Randy Myers
Well-known member
PS Audio is definitely not Tier 3... at best Tier 4... compared with Wyred 4 Sound and Bel Canto...
Top Tier Amps
- Thread starter Mike
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PS Audio is definitely not Tier 3... at best Tier 4... compared with Wyred 4 Sound and Bel Canto...
sb6
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Neither are any of your system components. ;-)
I guess German is your thing only for cars?
- Thread Author
- #243
I think the new Pilium is knocking the door of tier 1, if not firmly seated at the table. At the Magico showroom the M9s are driven by four Pilium Hercules monos and Alexander pre-amp. This might be performance more than perception as the word isn't out fully on Pilium yet.
Not the last word in aesthetics, but it appears you can pay a premium for custom color. Picture is Leonidas integrated.
What’s the prices of this line ?
Did you listen to it ?
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- Thread Author
- #246
You may want to update your signature. You will be displaying these in your home now right?
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Kuoppis
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Hi Mike, one more observation regarding your tier list.
I see you have split Pass between two tiers, with XS in tier 2 and X in tier 3.
After hearing again the latest AudioNet scientist series, I think a similar split could be possible here with the Scientist series in tier 1 and the earlier models in tier 2.
The Humboldt, Stern, and Heisenberg are really special IMHO.
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I see you have split Pass between two tiers, with XS in tier 2 and X in tier 3.
After hearing again the latest AudioNet scientist series, I think a similar split could be possible here with the Scientist series in tier 1 and the earlier models in tier 2.
The Humboldt, Stern, and Heisenberg are really special IMHO.
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u-sound
Active member
I think the new Pilium is knocking the door of tier 1, if not firmly seated at the table. At the Magico showroom the M9s are driven by four Pilium Hercules monos and Alexander pre-amp. This might be performance more than perception as the word isn't out fully on Pilium yet.
Not the last word in aesthetics, but it appears you can pay a premium for custom color. Picture is Leonidas integrated.
very cool!!
u-sound
Active member
yes!! scientist series top of the table in tier 1
what was the system you did hear them with?
only heard them with wilsons so far and like to hear how it works with other speakers.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
I am not a huge fan of splitting various models within a brand to different tiers. It is almost like you are saying that Brand X makes this one amazing model that they use for brand reputation but then sell these other off shoots off the big boy's reputation.
I personally believe a brand is only as good as its lowest offerings; otherwise I feel that they are being deceiving with their lower models, since the obvious outcome is that they may sell a few of the high models and a ton of the low lines off the big model. I know there are some out there who have really top notch gear but also sell cheap knock offs which is not the same gear. A brand's reputation should be by its lowest models not its highest. The other method does eventual gain the company a bad reputation.
Lets use T+A as an example. Their HV series is absolutely amazing and deserves the praise it gets but the Series 8 is quite outstanding on its own and deserves the praise it gets. The DAC 8 DSD once again gained an A+ rating in the latest Stereophile magazine even though it is their "low" model. To me that is a stellar manufacture. You may give up some features or absolute highest level and power, but you get the same quality of construction, same house sound; you are indeed buying the same reputation and quality. This can not be said for many manufactures out there.
I personally believe a brand is only as good as its lowest offerings; otherwise I feel that they are being deceiving with their lower models, since the obvious outcome is that they may sell a few of the high models and a ton of the low lines off the big model. I know there are some out there who have really top notch gear but also sell cheap knock offs which is not the same gear. A brand's reputation should be by its lowest models not its highest. The other method does eventual gain the company a bad reputation.
Lets use T+A as an example. Their HV series is absolutely amazing and deserves the praise it gets but the Series 8 is quite outstanding on its own and deserves the praise it gets. The DAC 8 DSD once again gained an A+ rating in the latest Stereophile magazine even though it is their "low" model. To me that is a stellar manufacture. You may give up some features or absolute highest level and power, but you get the same quality of construction, same house sound; you are indeed buying the same reputation and quality. This can not be said for many manufactures out there.
- Thread Author
- #253
That’s a fair comment. Too many Johnny-Come-Lately brands too to even have a ranking. This isn’t performance. If someone wants to start a thread on performance, have at it. This is about market perception. If I ask 20 people about some of these new brands, I assure you, 19 or 20 will say “who?”
I’ve heard Block Audio is outstanding for example. But again, this isn’t about performance, it’s about perception of the brand.
That’s a fair comment. Too many Johnny-Come-Lately brands too to even have a ranking. This isn’t performance. If someone wants to start a thread on performance, have at it. This is about market perception. If I ask 20 people about some of these new brands, I assure you, 19 or 20 will say “who?”
I’ve heard Block Audio is outstanding for example. But again, this isn’t about performance, it’s about perception of the brand.
Any chance the thread title can be edited to include that?
Kuoppis
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yes!! scientist series top of the table in tier 1
what was the system you did hear them with?
only heard them with wilsons so far and like to hear how it works with other speakers.
I heard them with B&W speakers, but even with those they sounded great [emoji3].
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Bobvin
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Hi Mike, I’ll work on the signature. This all came about as a result of my wife rupturing her appendix when in NYC for some training 2 years ago. I got tired of watching her be sick (9 days in intensive care) and went to visit the woman who did my acoustic remodel (based in Manhattan), and then to some shops to hear music. I stopped by Rhapsody Audio (a bunch of AudioSharks had met there several years back) for a social visit and was gobsmacked by the Diesis speakers he was playing. I wanted a pair in my house (!) but didn’t have the budget.
Fast forward about a month ago, my sweet wife asks do I want new speakers? Sure, I answered, but what makes sense? Easy would be upgrade to Alexia v2, or Alexx V, but at Alexx V pricing I need to hear many others, including Diesis. I called Bob @ Rhapsody wrt Diesis, and he also has Alsyvox which got a lot of positive press the last couple RMAF shows. But how to audition? The topic comes up of Bob’s idea of remote showrooms, or as he calls them Remote Listening Rooms. I take the bait because how else can I audition several killer speakers in my own room, really getting to know them to make a choice for myself. Along the way I decide to get new electronics as well—as you say my lifetime favorite Audio Research really is a solid Tier 3 brand (though the synergy in my room has been spectacular.)
Enter Pilium. (Pilium Audio - Audio Components) Like you say some risks with these less-well-known brands but they might be the next “big thing.” That Alon Wolfe has chosen them to drive the M9s told me they must be the real deal. (Certainly reference prices, but not so high as many.)
So, yes, I will be the Portland version of the Rhapsody RLR. Not quite sure that puts me in dealer category, I won’t be doing any selling, negotiating, contracting with manufacturers. All that is done by Rhapsody—I’m just a remote location to audition some gear.
Mono & Stereo had a press release: https://www.monoandstereo.com/2021/03/rhapsodyaudio-listening-rooms-rlrs.html
Pilium kit...
MODEL - TYPE - RETAIL PRICE
ALEXANDER PREAMP Double Chassis $49,900usd
ARES PREAMP Single Chassis $34,9000usd
ACHILLES STEREO AMP 300W - 8ohm $49,000usd
IASONAS STEREO AMP 200W - 8ohm $29,000usd
Apollo Monos 200W8ohm $59,000 usd
Poseidon Monos 250W8ohm $79,000 usd
HERCULES MONO AMPS 350W - 8ohm $99,900usd
Odysseus 180W 8 ohm $29,900usd
LEONIDAS INTEG AMP 200W - 8ohm $39,900usd
ELEKTRA Digital to Analog Converter $39,900usd
Amps & integrated double down into 4 ohms, again into 2 ohms, stable @ 1 ohm. (I think thats the same as Dagostino amps)
Randy Myers
Well-known member
That is awesome Bob. I also assume that everything is by appointment and around your schedule. It is a way of you auditioning some of the models that you are interested in and being able to try others that you may not have previously been interested in . Of course you need the physical space to allow for this 
...
Congratulations on your new adventure!
By the way, what are those speakers that you use as your avatar? They are Alsyvox are they not? They look very interesting (certainly way out of my range).
. Of course you need the physical space to allow for this ...Congratulations on your new adventure!
By the way, what are those speakers that you use as your avatar? They are Alsyvox are they not? They look very interesting (certainly way out of my range).
Bobvin
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Thank you Randy. Yes, appointment only kind of a thing. My wife has been wanting me to retire but I’ve been reluctant. She saw this as a lever. Its an opportunity I never would have imagined for myself, but I already host folks from the local audio club, this just extends that a bit.
The speakers in the avatar are Alsyvox Botticelli. I am getting those with the external crossovers, so the “X” model. Several RMAF reviews in 2018 and 2019 had those “best of show”. But this is amp thread I’ll stop there.
The speakers in the avatar are Alsyvox Botticelli. I am getting those with the external crossovers, so the “X” model. Several RMAF reviews in 2018 and 2019 had those “best of show”. But this is amp thread I’ll stop there.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
Totally understand... I admit to being jealous, especially of the Alsyvox... but as you say... wrong thread
... again, congratulations and enjoy!
FishStalkerGuy
Member
Found this review on the Block's date June 2020: My top 5 cost-no-object power Amplifiers - YouTube