Abrahamsen V2.0 UP - any views?

[Paulq]

I am tentatively looking for a new integrated and am pretty steadfast that I want to stay away from some of the mainstream players like Naim, Rega etc.  I am not being critical of them, at all, but I am looking for something a bit different that's very well engineered and supplies decent current to speakers with as much power as is reasonable. I am not interested in volume - just the ability to control (ProAc) speakers well.

One that's grabbed my attention is the Abrahamsen V2.0 UP.  I believe it's the second cousin of some of the Electrocompaniet stuff so it's of decent pedigree and one of those rarities that is designed to double its output into 4 Ohms from 8.  That's one mark of a good amp.

Has anyone any experience of it who can comment on it's performance, quality and longevity?  I am a bit hesitant about buying direct but it does look quality and is under £1k.

If there are other recommendations for alternatives that meet a similar spec I'd take a look.

Thanks.

 

[lazycat]

There is a review on here. 

https://www.hifiwigwam.com/abrahamsen-v2-0-up-integrated-amplifier-review/

When I was looking at amps 4 years ago I intended to ask for a listen. Cheltenham isn't far for me.

Not entirely sure why I didn't. But this doesn't help you. lol

 

[Paulq]

There is a review on here. 

https://www.hifiwigwam.com/abrahamsen-v2-0-up-integrated-amplifier-review/

When I was looking at amps 4 years ago I intended to ask for a listen. Cheltenham isn't far for me.

Not entirely sure why I didn't. But this doesn't help you. lol

Thanks and yes I had seen that but there's a paucity of other reviews/opinions so am after some other views if poss

 

[Lurch]

Have you considered Nord for an integrated? All their amps seem to get good user reviews/write-ups. I'm running a pair of Nord One UP SE NC500M and they're stunning performers. 

 

[Nopiano]

They were imported by Colin who now runs Nord, based in Cheltenham as mentioned.  I’m not aware of any UK service or back up, so I’d be a bit wary.  I vaguely recall they were much closer than you infer to Electrocompaniet, as it was the folks from E who set it up.  I’ve no idea who now makes E, whether just the name continues or all the family, know how and skills. 

 

[Paulq]

They were imported by Colin who now runs Nord, based in Cheltenham as mentioned.  I’m not aware of any UK service or back up, so I’d be a bit wary.  I vaguely recall they were much closer than you infer to Electrocompaniet, as it was the folks from E who set it up.  I’ve no idea who now makes E, whether just the name continues or all the family, know how and skills. 

That's interesting and worth being wary of so thanks for the info.  That's slightly offputting so back to the drawing board

 

[Nopiano]

That's interesting and worth being wary of so thanks for the info.  That's slightly offputting so back to the drawing board

What I don’t know is if he might service them, so it’s worth asking.  I guess it’s the same if you bought anything secondhand.  There’s a used Primare I32 in the classifieds if that’s of any interest (not mine!). 

 

[Paulq]

What I don’t know is if he might service them, so it’s worth asking.  I guess it’s the same if you bought anything secondhand.  There’s a used Primare I32 in the classifieds if that’s of any interest (not mine!). 

I did actually look at that last week and it's quite tempting though I have never heard one and am a little hesitant about Class D with already revealing speakers. 

 

[Nopiano]

I did actually look at that last week and it's quite tempting though I have never heard one and am a little hesitant about Class D with already revealing speakers. 

Fair enough, though my ATCs aren’t exactly mellow and I think they work well together.  The only other unusual design I pondered on your behalf is Vincent, but I see their favourite integrated is £1850 now, so a bit over budget.  

There’s a nice Roksan Caspian from a dealer with 3 months warranty on eBay. ( I was more drawn to a Krell s300 until I read that it hums)

 

[Paulq]

Fair enough, though my ATCs aren’t exactly mellow and I think they work well together.  The only other unusual design I pondered on your behalf is Vincent, but I see their favourite integrated is £1850 now, so a bit over budget.  

There’s a nice Roksan Caspian from a dealer with 3 months warranty on eBay. ( I was more drawn to a Krell s300 until I read that it hums)

Thanks - it's a bit challenging to stumble across the kind of thing I am looking for really. I'm outta ideas

 

[simon g]

Thanks - it's a bit challenging to stumble across the kind of thing I am looking for really. I'm outta ideas

Take a look at a Creek Evolution 50a; still available at around £900 new. An older Creek Destiny 2 is also worth considering, if you don't mind used. Audio Emotion have one, I think.

 

[Lurch]

I did actually look at that last week and it's quite tempting though I have never heard one and am a little hesitant about Class D with already revealing speakers. 

I was also, concerned about class D, having been a valve fan boy for the last 4 years. However I needn't have worried, infact the MB845SEs into Kef 104ab that I was using when my 989s played up was actually over egging the richness pudding. When I grabbed the Nord class D monos after one of the 845s went down I was really surprised. The 104ab changed character and became stunning performers, still with tonal richness and detail and not a hint of leanness/brightness. I've now installed a pair of ML Summits which are pretty revealing speakers and again there's no problem with tonal richness and detail, class D has, come a long way since it's inception. With Nord (they do an integrated) there is a, choice of op-amp (SI or Sparko) that will help tailor things from within the input buffer board, you really owe it to yourself to get an audition to see what the latest iterations are capable of. 

 

[Denim Demon]

My dad's has had the Abrahamsen V2.0 UP for a good few years now. He bought new back when Colin at Nord was representing them here in the UK. It's a well built thing, good remote and to my ears and his certainly sounds than the Musical Fidelity A5 he had before it.

 

[Amormusic]

They were imported by Colin who now runs Nord, based in Cheltenham as mentioned.  I’m not aware of any UK service or back up, so I’d be a bit wary.  I vaguely recall they were much closer than you infer to Electrocompaniet, as it was the folks from E who set it up.  I’ve no idea who now makes E, whether just the name continues or all the family, know how and skills. 

I looked in detail at one of these a couple of years ago. Nopiano is correct there is no backup in UK unless this has changed. Also, the V2.0up appeared to be the only thing being sold.

Someone relied to my stream who has bought one and apparently they are boxed incredibly well for shipment, but still, this was a concern to me.

The maker Per Abrahamsen, was I believe, the main designer at Electro then left to set up Abrahamsen.

If it goes wrong your on your own, or if it gets knocked around being shipped you've got to pay for return shipping. All big negatives.

Big positive is they look like an almighty bargain.

I didn't get one in the end. However, if I see a UK second hand one crop up I'd probably buy it to scratch that itch.

 

[Paulq]

I looked in detail at one of these a couple of years ago. Nopiano is correct there is no backup in UK unless this has changed. Also, the V2.0up appeared to be the only thing being sold.

Someone relied to my stream who has bought one and apparently they are boxed incredibly well for shipment, but still, this was a concern to me.

The maker Per Abrahamsen, was I believe, the main designer at Electro then left to set up Abrahamsen.

If it goes wrong your on your own, or if it gets knocked around being shipped you've got to pay for return shipping. All big negatives.

Big positive is they look like an almighty bargain.

I didn't get one in the end. However, if I see a UK second hand one crop up I'd probably buy it to scratch that itch.

I think your migivings were/are the same as mine so I'll probably err on the side of caution and look for something else.  The other suggestions here are also very helpful and I really appreciate that.  The Primare looks to be astonishingly good as, in fairness, does the Creek.  I just don't have any experience of either and don't want to make a £1k mistake.#

Edit:  I have been reading a lot tonight and stumbled on a very informative (if confusing) post on a different forum where the notion that the doubling of output as the ohms halved was and is utter nonsense and yet another hifi myth.  Oh well, guess that opens the field up quite considerably then

 

[AntA]

I believe @Blacksabbath25had one a few years ago. 

 

[Blacksabbath25]

That is correct i brought a new Abrahamsen v2.0 up and a Cd player 

The amplifier is very good built like a tank but the Cd player never worked properly out of the box which was disappointing but can not fault the amplifier but what worried me was if it went wrong how would i get it fixed as the aftercare service was rubbish  .

So you take the risk if you buy one but still a good amplifier for the money .   

 

[AntA]

That is correct i brought a new Abrahamsen v2.0 up and a Cd player 

The amplifier is very good built like a tank but the Cd player never worked properly out of the box which was disappointing but can not fault the amplifier but what worried me was if it went wrong how would i get it fixed as the aftercare service was rubbish  .

So you take the risk if you buy one but still a good amplifier for the money .   

Yes, I remember you saying it was better than the Marantz PM8005.

 

[hifinutt]

That is correct i brought a new Abrahamsen v2.0 up and a Cd player 

The amplifier is very good built like a tank but the Cd player never worked properly out of the box which was disappointing but can not fault the amplifier but what worried me was if it went wrong how would i get it fixed as the aftercare service was rubbish  .

So you take the risk if you buy one but still a good amplifier for the money .   

That is very disappointing. A friend is dealing with a British hi fi high end  company that makes CD players and from what I hear the support is first class ( and its not audionote !! )