FM Acoustics amps

[mep]

I guess it depends on which country's Mil Spec ...

If that poor quality of soldering is indicative of a country's best effort at mil-spec soldering, they aren't too high on the peckng order of countries with advanced electronic assembly skills.

 

[Emre Üçöz]

Never had the chance to listen to any FMA products and as far as I know at least in Turkey it is not a brand that people seek after.

 

[A.wayne]

Maybe MEP will get an invite one day to listen and be converted ...

 

[mep]

Maybe MEP will get an invite one day to listen and be converted ...

Pass the Kool-Aid and your bank book and I'm ready.

 

[A.wayne]

Kool-aid.. what...! your out ....? ..............

 

[LL21]

Great Wizard! How do they sound?

 

[flez007]

I heard some FMA gear some years back at the Genesis room with Gary, it was for me the best sound of the show, efortless, dynamic, realistic and very detailed wothout any loss of musicality. I liked it to the extent of buying a Reimyo CDP777 that Gary (or the dealer) used for the demos.

 

[A.wayne]

Wizard could you explain your scoring system .......

 

[AudioExplorations]

Banana plug terminals only on the 1181? Interesting design choice.

 

[microstrip]

(...) I liked it to the extent of buying a Reimyo CDP777 that Gary (or the dealer) used for the demos.

The Reimyo CDP777 was an excellent CD player - I regularly hear great sound at a friend system using this player. At the time it was presented it sounded less "mechanical" than most of the competition. Unhappily JVC discontinued the mechanism and it seems that it was a fundamental part of the great sound of this player. Do you still keep it?

 

[flez007]

The Reimyo CDP777 was an excellent CD player - I regularly hear great sound at a friend system using this player. At the time it was presented it sounded less "mechanical" than most of the competition. Unhappily JVC discontinued the mechanism and it seems that it was a fundamental part of the great sound of this player. Do you still keep it?

Nope, sold it some years ago, it needed to have the very expensive Harmonix AC cable to sound right thou - nice unit for red book.

 

[LL21]

Stunning Wizard! You've heard some of the world's greatest amps in the last few days! Congrats! I am no techie, but i know the Gryphon Colosseum well, and the Antileon as well. So i can imagine what the Mephisto should be capable of doing. I have always wondered what the 1811 was like...thanks for taking the time to post. Enjoy!!! And let us know what you end up buying!

 

[mep]

And let us know what you end up buying!

Hmm, that's a tough one. FMA? Ya think??

 

[LL21]

Hmm, that's a tough one. FMA? Ya think??

Hey...at USD$130K a throw...vs Mephisto at close to 1/3 the price...i thought i would ask just to make sure!

 

[A.wayne]

mephisto stereo and 1811 sounds different - while 1811 sounds neutral not cold or warm, mephisto is on the warm/rich side (with neutral cables/preamp/speakers this richness can be toned down)
both are musical, easy to like - but mephisto can't match the 1811 sound quality.
But of course the mephisto stereo price is a bargain compared to 1811 - sound quality mephisto stereo around 130 (monos 140).

Both have total control of the sound, mephisto is fast, but 1811 is even faster. Mephisto is a very powerful amp with a very big power supply - 1,5kw peak at 2 ohms and 3kw in 1 ohm - no problem to play
very loud on the kharma's.
1811 loves to play at peak levels because of the special transformer - 3,2kw in 2 and 5kw in 1 ohms.
For best sound and to play at this power levels 1811 must be connected to the mains with a 32a connector (same as boulder uses)

normal levels - power output in 8/4/2/1 ohms - both in class a - mephisto very hot, 1811 hot too, but not like mephisto.
Mephisto - at 1% distortion - 175/350/700/1400watts.
1811 - at 0,01% distortion - 500/900/1600/2500watts.
1811 - at 0,005% distortion - 400/700/1200/2000watts.

pics..................

 

[mep]

Hey...at USD$130K a throw...vs Mephisto at close to 1/3 the price...i thought i would ask just to make sure!

I said that because the Wiz is an FMA cult member of the highest order. All other amps pale in comparison to the mighty FMA amps (except in looks, build quality, parts quality, chassis quality, etc.)

 

[LL21]

I said that because the Wiz is an FMA cult member of the highest order. All other amps pale in comparison to the mighty FMA amps (except in looks, build quality, parts quality, chassis quality, etc.)

To be fair, he is not alone and since i have never heard them...i tend to pay attention when several owners of older FMA equipment i have spoken to have kept their FMA equipment all these years. I admit i am no techie...i just watch the people who own this stuff to see if they revolve thru it...or keep it fully satisfied for years. Generally a good sign to me. Same with Shindo, and to a lesser extent Zanden, CJ where the owners of these brands tend to keep them or stay 'with the family'. (I know on Zanden, CJ, i have had one of each in my system for up to 12 years straight. Best, no best...you're right...always a debate...but if people are keeping them, i am always intrigued to learn more and ultimately hear it for myself when the chance arises. )

 

[mep]

And hear it you should. Let us know if you do and what you think.

 

[LL21]

And hear it you should. Let us know if you do and what you think.

For sure! I have managed to hear in the last 12+/- months: Tidal Prescenio/Impact, D'Agostino stereo/monos, TAD M600 ref monos, and Gryphon Colosseum. My fav is the last one. I am always up for listening to new sota equipment when i can.

 

[AudioExplorations]

Yes some pics of this massive amp shout-out would be fun