AUDIOMAT Arpége Référence
Integrated amplifiers
The Arpége front is covered by a black perspex panel through which the glow of tubes inside can be seen. Other than that it is a minimalistic device: two knobs - Alps potentiometer and input selector and a little cute ON-OFF toggle switch with a tiny blue LED light. That's basically it.
Function and form
The rear panel features four RCA inputs (no balanced input), two tape-loops, and two pairs of speaker binding posts that differ in nominal impedance (4 or 8 ohms). To facilitate a turntable connection there is a grounding nut.
The most of the Arpege's substantial weight (22kg) comes on the account of three power transformers. Audiomat only makes tube amplfiers - in preamplfier section of the Arpege there are three 12AX7, in power section two Sovtek EL34 per channel. Bias setting is automated.
Audiomat provides small spike supports for the Arpege which is indispensagle - the amplifier has only three spiked feet which is - combined with its weight - quite dangerous for domestic surfaces.
Bass management
From the moment the Arpege is powered up it takes between 40-60 minutes before the amplifier is ready to sing. You do not have to wait of course, but the patience helps the internal components thermally stabilize and sonics improve. I never heard any hum or noise from any Audiomat amplfier - Clarisse brothers know how to properly design a tubed device.
The bass of the Arpége is not infra-deep or hyper-articulated but this is not expected from such an amp. The bass is however very successfully integrated and when asked it can take a firm grip on speakers. The wide frequency range instruments - like a piano or a harp - have nice 3D outline with just right touch of warmth and body.
Clarity & delicacy
Though the piano sound is less open and a tad softer than I am used to, it is very emotional and very intimate, in an impressionistic way. The main term that kept jumping at me during my auditioning was musicality and flow.
Tonal accuracy
The Arpége Référence can convey orchestral colours with rich timbres but without traces of coloration. I also appreciated total absence of any edge of grain. The dark black canvas on which the Arepge paints the pictures does the trick - the dynamics are seemingly greater than the modest power reservoir of the amplifier may suggest.
Spatial resolution
The Arpege is not throwing the music at you, rather it invites you to participate at the performance. The images are conjured up within a holographic soundstage that stretches wide and deep. Recently I have reviewed the Audio Research HD 220 hybrid amplifier which sounded quite one-dimensional compared to the soundstaging magic of the Audiomat.
Recommended resellers
AudioRanny, Praha, tel. +420 777 003 134
Manufacturer's website: http://www.mutine.com
Associated components
- Sources: Sony SACD NS9100ES (with analog section modified)
- Loudspeakers: Vecteur Tierce
- Interconnects and speaker cables: Wireworld Eclipse, Cardas Crosslink
Gallery
AAVIK I-280
As far as its function is concerned the I-280 is an old-school integrated amplifier for audiophile purists. On the rear panel it has five single-ended RCA inputs, a preamplifier output, and speaker posts. The amplifier can be ...
Recommended resellers
RP Audio, Ostrava, +420 737 366 831
ACCUPHASE E-270
It is one of those rare amplifiers that is designed and built entirely in Japan, with absolute focus on perfection. Accuphase should establish its own university to train the rest of the world in how to design ergonomic devices and ...
Recommended resellers
CZ: Perfect Sound Group, Praha, tel. +420 722 960 690
SK: Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078
ACCUPHASE E-4000 + PS-1250
The E-4000 is a successor of E-480 that we have not reviewed, and the E-480 was the successor of E-470 that we have reviewed. Interestingly, the “400” range of Class AB integrated amplifiers of Accuphase can be tracked back to 80’s ...
Recommended resellers
CZ: Perfect Sound Group, Praha, tel. +420 722 960 690
SK: Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078
ACCUPHASE E-450
The Accuphase could create the illusion of Diana Krall’s presence in my listening room – it is not only a headless or bodyless voice in the room but the whole person performing just for you. If I should be nitpicking then the E-450 ...
Recommended resellers
Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078
ACCUPHASE E-5000
What would you like to know about the all new Accuphase? Clean and sweet treble – ticked. Rich and colorful mids – ticked. Wide and deep soundstage – ticked. But these are not new things, rather a usual Accuphase list of traits. So, ...
Recommended resellers
Perfect Sound Group, Praha, tel. +420 722 960 690
ACCUPHASE E-560
Right after first few minutes of listening a listener forms his opinion on the Accuphase. As listening progresses, this initial opinion usually proves to be wrong. The reason is that there is nothing spectacular in Accuphase's house ...
Recommended resellers
Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078
ACCUPHASE E-800
The physical appearance of the E-800 is totally Accuphase: satin gold aluminum panel, controls cleverly hidden behind a flap, sensitive and accurate VU meters, silky operation of knobs and buttons, and legendary fanatical ...
Recommended resellers
Navrátil Audio, Havířov, +420 737 821 360
Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078
