So how does it differ to the larger more costly No.1a? Firstly, the XX is a limited run and at some point it will no longer be available, as it was built as a thank you for 20 years (hence the XX) of success that Aaron has enjoyed mostly in Europe.

Secondly, the XX is hand made in Holland, where all other Aaron amplifiers are hand made in Germany. This is obviously to enable the lower price because on the inside, it is identical to the No.1a with one exception: the output transistors are slightly lower powered, and the XX offers 80 watts per channel where the No.1a offers 95 watts per channel.

However, the XX offers the same drive capability as the No.1a in that it is stable down to 1ohm loads which is very rare amongst modern amplifiers, so the Aaron range is suitable for those difficult to drive speakers with low impedance and in particular with impedance curves that dip way down to the lower regions of 1 and 2ohms.

Australian Hi-Fi magazine is currently working on a review of this amplifier, however 6moons has already done a review of which a small part is reproduced below:

"Aaron's XX is the perfect amplifier for those lusting after speed and high transparency but who also insist on sufficient body without an upstream injection of tubes. The amp's lucidity is very high but not at the expense of sterility. Benign high resolution is one fitting descriptor....The XX is blessedly free from the affordable sins one often expects in the transistor sector. Besides being built to high standards and offering good connectivity with six line-level inputs and variable and fixed outs, it worked flawlessly during its stay, i.e. utterly without self noise or hiccups...Whatever Thomas Höhne did to shave off 40% from the bigger N°.1a doesn't seem to have subtracted anything vital. Good show indeed!"
6Moons.com

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Aaron XX Integrated Amplifier The new hand built Aaron XX integrated amplifier from Germany provides two times 80 Watts of power at 8 Ohms and two times 140 Watt at 4 Ohms, the amplifier will ensure powerful and precise playback of your favorite Music. $3,299.00 $2,499.00 Incl. 10 % TAX Buy   Detail