What sets the Allegri+ apart is its ability to match the impedance of source and amplifier perfectly, ensuring full dynamics and a silent noise floor. Its DC-coupled signal path, free of capacitors or active components, achieves a bandwidth from 8Hz to 100kHz with vanishingly low distortion (less than 0.01% at 400Hz). The result is a preamp that doesn’t shape the sound—it reveals it, allowing every component in your system to perform at its peak, from turntables to high-resolution DACs.

Hi-Fi+ Top 100: A Legacy of Excellence

To mark its 20th anniversary in 2019, Hi-Fi+ compiled a definitive list of the 100 most influential and high-performing audio products from the past two decades, selected by its expert editorial team. The inclusion of the Allegri+ in this elite group reflects its status as a benchmark for passive preamplification. In their commentary, Hi-Fi+ praised the Allegri+ for its “striking ability to get out of the way of the music,” noting its transparency and neutrality as qualities that set it apart in a crowded field.

The magazine highlighted:

“The autoformer-based passive preamplifier is one of many audio products pouring out of Townshend Audio. The Allegri has a striking ability to get out of the way of the music.”

This recognition places the Allegri+ alongside iconic designs from brands like Naim, Rega, and Wilson Audio, underscoring its role as a transformative component. Unlike conventional preamps, which may add character or warmth, the Allegri+ delivers what Hi-Fi+ described as a “truthful” sound, making it a favorite among audiophiles who prioritize fidelity above all else.

Why the Allegri+ Redefines Performance

The Allegri+ is engineered to be the heart of any high-fidelity system, offering features that enhance both performance and usability:

• Fractal-Wire™ Technology: Custom-wound autotransformers with ultra-thin mu-metal laminations ensure unparalleled resolution and a crystal-clear top end.
• Impedance Matching: At 0dB, the input connects directly to the output, mirroring the source’s impedance for seamless signal transfer and robust dynamics.
• Silent Operation: As a passive design, it eliminates mains-borne noise, requiring no power cord or esoteric conditioners.
• Flexible Connectivity: Six inputs and dual outputs accommodate complex setups, while the front-panel jack adds convenience for portable sources.
• Natural Soundstage: Expect powerful bass, lucid mids, and treble that’s detailed yet free of harshness, creating a holographic listening experience.

Reviewers have consistently praised the Allegri+ for its ability to uncover details previously masked by other preamps. Its inclusion in the Hi-Fi+ Top 100 reflects its universal appeal, enhancing systems from budget to ultra-high-end with equal finesse.

A Legacy of Innovation

The Hi-Fi+ 20th Anniversary Top 100 honor joins a distinguished list of awards for Townshend Audio, including HiFi Pig’s Outstanding Product Award for the Allegri+, Hi-Fi Plus’s Editor’s Choice for the Seismic Isolation Podium, and StereoNET’s Applause Award for the Allegri Reference. Each accolade reflects the vision of our founder, Max Townshend, whose pioneering work in autotransformer design, cryogenic treatments, and vibration isolation has reshaped audio engineering. The Allegri+ embodies this legacy, offering performance that challenges preamps at many times its price.

We extend our gratitude to Hi-Fi+ for including the Allegri+ in their Top 100, a milestone that celebrates two decades of audio innovation. Their commitment to rigorous evaluation mirrors our own dedication to excellence, making this recognition especially meaningful.

Hear the Music, Unfiltered

The Hi-Fi+ 20th Anniversary Top 100 inclusion is more than an award—it’s an invitation to experience music as it was meant to be heard. The Allegri+ doesn’t add or subtract from the signal; it delivers every note with clarity, speed, and emotion, transforming familiar recordings into vivid performances. Whether you’re exploring jazz, classical, or rock, this preamplifier will reveal the soul of your music.

We invite you to discover the Allegri+ Preamplifier on our website and contact an authorized dealer to arrange a demonstration. Experience why Hi-Fi+ named it among the best of the past 20 years—and why it’s the cornerstone your system deserves.

Thank you for trusting Townshend Audio to bring you closer to the music you love.

Townshend Audio Team