Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Plinius SA-REFERENCE Amplifier (SS) by Aurel

Model:	SA-REFERENCE
Category:	Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	~ $14500
Description:	high-end class A amplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Plinius
Model Picture:	View

Review by Aurel ( A ) on June 01, 2005 at 01:37:25
IP Address: 134.158.41.241

Add Your Review
for the SA-REFERENCE

Dear friends,
As my english is far from perfect, I'll make it short.
I have been living with a Plinius SA-REFERENCE amplifier for a few weeks now. This amplifier is something incredible that can hardly be described by words. It's more of an art masterpiece than a standard piece of engineering. Yes, it is *extremely* impressive from the technical point of view (believe me, I am researcher in physics, familiar with space-qualified electronic devices). Yes, it is "built like a tank" and will last more than a lifetime. Yes, it will probably perform great on the test bench. Yes, it features huge power, low distortion, high bias operating mode, great-looking design, balanced and unbalanced inputs, etc.
But the most important is somewhere else : this amplifier is more than electronics, it is a musical instrument by itself ! Not that it modifies the sound or add its own coloration (I would hate this) : but its ability to create emotion is just incredible ! I would say that it sounds on vocals like the most refined SET amplifiers but with infinite power in addition. Its low frequency extension and control is just incredible ! Its treble is a marvel of delicacy and subtlety. You can listen to Pink Floyd or to Bach, to Patricia Barber or Glenn Gould, it will be a totally new feeling ! I have never experienced this before... I have listen to most of the high-end amplifiers available in my country and I would say that the SA-REF is more than better : it is alone in its class.
It is expensive. So is a German car or a Swiss watch. Is it expensive for what it is ? No, I don't think so. I you can afford, I am deeply convinced that you can get the BEST AMP IN THE WORLD (on all possible criteria) for a price which is far from being the highest.
Nothing is perfect. I know this as a physicist. But as far as I can judge from a technical and from an artistic viewpoint, the SA-REF is so close from being perfect that there is no need to go beyond. I am sure there will be other great amps on the market in the future. Even Plinius will probably replace it in a decade or so. But, for me, that's the end of the game : I have found the "ultimate" amplifier. I cannot distinguish between live music and music through the SA-REF, whatever the volume (up to frighteningly high sound pressures) and whatever the music style : why looking for anything more ?
Buying the SA-REF is the advice I would give to my best friend : you *cannot* be disappointed. Whatever you are looking for (power, refinement, control, bandwidth, imaging, soundstaging, etc.), you will find it. I am sorry, I am unable to find any drawback, even on the look of the amp which is really nice !
To conclude, let me add that even my wife and my parents who are not audiophiles noticed immediately the difference with the other amps I have tried in my system. This amplifier creates this rare "Wow" effect.
If you want to see pics of my SA-REF you can have a look at :
http://www.bestofhifi.com/viewforum.php?f=59 (thread "Mon SA-REFERENCE !").
The SA-REF is more than a reference, it is a statement, a final answer to what I was looking for. Thank you Plinius people, your are magicians ( with a serious knowledge in electronics :-) ) !
I would like to add that most of what I said in this message is, in my opinion, true for the other Plinius gears (including the great integrated amps and the new CD player). At their price points, they are probably unbeatable. In my country, they have received fantastic reviews in audio magazines but, more important, they have also been praised by music journals (often called "nearly perfect products"). There is a Plinius
soul...
Best regards,
Aurel.

Product Weakness: The end of your audiophile game...
Product Strengths: The best amp in the World ? To my ears, yes...

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	SA-REFERENCE
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Plinius M8 / Nagra PL-L
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	YBA
Speakers:	modified JBL + others
Cables/Interconnects:	Siltech / Audioquest
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	all
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Axson
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	The end of your audiophile game...
Product Strengths:	The best amp in the World ? To my ears, yes...