[HiFiSoundGuy]

  Has anyone listened to this New Tube Integrated amp yet? http://www.mystere-usa.com

[HiFiSoundGuy]

   Here's some reviews.... http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ramps&1229402153 and here.... http://www.avguide.com/review/mystere-ia21-integrated-amplifier

[TONEPUB]

We reviewed the ia11 in issue 17 and loved it.  Actually gave it one of our exceptional value awards
in 2008...

The ia21 is more of the same, a few more watts and more adjustable for tube type.

Both amplifiers have a bit more modern sound than their Prima Luna cousins.  If you
want more of a vintage McIntosh or vintage CJ, the Prima Luna is for you, if you'd like
more of a current Audio Research sound, then the Mystere will be the winner.

Built like a tank, great sound and reasonably priced too....

[JIMV]

I own a PrimaLuna Dialog II and REALLY like it, great sound and very easy to use. These folk know hoe to get amazing sound for the buck.

[TONEPUB]

As I said, the Mystere does not sound like the Prologue or Dialog series....

Think more like BAT or ARC tube sound...

[dmatt]

This looks an awful lot like a Melody chassis -- do they share parts or manufacturers?  Has there been any comparison/contrast between this and say the Melody KT88 integrated?

Thanks,

David

[Srajan Ebaen]

Mystere is built by Melody and our Melody Factory Tour showed how. But this brand benefits from Marcel Croese's Adaptive Bias Board just like PrimaLuna. That board is not part of the Melody line. Exactly how many more changes are implemented over the existing Melody platforms would be something for Herman van den Dungen to answer - and I doubt he would since that's his intellectual property 

So it's speculation at best. Look at it this way though - Mystere is supported by a strong EU-centered distribution with the necessary service support also in the US. Melody's own distribution has been troubled for years. Even if the two brands were the same (which they're not), you probably will have more peace of mind with Mystere 

And, Melody's build quality is top shelf. So you're getting killer build quality, a proven circuit tweaked by Goldmund's former engineer and a strong Western sales force behind the product. It's quite the recipe.

[dmatt]

Srajan,

Thank you for the background info.  As an avid reader of 6Moons (and Tone), I am embarrased I didn't remember the tour.

As a happy Melody I880 owner, my thought was that if the Mystere was built the same, it should be a well-made amp.  And it has the added benefit of Adaptive Bias.

Per your comment, let's hope I don't need to test Melody's service support.

Cheers,

David