If you regularly read my blog you already know that I am
highly critical when it comes to equipment. Basically, if it doesn’t have an
exotic core power transformer inside, I do not bother listening seriously to
it. Of course other quality considerations are also essential – like a
well-regulated power supply, high-quality signal-path components, and well
designed grounding – and finding these in even the highest-end gear is
sometimes elusive.
The good news is that a Canadian startup company called Mies
is launching a piece of budget-minded entry-level high-end gear (see https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2090572321/mies-i100-the-ultimate-amplifier-for-vinyl-lovers)
that seems at the outset very interesting. From what I observe in the limited
images on their site, I see a nicely designed piece of equipment with a high listenability
potential. Called the i100, the Mies integrated amp will boast a compact design
with not-so-compact features.
The Mies i100 Prototype
Despite its small footprint, Mies engineer Gunner Van Vliet
has managed to squeeze a large toroidal power transformer into roughly 1/4th
of the available space. Two reasonably-sized capacitors appear to smooth out
the high-voltage section and two physically smaller but most likely equally-sized
low-voltage capacitors snuggle up nearby. What this means is that for the
money, a lot of attention is paid to making sure this amplifier is solid
throughout its entire 40-watt power bandwidth.
Notice also the heat sink bank opposite the power supply
with discrete transistors. These components make up the output stage and are
coupled to high-current 5-way gold binding posts (my personal favorite).
Input switching is planned to support a high-level phono
stage and two line-level inputs via gold-plated RCA jacks, plus a front-panel
3.5mm jack for your iPod or streaming media device. Also featured in this
rear-panel configuration are full-bandwidth a preamp output RCA jacks and
another pair of RCA jacks for your subwoofer amp making this an extremely
flexible unit. In other words, you could use the i100 as a preamp and drive two
external power amps via these two pair of output jacks, something to keep in
mind as you grow your system.
I believe that this company has found a nitch in the market
by offering these highly attractive features. An entry-level audiophile could
purchase this unit and use it as an integrated amplifier. As funds permit, more
amplifiers could find their way into this system driving larger speakers and
subwoofers. By this time surely Mies will expand its product line and develop a
more sophisticated preamp sporting possibly differential input/output
connections. But that’s just a personal pipe dream and may have absolutely no
bearing on what these folks at Planet of Sound have in mind. Mies already has a
reputable audio track record with two all-tube amps, the m25a ($899 CAD) and m50a
($1,499 CAD). BTW, you can connect either one or both to the i100.
Mies m50a Stereo Power Amplifier
How can you get one? That’s the catch – you can’t. Today,
it’s a sort of pay-it-forward approach where you invest in an unlistenable
product hoping that what you see in the pictures of the prototype actually
matches what the production unit delivers. At the current MSRP of $399 CAD,
this is a reasonable risk to make and with an incentive of $100 CAD off that
MSRP to the first 50 backers, it is down-right attractive.
If you are so moved, get in line with the tens of others, and
sign up on their web site before March 13 or before the 50-limit number of
backers is reached and save $100 CAD. Even at just under $400 CAD, this little
unit could bring to be something to behold.
FAIR WARNING: Not hearing something and buying it
strictly on visual impressions and word-of-mouth is risky. Know that I have not heard this unit myself and
my comments are my personal, highly subjective impressions. It reminds me much
of the old joke “Want to buy a bridge in Brooklyn?” If the production design
follows the prototype pictures, the i100 could be a pretty darned decent unit. There
is just no way to know for sure other than trusting these folks who say that
the i100 will be a respectable sounding piece of audio gear.
I have been promised by the manufacturer, Planet of Sound,
access to a first-generation production unit as soon as this company fulfills
order commitments. I am waiting with baited breath for the arrival of this unit.
Once it arrives (currently projected to be , I will review it and let you know
my unbiased opinion.
Yours for higher fidelity,
Philip Rastocny
I do not use ads in this blog to help support my efforts. If you like what you are reading, please remember to reciprocate, My newest title is called Where, oh Where did the Star of Bethlehem Go? It’s an astronomer’s look at what this celestial object may have been, who the "Wise Men" were, and where they came from. Written in an investigative journalism style, it targets one star that has never been considered before and builds a solid case for its candidacy.
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Copyright © 2015 by Philip Rastocny. All rights reserved.
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