from across the Atlantic. We warmly recommend this amplifier to all audiophiles on a budget. 

Link do recenzji: Kora TA480 – VUmetre