Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
Compared to their other products
We think it's helpful to understand how this product fits into the brand's full lineup (below). To learn more about these products, visit the brand's page.
Prestige Series
- Positioning: The entry-level lineup offering high-quality audio performance with accessible designs.
- Description: Delivers impressive sound quality through carefully engineered components. While it provides a solid foundation, it lacks the advanced technologies found in the higher-tier Reference and Signature Series, resulting in comparatively less refined audio reproduction.
Reference Series
- Positioning: Mid-tier products that introduce enhanced features and performance over the Prestige Series.
- Description: Incorporates improved circuit designs and higher-grade materials, offering a more detailed and dynamic listening experience. However, it doesn't include the proprietary Inverted Triode technology present in the Signature Series, which limits its ability to deliver the same level of sonic purity and realism.
Signature Series
- Positioning: High-end products featuring Aries Cerat's proprietary technologies for superior audio fidelity.
- Description: Stands out with the implementation of the unique Inverted Triode technology, providing exceptional linearity and low distortion. This results in a more natural and immersive sound compared to the Reference Series.
Limited Edition Series
- Positioning: The flagship lineup representing the highest level of craftsmanship and audio performance.
- Description: Features top-of-the-line components and exclusive designs, such as the dual-chassis configuration for improved isolation and power supply integrity. This meticulous engineering surpasses the capabilities of the Signature Series, delivering extraordinary soundstage and detail retrieval.
Read the reviews
Ianus Protos
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Manufacturer's notes
- Technology: Single stage, Single Ended, TriodeFet technology
- Gain stages: Single stage amplifier, from input to output posts
- Power output: 20W @8ohms
- Tube compliment: 2 x 6j11p-e, compatible with: E280F / E282F / E810F / E180F, D3A
- Volume control: 61 step Resistor ladder, relay switched volume control technology
- Inputs: Less than 0.1% THD at 20V rms
- Inputs: 5 x RCA
- Headphone output: 4-pin xlr output, directly driven by output stage
- Power bandwidth: full power at 5Hz -3db
- Maximum gain: 18db (tube dependent)
- Noise floor: -90db ref 1V RMS
- Dimensions: Main unit: 500mm W x 490mm D X 170mm H. 60kg
- PSU(tranformer unit/soft start) unit: 190mm W x 310mm D x 70mm H. 5kg
Our take on the brand
Used
Aries Cerat
What if you spend a bit more?
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Visually stylish, luxurious, well-built, and enjoyable to look at
- Offers extensive functionality including preamp gain adjustment, channel balance, mute, and display brightness settings
- Combines qualities of both tube and transistor designs, having transparency and magical realism with easy power
- Produces a clean, succinct, holographic, and exciting sound, with great dynamic capabilities
- Exceptionally well-balanced frequency response, fitting between the warmth and energetic explicitness of other amps
Product Considerations
- Massive and heavy, making it not easy to move around
- Single ended inputs only with no balanced inputs
- The vast disparity between the damping factors—synergy can vary with speakers
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Aavik I-880 was leaner, more illuminated, outlined and energized, spatially grander, less intimate and occupied via shorter key sound sources, compared to Trilogy 915R preamp and twin 995R mono amps
- The I-880 was internally juicy, admirably outlined, enjoyably angry, instantaneous, and powerful in the lower end range, where the twin 995Rs were boomier, fuzzier, slower and sensibly shallower on the very bottom
Takeaway: The Aavik I-880 is a high-performing, visually stunning integrated amplifier that brings music to life with both elegance and power. This amplifier is designed to be a centerpiece, both sonically and aesthetically, in any high-end audio system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Combining the front end technology from the Momentum HD Preamplifier and the power section of the Momentum MxV amplifier, the Momentum MxV Integrated Amplifier delivers Momentum Series performance in a compact framework. The elegant design only hints at the advanced circuitry within its Aluminum and Copper housing.
Benefiting from extensive development previously applied to the Momentum Series separate components, the Momentum MxV integrated Amplifier executes on the potential that an integrated solution offers.
The Momentum MxV integrated Amplifier is a modular design that is configurable to a listener's preferences. The core line stage preamplifier section can be augmented to include a digital streaming and/or a phonostage module.
When fully equipped, the Momentum MxV Integrated Amplifier topology is a seamless circuit working as one from input to output. Each internal section is still highly specialized but knowing the exact complement of power supply, control, and audio circuitry being used together, affords engineering a vison of the system that is typically not possible.
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Strong physical presence and handsome aesthetics, featuring lacquered copper heatsinks, venturi tunnels, and Breguet-style dials.
- MxV upgrades bring significant improvements in core music reproduction areas such as sound stage, detail, and dynamics.
- The Momentum M400MxV sounds 'louder' and more powerful even when set to the same levels as its predecessors.
- The Momentum MxV amplifiers have the ability to bring out the best in loudspeakers
Product Considerations
- The D'Agostino Momentum MxV monoblock is a heavy piece of equipment, weighing 43kg apiece without optional stands.
- The Momentum M400MxV may run warm
- DIP switches for input loading are inside the unit, which requires removing the top cover when switching between cartridges
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Momentum MxV amplifiers bring much of what inspired the larger Relentless Epic 800 and Relentless Epic 1600 to a smaller form factor and price point
- The early Momentum Stereo delivered around half the power of the monoblocks, compared to the Momentum Stereo.
Takeaway: The D'Agostino Momentum MxV amplifiers bring high-end performance in a visually striking package, capable of significantly enhancing the listening experience through improved detail and dynamics. The upgrade path for existing owners also makes it a worthwhile long-term investment.
Video review
Our take on the brand
InPoL Legacy is a fully balanced dual-mono amplifier. The power supply comes from Adrenalin and InPower, with one capacitive inductive filter per channel. The two toroidal power transformers are the largest we have ever made. While we have always previously limited the size and weight of the amplifiers, in this case, we set no limits.
Like the entire InPoL Legacy structure, the tube power supply is separate, with a toroidal transformer for each channel. The tubes are in a totem pull configuration, using 2 x ECC803s TungSol and 1 x 6H30 per channel. All power supplies are stabilized, filtered, and dissipated The excellent quality wiring is shielded.
The 100-step passive volume is adjusted by low-noise precision resistors using insulated relay switches. Input and output connections are Neutrik and WBT. InPoL Legacy weighs 140 kg.
To let move and install it easily, Pathos engineers designed a special packaging with wheels. InPoL Legacy is provided also of a set of brackets which eases to lift the amplifier and put it on the cabinet. Since not all cabinets can support such weight, Pathos designed a dedicated cabinet for InPoL Legacy.
InPoL Legacy, the ultimate Pathos integrated amplifier.
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Employs Pathos InPoL Technology/Dual InPoL Circuit, aiming for Pure Class A amplification and a warm, natural sound
- Delivers substantial power: 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms, and 170 watts per channel into 4 ohms
- Uses high-quality components and a power supply based on 1,800 VA toroidal transformers per channel
- Features a tube preamp (using Tun-Sol ECC803 and 6H30 Sovtek tubes) and MOSFETs in the power amplifier
Product Considerations
- The amplifier is large (540 x 800 x 300 mm) and very heavy (100 kg), possibly making it difficult to integrate into standard hifi setups
Takeaway: The InPoL is engineered to deliver a natural sound and substantial power, using high-quality components and a sophisticated design. This could be a compelling option for individuals seeking a high-end amplifier.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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TSI-300 Integrated Amplifier, is a hybrid design, designed to capture the TLA sound and capabilities in a single chassis. 2 Tube preamplifiers driving 2 Solid state power amplifiers. All in one chassis. Separate Linear Power supplies.
First power supply is using a custom designed EI, low loss lamination transformer and custom designed choke. It supplies the High Voltage and the Heater Voltage required for the 12AU7 tube front stages. Special power supply decoupling per channel is implemented.
The second power supply is using a unique custom designed UI, low loss lamination transformer. Combined with high speed rectification and quality filter capacitors delivers dual polarity voltage and high current needed for the solid state and output sections.
4 input selector Input signal transformer is used and contributes the TLA transformer's magic to the sound. Shunt attenuator – Volume – Remote Control
The audio signal is then connected to a 12AU7 Tube gain stage followed by a 12AU7 tube buffer. Ultra linear solid-state circuitry takes over further amplification of the signal and delivers the signal to current amplifier circuit that delivers the power to the load. Only bipolar transistors are used in the circuit. Semiconductors, as well as resistors and capacitors, are closely matched. There is only one high-quality film capacitor in the signal path from input to output.
A Mosfet protection circuit is used to connect the load to the amplifier. After power-up the protection circuit will wait approx 13 sec before connecting the amp to the speaker, giving time to the tube heaters to warm up. DC fault protection and high temp protection.
High-quality PCBs. All boards are hand-assembled. All parts of the amplifier are hand-wired. Highest quality components are used throughout the circuit. Each component is handpicked, tested, and matched to serve the design.
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Refined and powerful sound that can compete with the best
- Big and authoritative sound, dynamics, and deep bass
- Natural and lifelike midrange, and a treble that's so extended that it allows you to find the magic in hi-rez digital
- Enormous soundstage in all directions
- Able to play loud without strain, distortion, or compression
- Offers a refined and powerful sound that can compete with the best
- Big and authoritative sound, dynamics, and deep bass
- Able to play loud without strain, distortion, or compression
Product Considerations
- The power receptacle is 20 amps, and a suitable power cord was not included
- Large and heavy amplifier weighing 55 kilos without packing material, so placement needs consideration
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Burmester 909 and 088, the True Life Audio TSI-300 did not make singers ten feet tall, like some big systems do, but there was a stronger sense of the sound going far beyond the room boundaries, while the Burmester gear had an unexpected talent for keeping the images and the soundstage confined to a realistic, lifelike size
Takeaway: The True Life Audio TSI-300 seems to do everything it needs to do without compromise, delivering drama and raw emotion. It will appeal to those who love a big and authoritative sound, dynamics, and deep deep bass without sacrificing musicality.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What else competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Preserves the sonic signature of tube electronics, while being able to drive a wider range of loudspeakers
- Has astonishing liquidity of timbre, and is utterly grain-free
- Projects a sense of presence that sounds very much like the best SET amplifiers
- Creates a directness of musical expression, fostering an intimacy with the music and performers
- Produces a very warm midrange, and sweet top end
Product Considerations
- Treble was less bright, and open than that of many other amplifiers
- Favors warmth, fullness, and texture in the bass rather than slam and extension
- May not be the most resolving amplifier for the money
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Absolare Hybrid sounded remarkably like the Passion 845 SET, but with deeper bass extension and greater dynamic authority
Takeaway: The Absolare Hybrid Stereo amplifier delivers the emotion of music like an SET amplifier, with the ability to drive a wide variety of loudspeakers. It creates a deep connection with musical meaning.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Harmonic content is reproduced beyond what the reviewer had heard before, making instruments and voices sound more fully formed
- Creates a dimensional physicality with full voice, turning recorded events into a real-life experience
- Fast and resolving without being harsh, and presents music with a high degree of tonal saturation without feeling slow
- Reveals nuance in recordings, making small details easier to distinguish
- Achieves a balance that makes components worth the money, provides realistic experience regardless of the program material
Product Considerations
- The single-ended input was found to sound slightly more immediate than the balanced XLR input, though the difference was minor
- Requires about 90 minutes to fully warm up and stabilize for optimal performance
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Riviera amplifiers have slightly more tonal saturation than the Pass Labs XA 25
- The separates (APL10 and AFM25) are more quietly seductive and take more time and attention to fully appreciate, compared to the Riviera Labs Levante integrated amplifier
Takeaway: The AFM25 monoblocks offer a unique and captivating sound that expands the enjoyment and connection to music. When paired with efficient speakers, they provide a realistic and detailed listening experience that makes the music feel more alive.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Proprietary noise-control techniques using dither circuits, Active coils, and Tesla coils improve perceived blackness in music
- A 'natural-based composite material' for the chassis aims to reduce influences from mechanical resonance
- A large LED-Matrix display is easy to read from a distance
- A weighty and solid rotary volume dial offers a perfect speed of adjustment
- Input switching is not straightforward, requiring use of a navigate button and rotation of the volume dial
Product Considerations
- Menu navigation is cumbersome, requiring toggling through all items or using the remote control to exit
- The U180 is described as technically correct but not hugely emotional or lyrical, with a darker sound
Takeaway: The Aavik U-series integrated amplifiers offer unique noise-reduction technology and a distinctive design, which could be a great addition to an audiophile's set-up. The amplifier's overall operation is straightforward, and it responds very quickly to all commands.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Designed to disappear from the audio chain functionally, leaving just music behind.
- Built to an impeccable standard, CNC machined out of solid billets of aluminium, then glass-bead-blasted and treated to a ceramic form of anodising, giving it a velvety feel and solidity of build and finish that few can match.
- Delivers both cultured and refined sound, and the dynamic force and energy needed to place you in the room with the musicians.
Product Considerations
- The degree of minimalism might be too much for some.
- Its 10W power output will limit loudspeaker options.
- Lack of indicator lights might be a negative for some.
Takeaway: The PA-01 power amplifier is a well-made product that focuses on delivering the music as purely as possible. With the right speakers, it offers a very engaging and dynamic listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Impeccably clean and precise presentation
- Excellent detail resolution
- Sonic agility and dynamic expression
- Good digital module
- Terrific build quality using 12mm thick aluminum alloy panels
Product Considerations
- No phono stage or headphone output
- No indication of the incoming digital signal resolution
- Requires a very solid, high-mass support to work best
- The amplifier's overall character does still veer slightly towards the dry side—particularly at high frequencies
- At this level, balanced connections were expected, but Goldmund hasn't specified them
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The soundstage doesn't match the airy spaciousness of the Burmester pre/power
Takeaway: The Goldmund Telos 690 is a highly capable amplifier, known for its clean, detailed sound and dynamic expression. It is a great choice for those who appreciate dissecting recordings and value exceptional build quality.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.
Want to see more similar products?
Head on over to our Search page to browse our entire database. Find the perfect hifi gear for your system.
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