sound,price, build

none

this review is on the plinius 8200 (not a upgrades 8150i but a new 8200) the unit looks like the 8150 .actually sounds like a 8150 but does it perform like the 8150 or is it better?it does cost more and yes it does have more watts but is it better? well i owned a 8150 and a 8200 i sold the 8200 a few months ago, it is a great amp ,and it performs flawlessly while i owned it the bass was like my 8150 (quiet a slam) the highs were excellent ,i would recommend the 8200 to anybody i found the performance way above the dollar spent ,but for some reason it did not have the same tonal response as the 8150. i was told that plinius did not use the same parts in the power supply as used in the 8150,if this is true then i guess that would explain the sound differences,but let me say no matter which amp you choose the 8150 or the 8200 you will be more than happy as both sounded great,and both have enough power to drive any speaker,and both beat the pants off the krell,and other integrated amps of the $3000-$4000 price range

Similar Products Used:

krell300i,mac6450,others

High power for an Integrated. Smoothness usually only associated with tubes. Good control of the bottom end. The sound is very immidiate and alive.

Nothing significant as of yet.

Where to start... After being exposed to many Integrated Amps as well as Seperate units, I'd have to say that the Plinius 8200 is something of a bargain for the asking price of $3000.00. It combines power, refinement, and subtlety -- qualities which are often difficult to find in an integrated. Not many Integrateds I've encountered boast 175 watts/per channel into 8 ohms (250 into 4 ohms). However, with a lot of speakers on the market-- say, Energy Veritas, B&W, Dynaudio, Magnepan -- high power is of utmost importance if the loudspeakers are to reach their potential. So, if you own speakers which need a little waking up, this may be the Integrated for you. The Absolute Sound magazine has raved about this integrated, so I thought I'd check it out for myself... I bought one.

Power aside, the 8200 shines in other areas of performance. The most dramatic improvement I noted in my system was in the area of low-end reproduction. Bass notes simply came through with greater control and image placement. I had not heard this on my Energy Veritas 2.2's with other Amps. For me, the bottom-end has plenty of heft and control. The Plinius 8200 has a great knack for hitting the note, then letting go if it. Hate amps that sound "slow"? The 8200 is the antithesis of such products.

Ah, the midrange. Some other reviews have compared the midrange of Plinius amps to that of single-ended-triodes. While I wouldn't use that statement, I would comment that the midrange is very open, sweet, and alive sounding. Vocalists sound "in the room", with great image placement.
Piano and other instuments sound so smooth and liquid, tube-like in a lot of respects, without the drawbacks associated with tube equipment. With the Plinius, what I don't hear is the excessively thick midrange sometimes heard on tubes.

The top end is nicely rendered. I can confidently say that the Plinius unit is not overly bright in any way. This is a benefit with a lot of speakers, including my own. Again, I hear a sweetness to the sound. The treble is very open, and airy. Strings are projected into the air very distinctly-- with this amp I'm less aware I'm listening to box speakers.

To sum up, this amp has a refinement which I find rare in solid state, while also offering the power and slam of top-notch solid state electronics. It sounds best when left on at all time, and also offers outstanding build quality. I haven't mentioned it yet, but Plinius is imported from New Zealand. Thankfully, the Plinius corporation has packed the unit well for the long trip. It is double packed, with two sets of boxes and foam. While unpacking, I was left with only feelings of confidence regarding this product. The 8200 also comes remote controlled. You can adjust volume up, down, and hit mute. The remote is heavy, and reminiscent of the Brystons', for those more familiar with that product. Input selection, however, is only manual. That's fine by me. To check out the look of this component, go to pliniususa.com. You may choose either silver or black. Oh, you also get a 10 year warranty. That's quite generous by any standard.

Plinius may not be the most widely distributed product, so call Advanced Audio to find a nearest dealer at 716-741-6063
or e-mail advancedaudio@mindspring.com

There are many Integrateds on the market, but I'm happy with my choice. After a few weeks of break-in, I couldn't be more satisfied. You might be impressed too.

Associated Equipment:

- Rega Planet CD

- Rega P2 'table (I forgot, the phono section of the 8200 is quite good too. Better than the Acurus unit I previously used)

- Marantz ST-17 tuner

- Energy Veritas 2.2 Loudspeakers

- All cables by Tara Labs

Similar Products Used:

Bryston B60, Anthem Integrated, Creek 5350SE, others...

3D dimensionality, high power, quality built.

Has to be well burned in to enjoy it's full potential.

This is the most 3D sounding amp I have ever heard. Did not think so at first but after some hours of burning (run in) the magic came through. To my ears the spaciousness and imaging is amazing. It is a warm sounding amplifier almost tube-ish sounding. It is not bright by any means but yet the detail is there. Built like a tank. I highly recommend it, give it a listen and see what I mean.

Very smooth sound, the best solid state amp I've heard.

Needs a good power cord. I suggest the Custom Power Cord Co. Model 11

I simply love this amp. It is so much more refined than the Krell I had previously. The only place the Krell wins out is in the tightness of the bass. But, with the Custom Power cord #11, I think the Plinius gets 98% of the way there.

The real difference is in the mids and highs. Silky smooooth, and the least fatiguing amp I've heard.

Very well made. I changed the bottom feet to Vibrapods and
smoothed out the sound even further.

The best compliment I can give this amp is that I am playing more music now than I ever have. This is one special product.


The rest of my equipment:

CD Player: Rega Planet
Interconnects: Harmonic Technologies Truth Link,
Isolation: /DIY Graphite Points under/.25"slate under an inner tube under another .25" slate under a mouse pad the the Rega

Tuner: McIntosh MR 77
Interconnects: Kimber Silver Streak
Isolation: DIY "Rubber Cones"

Cassette Deck: Nakamichi BX-100
Interconnects: DIY "Silver Tape"
Isolation: None

Speakers
Main Speakers: Joseph Audio RM22si
Speaker Cable: Analysis Plus Oval 9 10ft. and Oval 9 Jumpers

Subwoofer: REL Strata II
Interconnects: REL DIN to Speaker Terminals



Accessories
Power Conditioning: Vans Evers "The Companion" Power Strip

Equipment Rack: DIY "TNT Flexy, WK version 1.0" Equipment Rack
(Shelves (4) of 1/2" Styrofoam sandwiched between two sheets of 1/2" MDF. Supports of (4) 1/2" threaded rods, the shelves held in place with hard rubber washers, steel washer, steel nuts layers on either side of each shelf. DIY points
on each legs, made of fixed garden hose nozzles filled with sand and topped off with silicone.)

Compander/Expander: DBX 117 : used with the McIntosh Tuner
Interconnects: DIY "Silver Tape"
Isolation: None

Similar Products Used:

Krell 300i, Threshold amps

construction,soundstaging

remote looks and works "el cheapo".Dissapointing at this level.

This is my 3rd Plinius purchase,and i believe it is the best value i have found with this company.The 8200 sounds a little vague at first,but around 20 hours will put a grin on your face.By 60+ hours you'll be outright smiling!Soundstage is great,both in width and depth,detail is only limited by your source,interconnects,etc.Overall tone is precise,but not too bright(unlike some awfull Denon POA-6600 monoblocks i owned once for a very short time!).It almost sounds class A like,with obvious sound characteristics in common with the SA series power amps.I was so happy with this amp,i went and purchased a 8200P to bi-amp with!Bottom end and overall power delivery and control is now just superb.Try it,you'll buy it.These silver beauties will be with me for a very long time indeed.

Similar Products Used:

SA-250,MA-100 monoblocks,variety of japanese integrateds..

Well balance, very smooth and natural yet dynamic.

really none for the price

I have used this amp for almost 6 months. It's runs abit warmer than most other integrated that I knew. The most that I like about this amp is that it's very well balance sounding from the top to bottom. Smooth and open high, rich textured mid and the punchy low. I can listen much longer than my previous Densen as it's not overly bright and less electronical sounding like many solid state do. Soundstage is also much wider and with depth than before. Of course it's not perfect compared with big brands of much higher price range but if you are not brand conscious, I would confidently recommend those who are looking for a powerful, yet refine integrated with this budget to audit this amp before you make your purchase.
Mainly listen to jazz, female vocal, acoustic rock and orchestra music.

System: Teac vrds25xn
Plinius 8200
Rogers LS5/9
Mit Mi-330 intercon
Mit T2 biwire
Audioquest power filter.

Similar Products Used:

Compare with integrated like Copland, Densen, Krell, classe.