Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Sonic Euphoria PLC Preamplifier (SS) by DeeCee

Model:	PLC
Category:	Preamplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$1295.00
Description:	Passive Line Controller
Manufacturer URL:	Sonic Euphoria
Manufacturer URL:	Sonic Euphoria

Review by DeeCee ( A ) on June 21, 2006 at 18:53:41
IP Address: 66.32.25.174

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for the PLC

I may be jumping the gun here but this is too good not to report on!
I recently purchased the Sonic Euphoria PLC and straight from the box I realized that I would be in for a treat.
For those not "in the know", the SE PLC is a passive line control device that attenuates volume by means of an
auto-transformer rather than a resistor network. Using this method of attenuation has a few advantages such as
passively adding gain to the signal and being somewhat less vulnerable to problems regarding cable length (due
to capacitance).
My first "taste of passive" occurred over 20 years ago when I was still sampling high end equipment (not being
able to afford it); gear like this was not on every street corner and I was presented with a clarity of sound that
I still remember to this day - thanks to a small company called "Mod Squad" (later to be known as
McCormack - makers of some of my favorite equipment).
However, I digress... fast forward to today and with the memory of passives in mind, I decided to go for the
modern day rendition and since my initial choice was currently unavailable, the equipment appears to match ok
and I needed to strike while the financial iron was hot, I decided to try the Sonic Euphoria.
Purchased without options, I selected black to match (most of) my other components and although in pictures
it appears that the silver anodize should be more attractive, but I found that the black was just as elegant.
Simple and clean, the layout is minimalist, 3 rotary switches: from left to right we have the selector (for four
components), a larger volume control knob and a switch that allows the volume steps to halved from the
typical (and best sonically) 1.8 db steps.
Fit and finish were excellent and all switches had a very nice feel. The unit's simplicity belies its weight; although
not a Krell back-breaker, it has all the heft and solidity you would expect from such a component.
I've only had a relatively short time with the unit but it seems the bulk of break in occurs within a matter of
hours (it needs to be done for each volume setting since each setting consists of a different set of wires).
So how does it sound?
HONEST
That's what came to mind from the very first moment I listened to the Sonic Euphoria PLC. Even in its unbroken
in state there was clear honesty to the music being presented.
As it broke in, the sound was not as closed in and the treble began to extend nicely.
Let's take the midrange (the most important part) first:
Gone was the electronic haze or the electronic halo that surrounds principal singers or instruments that obscures
the sound or adds false detail to the image.
It was extremely organic, detailed and solid. Notes simply occurred from the room where the music
was recorded. The SE simply brought forth the room's presence as well as the instrumentation.
I found that it distinguished different recordings clearly but not quite as boldly as other units seem to;
obviously there were differences between poor recordings and excellent, but on all the heart was there.
In fact, well recorded media (such as Chesky labels and Mapleshade) were scary real: you wanted to look
twice to see how that grand piano or big band fit in your room!
Bass was more extended (this was expected from my over-achieving former preamp the Audio Alchemy DLC)
and very detailed; in my system I had absolutely no issue with any dynamic compression; bass lines flowed
with ease - solid and with dynamic punch when called for. There was a slight exaggeration in midbass but this
was probably due to my room which frankly, is not the best (small and nearly cubical) and only lightly treated.
The high end was extended and also quite natural (no sandpapery cymbals here!) though I think there may be
some room for extension as the unit is not fully broken in. High hats rang with the proper tone and triangles and
bells sang in their purity.
In regard to image and soundstaging, once again organic springs to mind. Singers and musicians had
solidity . A tactile equivalent would be like drinking concentrated orange juice compared to eating a
fresh juicy orange from a tree; a sculpture of sound as opposed to a painting. There was a good sense of space
that was as natural as the recording, source and room would allow.
I should stop at this point as this is becoming a love-fest.
I believe that the SE will get better and better as I continue to listen and it certainly will leave me room to grow
as long as I make sure that any future equipment and cabling is well-matched.
I am very pleased with this unit and I understand how others have fallen for this preamp as well.

Product Weakness: Requires careful system match
Product Strengths: Natural, organic sound, No power cord

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Aragon 4004 Mk II
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Alchemy DLC
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	VPI HW-19 Jr.
Speakers:	Aerial Acoustics Model 7
Cables/Interconnects:	Cardas Cross, Quadlink, etc
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Fusion, R&B, Pop, Blues, etc
Room Comments/Treatments:	ASC Flutter Stix
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Over a week
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Requires careful system match
Product Strengths:	Natural, organic sound, No power cord