15 Years, 15Watts, Quindecim

[Aries Cerat]

Happy new year to all!

To celebrate our 15 years since company's establishment,we decided to name our new smallest but very very special stereo amp accordingly.Quindecim it is, or,,15 ,as many as it's wattage,as many as our years established.
The new amp uses our NOIES technology (or "Pondera tech") which sets this amplifier sound apart .
Going to be launched soon so stay tuned for more info and pictures
Cheers
S

 

[orfeo_monteverdi]

[please forgive my poor English]

Happy new year,

A "compact" (?) 15W amplifier* ? It is exactly what I wished/needed. They did it ! Great.
*It seems to be a power amplifier, not an integrated.

// UPDATE 14/1/24 (see Aries Cerat's answer in the next post for details)
But here is my usual first, anxious question: 1.what is the size, in cm? (WxDxH) 500mmW x 490mmD x 165mmH
2. The power supply: is it embedded, or in an separate power supply case ? //One box design
3. What is the gain ? (in dB) // two gain settings of 2/8db gain
4. Is the "NOIES technology" 100% tubes technology, or a (disruptive?) tube&solid-state mix ? // The NOIES is a circuit, not an active element technology like Inverted Triode or TriodeFet. It is a circuit that can be implemented using [various] signal tubes
5. What about 4 Ohms loudspeakers (linear impedance) pairing with that technology ? //to be continued...

Thanks.
Best wishes ;-)

 

[Aries Cerat]

Hello and happy new year my friend

Yes it is power amp not integrated.
It is relatively compact, compared to our other amps but not small, it is same size as a Protos if you are familiar (500mmW x 490mmD x 165mmH) and heavy.

One box design.

This is a low gain, single stage and single ended design, using the NOIES technology.
So it does need some good drive. It has two gain settings of 2/8db gain, so meant to be driven by a ballsy preamp.
In terms of gain/power, you can say it is a special purpose amp,not one size fits all. But perfectly suited for pairing into a high gain system.

The NOIES is a circuit, not an active element technology like Inverted Triode or TriodeFet.
It is a circuit that can be implemented using small signal tubes, big power tubes, TriodeFet, or Inverted Triodes etc.

In that sense, you can use this circuit and combine with our other techs to make some extremely interesting designs.

The Pondera for example is the NOIES circuit using small signal tubes, to make a line stage.
Using medium power tubes, we now made the Quindecim.

(spilling the beans now) Using TriodeFet tech + NOIES we are designing and making a VERY special mono amp, and using Gen3 Inverted Triodes+NOIES, we are in the process of designing a flagship preamp.

So pretty excited about what this brings to the table.

The Quindecim in particular, is for systems with sensitive speakers, with some gain to spare(from high output dac/pre), and will be our smallest and least expensive amp to date. Performance wise, depending on preamp used, the ceiling of performance is only limited by the pre amp, as it shoots well above it's price point by quite a margin.

Cheers
S

 

[Verdier]

(spilling the beans now) Using TriodeFet tech + NOIES we are designing and making a VERY special mono amp

Hi Stavoros,

Once again very, very cool what you design. And to be honest, it's always surprising. Just like what I quoted above

As far as the Monoamp is concerned: High Gain or low gain, that is the question ....

 

[Phantom-Audio]

I’ve been a bit quiet on this forum lately, and that’s mainly because the load times are unbearably slow for me here in Indonesia. Even a VPN hasn’t helped resolve the issue, and oddly enough, WTB is the only site giving me this problem.

That aside, I recently spent 10 unforgettable days in Cyprus visiting Stavros. While there, I had the chance to audition his latest creations in amplifiers, preamps, and speakers, all set to debut in Munich. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

The Quindecim amplifier left a lasting impression on me. Its sound is nothing short of remarkable, balancing exceptional clarity, transparency, and sweetness with a natural musicality. I was so captivated that I ended up placing an order for one. Though it’s a 15-watt amp, it punches well above its weight, handling speakers with an ease that rivals far more powerful tube amplifiers. There’s an understated elegance to the way it allows the music to flow effortlessly, freeing your mind from analyzing and inviting you to simply enjoy.

This amplifier pairs best with speakers that have higher sensitivity, and anything over 92dB will perform beautifully. While Stavros calls it a “small amplifier,” at a substantial 75 kg, it’s anything but. For what it offers, it stands as one of the finest values in the world of high-end audio.

 

[Phantom-Audio]

Here are a few photos I took with the top removed, showcasing the internal components.

 

[Willgolf]

Here are a few photos I took with the top removed, showcasing the internal components.

I hate to ask a stupid question, but do you need a preamp with this new stereo amp?

 

[Audio Addict]

I hate to ask a stupid question, but do you need a preamp with this new stereo amp?

It is just an amp. I was told the North American distributor is using it for the bass module from Horn Solutions he now imports. So my understanding is yes. The preamp feeds the stereo to drive the Horn Solutions bass modules.

 

[orfeo_monteverdi]

it is power amp, not integrated.

=> preamplifier required.
More general infos upwards, post #2

​

Regarding the weight​

substantial 75 kg

I read somewhere it was "only" 60Kg. But I guess you had the 75 Kg information from AC directly, when you were in Cyprus; do you confirm this weight?​

(is Cyprus beautiful, BTW?)​

​

 

[Aries Cerat]

Hello and happy Easter
Correct, this is a (low gain) stereo amplifier.

We will have the first units in the USA soon and yes some will be driven by active crossovers as mentioned.

Weight is on the heavy side, but goes hand in hand with quality iron i am afraid

 

[orfeo_monteverdi]

[please forgive my poor English]

I just watched this video, displayed on WBF's homepage.
It gives both
- a short explanation/presentation of the Quindecim (expected price: €18500), which uses NOIES technology, here:

- and a short explanation of the NOIES technology, here:

Regarding SPEAKERS that can match with the Quindecim:
Since the Quindecim is a (very low) gain amplifier whose gain can be switched from 8 dB to 2 db (!), and with no information regarding its current capacity, what kind of speakers could be happily driven by the Quindecim ?
(Assuming one already has a ballsy high gain preamp such as an Incito; or an Incito S, high gain version maybe preferred here, I guess. And assuming that 70dB SPL max is perfectly OK, in town, with neighbors; usually, only 1 watt is used in such contexts; but for classical music: 1W x 2³ => 8 watt; so, regarding SPLs, it seems that the 15w provided here could fit the bill).

More specifically, could the following kind of speakers apply for a Quindecim?
- is a 4 Ohms reflex-loaded speaker OK? (with impedance curve like a roller coaster, as usual). And let's say 85dB sensitivity.
- is a 4 Ohms speaker with flat impedance curve OK? And let's say 85dB sensitivity too.
- what difference the Quindecim would make with such speakers, compared to a TriodeFET ? (apart from the expected TriodeFET=>tighter bass)

I am aware that horns or HE speakers would be preferable than the relatively inappropriate speakers mentioned above, but my question here is just to understand if the NOIES technology used in the 15w Quindecim power amp derogates to the usual constraints, and if so, to which extent ?
In short, does the NOIES technology (which is said to be a new kind of topology) bring a change regarding the legendary limited current capacity of tube gears ?

Regarding TUBES and power consumption:
- As spares, they are cheap (approx. $40 each, 4 tubes in the Quindecim). How much will cost a set of tubes paired and tested by AC ?
- What about their availability?
- lifecycle of those tubes?
- what is the power consumption of the Quindecim?

Thanks !