Did you ever wonder what happened to Bakoon? Enleum has been the flagship company since 2009 and it was recently decided to rebrand the company under its original name. Same people. Same innovative products. For a brand that began in a college dorm room in Pennsylvania, Enleum has really pushed the envelope for almost 14 years; North American audiophiles outside of the Head-Fi space were rather slow to take notice and that really needs to change.
The AMP-54R is Enleum’s new statement product and flagship amplifier which is expected to be available Fall 2023 for $20,000 USD. It is the direct successor to the company’s legacy Bakoon AMP-51R 100-watt amplifier introduced in 2016. Plus it implements recent advancements learned from their AMP-23R and HPA-23RM models.
The Enleum AMP-54R is variable gain power amplifier. There’s no preamplifier inside but the volume/gain can be adjusted without any loss so it can be used like an integrated amplifier. There is a volume control slider that’s hidden under the right side of the unit.
According to the company, a preamplifier is not needed.
Enleum claims their proprietary software-controlled bias system called JET Bias is the breakthrough that’s enabled them to design the AMP-54R with next-level performance, stability, efficiency, and most importantly, sound quality. Along with the latest circuits, Enleum also boasts significant breakthroughs in industrial design, improving aesthetics, precision, rigidity and overall build quality.
With these engineering efforts, the AMP-54R boasts its compact form factor with dimensions of 400mm x 400mm x 70mm (width x depth x height), nearly half the volume of the previous flagship AMP-51R while maintaining the same output power. Additionally, the transformer power has increased by 25%, and the power supply capacitance has been doubled, now in a dual-mono configuration.
Thanks to the new JET3 Bias (which has evolved from the AMP-23R’s JET2 Bias), the new software algorithm now tracks and optimizes the output stage bias with more accuracy; resulting in improved performance and efficiency in any given condition. Furthermore, the increase in the output bias circuit’s stability translates directly to driving power, allowing the AMP-54R to drive a wider range of loudspeakers with ease.
The AMP-54R also incorporates a more advanced 32-bit CPU to run the latest, more sophisticated software architecture, enabling more accurate control of all circuits.
Enleum also offers two optional modules for the first time with their amplifiers. The first module is a proprietary current input phono preamplifier stage, which maximizes the performance of MC cartridges by using current signals. The second module is a streaming DAC module with coaxial and optical inputs. These modules make the AMP-54R a complete all-in-one amplifier solution for the no-compromise minimalist high-end audio system.
The AMP-54R is meticulously assembled and tested by Enleum’s chief engineers either in Korea or California depending on the final delivery destination. It is the company’s most ambitious project to date, representing the pinnacle of their engineering and design expertise.
Price & Availability
The preliminary MSRP for the base AMP-54R, excluding the optional modules, is approximately $20,000 USD. European pricing is set at €25,000 (including EU VAT), and £25,000 (including UK VAT). Please note that the MSRP is subject to change upon the production release in Q3/Q4 2023.
Enleum will showcase the first prototype of the AMP-54R at High End Munich (Room F204 – A4.2) from May 18th to 21st. Please contact info@enleum.com for more information.
About Enleum Inc.
The name Enleum is the unity of the words ‘Enlightenment’ and ‘Eum’ (“Sound” in Korean). The San Jose, CA-based company designs and manufactures unique, high-end audio products to the highest standards of the industry. Their product range includes compact portable headphone amplifiers and no-compromise flagship audiophile amplifiers. For more information, visit enleum.com.
Related Reading: More coverage of HIGH END Munich 2023
