Dan D'Agostino has long been one of high-end audio's most revered figures. With the newly released Pendulum Integrated Amplifier, his latest creation swings open the door to D'Agostino ownership at a more approachable price point. The Pendulum marks a significant milestone for Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems (DDMAS) as its most versatile and accessibly priced integrated amplifier to date.

A read through the spec sheet suggests that this component doesn't compromise where it matters. Designed to bring D'Agostino's signature sonic and visual flair to a broader audience, the Pendulum retains the unmistakable styling cues and engineering finesse that have become hallmarks of the brand. Copper accents meet a compact aluminium chassis, while a central LCD takes inspiration from the Swiss-watch-style analogue meters found across the range. That same display is mirrored on what may become one of the most desirable remote controls in hi-fi — a Bluetooth-enabled, USB-rechargeable handset housed in Delrin, complete with its own screen — to this writer's eye, it looks simply gorgeous. 

Beneath the sculpted exterior, the Pendulum integrates several key technologies developed for the flagship Momentum series. The amp's redesigned JFET input stage, borrowed from the Momentum C2 preamplifier, feeds an all-balanced, direct-coupled signal path. It delivers 120W per channel into 8 ohms, doubling to 240W into 4 ohms. It is powered by a custom 750VA toroidal transformer and a 25,000μF capacitor bank — likely more than enough to handle all but the most demanding loudspeakers.

Versatility is the Pendulum's calling card. The base model includes three balanced XLR inputs and one single-ended RCA, with theatre pass-through and balanced preamp outputs for subwoofer integration. Vinyl lovers can opt for a factory-fitted phono stage offering 60dB of gain and multiple loading settings, ideal for low-output MC cartridges. Meanwhile, an optional digital streaming module adds optical and HDMI eARC inputs, RJ-45 and Wi-Fi connectivity, Roon Ready certification, and native decoding of PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256. It even supports MQA and popular streaming services like Tidal, Qobuz, and Spotify.

In short, the Pendulum is a fully featured amplifier that appears to offer every inch of the D'Agostino experience. With full-scale bandwidth, speed, and effortless control, it looks set to deliver the emotional engagement and musicality that rivals many separates — though we'll reserve full judgment until we've had it on review. For those who have long admired D'Agostino's uncompromising approach but never quite made the leap, the Pendulum could be the moment to swing into action.

The Pendulum Integrated Amplifier is now available at £18,000. The optional digital module and phono stage add £2,850 and £1,150 respectively. Standard finishes include black or silver, with custom colours available on request. Pricing for other regions and availablity is yet to be confirmed.

For more information visit Dan D'Agostino