The YBA YA201 is probably one of the neatest pieces of engineering and industrial design we have seen emerge from any country.

For example, most 'affordable' amplifiers invariably use a rubber stick-on foot in each corner.

Not the YA201, where instead the chassis is milled away to leave three small flat sections – with rubber inserts – standing proud to support the amplifier.

It's a tidy solution and effective on most supports: mind you, the amplifier needs careful placement on our Quadraspire Sunoko Vent stands to ensure that its front foot doesn't drop into one of the shelf's horizontal ventilation slits.

Minimalist amp

Designed to match the upsampling, 24-bit/192kHz YC201 CD player both sonically and cosmetically, the YA201 stereo amplifier is a 100-watt stereo design using a Triple Push configuration.

The amplifier features an oversized linear power supply and short signal paths and provides six analogue inputs along with line-level and tape monitor outputs. In keeping with its CD-matching appearance the amplifier uses no control knobs.

Everything, including the precise (128 x 1dB steps) volume control, is operated through a single bank of small push buttons. The result is an unusually tidy-looking fascia.

The unit was supplied with a system remote control handset: not the usual parts-bin special, but a heavyweight aluminium confection. Unfortunately, several of the codes also operated functions of the Naim HDX, we were also using. For example, volume down switched the HDX display to 'View by Artist' while volume up switched to 'View by Album' and Mute acted as a 'Back' button.

The YBA was tested driving Neat Momentum 4i loudspeakers, connected with Chord Company Epic cables, a Naim CDS CD player and an HDX hard disk player as source components. The YA201 doesn't have a phono input, so testing with vinyl was not an option here.

Neat performance

The attractive minimalism of the YA201's appearance seems to extend to its performance. Regardless, there is nothing cold or clinical about the sound: rather it has markedly crisp definition that appears to be completely devoid of any added romance or undesirable warmth.

This ascetic quality seems to increase the listenability of the 50 transcriptions on the two compact disc set, Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour, many of which sound less than wonderful through other amplifiers (the recordings can span eight decades in the space of three tracks).

Helping the amplifier deliver such a 'neatly scrubbed' portrayal of music is an equally abstemious tonal balance that does not artificially boost the frequency extremes, the lows in particular. When genuine bass is present the amplifier lets you hear it: at other times that region is left vacant.

Some listeners might argue that this amplifier sounds lean but it's more accurate to say that this controlled presentation and lack of LF bloom gives the YA201 a heightened sense of transparency and insight into timbre and dynamics. All of which result in a performance that is as musically informative as it is cosmetically appealing.

Strong communicator

The YBA YA201 really shines brightly when fed with well-balanced, uncluttered, clean recordings, especially those that have not had all the life and dynamism sucked out of them with compression, as seems to be the trend with many current recordings.

The opening tracks on the first disc of the eponymous Nils Lofgren Band Live CD give the YA201 a chance to demonstrate all its adroitness communicating music.

It closely approaches putting you on stage with the band where you can sense and feel every nuance in their playing along with the interaction and accord between the players.