Plinius SA102 (vs Rotel 1090) Review
Joey_V
Posts: 8,552
The Plinius SA102 has arrived as most of you probably know by now and I am obligated to write a review about it and referenced to my previous reference amplifier, the Rotel RB1090 dual monoblock amp.
Setup:
SqueezeBox 3 -> Rotel RC1070 preamplifier -> Rotel RB1090 amp/Plinius SA102 amp -> Martin Logan Summits -> Joey's ears
Build:
Both amps appear to be well built, but the Plinius is better overall. The thick aluminum faceplate, the large handles up front, the massive ivy-like heatsinks along the sides. The Plinius just oozes quality! I know this probably has nothing to do with the sound, but if you knock on the Plinius, it doesnt have that hollow, thin-gauge feel of the Rotel. You can sit on the Plinius and not dent the top cover, but if you sit on the 1090, you may lose some resale value on audiogon!
Even looking at pics of the internals show how superior the Plinius is. The Rotel 1090 is a nest of wires and cheapy looking resistors and transistors while the Plinius appears to be well thought out throughout. Not to mention, the components Plinius use are a step above the Balanced Concept of the Rotel 1090 (whereby they use good components only in certain parts of the amp so as to lower retail price and costs). For example, Plinius uses Silver wiring in the internals.
vs
Sound:
The difference was apparent from the getgo. I didnt even need to do more than ONE A/B comparison between the 2 amps. I used 4 songs that I knew very very well and I stuck with those to simplify the comparison. The first song is a FLAC lossless of "Pennies from Heaven". Louis Prima, the singer, is clearer and without fuzz through the Plinius. A stark difference from the slightly overly "airy" Louis Prima through the Rotel 1090. The biggest difference I noticed was what I have coined: "Vocal Focus"
The Plinius has an uncanny ability to take the Louis, push him forward a bit on the stage, pull the drums and snares a bit further back, and take that wonderful yet raspy voice and remove as much fuzz as presently possible (note that I am only using the Rotel RC1070 preamp here). With the Rotel, I noticed that there was quite a bit of fuzz around Louis' voice... it wasnt a "good type of airy", but more of a depiction of the 1090's inability to grab the panels as well as the Plinius did. As a result, the Plinius trounces the Rotel in Vocal Focus and brings together a more pinpoint vocal image relative to the 1090.
The second song is "Baby It's Cold Outside" by Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel. The two singers sing side by side in this song... and it's been a little iffy for me as to who sings where.... ? Does the guy sing to the left of the girl or vice versa? With the Rotel, I could sort of make it out, as to who is where... but when I switched to the Plinius, it was very VERY apparent who was singing where. The vocal focus was amazing and the blackness between notes (in this case, vocalists) was impeccable! I could EASILY EASILY EASILY tell that the woman is on the left and the man is on the right! It was simply amazing how much clearer the Plinius is.
The third and fourth songs were James Blunt's "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover". Both songs are among my favorites as it displays mostly his vocals and doesnt muddy it up with too many unnecessary instruments. In both recordings, I noticed that the Plinius took the vocal image and gave it a FUZZ-FREE vocal focus. Love it! The Rotel 1090 had residual fuzz around the vocal focus and this took away from the realism of Blunt's rather unique voice.
Relatively speaking....
I came from a Rotel RB1070 and I remember asking the people on this forum how to improve the vocal focus and the vocal imaging. I even remember posting as to whether vocal imaging was a weakness of electrostats as I once thought they were prone to providing a rather larger-than-life vocal image.
I questioned my amp, but I didnt seem to get much support with that idea. I eventually upgraded to the Rotel RB1090 and was pleased with the results. The vocal image was definitely improved and the vocal focus had lesser fuzz. Also, the 1090 had made a more believable 3D plane as the singer's voice was brought forward outside the speaker plane and the stage was brought back a bit. The 1090 trounced the 1070, hands down.
YET, I think that what the Plinius brings to the table relative to the 1090 is a larger jump than the jump I experienced between the 1070 to 1090. The Rotel 1090 to the Plinius SA102 is a more significant leap towards audio nirvana! Hard to believe? Well, believe it! Whoever said the Law of Diminishing Returns started at the $2K retail mark was wrong. The jump is that significant, that pleasing, that involving, that much more SATISFYING!
Sound, other than the Vocalist
Overall, the Plinius brings clarity and more weight to all other instruments. The guitar feels more real, the trumpets blare with more gusto, the violin is a bit more refined, the snare has a bit more bite. Basically, there is more LIFE in the reproduced arts with the Plinius relative to the Rotel 1090. Dont get me wrong, the 1090 is still wonderful, but the Plinius offers just as much power, current, and transient capability as the Rotel 1090 but adds LIFE to the recording!
I will add, that in the song "Pennies From Heaven", I noticed a deeper soundstage.... as cliche as that sounds. I feel that it's due to the clarity and body of the instruments that lends this feeling of a deeper stage, as if I could almost walk to the back by the snares. Eerie... I know!
Does Class A actually work?
This was one question I wanted addressed from the beginning. Does it work? Does all the mumbo jumbo about continuous power, current, and a non-fluctuating voltage rail of Class A bias actually make a difference in sound? In my experience....
YES. There is a significant difference in quality when the Plinius is biased to Class A vs AB. I had my brother man the bias switch as I listened intently for any differences. As usual, I focused mostly on the vocal image and the vocal focus. In Class AB, the Plinius sounded a little more like the 1090. I heard FUZZ around the vocal focus, it just wasnt as refined. Switch over to Class A and in a seconds, I noticed the vocal focus begin to SHED away the FUZZ and the vocal image was noticeably pushed a bit more forward on the stage. Switching back and forth convinced me of this phenomenon and was further evidence of the differences between Class A and Class AB with regards to the Plinius SA102.
When critically listening, there is no substitute for Class A bias.
Conclusion
The Plinius SA102 is truly world-class! I just love how this thing oozes quality and how lucky I am to have stumbled onto this particular one. I would like to thank Papa Dave (aka Twich of the MLO forum to the rest of you) for pointing me towards this particular audiogon ad... which turned out to be a stunner ($2500 + shipping/paypal for an Authorized Dealer's 1 year old store demo unit with FULL 7 year warranty). Thanks Papa Dave!
Thoughts....
Overall, this upgrade has taught me that there is such a thing as HI-FI. There truly is! I was beginning to think that it was mumbo jumbo past a certain price point, but this Plinius has taught me otherwise... atleast up to the $5-6K price class.
It has also taught me of the imporance of the electronics as it can make or break your system. A system with a good foundation is necessary for any speaker to sound to its potential. This realization has made it difficult for me to truly assess speakers when auditioning at shops as each component beyond the speaker chain has an influence on that particular speakers' sound that may color your judgement either for the better or for the worse.
Lastly, it has taught me about the importance of Class A. I have experienced Class A before, with a $750 headphone amp. The headphone amp did EXACTLY the same thing for the headphone sound as the Plinius SA102 did for the speaker sound. The same "REMOVAL of the FUZZ" was experienced on both occassions and I have no doubt this is the result of the Class A topology. I believe, at the moment, that Class A is the way to go for SS amplification.
Thank you all... and I'm getting off my soapbox.
Setup:
SqueezeBox 3 -> Rotel RC1070 preamplifier -> Rotel RB1090 amp/Plinius SA102 amp -> Martin Logan Summits -> Joey's ears
Build:
Both amps appear to be well built, but the Plinius is better overall. The thick aluminum faceplate, the large handles up front, the massive ivy-like heatsinks along the sides. The Plinius just oozes quality! I know this probably has nothing to do with the sound, but if you knock on the Plinius, it doesnt have that hollow, thin-gauge feel of the Rotel. You can sit on the Plinius and not dent the top cover, but if you sit on the 1090, you may lose some resale value on audiogon!
Even looking at pics of the internals show how superior the Plinius is. The Rotel 1090 is a nest of wires and cheapy looking resistors and transistors while the Plinius appears to be well thought out throughout. Not to mention, the components Plinius use are a step above the Balanced Concept of the Rotel 1090 (whereby they use good components only in certain parts of the amp so as to lower retail price and costs). For example, Plinius uses Silver wiring in the internals.
vs
Sound:
The difference was apparent from the getgo. I didnt even need to do more than ONE A/B comparison between the 2 amps. I used 4 songs that I knew very very well and I stuck with those to simplify the comparison. The first song is a FLAC lossless of "Pennies from Heaven". Louis Prima, the singer, is clearer and without fuzz through the Plinius. A stark difference from the slightly overly "airy" Louis Prima through the Rotel 1090. The biggest difference I noticed was what I have coined: "Vocal Focus"
The Plinius has an uncanny ability to take the Louis, push him forward a bit on the stage, pull the drums and snares a bit further back, and take that wonderful yet raspy voice and remove as much fuzz as presently possible (note that I am only using the Rotel RC1070 preamp here). With the Rotel, I noticed that there was quite a bit of fuzz around Louis' voice... it wasnt a "good type of airy", but more of a depiction of the 1090's inability to grab the panels as well as the Plinius did. As a result, the Plinius trounces the Rotel in Vocal Focus and brings together a more pinpoint vocal image relative to the 1090.
The second song is "Baby It's Cold Outside" by Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel. The two singers sing side by side in this song... and it's been a little iffy for me as to who sings where.... ? Does the guy sing to the left of the girl or vice versa? With the Rotel, I could sort of make it out, as to who is where... but when I switched to the Plinius, it was very VERY apparent who was singing where. The vocal focus was amazing and the blackness between notes (in this case, vocalists) was impeccable! I could EASILY EASILY EASILY tell that the woman is on the left and the man is on the right! It was simply amazing how much clearer the Plinius is.
The third and fourth songs were James Blunt's "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover". Both songs are among my favorites as it displays mostly his vocals and doesnt muddy it up with too many unnecessary instruments. In both recordings, I noticed that the Plinius took the vocal image and gave it a FUZZ-FREE vocal focus. Love it! The Rotel 1090 had residual fuzz around the vocal focus and this took away from the realism of Blunt's rather unique voice.
Relatively speaking....
I came from a Rotel RB1070 and I remember asking the people on this forum how to improve the vocal focus and the vocal imaging. I even remember posting as to whether vocal imaging was a weakness of electrostats as I once thought they were prone to providing a rather larger-than-life vocal image.
I questioned my amp, but I didnt seem to get much support with that idea. I eventually upgraded to the Rotel RB1090 and was pleased with the results. The vocal image was definitely improved and the vocal focus had lesser fuzz. Also, the 1090 had made a more believable 3D plane as the singer's voice was brought forward outside the speaker plane and the stage was brought back a bit. The 1090 trounced the 1070, hands down.
YET, I think that what the Plinius brings to the table relative to the 1090 is a larger jump than the jump I experienced between the 1070 to 1090. The Rotel 1090 to the Plinius SA102 is a more significant leap towards audio nirvana! Hard to believe? Well, believe it! Whoever said the Law of Diminishing Returns started at the $2K retail mark was wrong. The jump is that significant, that pleasing, that involving, that much more SATISFYING!
Sound, other than the Vocalist
Overall, the Plinius brings clarity and more weight to all other instruments. The guitar feels more real, the trumpets blare with more gusto, the violin is a bit more refined, the snare has a bit more bite. Basically, there is more LIFE in the reproduced arts with the Plinius relative to the Rotel 1090. Dont get me wrong, the 1090 is still wonderful, but the Plinius offers just as much power, current, and transient capability as the Rotel 1090 but adds LIFE to the recording!
I will add, that in the song "Pennies From Heaven", I noticed a deeper soundstage.... as cliche as that sounds. I feel that it's due to the clarity and body of the instruments that lends this feeling of a deeper stage, as if I could almost walk to the back by the snares. Eerie... I know!
Does Class A actually work?
This was one question I wanted addressed from the beginning. Does it work? Does all the mumbo jumbo about continuous power, current, and a non-fluctuating voltage rail of Class A bias actually make a difference in sound? In my experience....
YES. There is a significant difference in quality when the Plinius is biased to Class A vs AB. I had my brother man the bias switch as I listened intently for any differences. As usual, I focused mostly on the vocal image and the vocal focus. In Class AB, the Plinius sounded a little more like the 1090. I heard FUZZ around the vocal focus, it just wasnt as refined. Switch over to Class A and in a seconds, I noticed the vocal focus begin to SHED away the FUZZ and the vocal image was noticeably pushed a bit more forward on the stage. Switching back and forth convinced me of this phenomenon and was further evidence of the differences between Class A and Class AB with regards to the Plinius SA102.
When critically listening, there is no substitute for Class A bias.
Conclusion
The Plinius SA102 is truly world-class! I just love how this thing oozes quality and how lucky I am to have stumbled onto this particular one. I would like to thank Papa Dave (aka Twich of the MLO forum to the rest of you) for pointing me towards this particular audiogon ad... which turned out to be a stunner ($2500 + shipping/paypal for an Authorized Dealer's 1 year old store demo unit with FULL 7 year warranty). Thanks Papa Dave!
Thoughts....
Overall, this upgrade has taught me that there is such a thing as HI-FI. There truly is! I was beginning to think that it was mumbo jumbo past a certain price point, but this Plinius has taught me otherwise... atleast up to the $5-6K price class.
It has also taught me of the imporance of the electronics as it can make or break your system. A system with a good foundation is necessary for any speaker to sound to its potential. This realization has made it difficult for me to truly assess speakers when auditioning at shops as each component beyond the speaker chain has an influence on that particular speakers' sound that may color your judgement either for the better or for the worse.
Lastly, it has taught me about the importance of Class A. I have experienced Class A before, with a $750 headphone amp. The headphone amp did EXACTLY the same thing for the headphone sound as the Plinius SA102 did for the speaker sound. The same "REMOVAL of the FUZZ" was experienced on both occassions and I have no doubt this is the result of the Class A topology. I believe, at the moment, that Class A is the way to go for SS amplification.
Thank you all... and I'm getting off my soapbox.
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
Post edited by Joey_V on
Comments
-
And yes Sean, I will also do follow-up review without the RC1070 preamp.....
. Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Really really cool Joey....
Absolutely love the gut shot of the Plinius....
I enjoy following the progess of your set-up, but at this rate you'll be commissioning small nations to create IC's or preamps for your disposal in about two years:D
Congrats again!I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
Nice review. I am glad to see that you are enjoying the new toy. I had no doubt this would prove to be a significant upgrade. You will be in for quite a suprise when the preamp arrives and is installed. I hope you are ready for the experience.
Arthur SchopenhauerAll truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed and third, it is accepted as self evident. -
Joey_V wrote:Overall, this upgrade has taught me that there is such a thing as HI-FI. There truly is! I was beginning to think that it was mumbo jumbo past a certain price point, but this Plinius has taught me otherwise... atleast up to the $5-6K price class.
The law of diminishing returns, although true, isn't an issue once you get to a particular point. You think it is until you get there. So for the extra $$ you got a better vocal focus and a bit cleaner sound. Many would say its not enough difference given the price difference. Now you know it is. Each move forward will result in the same sort of benifit. For example with speaker cables you have a choice of $1 a foot stuff vs very expensive. Both do the same job. The $1 a foot stuff is a little lacking in many areas but is still 95% as good as the expensive. But is it worth it? You bet! Great review.
madmaxVinyl, the final frontier...
Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want...
-
Thanks all! I tried to write a good review and I'm glad it turned out to be coherent throughout.
I'll be writing a write up between the 1070 and 1090 soon just to complete the picture.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Zero wrote:Cool write-up. You better be done, because dammit, I am just tired of hearing you talk about it.
After the Hovland, I'm pretty done for a while.
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Nice write up. I enjoyed reading it.
-
I too really enjoy your evaluations Joey. Even though most of your gear is beyond my means I still incorporate your information into my database. Keep swapping the gear and keep the reviews coming.
Thanks,
MikeModwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
Consonance cd120T
Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
Usher CP 6311
Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote -
Joey,i know what you mean. yeah right! thanks....WCW IIIJoey_V wrote:After the Hovland, I'm pretty done for a while. Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
.Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.
-
nice amp!
So, you're running the Squeezebox right into the pre via it's analog output? I can't imagine a source upgrade wouldn't do WONDERS for this setup. Have you heard a good vinyl source through this?Rega P3 > Parasound Zphono > NAD C320BEE > Polk LSi 15 -
sure, it's another *thing*, but I'd say it's definitely worth trying. It was the single biggest improvement in my system.Rega P3 > Parasound Zphono > NAD C320BEE > Polk LSi 15
-
and i only bring it up because i'm sure that system sounds amazing....just thinking of ways to take it up a notchRega P3 > Parasound Zphono > NAD C320BEE > Polk LSi 15
-
nice review, Joey! boy, with the hovland, you have one bitchin' 2 channel setup...I would love to see pics of the setup, once you get your Hov.I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
-
Zero wrote:disclaimer: I cannot speak from first hand experience on the SB3 - but I do hear its good in stock form, and an absolute monster while modded via: Bolder. His source should be up to par.
My brother has a couple of Squeeze boxes and I can assure you in stock form they aren't that great. He runs them through an out board DAC (Monarchy 33C). It's a neat little device but the internal DAC and the associated circuitry is marginal at best. It's a damn shame using THAT as a source w/ ML's, Plinius, etc. A damn shame I tell you.
Add to that the cheap inter connects and speaker wire....aye aye aye.
Joey_V what are we going to do with you :eek:
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
-
Thanks everyone for all your comments!
As for the source.... come on... it's me you're talking to. Of course it'll be upgraded! Just give me time, as I say... GO BIG or GO HOME.
This is the next Digital Source I'll be getting:
Slimdevices Transporter with the AKM DACs....
Then whatever CDP blows my mind.
Come on now.. give me time to accumulate another $2K. Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Joey_V wrote:Come on now.. give me time to accumulate another $2K.
OK you have two weeks....:p"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
OMG... H9, I need like 2 months.heiney9 wrote:OK you have two weeks....:p
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Zero wrote:H9,
This the bro with those Lsi-7's? :rolleyes:
WTH is that supposed to mean. Yes, he has Lsi 7's among a few other systems. Your point Sean? The dac's and circuitry in those SB's were never in your, or anyone else's, wildest dreams meant to be audiophile quality. Certainly not worthy of the ML's and Pilnius.
Joey I understand the issue of funds, but your in for a whole other round of gratification when you get a soild source."Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
Zero wrote:H9,
Having a bit of fun with ya. Easy thrills I know, but I get this morbid kick outta it.
I see.......your meds fell down the drain again?"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
heiney9 wrote:WTH is that supposed to mean. Yes, he has Lsi 7's among a few other systems. Your point Sean? The dac's and circuitry in those SB's were never in your, or anyone else's, wildest dreams meant to be audiophile quality. Certainly not worthy of the ML's and Pilnius.
Joey I understand the issue of funds, but your in for a whole other round of gratification when you get a soild source.
Oh definitely not.... I got a little bit of work ahead of me. Some elbow grease should take care of it.
I guess all I'm trying to do is finish up this system so I have my reference 2ch for a while.
The beauty of it all is that it is so phenomenally good right now, that I could stop and be happy. But each little thing I add just makes it that much better that I know this is going somewhere pretty ridiculous. This system will be completed real soon... and I got to my super system a lot sooner than I thought possible!
The final setup should look like this:
SlimDevices Transporter -> Hovland HP-100 preamplifier -> Plinius SA102 amplifier -> Martin Logan Summits -> Joey's ears
In the end, before residency, my system will be sick.... and no more huge upgrades. It's going to be either maintain or move to the newer model.... nothing drastic.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Zero wrote:Hey Joey,
Just for giggles (especially to H9)... get that Altmann Dac on spruce board. I'll use you as my personal bank/test-bed.
As much as I like spruce board... Sean, you know there HAS to be some kind of eye-candy in what I buy!Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Cool amp. I've never heard it on stats, just dynamic speakers. I bet it's just what they needed, at least as far as control and speed.
Plinius was always on the medicinal / clinical (no pun, I SWEAR) side of flat to me, too much so for my tastes, honestly. I like it a little dirty, if you get my drift. Don't get me wrong, I felt it was accurate, but lacked the level of emotion I need - it's a dry martini if you will.
Great write up, I've got it on my short list for a revisit now.
You're having WAY too much fun, stop it. Stop it now!
Cheers,
RussCheck your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service. -
RuSsMaN wrote:Cool amp. I've never heard it on stats, just dynamic speakers. I bet it's just what they needed, at least as far as control and speed.
Plinius was always on the medicinal / clinical (no pun, I SWEAR) side of flat to me, too much so for my tastes, honestly. I like it a little dirty, if you get my drift. Don't get me wrong, I felt it was accurate, but lacked the level of emotion I need - it's a dry martini if you will.
Great write up, I've got it on my short list for a revisit now.
You're having WAY too much fun, stop it. Stop it now!
Cheers,
Russ
That's where the Hovland comes in, broham. I needed an anchor and the Plinius is like a 5-ton iron anchor of the Joey Boat.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Joey_V wrote:I needed an anchor and the Plinius is like a 5-ton iron anchor of the Joey Boat.
So you are saying it is a boat anchor...
madmaxVinyl, the final frontier...
Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... -
Interesting. I have not heard the SA102, so this is not entirely relevant. BUT, last year I compared the Plinius 8200 integrated with a Rotel 990 amp (pretty much the same as the 1090, minus the fake heat sinks on front) and a 995 preamp combo.
The Plinius was the winner for many of the same reasons you cite. It was also more expensive, though not outrageously so...Steve Carlson
Von Schweikert VR-33 speakers
Bel Canto eVo2i integrated amp
Bel Canto PL-2 universal disc player
Analysis Plus Oval Nine speaker cables and Copper Oval-In Micro interconnects
VH Audio Flavor 4 power cables
Polk Monitor 10B speakers, retired but not forgotten -
Best friend came by, heard the same thing I described. To the dot.
And he isnt even audiophile.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
