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Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Audiomat Arpege Integrated Amplifier (Tube) by fidelio

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REVIEW: Audiomat Arpege Integrated Amplifier (Tube)

69.234.180.123


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Model: Arpege
Category: Integrated Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: $3495
Description: 30-watt push-pull tube amp, passive preamp
Manufacturer URL: Audiomat
Manufacturer URL: Audiomat

Review by fidelio ( A ) on September 17, 2005 at 00:54:05
IP Address: 69.234.180.123
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for the Arpege


i have only had this integrated amp for a few days, picked it up used. i admit i had to have one of my audiophile friends come over to tell me whether (1) i had lost my mind, or (2) this was the best amp i have ever had in my system. he picked (2). and i have been at this "hobby" for some time. i've had audio research, vtl, aduible illusions, have an old marantz 8, so i'm not a stranger to "tube magic."

the unit produces 30 watts per side, but seems to somehow pump up some serious current -- no gasping or crapping out on big orchestral passages, which killed my marantz 8 and my arc v-35, both about the same wattage. and i have huge respect for wm. z. johnson, and would never diss his great products (not to mention saul marantz, also a genius, god rest his merry heart). i threw on a recording of vaughan williams' antarctica symphony (full orchestra playing as loud and they possibly can in places, wind machines, female chorus, a barnburner beggin' to be played at 11), and clenched myself for the expected clipping and pitiful wimp-out. the audiomat played through the whole thing -- no whimpering. i finally relaxed and thought "what is happening here? have i lost it, or is this amp ridiculously good?" and it produces respectable and satisfying bass. as to how all this is accomplished with a quad of el34's, i just don't know. they are beautiful tubes, but nobody seriously tries to get bass slam out of them -- or so i thought (well, allright, it's not exactly "slam," but they have bass, dammit). i've checked under the hood, and see three huge transformers and an unfamiliar layout. this is not a wiliiamson or dynaco knockoff. it is some exotic new beast, the brainchild apparently of two french-canadian brothers. and its build quality is very high.

next i tried buddy guy, "trouble man" from "feels like rain." no compression or glare or white-powder earbleeding brightness, but mainly no tube amp wimpout. none -- just supercool, hearty and RYTHMIC (what, a tube rig w/ prat??) tunefulness, w/ high and low frequencies. played the title track: bonnie raitt's slide literally gave me goosebumps, yup, like she was in the room w/ her strat (and i'm a hardened equipment monger, no shorttime punk -- how can this be??).

next up: one of bartok's wierder piano concertos. beautiful, no problem, the audiomat just plays everything it gets. next: schubert's 5th. rocksolid. martinu, bach (several pieces, including gould's toccata and fugue - the unit plays piano as if it were voiced on it ...). the amp plays classical orchestra in a great way, tubey in the midrange but w/ all the detail high and low, to make a big music portait the way ludwig meant it to be ...

well, i could go on. but i think you get the picture. it's great to stumble accross a piece like the audiomat. and these guys are marketing geniuses, i can see that - the "arpege." oh boy. but the sound -- this is what it's all about. perhaps what is so otherworldly about it is that the high and low frequencies are present, not unusual except that it's done w/ four el34's, which provide also a very pretty midrange. it's like having your cake and eating it too!

[note that the price stated is for the current production model, arpege reference. i have and reviewed the non-reference, which cost much less new.]


Product Weakness: not incredibly detailed. has loudness limits w/ normal speakers. may not sound just right for metal (is that a weakness - well, yes, if you're a lemmie-head). do the french boys speak english (haven't answered my email yet). the manual is one page, looks to be written by a taiwanese jr. high school student. apparently the design is top secret. oh well, i guess i can understand that ....
Product Strengths: full-range tube. great grip for a low-powered amp. mellow yet accurate. very well made. extremely kool lucite faceplate which allows tube glow though the front of the amp. coherent and musical.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: naim. exposure, creek
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): -
Sources (CDP/Turntable): linn axis, sony sacd, belcanto dac2, etc.
Speakers: spendor 1/2e
Cables/Interconnects: naim naca5, hovland
Music Used (Genre/Selections): all
Room Size (LxWxH): 19 x 15 x 8-9
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 week
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Audiomat Arpege Integrated Amplifier (Tube) - fidelio 00:54:05 09/17/05 ( 2)