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ARS Sonum Filarmonia Amplifier (Tube) Review by tmiddle


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Model: Filarmonia
Category: Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: $3500
Description: 30W tube integrated
Manufacturer URL: ARS Sonum

Review by tmiddle (A) on April 26, 2007 at 21:13:54
IP Address: 67.168.251.197
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for the Filarmonia


Well after waiting for nearly 13 months, my Ars Sonum Filarmonia has finally arrived and the break-in is in progress as I write, with nearly 80 listening hours logged so far.

First off I should list my components, which I haved scaled back somewhat to concentrate on only one source (Sim Audio Nova) and integrated amp (Filarmonia) feeding my hungry TSM-MX’s (on sandfilled Osiris stands). Speaker cables are TG Audio HSR and the sole interconnect is Cardas Golden Reference (1m).

* Other items of note are a REL Strata on a sand filled isolation base with Signal Cable (speaker level) from the Filarmonia and using a Virtual Dynamics Audition pc.

* 2 Silent Source pc’s carry power to an Audiomagic Digital Mini Stealth and then to the Nova.

* 1 FIM Silver pc carries power to and Audiomagic Matrix Mini and the supplied Cardas Golden Reference supplies ac to the Filarmonia. All outlets are FIM 880.

My 16 x 18.5 listening room doubles as a living room with movement of my Ekornes “Orion” chair, which btw is a great chair with below the ear adjustable headrest. In 3 existing corners are ASC tube traps and ¼ rounds at the front and side junctions of wall and ceiling. 1/8 rounds on the sidewalls for early reflections and small Sonex panels at the first reflection points on the ceiling and a tri-fold panel behind the rack hides the equipment from the window to the street. Behind me is a floor to ceiling storage for cd’s with a custom 4’x 6’ panel from ASC for diffraction/absorbtion.

My previous amplification was a Plinius SA100 MkIII and Joule Electra LA100 MkIII.

The Plinius I had lived with for several years and did really enjoy it very much. It was only the discussions regarding damping factor and it’s relationship to the design of the loudspeaker that led me to sell the Plinius and place my order for the Filarmonia. The Joule was only with me for about a year but it also was a very special piece. I actually considered buying it back when it came up again on Audiogon a few months ago. Before it, I had been using a Reference Line PreEminence 2 which I purchased new about 15 years ago (and still use in second system with the Arcam amp that helped keep my sanity for those 13 looong months). Generally I upgrade equipment about every 7 to 10 years and some I will keep forever, like the Reference Line, a Magnum Dynalab FT101A, and my beloved TSM-MX’s with the Osiris stands. Let’s add the Filarmonia to that list as well…….

The Filarmonia arrived double boxed with wood reinforcements where needed. I had specified and asked for a silver faceplate when I placed my order with Bobby, and initially I was somewhat dismayed to find that the unit arrived with the golden faceplate. It didn’t take long for me to grow to appreciate the gold face…….about the time it took to unwrap this beautiful amplifier and place it on the top shelf of my TAOC rack. Wow! The gold really set off the brass on the front of the TSM’s and the large brass spikes of the Osiris stands. Subtle and very class.

My first 42 hours required no more than 3 hours on with 1 hour off in between. Not a problem because my new chair requires break in too. Now I don’t go through a lot of gear and so don’t have a lot of experience breaking in new gear and so I didn’t really know what to expect. The Filarmonia sounded very nice immediately. It’s personality was robust from top to bottom with no apparent weaknesses. As time went on and I spent most of my listening hours pulling out familiar recordings, I really began to notice how the amp seemed to distinguish the differences in recording venues and methods. Familiar recordings were pronouncedly more upfront or more laid back depending on how they were recorded. At first I mistook this as part of the break in, and maybe it was indeed a part of it, but something that I’m really coming to appreciate in the Filarmonia is it’s ability to define the venue and space. Tonally this amp is “extremely” balanced with a very nice full bottom end that’s relaxed but with good impact. Vocals and piano are to die for, and the upper frequencies display all that one needs to identify the subtleties of the venue, movement of the performer, to the number of seeds in the maraca. During my breaking in of the amp I have not noticed anything dramatically evolving with the sound of this amp, only that it keeps surprising me as it gets better and better in such a smooth gradual curve that I really don’t notice it as it happens. Maybe I just don’t have a reviewer’s ear, but I like what I am hearing and can’t seem to get enough. I won’t even turn the amp on if I’m not going to dedicate time for listening……I don’t want to miss anything!

I haven’t said much about the aesthetics of the amp yet, but it’s gorgeous. Extremely well built (although I haven’t yet peeked inside) and solid. The blue light on the face is very bright at the angle of my listening position, but like Bobby says: “At least you won’t forget to turn it off…….” A careful hand and a Sharpie helped tame the brightness somewhat. The 3 rubber feet appear pretty substantial and I may or may not experiment with anything more in the future. They are well placed to balance the weight of the amplifier and allow plenty of ventilation to the underside. The TAOC rack is unique in that it uses cast iron powder sandwiched in the shelves to damp vibrations. This amp runs pretty warm and so I recommend top shelf placement.

Many thanks to Bobby, JB, and all others who gave opinions and details of the Filarmonia and helped to console me the past year as I patiently awaited it’s arrival.

Yes, I’d go through the wait again……….it’s that good!


Product Weakness: The power on light is very bright at night
Product Strengths: Tone, texture, and value


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Filarmonia
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Sim Audio Moon Nova
Speakers: Merlin TSM-MX
Cables/Interconnects: Cardas, TG Audio, Silent Source
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz, Blues, Rock, Classical, Folk, Celtic
Room Size (LxWxH): 16 x 18.5 x 7.5
Room Comments/Treatments: ASC fully treated
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 weeks (80 hours)
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Audio Magic
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner


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