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Review 3 of 3
Price Paid:
$2100.00
from Aris Audio Summary:
This is an absolutely astonishing integrated amplifier. This is an amplifier with legend written all over it!
I've been in the hobby for 30 years and have owned much more expensive gear from McIntosh, Hafler, Threshold and most recently Aragon, and I have to say flat out that this integrated blows away anything I've ever owned! It also trounces all of the integrated amps I've auditioned, including the Musical Fidelity A3.2, A308, and the Krell 300i and 400i integrateds! Sure, some of the amps of the past that I've owned have bone crushing power and great sound, but none can match the involving presentation of this Plinius integrated. This amp sounds better than separates - in my opinion, with the right associated gear.
Earlier this year I made a decision to "down size" my audio system from the typical 200-400 wpc type of high current amplifiers that I've always believed I needed to enjoy real sounding music. During these many years, I've always stayed clear of integrated amplifiers because of course, they couldn't sound better than separates, right? I took a close look at the offerings from Bryston (B-60), Musical Fidelity (A3.2, A308) Krell (300i and 400i) as well as a few others.
Well, I have to tell you that this little 120 watt integrated is so good, and so real sounding that instead of preparing myself to getting used to the idea of owning a smaller system with expected obvious compromises, I ended up with a system that is extremely musical, real, accurate, dynamic and lively. There clearly is a feeling that together with my associated components, there is "more music" in the soundstage. I am hearing WAY MORE notes, sounds and textures of music that I never knew was even on the CD in the past! I'm also, for the first time ever, truly hearing the entire notes of music, from the leading edge transients to the decay of the note as well as the complete sustained notes on pianos, guitars, etc. WOW!!! I sat up in my listening chair when I was hearing the hammers instantly let off of the piano strings when the foot pedal was released - I've never heard this same kind of sound in any other gear other than when we had a Steinway upright piano in our home years ago. This amp, although it retails for $2295.00 - it sounds better than $5,000.00 worth of separate amp and preamp.
Now, after all this, let's talk about the fantastic look of this integrated. Pictures do not do it justice! It is built like a tank, but has a beautifully esthetic feel to it. Needless to say, this product exudes pride of ownership!
Finally, you may have heard that it is best to leave Plinius gear turned on all the time. I agree - it sounded great out of the box and continues to improve after leaving the unit on almost one month. The amp is a great choice also, for enthusiasts, audiophiles and music lovers that want very minimalist function. I listen only to CDS, so the amplifier is basically on with volume up, down and mute functions. There is plenty of flexibility, if you need it, but Plinius has done itself proud by putting the money into the overall quality of the sound, build and looks. The remote is THE BEST remote for us couch potato audiophiles. Each press of the volume on the remote is a very small graduation in volume - fantastic!
Every time I put on a CD, I don't hear or even notice the equipment, but rather, I'm transported to another place by the music! My 30 year search for a great system has ended and you can bet the Plinius 9100 will be in this system for many, many years.
If you're looking for a killer bargain amplifier and want to pair it up with a great 2 way speaker, this amp will not disappoint! Add to that a full 7 year parts and labor warranty. A truly superb piece of gear!!!
Associated components:
- Ah! Supertjoeb (upgraded) (tube) CD player with 24 bit / 192 Khz upsampler.
- Plinius 9100 integrated amplifier.
- Totem Hawk 2 way loudspeakers.
- All cables by Signal Cable: Analog 2 Interconnects (3ft) with Bullet Plug RCA's, Magic Power AC cord (4ft) (for the Plinius), and Double Run Biwire (8ft)speaker cables with Analysis Plus BSM spades at amp side and Analysis Plus BSM Bananas at speaker posts. Strengths:
Sounds better than separates. Very transparent, dynamic, lively, lifelike, neutral, yet warm. Sounds like real instrument sounds moving in air. You'll hear everything on CD's if your source is up to it. Stunning good looks. Truly a total design masterpiece. Weaknesses:
None whatsoever. It does everything better than anything I've ever heard at many times it's price. Similar Products Used:
McIntosh, Hafler, Threshold, Aragon power amplifiers (all separates - 200 to 400 wpc).
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