[Hantra]

What does the rest of your system consist of now, Hantra?

Link to my system

Did you ever try the Plinius SB-300 ?
That is the real magic in the Plinius lineup (and the Odeon and maybe the new SA-201).

I haven't heard the 300, or the Odeon.  I heard about the 201 coming.  The 300 is slightly overpriced.  I am sure it's good, but it's expensive.  The 201 should be more reasonable, and I wouldn't mind hearing that.  It is 200 into 8, and what exactly into 4?

Hantra, can you comment on the running temperature of the Perreaux and a ballpark figure for cost?

Bee, the Perreaux runs much cooler.  At it's peak temp that I have seen, it's around 120-125 F at the sink.

Retail I think is $5,995.

L8r,

B

[michael w]

SB-300 slightly overpriced ?
It's only $7000 !

 

No prices or specs yet on the SA-201, which should really be SB-201 as it's a class AB design.

What's overpriced is the R200i in it's home country.
You only pay $3995US, we get charged $5280US.
Something's not quite right there...

 

[Hantra]

SB-300 slightly overpriced ?
It's only $7000 !

You only pay $3995US, we get charged $5280US.
Something's not quite right there...

$7K is a LOT of money for what is essentially a cool running SA-102 with a few more transistors.  

The whole Perreaux pricing discrepancy is over AFAIK.  That's one of the things that happens when you choose Audio Advisor as your distributor.  Retail here is $5,995 now, and it should have been all along.  I am not even sure if dealers can buy them for $3,995.  It's a d@mned expensive product to build, and obvious when you see it from the outside, and the inside.

Not even going to get into a public discussion of Audio Advisor's tactics, but anyone who has any sense could probably figure out what went down there.

Perreaux has been really bad at picking US distribution partners to this point.  They've had DOZENS.  I am glad to see that Plinius is getting a real distributor here now, and now that Perreaux has one as well, we should start to see more proliferation of some great gear coming out of your part of the world!

B

[Red Dragon Audio]

hantra-

What did AudioAdvisor do?  (I think I have half a brain to understand but I never realized they had any bad business deals).

PM me if it isn't appropriate for board topic.

[Hantra]

hantra-

What did AudioAdvisor do?  (I think I have half a brain to understand but I never realized they had any bad business deals).

You won't get any info out of me.  Besides, I am just speculating anyway based on their dealings in the past with other manufacturers.  I have no inside info on the Perreaux deal.

You know how some HUGE cable companies have quite the gorilla marketing techniques?  Well, some would say Advisor has guerilla tactics against some smaller manufacturers.

[Red Dragon Audio]

Hantra,

I read about that perreaux 200i Radiance integrated you have.  Sounds like one hellava amp.

I would like to be a dealer for them...well I guess I would have to be a dealer first of all...but good gear always makes me want to get into the biz.

 

[michael w]

$7K is a LOT of money for what is essentially a cool running SA-102 with a few more transistors.

And new transformers and a few other things.
I thought it was pretty good value given the extra performance.

The whole Perreaux pricing discrepancy is over AFAIK.  That's one of the things that happens when you choose Audio Advisor as your distributor.  Retail here is $5,995 now, and it should have been all along.

 

That's a huge increase !
I thought you had a made a typo.

 

Well hopefully the new distributor will do a better job than AA.
Enjoy.

[Jetsons]

In defense of Audio Advisor, they have always demostrated excellent cutomer service, at least in my situation.

Case in point. Three years or so back, I ordered the Musical Fidelity A300 integrated amp. I picked up a demo unit at a very good price which arrived a little banged up. After explaining the situation, AA sent me a brand new unit within a week at the same price of the demo unit plus they picked up the shipping on both amps. IMO, it just cannot get much better than this. BTW, their 30 day return policy is the real deal with zero strings attatched.

As to their current pricing policies, I can't comment. When they were the exclusive Musical Fidelity US distributor, their pricing was below those of the UK.

Jet

[Zero]

I remember my dealings with Audio Advisor...  I will spare the story and get to the point..

They essentially screwed up two orders of mine, which royally pissed off the Post Office, which royally pissed me off after having to deal with the Post Office.  Audio Advisor was quick in processing my order but couldnt send it to the proper address, even after I specifically told them via: phone, the second time. I wanted to continue doing business, but it was getting a tad ridiculous...

I wrote them a very lengthy, yet polite E-mail describing the situation, asking them not to make the error again due to reprecutions I face.  I get no reply. Two weeks later Im pretty pissed off, till I check my bank statement.  Turns out, they returned me the money for the last product I bought.  Meaning, I got a pair of Kimber HERO interconnects - - - free..

To this day Im not sure if that was intended or not...  but regardless, I wont complain!

[Tbadder1]

I love integrated amps--good ones are better than separates to my ears given a level economic playing field.  I went the same route and decided to go to the top, what I thought was the top, and compared the Levinson to the BAT to the Rowland.  All were great but I ended up with the Levinson.  It just does everything well, and as such offers the most balance I've ever heard in any piece of gear--the exception?  If you're driving really hugely ineffcient speakers they might, and I stress might, run out of ultimate steam.  But if you went to the A'gon you can pick up one of these three for 3000 to 3500 bucks and you'd be set for 25 years.

[mca]

I was able to get a good listen to the Plinius and the Perreaux this week. I really liked the sound of the Plunius. To me it sounded very powerfull and has a nice warm character, it seemed to mate up with the Gallo's very nicely. I was not as enthused with the Perreaux. If I had heard it first, I would have been happy with the sound, but I liked the additional warmth the Plinius offered. I also really like the styling of the Plinius.  

The big suprise was hearing the Rouge Tempest II tube integrated. The music had a rich, 3-d layered sound to it. Almost like you could reach out and touch the singer. My only worry is the bass. I don't know if it's because of the lower power rating (90wpc vs 200 wpc on the others) or the fact that it's a tube design, but the bass was not as deep or well controled as the others. This may not end up being a problem if I end up with the optional bass amp.

This leads me to want to get a listen to the BAT integrated. Still utilizing tubes, but with a little higher power rating. The search continues!

[Hantra]

I have never heard any warm Rogue.  

I agree that the Plinius does have more warmth than the Perreaux.  I think the Perreaux is about 90% of the warmth, but with much more transparency.  

It's all about synergy, and matching.  So make SURE you take one home and try it before you buy.  

BTW, were you referring to the 9200? and the Radiance?  Just curious.

B

[vpolineni]

mca,
  like you said, you can get the most out of your bass by bi-amping the 2nd voice coil on the speakers.. leaving you with the amp of your choice for the treble...  like hantra asked, which models from each company did you audition?

[mca]

I listened to the 9200 and the Radience as discussed above. I brought my speakers down to the two shops as they are just a couple of blocks apart. That way I could get a basic idea of the sound. My next step will be to try the amps at home after I get them narrowed down a bit.
That's weird you did not find the Rouge equipment to sound warm, but I guess it just goes to show how different setups have different results!

[Hantra]

That's weird you did not find the Rouge equipment to sound warm, but I guess it just goes to show how different setups have different results!

Man I have heard Rogue in two different systems.  One was the second brightese system I have ever heard, and just downright offensive.  The other, it wasn't bad, but with a good amp in there, it got bright.  

Glad you were able to take your speakers to demo these.  That's awesome!  

B

[dado5]

Hey MCA & Hantra,

The Rogue Tempest was just redesigned  with a new driver circuit that uses 6sn7 tubes. This may give it a warmer sound (I have only seen it at the factory I have not heard it yet).

BTW for maximum bass control with most speakers, use the Rogue in triode mode and the 4 ohm tap.  I still prefer the ultralinear mode overall, but bass was noticeably tighter when set as described for every speaker I have hooked up thus far.

Thanks,
Rob