Aesthetix Romulus/Pandora Signature

**Mike** · January 3, 2015, 10:55 PM

Anyone have any experience with this?

Aesthetix Romulus and Pandora are now available in a Signature version. Existing Romulus and Pandora units are factory upgradable to Signature.

True Native DSD
Romulus and Pandora Signature offer true native DSD 1x and 2x functionality over USB and 1x DSD over SPDIF (AES/EBU, RCA Coax and TosLink). The entire DSP processing section is replaced (pictured above, click to enlarge). The new section includes an advanced Xilinx gate-array which allows the DSP to be completely bypassed for pure DSD 1x and 2x operation. No alteration of DSD data occurs. Many DACs in the market that claim to play DSD actually convert the data to PCM and thereby completely lose the purpose of DSD operation.

Vishay Z-Foil Resistors
In addition to the DSP processing section, an entirely new analog board is installed (pictured above, click to enlarge). This new analog board also allows DSD data to pass directly to the DAC, a Burr-Brown PCM1792A running in pure differential mode. Extremely low noise, high linearity Vishay Z-foil audio resistors are utilized in the critical current-to-voltage conversion stage (pictured above, click to enlarge).

Dynamicaps
As in all Saturn Signature products, critical coupling capacitors are replaced with Dynamicaps from Peter Moncrief. Four are installed between the vacuum-tube gain stage and output stage, all in full differential mode. These provide increased resolution, less grain, greater high frequency extension and naturalness, all while maintaining the basic strengths of Romulus' tonal balance. The eight 2uF output capacitors are replaced with 4uF Dynamicaps which provide greater resolution in addition to improved bass definition, drive and dynamics. (pictured above, click to enlarge).

HRS Couplers
The four standard rubber feet are replaced with Harmonic Resolutions Systems' Nimbus Couplers specially made for Aesthetix. This change lowers the noise floor and adds more air and space.

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Aesthetix : Products : Digital

mauidan · January 3, 2015, 11:19 PM

Yes.

I have one listed for sale on AS, I'll make you a great deal.;-)

**Mike** · January 3, 2015, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by mauidan

Yes.

I have one listed for sale on AS, I'll make you a great deal.;-)

Signature version?

**JDLaudio** · January 3, 2015, 11:22 PM

What is the pricing on these units ??

**MikeCh** · January 3, 2015, 11:31 PM

Mike, per the TAS review April, 2014:

"I should mention that the Romulus is available in a “Signature” edition that features the identical circuit, but with upgraded passive components and isolation feet. The upgraded components include the same expensive capacitors found in the Io and Callisto. When I compared Aesthetix’s Rhea phonostage to the Rhea Signature (whose only difference was passive parts-quality) a few years ago I heard a substantial improvement in the Signature version. The Signature edition costs $10,000 with fixed-level outputs, and $11,000 with variable-level outputs."

mauidan · January 3, 2015, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Signature version?

Yes, see the listing.

**Mike** · January 3, 2015, 11:34 PM

Thanks Mike. I kind of wish the Romulus handled SACD.

Back to the K-01x I guess.

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**MikeCh** · January 3, 2015, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I kind of wish the Romulus handled SACD.

Agreed. A deal breaker for many I would imagine.

mauidan · January 3, 2015, 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by JDLaudio

What is the pricing on these units ??

Romulus Signature- $10,000.
Pandora Signature-$9,000.

Add $1000. for the volume control feature.

BWT- the transport in the Romulus only does Redbook.

**JDLaudio** · January 4, 2015, 01:12 AM

Originally Posted by mauidan

Romulus Signature- $10,000.
Pandora Signature-$9,000.

Add $1000. for the volume control feature.

BWT- the transport in the Romulus only does Redbook.

Thanks Dan.

**Alpinist** · January 4, 2015, 02:15 AM

I would vote for the Pandora over the Romulus. I have auditioned both several times. The DAC in both sounds absolutely wonderful. It has the ability to make redbook sound as smooth and organic as vinyl. Matter of fact, we did a direct comparison to a $30K turntable and the Pandora held its own on the same material. The Romulus transport only plays redbook CDs and I found it to be rather slow and clunky. Better to go with the Pandora and put the extra money towards a WW Platinum USB cable. The Signature version gives you Native DSD, Vishay Z-Foil Resistors, Moncrief Dynamicaps and HRS Couplers.

Ken

**Mike** · January 4, 2015, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

I would vote for the Pandora over the Romulus. I have auditioned both several times. The DAC in both sounds absolutely wonderful. It has the ability to make redbook sound as smooth and organic as vinyl. Matter of fact, we did a direct comparison to a $30K turntable and the Pandora held its own on the same material. The Romulus transport only plays redbook CDs and I found it to be rather slow and clunky. Better to go with the Pandora and put the extra money towards a WW Platinum USB cable. The Signature version gives you Native DSD, Vishay Z-Foil Resistors, Moncrief Dynamicaps and HRS Couplers.

Ken

Thanks Ken. Unless I'm mistaken, Pandora Sig allows native DSD via its Digital input connection. Lumin BNC output to Pandora Sig digital input for tubey goodness when the mood strikes and a killer player/interface.

Hmmm....

**MikeCh** · January 4, 2015, 11:35 AM

Mike,

I don't think the Pandora or Romulus has a BNC input. Only Toslink, USB, Coax or AES/EBU are shown:

**Mike** · January 4, 2015, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by MikeCh

Mike,

I don't think the Pandora or Romulus has a BNC input. Only Toslink, USB, Coax or AES/EBU are shown:

Thanks Mike. Coax would work. BNC to COAX.

But I'm still considering K-01x and Lampi Big 7 for fun.

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**CDLehner** · April 12, 2015, 07:05 PM

Pandora Sig w/Volume $10k or 11??

mauidan · April 12, 2015, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by CDLehner

Pandora Sig w/Volume $10k or 11??

It's $10K.

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