At Townshend Audio, we’re thrilled to announce that the Allegri Reference Preamplifier has been awarded the prestigious Highly Recommended accolade in the HiFi Critic Audio Excellence category by renowned reviewer Martin Colloms. In his detailed review published in HiFi Critic (Jan–Mar 2020), Colloms, a respected figure in high-fidelity audio, not only praised the Allegri Reference for its state-of-the-art performance but also incorporated it into his personal reference system, a testament to its exceptional quality. This recognition underscores Townshend’s commitment to delivering transparent, dynamic, and immersive sound for audiophiles worldwide.

A Giant Killer in Audio Engineering

Colloms describes the Allegri Reference as a “virtually indistinguishable” link between input and output, offering a level of transparency that makes it a “clear window into the sound stage.” He notes, “With lab results at, or very close to, the state of the art, it was to be hoped that the sound quality would be commensurate. It was: the feed from this level control is virtually indistinguishable from the input signal, an ideal result.” This passive preamplifier, priced at £8,000, outperforms competitors costing significantly more, cementing its status as a “giant killer” in the high-end audio world.web:19

The Allegri Reference addresses the shortcomings of its predecessor, the Allegri Plus, by introducing 129 precise 0.5dB volume steps via aerospace-grade, hermetically-sealed relays and a remote control, solving the coarse steps and manual operation Colloms found limiting. Its Fractal-Wire™ autotransformer design, wound with 260m of cryogenically treated copper per channel on nickel/iron Mu-Metal cores, ensures zero distortion and a wide bandwidth (8Hz–80kHz, ±0.1dB). Colloms highlights its low distortion (0.00014% at 20Hz, 2V) and excellent channel separation (>110dB), making it a benchmark for passive preamps.web:19

Why Colloms Chose the Allegri Reference

In his reference system, featuring components like the Naim NAP500DR, Constellation Performance Centaur II 500, and Wilson Audio Sasha DAW, Colloms found the Allegri Reference surpassed the already impressive Allegri Plus. He notes, “Time and again the Reference had the edge… more dynamic and expressive, more transparent, more resolving of detail, of image focus, depth and width.” Its ability to convey “space and atmosphere,” such as audience murmurs at live concerts, and its commanding dynamics across genres—from jazz to classical—made it a standout. Colloms’ decision to integrate it into his system reflects its ability to reveal the true essence of recordings, with bass tunes clearer, deeper low-end, and a compelling soundstage.web:19

User and Reviewer Synergy

The Allegri Reference’s acclaim extends beyond Colloms. Audiophiles echo his sentiments, with one user on townshendaudio.com stating, “After just two weeks I put my £25,000 world-class pre amp up for sale… The Allegri Reference is an audio masterpiece.” Rafael Todes, in StereoNET (2020), called its quality “revelatory,” noting it challenges preamps at any price. These endorsements align with Colloms’ lab-verified results, which show distortion levels as low as -115dB (0.00014%) at 20Hz and a near-silent noise floor, ensuring music is reproduced with unparalleled fidelity.web:0,24

A Legacy of Innovation

Max Townshend’s decades of engineering expertise—spanning turntables, super tweeters, and seismic isolation—culminate in the Allegri Reference. Its microprocessor-controlled relays, vibration-isolated chassis with Seismic Load Cells™, and Fractal-Wire™ technology overcome the noise and coarse volume steps of conventional preamps. Colloms confirms, “The Allegri Reference appears to be devoid of additive distortion, which is very rare indeed, but such is the clarity of everything that passes through it.” This design ensures the preamp “disappears” in the audio chain, letting your source and speakers shine.web:19

Experience the Allegri Reference

The HiFi Critic Highly Recommended award is a milestone for Townshend Audio, validating the Allegri Reference as a cornerstone of high-end audio. Whether you’re an audiophile seeking transparency, dynamics, and bandwidth or a music lover wanting to rediscover your collection, the Allegri Reference delivers. Pair it with F1 Fractal Speaker Cables or Seismic Adjustable Bars for a system that rivals the world’s best. Visit townshendaudio.com to explore this masterpiece and elevate your listening experience.

Hear the music, not the equipment. PDF REVIEW HERE