Riviera Labs AFM-100 SE Class A Monoi amplifiers- something new and different

[morricab]

Although Riviera and Lamm both use the research about human perception of sound, they do sound quite different to me. I have Riviera APL 01se which I have tried with Lamm M1.2 (owned for a year) and Riviera AFM100se (used for few weeks). In my system Lamm sounded quite forward, midrange based, with a bit of artificial energy. On the other hand Riviera sounds to me very balanced, natural, organic, musical. From what I have heard at shows, I guess closer to Wadax. Riviera and Lamm obviously must have used different research

There is no definitive model on human perception of sound. The more recent ones try to develop a mathematical model based on the ears own self-generated harmonics at various SPLs, coupled with the well known phenomenon of masking. A couple of recent models were developed coming at the problem from different directions. I have no idea if they come up with the same result, however, both clearly acknowledge that THD and IMD as monolithic numbers are utterly useless in making predictions about what listeners think of as a more natural sound.

It is no surprise then to see amps designed with some kind of hearing model (the assumption being each company derived their own model) having significantly higher THD than electronics designed by distortion optimization. If the companies models differ in some significant way, the resulting sound is also likely to be significantly different.

 

[Atmasphere]

Although Riviera and Lamm both use the research about human perception of sound, they do sound quite different to me. I have Riviera APL 01se which I have tried with Lamm M1.2 (owned for a year) and Riviera AFM100se (used for few weeks). In my system Lamm sounded quite forward, midrange based, with a bit of artificial energy. On the other hand Riviera sounds to me very balanced, natural, organic, musical. From what I have heard at shows, I guess closer to Wadax. Riviera and Lamm obviously must have used different research

I doubt it- I think you're hearing the difference in how successfully they were able to reach their goal. I'm very sure the goal was held in common!

If you understand the rules of human hearing and how that applies to engineering, that allows an access to being able to create something that is 'very balanced, natural, organic, musical'. I've heard that description many times.

Designers get into high end audio for a variety of reasons. The ones that do it for the money are often the ones that are only mediocre. The ones that do it to see how musical their creations can be seem to have much better success, even compared to those that try for the least distortion or other bench specs.

 

[Elliot G.]

Now that my system is fully broken in, I have to say, this is the happiest I have ever been with a system. I’m glad I listened to and trusted you, both in the recommendation of the Riviera and trusting you with the final setup of my room. Replacing the CH M10 and L10 with the Riviera has been not just an evolutionary step but, to me, a revolutionary one.

While I like to subscribe to the De Niro philosophy in Heat, of “don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat” when it pertains to high end audio, I also prefer to listen to music rather than constantly looking for the “holy grail”. My philosophy is one that even if I have spent a lot of dollars, if there is something more inviting and engaging and if I have the funds, I won’t deliberately cheerlead what I have for the sake of rationalizing. This is how I felt after listening to CH (back then M1.1 and L1) when compared to my then AR and how I currently feel about the Riviera compared to my recently departed M10 and L10.

The Rivera has the most effortless and dynamic capabilities I have ever experienced in my system. I will leave the description of tonality, balance, imaging, transparency, timbre, and dynamics to those who do it for a living, as from my perch, it is about listening and enjoyment which have surpassed all expectations. I really wasn’t expecting what you had promised and couldn’t be happier.

This is a letter from my client who we just finished his system

 

[Elliot G.]

Now that my system is fully broken in, I have to say, this is the happiest I have ever been with a system. I’m glad I listened to and trusted you, both in the recommendation of the Riviera and trusting you with the final setup of my room. Replacing the CH M10 and L10 with the Riviera has been not just an evolutionary step but, to me, a revolutionary one. While I like to subscribe to the De Niro philosophy in Heat, of “don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat” when it pertains to high end audio, I also prefer to listen to music rather than constantly looking for the “holy grail”. My philosophy is one that even if I have spent a lot of dollars, if there is something more inviting and engaging and if I have the funds, I won’t deliberately cheerlead what I have for the sake of rationalizing. This is how I felt after listening to CH (back then M1.1 and L1) when compared to my then AR and how I currently feel about the Riviera compared to my recently departed M10 and L10. The Rivera has the most effortless and dynamic capabilities I have ever experienced in my system. I will leave the description of tonality, balance, imaging, transparency, timbre, and dynamics to those who do it for a living, as from my perch, it is about listening and enjoyment which have surpassed all expectations. I really wasn’t expecting what you had promised and couldn’t be happier.

testimonial from a Riviera Customer

 

[XV-1]

The amps are so good, Elliott has to post twice

 

[LL21]

Resoundingly beating a CH10 in the ears of the CH10 owners probably is worth repeating.

 

[Elliot G.]

Resoundingly beating a CH10 in the ears of the CH10 owners probably is worth repeating.

Maybe I can invent a controversy like others on WBF lol

 

[Amir]

Now that my system is fully broken in, I have to say, this is the happiest I have ever been with a system. I’m glad I listened to and trusted you, both in the recommendation of the Riviera and trusting you with the final setup of my room. Replacing the CH M10 and L10 with the Riviera has been not just an evolutionary step but, to me, a revolutionary one. While I like to subscribe to the De Niro philosophy in Heat, of “don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat” when it pertains to high end audio, I also prefer to listen to music rather than constantly looking for the “holy grail”. My philosophy is one that even if I have spent a lot of dollars, if there is something more inviting and engaging and if I have the funds, I won’t deliberately cheerlead what I have for the sake of rationalizing. This is how I felt after listening to CH (back then M1.1 and L1) when compared to my then AR and how I currently feel about the Riviera compared to my recently departed M10 and L10. The Rivera has the most effortless and dynamic capabilities I have ever experienced in my system. I will leave the description of tonality, balance, imaging, transparency, timbre, and dynamics to those who do it for a living, as from my perch, it is about listening and enjoyment which have surpassed all expectations. I really wasn’t expecting what you had promised and couldn’t be happier.

testimonial from a Riviera Customer

Did you ask Stirling Trayle for speaker placement?

 

[Elliot G.]

Did you ask Stirling Trayle for speaker placement?

No I am more than capable to set up my speakers and have more experience with Gobel products than anyone here in the USA.

 

[Elliot G.]

 

[Elliot G.]

new APL-1 Riviera Audio
And Afs-32 power amp making their debut at the show

 

[Elliot G.]

After displaying with the newest Riviera Audio Labs products all I can say is wow they did it again. These products really capture the Riviera look and sound so much so that as usual you just forget and get totally involved with the music. We had great sound and everyone loved the room .
See these products later this year in our new showroom

 

[micro13]

@Elliot G. - your experience and enthusiasm with Riviera is really interesting and makes me curious about these amps. Do you think they are powerful enough for power demanding and rather inefficient speakers like YG Sonjas?
The last couple of years I followed your path at WBF from CHP, Wadax, Göbel and now Riviera.
At the moment I'm driving my Sonjas with 2x M1.1 in bi-amp or mono mode and was considering an upgrade to 1x M10.
Before I found this thread I wasn't aware about Riviera and their special amps. And especially the report from your client who went from a M10 to Riviera got me thinking. But the Sonjas are surely a different beast so I don't know if Riviera could make sense for me.

 

[Elliot G.]

@Elliot G. - your experience and enthusiasm with Riviera is really interesting and makes me curious about these amps. Do you think they are powerful enough for power demanding and rather inefficient speakers like YG Sonjas?
The last couple of years I followed your path at WBF from CHP, Wadax, Göbel and now Riviera.
At the moment I'm driving my Sonjas with 2x M1.1 in bi-amp or mono mode and was considering an upgrade to 1x M10.
Before I found this thread I wasn't aware about Riviera and their special amps. And especially the report from your client who went from a M10 to Riviera got me thinking. But the Sonjas are surely a different beast so I don't know if Riviera could make sense for me.

Dear Micro, I love the amps and think they are incredibly special. However I zero experience with your speakers in any capacity other than brief collisions at audio shows. At these events they are usual being played with things like Boulder.
THe Rivieras do an amazing job with the speakers that we have tried them on but none are super hard to drive.
I can only tell you that the Rivieras drive the Divin Noblesse with ease and IMO sound significantly more to my liking than the M10. My client as you read agreed and he owns them now as well. I might suggest writing to Silvio at Riviera and asking his opinion and maybe he has some experience with speakers like the YG

 

[micro13]

Dear Micro, I love the amps and think they are incredibly special. However I zero experience with your speakers in any capacity other than brief collisions at audio shows. At these events they are usual being played with things like Boulder.
THe Rivieras do an amazing job with the speakers that we have tried them on but none are super hard to drive.
I can only tell you that the Rivieras drive the Divin Noblesse with ease and IMO sound significantly more to my liking than the M10. My client as you read agreed and he owns them now as well. I might suggest writing to Silvio at Riviera and asking his opinion and maybe he has some experience with speakers like the YG

Thanks fpor your input, Elliot!
I'll try to reach out to Riviera and ask them about speakers such YG.
If I'll get something useful, I'll report back, maybe it's of interest for others too.