Audio Analogue HiFi Components
Audio Analogue are a new addition to our range. Truly Italian in both their design and manufacture, they still present a completely modern face with components we have selected – the lyrically entitled Paganini 192/24 CD player and Puccini Settanta integrated amplifier – both at NZ$ 3,295 each.
Paganini was an Italian violinist famed for his masterful performances and intensity. The Paganini CD player takes after him, playing CDs with verve and finesse, hitting every note and never letting the pace slip. As you’d expect at this level, the digital to analogue conversion is an up–sampling scheme, giving us resolution that was only possible at the extremely expensive end a few years ago. But while detail is one thing, it’s the listenability of this player that has got to us. This is something you’ll have to hear for yourself, but it only took a few seconds for us to realize the Paganini is a big step up from well proven players we have enjoyed.
This may simply be a reflection of the immaculate build quality evident from the moment you unpack the Audio Analogue components – there is a solidity equal to our own NZ made Perreaux amplifiers. In fact the design ethos is remarkably close to that employed in Perreaux’s new Silhouette series – elegance and simplicity being key descriptives. However where Perreaux take a modular approach, and let reductive minimalism run to its logical conclusion, Audio Analogue prefer refinement of previous designs, maintaining a reasonably comprehensive array or features and connections in a single component. Both approaches are valid, and the end results are qualitatively similar yet distinct enough for us to happily be able to give you a choice - hand made Italian or hand made New Zealand.
As a straight CD player, the Audio Analogue Paganini is certainly better than any of the more well known brands in ’best buy’ territory. And in fact it doesn’t fall far short of the real high end as being defined by Meridian and considerably more costly players. Of course Audio Analogue do have options at this higher level – the Maestro CD player and amplifiers. But we like the idea of having the essential essence of these unarguably fine products translated into a form that many more people can actually afford and enjoy. Think of it as the happy middle ground in between grudging compromise and obsession.
The Puccini Settanta integrated amplifier is both an ideal visual, and to our ears, sonic match with both the Paganini CD player and Sonus faber speakers. A few years ago, Sonus faber produced a remarkable integrated amplifier, the Musica. Audio Analogue have taken this equation further; the Puccini Settanta integrated is in fact the third iteration of this model, and easily the most accomplished. It stands at the very least equal to, and in our view better than most amplifiers, either integrated or pre/power to the NZ$ 5,000 mark. Why do we think this?
Firstly the design and construction are both highly refined and without compromise. You have ample inputs, including phono stage, remote control (and this is a seriously cool little item, a handheld teardrop of polished alloy). The central volume control is more sophisticated than conventional rotary device, being simply nudged either way to change level, this being indicated by a subtle series of blue leds. Input selection is automated – another nice touch. All this makes the Puccini rather seductive to live with, and the sound quality is almost a reflection of this simple, yet sophisticated design. This you’ll be able to judge for yourself, but if you value transparency and ease of musical reproduction, we think you’ll find what you are after. I should also point out there is no lack of power or bass extension either so the nominal 70 watt power rating should be taken as a very conservative indication of abilities.
While our introduction to the Audio Analogue electronics was in partnership with the Sonus faber speakers, we have actually found they match very well with a broader range of speakers. In fact, the NZ made Images, especially the Revelations and Studio Reference models have been sounding as good or better than we have ever heard before - there just seems to be a certain ’rightness’ in the combinations. We’d previously been heading down the track of thinking the Images would only come to life with significant inputs of power, yet the Puccini’s 70 watts just flows so smoothly into them. The bass performance, has proved to be a real standout – this in itself is difficult to explain, for the Audio Analogue amplifier manages to pull off the trick of producing considerable extension but without sounding like it needs to slam you into the wall. It’s almost as if a subtle suggestion works better than a command backed by force.
It may take a leap of faith to get you to consider these new models. However, to let the opportunity pass would be to quite probably sell yourself short. We won’t pretend that we made a split second choice to stand behind Audio Analogue when we are already well provided for in brands. New additions to our range have to stand up to close scrutiny, and prove themselves in many settings. Then convince us that they have a future. But when all factors are taken into account, the case for our Italian friends has proved compelling. And we are sure that if you will find likewise.
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