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REVIEW: Audio Experience Concerto Plus Phono Preamp

154.20.45.98


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Model: Concerto Plus
Category: Phono Preamp
Suggested Retail Price: $2500
Description: PhonoPreamp
Manufacturer URL: Audio Experience
Manufacturer URL: Audio Experience

Review by Bazza ( A ) on November 05, 2004 at 08:03:28
IP Address: 154.20.45.98
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for the Concerto Plus


This is a follow-up to my original reveiew of the new (August 2004) Concerto Plus. Since my initial review, I contacted Audio Experience again via e-mail to discuss, again, the possibility of using NOS tubes and what effect they might have on the sound. Chui Chi Wai, Interenet Frontman for the company, explained that Telefunken 12AX7 tubes are the best sounding for this product. His only worry was that it is difficult to find ones in excellent shape and this might compromise the sound because they are not stable. I decided to search 3 of these tubes out and found a man, Jay Waxler, harmonyaudio@sbcglobal.net through audiogon.com that I believed to honestly representing the tubes that he was selling at a fair price. It turned out to be true. These tubes are fabulous in the Concerto Plus. They are "sweet", smooth and holographic but do not give anything up in the areas of dynamics and pacing. More important for me is that they seem to lower the noise floor ever so slightly which is why there are extra micro details that I have never heard before. In fact, these details and "shadings" are what make the music more interesting for me right now. I know that within a few days my ears will adjust but for now it is fun and very involving. This blows the detail retrieval of my Meridian 588 (Absolute Sound recommended) CDP away and this is the best resolving red book player that I could find.

Please don't get the idea that the stock tubes or the slightly better Golden Dragons are inferior. I could live with either. In fact I put the Golden Dragons back in as a comparison and their robust sound was very enjoyable. Maybe I will become a Tube Roller.


Product Weakness: As stated in previous review
Product Strengths: As stated in previous review


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: BAT VK500 (250/channel)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Sonic Frontiers Line 3 SE with Partsconnexion SE+ upgrade including silver Audio Note caps
Sources (CDP/Turntable): VPI HW19 with full Expressimo mods and
Speakers: Magnepan 1.6 QR with Jensen paper-in-oil caps and Cardas wire and binding posts
Cables/Interconnects: Cardas Golden Reference
Music Used (Genre/Selections): All types
Room Comments/Treatments: Everything is supported by Aurios
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PS Audio PP300 with mutiwave II and 3 Blue Circle Noise Hounds
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Audio Experience Concerto Plus Phono Preamp - Bazza 08:03:28 11/5/04 ( 2)