XLS 1002 : awesome, great preamp for cheap

I use this amp for amplifying my mixing/mastering/producing set-up - MacBook into preamp, into this, into my speakers and sub. I also use it for home listening - DAP or MacBook straight into this, then into my speakers. I also recently used it at a small concert as a PA amp.

This amp has always met my expectations and in some cases exceeded them. To my ears it sounds wonderfully clean and accurate - compared to my old JVC amp which may have more 'warmth' but lacks clarity. It's built very well, the fans are exceptionally quiet, and I personally think it looks very cool. We had it centre piece of the stage and the level leds really added something to the general feeling and ambience of the performance.

I would enjoy a few more in- and outputs but I guess we are dealing with a budget-level piece of construction here, somehow the costs must be kept down. I'm also not 100% certain it's as loud as it should be - could have something to do with my set-up but it lacks the punch of my vintage JVC which has a similar rating.

All in all though, I am very happy with this amp and would recommend it to anyone looking for hi-fi and high-rating amplification on a budget.