Revisiting the Perreaux sx25i Integrated amplifier
With all the excitement around the new big eloquence integrated amplifiers from Perreaux, it’s been easy to forget what has to be the most accessible, best value and most uncompromised amplifier - the Silhouette series SX25i integrated. The whole ethos behind Perreaux amplifiers is minimalism - fewer, better quality parts in the signal path and the SX25i is the purest implementation of this ideal. One analogue input, one pair of speakers and an amplifier - the simplest component system you can have, yet still the best way to enjoy music.
After around 4 years in production you might think that the SX25i might be starting to show its age - but on the contrary, the rest of the world is only just starting to catch up and the logic behind the design of the SX25i is becoming more relevant by the day. The rise of the iPod to being the most popular single audio device of all time is just one obvious manifestation of the direction the future is taking - small, better components, purpose built, easy on power consumption and completely intuitive in use.
Which is how we’ve always pictured the SX25i - with iPod as source and compact speakers that look as good as they sound. Yet to do just this is to sell the SX25i far short of its potential. When we first tried a prototype of this amp, it was only by accident that we chose to connect it to far more demanding and larger speakers than had ever been considered in the design. Shahinians are considered to be both hard to drive and brutal in their ability to expose flaws in a system. Just to prove our preconceptions wrong, the SX25i proved to be one of the most listenable and enjoyable amplifiers we’d had at home. For normal listening levels, the 25 watt power rating is more than enough - in reality the SX25i equals or exceeds the output of many best selling 40-60 watt amplifiers under $1000 that would never be accused of being underpowered.
At the time of it's release Martin Bell at Fast Forward wrote "the SX25i was a real ear opener. I was stunned by the quality of sound emanating from Perreaux’s pint-sized powerhouse; it didn’t just sound good, it sounded great. The baby Perreaux’s 25 watts are delivered with vim and verve — so much so that it makes most 100-watt-plus leviathans sound bloated and ponderous."
Since then we’ve placed SX25is in many systems and found the performance to warrant the best associated components. In our own home we find the new Sonus faber Auditors to be an astonishingly happy match. While these may well be at the upper end of speakers you might consider, other models such as Sonus fabers own entry level speakers or the new Quad 11L2 are obvious matches. And if the unarguable logic of New Zealand made resonates with you, the Image Studio Reference shares all the same virtues and qualities of Perreaux.
Now we have a new generation of source components, the SX25i is quickly coming back into the limelight. New iPod docks such as the Project offer immediately better output than the headphone socket and add both charging and remote control features. The Wadia Itransport/Cambridge Audio Dacmagic combination delivers all the performance of an equivalently priced CD player but with far greater capacity, features and convenience. The Cambridge Dacmagic also adds extra digital inputs which neatly steps past the Perreaux’s single analogue input.
For those of us joined at the hip to a laptop, the little HRT USB DAC is a veritable godsend allowing sparkling performance with the SX25i. The CD is all but obsolete. Yet we still revel in the sound of vinyl - ITunes has it all in terms of convenience but we inevitably return to the record for the best sound quality. The new Well Tempered Amadeus is our personal obsession and even our phono stage is 3x the cost of the SX25i (and about 8x the size) but there is this wonderful theory that the more quality you throw at any system the better it will sound - it does. However more modest turntables from both Project and Thorens are still clearly better than any digital system, especially when matched with one of the benchmark value-for-money phono stages from either Dynavector or Project.
We actually have no problems at all in quickly moving interconnects from one source to another depending on what we feel like listening to. As you’d probably imagine, these interconnects will be SlinkyLinks, but lately we’ve taken a shine to the new Kimber Tonik entry level interconnects which give an impeccable balance of performance and frugality at only around $150 a pair. The small size of the SX25i means that some cables will actually push the amp around a little, so the flexibility of the Kimbers is most welcome.
A worthwhile improvement made to the SX25i is the inclusion of pre-out sockets allowing direct connection of a subwoofer or an additional power amplifier for use in bi-amped systems or for providing output to other rooms.
Which brings us to the options above the basic integrated amp of the Silhouette series. The passive preamp - the SXP2 - has 3 inputs and also higher performance because of both it’s physical isolation but also the higher specification volume control. This can match with either the SX25 stereo power amp (which is effectively the integrated amp minis volume control). Or the much better SX60 Mono power amplifiers. This is really the best of the combinations, taking the best points of the SX25i’s performance and building on them, with much more power and control, a more spacious and detailed presentation. And greater flexibility. Which isn’t to take anything away from the entry level amplifier.
I really think that if more people just forgot about their assumptions of things like required power output, physical size or the ‘sound’ associated with a particular brand and listed to the SX25i in their own system there would be a rather startling amount of reinvestigation as to what good sound is really about.The Perreaux SX25i is at once tube like in its presentation, yet consistent and detailed in a a way that keeps me happy with solid state. While physically small, the quality of construction and finish is to Perreaux’s highest standard. Given the simplicity of design, this points to exceptional long term reliability - although we wouldn’t expect anything less from Perreaux, would we?
The small size and absolute simplicity of operation and connection make the SX25i really easy to just try out - it’s a great way to find out just how good the new generation of Perreaux products actually are. Why not drop us a line and find out what this little box of surprises is all about.
We make it easy for you to get into the new Perreaux Silhouette components with free and delivery, a no hassle 30 day return period and 3 year extended warranty. You’ll be able to draw upon our expertise in order to make the most of your new Perreaux with carefully matched cables – we’ll put together the winning package for you. And don’t forget our special Hectors Dolphin sponsorship – with every Perreaux sold we make a contribution to WWFs Hectors Dolphin campaign and you get a certificate and cute little dolphin to sit on your cute little Perreaux – both uniquely made in New Zealand!
E-mail us now or call on our toll-free number 0800 909 101 to find out more.