Tonewinner AD-60 black

The idea of an all‑in‑one amplifier that can do everything without sacrificing sound quality seems utopian. And yet. The AD-60 combines a preamplifier, digital‑to‑analog converter, headphone amplifier, and Bluetooth receiver in a 30 cm wide chassis. Tonewinner, a Chinese manufacturer active since 1992, has long worked behind the scenes for brands like Advance Paris, Emotiva, and Nuforce. The AD-60 shows what the company can do when it signs a product with its own name.

A power supply designed for music

The toroidal transformer, manufactured in‑house, can deliver up to 100 W. This power reserve feeds a class AB amplification stage that produces 2 × 50 W into 8 Ω and 2 × 80 W into 4 Ω. The filtering capacitors store the energy needed for fast transients (a drum hit, a double bass note) and contribute to tight bass control. Harmonic distortion remains below 0.025% at 1 kHz, and the frequency response extends from 20 Hz to 100 kHz.

These figures don’t tell the whole story. A signal‑to‑noise ratio of 100 dB (A‑weighted) guarantees a silent noise floor, even with high‑efficiency speakers. The output transistors are Toshiba, a common choice in Japanese hi‑fi amplifiers and a sign of a certain seriousness in component selection.

Connectivity: the unexpected hub

The AD-60 accepts virtually everything. On the digital side: optical, coaxial, USB‑C (DAC mode compatible with Windows and Mac), and HDMI ARC inputs. This last input lets you retrieve sound from a TV without additional cabling, and the amplifier turns on automatically when the TV starts up. On the analog side: one RCA input. A USB‑A port and TF card reader (up to 128 GB) allow direct playback of audio files from a USB drive or memory card. The built‑in converter handles signals up to 24‑bit / 192 kHz.

The subwoofer output turns the AD-60 into the heart of a 2.1 system. The front‑panel headphone jack, with its own amplification stage, offers an alternative for late‑night listening.

Bluetooth and mobile app

The Bluetooth 5.0 receiver supports SBC and AAC codecs. It allows listening to Spotify, Deezer, or any streaming service from a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The supplied infrared remote control manages playback functions (pause, next track, previous track) even when the source is connected via Bluetooth.

The Tonewinner app, available on iOS and Android, provides access to tone controls (treble, bass). It is not essential for everyday use, but it can prove useful for correcting unfavorable room acoustics or tailoring the sound to your preferences.

Technical specifications

Design and architecture

• Class A/B stereo hi-fi amplifier
• High-performance toroidal transformer
• High-power capacitors for optimal dynamics
• 24-bit / 192 kHz digital-to-analog converter (DAC)
• Built-in Bluetooth 5.0 receiver
• Class A/B circuits: pure and natural sound reproduction, optimized heat dissipation

Audio performance

• Output power
  • 2 x 50 W RMS into 8 Ω (1 channel driven, 1 kHz, THD = 1%)
  • 2 x 80 W RMS into 4 Ω (1 channel driven, 1 kHz, THD = 1%)
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 100 kHz (+1 / −3 dB)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: ≥ 100 dB (A-weighted)
• Total harmonic distortion (THD): ≤ 0.025% (1 kHz)
• Gain: ≥ 39 dB
• Input impedance: 20 kΩ
• Nominal impedance: 8 Ω

Wireless connectivity

• Bluetooth 5.0
• Supported codecs: SBC, AAC
• Compatible with streaming services (Spotify, Deezer) and local file playback from smartphone, tablet, or computer

Wired connectivity

• Inputs
  • 1x RCA
  • 1x coaxial
  • 1x optical
  • 1x HDMI ARC
  • 1x USB-C (DAC mode for Windows PC / Mac)
  • 1x USB-A
  • 1x TF card reader
• Output
  • 1x subwoofer (for active subwoofer)

Interface and control

• Physical front-panel controls for source selection and volume adjustment
• Display showing source and sound level
• Infrared remote control included
• Tonewinner app: treble and bass customization

Headphone amplifier

• Built-in headphone amplifier for private listening without disturbing others
• Forward-facing 3.5 mm jack socket

Dimensions and weight

• Device dimensions (W x D x H): 300 x 335 x 83 mm
• Package dimensions (W x D x H): 390 x 386 x 131 mm
• Net weight: 5.5 kg
• Gross weight: 6.7 kg

Included accessories

• Power cord, optical cable, remote control, user manual, quick installation guide, certificate of conformity