Sold- Atoll IN50 integrated amplifier

TNT-Audio has already reviewed Atoll HiFi components, namely the integrated amplifier known as  IN 80, which is the bigger brother of the IN 50 under test.
This is the smallest amp made by the dynamic French Company, though this "silver" version is somehow a "limited" edition with better components here and there. The "standard" version comes with a plain black finish.
The cabinet is the same used for ANY other Atoll component, including CD players, preamps etc. This means HUGE savings in the manufacturing department so to concentrate every effort on the inside, where you can get a difference. Other famous companies use this "money saving" technique: Linn, Rega, Meridian, Audio Analogue...

The Atoll IN 50 is exactly what audiophiles would call a "minimalist" integrated amp: just two knobs (volume and input selector), an headphone jack (surprise surprise!), one "tape monitor" switch, a green "power on" led. Nothing else. The on-off switch is hidden in the rear panel, next to the mains IEC socket.
The IN 50 has 4 line inputs + 1 tape loop + two unusual pre-out RCA's, meant to be used to drive two separate power amps when bi-amping. Neat. The loudspeakers gold-plated binding post accept any kind of cable termination (bananas included) but are not doubled for biwiring (not a real problem, though).