Search results

  1. A

    Oh my, oh my - Aries Cerat Helene DAC

    Hello gents RCA and XLR are driven by same output, same secondary winding. The difference in sound comes down on primarily what the dac is driving, and ground. Also the winding has a slight edge to performance when driving unbalanced loads. But this is minimal. Best Stavros
  2. A

    Ianus Series phono system? Kirke is around the corner

    Hello to all We had already (unofficially ) announced about the launch of the Ianus Series phono stage, the Kirke.. Since first units are being shipped, we had a photo-shoot yesterday. Hope to have the official page in a few up and running, Some casual phone-pics , from the session. The...
  3. A

    What are the advantages/disadvantages of different amp topologies?

    Hi 6j52: A very nice tube, especially when we use it on TriodeFet. -------A word of advice for these, a lot of these were made with Pin 1 unconnected (only pin3 used for cathode, not 1+3 ) so proceed with caution ----- Good thing, it is easy to spot which ones have pin1 NC Best Stavros
  4. A

    What are the advantages/disadvantages of different amp topologies?

    Hi David The tube compliment choice (single, dual or combo) will be the first, when choosing how to better suit/alter the amp to the system (if you have tubes to play around that is). The bias system then comes into play. You could be right, as with everything , it is a slippery slope. Once...
  5. A

    What are the advantages/disadvantages of different amp topologies?

    Hello David You should of played with bias and /or tube rolling. The TriodeFet bias system is not like the normal bias systems in other equipment, where you have a linear scale which there is a sweetspot and you can move around it, but more like a 3d "bias" space , that is crated by the many...
  6. A

    Reviving the Pondera

    Hi No decision on this yet. Cheers
  7. A

    Reviving the Pondera

    Hi Pondera is the first of the Legacy Series. We decided to name this series of designs that are making comeback, as Legacy. Performance wise it belongs to Sig series level. Best Stavros
  8. A

    Reviving the Pondera

    Hello to all Here is some info and casual pics on our brand new design, the Pondera (ok, not so new:) The Pondera pre-amplifier was one of our early designs, on the very beginning of the company. The first Pondera was designed in 2011 and was demoed at the 2011 Munich show. In my ears this was...
  9. A

    Aries Cerat Ianus Essentia Owners thread

    Hello 1.Yes the gain will change accordingly, depending on the tubes used. The final transfer curve of the amp is a combination of the transfer curves of the two tubes. Example, using dual D3A would not present same gain as a combo of E282F and D3A(in reality the gain will be much closer to...
  10. A

    Aries Cerat Ianus Essentia Owners thread

    Correct, well, 99% correct. As far as i know two factories made these, Phillips and Siemens.Valvo seem to be made by the Phillips ,judging from codes and internals but could also be from Siemens(example i have found Mullard made by both factories.) As far as SQ, according to our internal rating...
  11. A

    Kassandra II Ref E280F options

    Yes, same apply. Best S
  12. A

    Aries Cerat Ianus Essentia Owners thread

    Hello We are always busy as heck but steal some time to come here:) I thought i made a good job on replying on this question with the link above:) As i mentioned, Essentia as well as the other TriodeFet amps do not stutter on difficult loads, however 40W is 40W , in terms of max spl.(regarding...
  13. A

    Aries Cerat Ianus Essentia Owners thread

    Hello guys Driving capabilities of an amp is one thing (not falling apart in dynamic passages, behavior in non-resistive speakers, impedance drops etc) and max spl is another aspect alltogether. For max spl, there are a number of calculators, one of which here...
  14. A

    AC Preamps: Impera II & Impera Signature

    Hi The Impera comes in three gain versions ,low,med and high(high was the original version,which fitted perfectly low gain amplifiers but a bit hot on solid state amps). The low gain is suitable for all SS systems as well as the mid version. Cheers Stavrose
  15. A

    New design to be unveiled at HES Munich 2023

    Hello You unplug the speaker cables yes when using the headphones. We prefer not to use any switches on the speaker outputs
  16. A

    New design to be unveiled at HES Munich 2023

    Hello Thanks for tackling the typo,it is 500mm wide not 470mm. Yes there is a 4-pin HT xlr driven directly from the power stage output, just like Genus. It is fed directly without any switch no. Best Stavros
  17. A

    Ageto Pre-Amplifier & QuintEssence TriodeFET Amplifier

    I am sorry but based on last response i think you are just trying to be argumentative for the sake of being argumentative. I am not going to run on circles for you sorry Single stage amp means provides both current and voltage gain in a single stage. If it provided only current gain with unity...
  18. A

    Ageto Pre-Amplifier & QuintEssence TriodeFET Amplifier

    Si Single stage, is pretty much well defined term and not a term you can bend to liking. The name we gave to the tech might be cute, don't know about that :) Cheers
  19. A

    Ageto Pre-Amplifier & QuintEssence TriodeFET Amplifier

    Yes this is all very nice but noone claims first SE fet amp. This is single stage single ended TriodeFet amp. Cheers
  20. A

    Glorious integrated revolution - Genus from Aries Cerat

    Hello Tom Yes you can try the above, also try the 6J11p-e . Of course you will need to rebias these using the bias monitors. Best Stavros
  21. A

    New design to be unveiled at HES Munich 2023

    Hello While we finish up it's website(finally) here is some info: Protos dim is 500mm W X 490mmD x 170mmH, these are max dimensions, not footers placement PSU is 190x 300 x 90mmH Without too much stain, allow 20cm for 90deg curve, but even 15cm is strainless Total weight is 65kg Volume...
  22. A

    Aries Cerat factory tour (heavy pic inside!)

    Thank you for the visit,it was a real pleasure to have you visiting here, and appreciative of the fine words and writing. Very happy to welcome you in the AC family BW ,Stavros
  23. A

    Aries Cerat Genus: King of the hill headphone amplifier

    Yes you remove speaker cables to insert the Y-adapter if you use monos.
  24. A

    Aries Cerat in France / Switzerland

    Hello there Cyprus is three hours flight... you know you are welcome for a visit :)
  25. A

    Oh my, oh my - Aries Cerat Helene DAC

    In some tracks yes it is much easier to spot. To confuse things,some recordings are inverted phase.
  26. A

    Oh my, oh my - Aries Cerat Helene DAC

    It depends how the pre inverts phase.I cannot speak for your preamp,but in 99% of the cases,the(electronic) method that a preamp changes phase,is not without sonic penalty.
  27. A

    Oh my, oh my - Aries Cerat Helene DAC

    The Helene inverts phase. So both outputs (RCA and XLR ) are inverted, not just RCA. The difference between correct and wrong phase should be audible. The reason we ask users to try both and see why they like is, because sometimes their speakers(or amps) are inverted, so using the dac as it...
  28. A

    Oh my, oh my - Aries Cerat Helene DAC

    Send me an email with the serial number to send you a pdf with the unit's manual. Best Stavros

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing