Perreaux Audiant 80i Amplifier
Perreaux Audiant 80i amplifier has an elegant flat body made of thick anodized aluminum with a single embossed detail - a volume control knob. The lower part of the front panel is made of translucent plastic, which the entrance designations shine through. To activate any of them, it is enough to press a finger on the corresponding inscription, and the relay's click will confirm the command execution. Of course, you can switch sources and adjust the volume with the remote control.
The amplifier architecture covers several epochs at once: along with a phono amp for MM-heads, it has a digital-to-analog converter. The signal can be fed to it from the coaxial and two optical inputs, as well as via the USB interface.
HT mode is provided for integration into a home theater system, in which the signal is fed to the terminal stages, bypassing the volume control. In this case, the required level is determined by the settings in the external AV-processor or receiver. There is also an exit with the Pre Out section, with the help of which it is easy to supplement the system with another amplifier or an active subwoofer.
With such a low height, you do not expect that the amp will be so heavy. More than half of 12 kilograms falls on a flat 400-watt toroidal transformer. A thick cover with side slots serves as a heat sink for powerful MOSFET transistors capable of delivering 80 watts with an acoustics resistance of 8 ohms and 130 watts at 4 ohms.
"The Rite Of Strings" is a good test for sound intelligibility. The weird interlacing of strings is drawn in relief and complemented by precise positioning in space. Perreaux Audiant 80i has a completely recognizable character, it is a delicate device, and it seems that there is no deep feedback in its scheme. Such lightness, some even slackness, and suddenly, unexpectedly - a sharp and powerful attack. Perhaps, the only reason for criticism is the somewhat uncertain control of infra-low bass, which sometimes seems to pull away from the main musical canvas.
And the last test is for absolute dynamics. I turn "Laibach" on. It sounds thoroughly, without loss of intelligibility at peak levels. Sound picture is dense and full of nuances, covering the entire listening room. Drive, pressure, aggression - powerfully, intensely, even with some kind of boosting rhythm, but not rudely - in all this even some kind of grace is felt. Rich synthesized harmonics are drawn very contrastly, and the instruments themselves are not jumbled together.
And finally, the last experiment - switching from analog to coaxial input directly during playback. The difference is barely noticeable, but it is still there. There is slightly less air on the chamber records and the bass is a little more lightweight. But we compare it with a CD player for over 4 thousand dollars, so the converter built into Perreaux Audiant 80i is very, very good. And if you use a computer as a source, you shouldn't dream of more.
