Absolare Integrated

[jep123]

Hey Guillaume & JP, I like the pics of both of yours (especially the red stripes), and have swatches here for honey, Nutella and terra.......but every time I decide, within an hour it has changed. Don't really like darkish finishes but dark brown or black is pulling on me right now., and the almond is sweet too! I'm also driving Kerem crazy with this, he is a very nice and patient guy!

Kerem is a very nice person, helpful and service minded. I went for the black version because of less visually impact, but that`s me. They are all great looking and the fit and finish second to none. A great product to own, not just to listen too.

Good luck with your decision.

JP

 

[Fohlenfan]

I had the great privileg to listen at the Absolare at NOA's amazing listening room. This weekend was so much of fun, that hours flew away like seconds. His whole family cared about me like they would know me all of there life. Thank's to NOA for this great opportunity. I had a wonderful time.
The Absolare sounded absolute amazing alive in Points of Soundstage, Details and Dynamics. So much Air around Instruments. All of the time you have the feeling that there are playing real human beings in front of you and you can really see them interact in the context of the music. This is so stunning.
But for me it is not possible to give absolut comments, because Speaker, Dac, Cables and the large Room were not familiar to me. But all the positiv descriptions here in this thread seems to be right and if i had this money to invest, it would be on my list at the top two positions. Of course in Red with white stitches. I loved that design at the high end.

Cheers.

 

[GuillaumeB]

Updates re my Absolare Integrated...

I recently swapped 12AU7 valves, a few months ago I found a pair of late 1950's Radiotechnique WA with D Getters, supposedly pretty rare. At the time when I tried them they didn't sound so good.

Decided to give them a proper run in. They now have a good week on them and wow!! Talk about holographic.

That's the wonderful thing about this amp, all the muscle of a solid state (which I need with my Sashas) yet with the ability to tweak to your heart's content! I'm now on the look out for the some Mullards for some of that "warm" sound...

Anyone else tube rolling with their Absolare integrated?

Oh... I also swapped the fuse for a Synergistic Black. Well worth it!

Guillaume

 

[NOA]

Hi Gulliaume,

I'm just starting with tube rolling on my Absolare Signature. So far I'm using a pair of NOS Siemens E80CC (not to be used with the normal Absolare version AFAIK). They are considered rather neutral and transparent. Will report my findings once I've tried some other tubes.

Happy listening
NOA

 

[GuillaumeB]

Playing Sandwell District's Fabric 69 compilation. Superb techno circa 2013, some fantastic textures and rhythms. I saw them play live at Fabric a few years ago, they played a live set which was just exhilarating hands in the air stuff!. I can't stop turning this up! The Absolare integrated just loves it, so much grip and control!

Guillaume

 

[LL21]

Playing Sandwell District's Fabric 69 compilation. Superb techno circa 2013, some fantastic textures and rhythms. I saw them play live at Fabric a few years ago, they played a live set which was just exhilarating hands in the air stuff!. I can't stop turning this up! The Absolare integrated just loves it, so much grip and control!

Guillaume

Fabric does some nice work...not all great imho, but many are excellent. Own at least 6. Enjoy and will check out 69.

 

[GuillaumeB]

Following Kerem's recommendation I swapped round the 12AU7 tubes... oh yeah!

I am slowly coming to the conclusion that the Absolare Integrated is the most enjoyable amp I have ever heard.

Guillaume

 

[jep123]

Following Kerem's recommendation I swapped round the 12AU7 tubes... oh yeah!

I am slowly coming to the conclusion that the Absolare Integrated is the most enjoyable amp I have ever heard.

Guillaume

This is my impression too after many months of use. Marvelous amplifier.

JP

 

[butler]

Following Kerem's recommendation I swapped round the 12AU7 tubes... oh yeah!

I am slowly coming to the conclusion that the Absolare Integrated is the most enjoyable amp I have ever heard.

Guillaume

Hi Guillaume, perhaps if I had the amp here (coming to my abode soon) I would understand, but not sure what you mean by swapping around the 12AU7 tubes? Does this mean just reversing them? At any rate, please continue to document your tube rolling adventures, will come in handy for some of us in the future.

Also that Synergistic Black fuse replacement you mentioned.........if you get the chance can you post the fuse spec and verify that it inserts into the main fuse holder, which I assume is accessed on the rear panel of the amp?

Thanks, Butler

 

[GuillaumeB]

Hi Guillaume, perhaps if I had the amp here (coming to my abode soon) I would understand, but not sure what you mean by swapping around the 12AU7 tubes? Does this mean just reversing them? At any rate, please continue to document your tube rolling adventures, will come in handy for some of us in the future.

Also that Synergistic Black fuse replacement you mentioned.........if you get the chance can you post the fuse spec and verify that it inserts into the main fuse holder, which I assume is accessed on the rear panel of the amp?

Thanks, Butler

That's exactly it! You just reverse them. So the left hand side one becomes the right hand side one and so on.

Re the fuse you need a slow blow 5A. That's what I ordered and it fits perfectly. The Absolare is already fitted with a Synergistic RED which is no slouch. Yes it's very easy to access and replace.

Guillaume

 

[butler]

That's exactly it! You just reverse them. So the left hand side one becomes the right hand side one and so on.

Re the fuse you need a slow blow 5A. That's what I ordered and it fits perfectly. The Absolare is already fitted with a Synergistic RED which is no slouch. Yes it's very easy to access and replace.

Guillaume

Thanks for the info Guillaume! I'm getting antsy to get the Absolare home, will likely be just after the new year.......happy holidays and a brilliant 2017 to all my fellow Absolare aficianado's!

 

[jep123]

Thanks for the info Guillaume! I'm getting antsy to get the Absolare home, will likely be just after the new year.......happy holidays and a brilliant 2017 to all my fellow Absolare aficianado's!

You too, you have every reason to look forward to 2017 .

JP

 

[Rocco I.]

It is a great integrated amp. At last Munich hi-end show 2016 It easily drove the Rockport Tech. Altair II with a superb musical performance at all.

 

[number95]

On my many listening sessions with Kerem via his magnificent (and constantly changing) audio setup, I have never left once w/o sheer musical satisfaction, name it Absolare integrated, pre + push-pull or SET. Well done Kerem, well done Absolare...

 

[jep123]

On my many listening sessions with Kerem via his magnificent (and constantly changing) audio setup, I have never left once w/o sheer musical satisfaction, name it Absolare integrated, pre + push-pull or SET. Well done Kerem, well done Absolare...

And it seems like you have a pretty good system yourself as well

JP

 

[number95]

And it seems like you have a pretty good system yourself as well

JP

Thanks JP. I also see from your avatar you have a nice room to listen to your nice setup!

 

[jep123]

Thanks JP. I also see from your avatar you have a nice room to listen to your nice setup!

Yepp, but now my avatar shows one of my favorite composers . The system is the same...

 

[GuillaumeB]

I recently heard that there are some upgrades in store for Absolare Integrated owners, no ideas on timelines but not too far off allegedly.

I understand there will be two options:

1) Upgrade of volume control to a new 96 step potentiometer (Absolare's best attenuator to date according to Kerem) and a digital display, this would involve replacement of the entire front fascia. A figure of approximately $3k has been mentioned. This includes a service of the entire unit. The units would need to be returned to an Absolare service centre.

2) Upgrade of the Absolare Integrated Signature to the new ALTIUS level. The upgrade cost is $12k which is the 20% percent less than the MSRP difference between Signature and ALTIUS models. Included in this upgrade is the new volume control and display (as above), and a new rear panel. In addition the ALTIUS model will see many other improvements to the internal electronics (new custom made capacitors etc) and the use of the new Echole Limited Edition solid-core wiring throughout. Kerem tells me that in testing the new Absolare Integrated ALTIUS is proving to be one of the best amplifiers they have ever heard.

Looks like we had better start saving LOL

In my opinion the first upgrade in a no-brainer really. If I have one criticism of the Absolare Integrated it is the volume control (I find the gain quite high between steps) and the lack of display. These are clearly usability issues and not related to sound quality at all. Naturally option 2 is very intriguing...

Guillaume

 

[Bobbi]

Interesting update thankyou!


Gulp

step 2 includes step 1. So a $15k price difference without discount?

 

[slcaudiophile]

And it seems like you have a pretty good system yourself as well

JP

is this getting weird or is it just me?