The Avid looks cool. It breathes breathes build quality. Why the integrated amp of a turntable manufacturer has all balanced inputs except as for the phono stage is a miracle to me. It is the very weak MC signal that is our balanced by nature, that benefits most from the common mode noise reduction of balanced input. I know that some analog fans prefer RCA, but a amplifier in this price range from a phono manufacturer should offer both input options. The Yamaha C-5000, M-5000 combo offers that option.
Would love for you to hear a Pilium Leonidus and an Audionet Watt. The Pillium is $40,000 and the Audionet in the USA is $58,000 but cheaper in europe by maybe 20-25%. In this pricerange try an Audionet Watt it is next level and has 50-60% more power
This strikes me as a product where the price is hard to justify. Maybe more to do with exclusivity and small production runs than just sound. It would have been interesting to compare with a £4K to £6K super integrated to see where and if it is significantly better sounding.
My dream amplifier would cost less than £150 and sound as if there was nothing there between the source and the speakers. Forking out £15,000 for an amplifier would be a nightmare for me.
Terry you do such a great job communicating your thoughts. The Avid looks amazing and I’ll bet its built beautifully. I’m confused by the title of this video that its a Vinyl Lovers Dream. You gave the internal phono preamp a mixed review at best and the fact that all the controls for cartridge matching are on the bottom is one of the worst designs I could imagine. How did that one leave the design group as ok?!? If you switch cartridges or have a tt with two arms that’s a nightmare. With the Mac you can just turn a dial and get the setting you need. I can’t imagine this product doing well long term with what else is on the market in that price range.
I agree with you in some ways here, and you make a very valid point. Please forgive me for the slightly click bait title it’s a necessity sadly on CZcams to try and stand out. to be honest at the time I didn’t know how easy the mac was to change the phono stage settings. I didn’t think you could change capacitance on the mm so I missed that bit. Not on purpose. Also I could tell the phono stage in the Sigsum was showing up my TT setup and it’s also a sound that others will love but I prefer something slightly different so I have to take my own personal preferences out the equation. I know the sigsum has been designed with high end turntables in mind but the dual tone arm situation would be a bind yes. I assume as avid don’t currently make a table like that it’s not a consideration they thought of. Points taken on board and thanks for pointing them out
I'm always curious why something is priced the way it is. Why does it cost less or more? And I think I would be surprised if I knew the truth beyond cost, profit, marketing & all the quiet little elves behind the scenes.
I had the 509x here a long time ago, I would need both here but my best guestimation would be the AVID sounds cleaner clearer and more open, the Luxman richer warmer and more about tone
I wonder if the Sigsum is revealing the limitations of the source? I'd be curious to hear it with a top digital source like the Naim ND555 or a well sorted out turntable. Thanks for the video review.
What limitations of the source? Not sure what your referring to Chris to answer this, The turntable yes it wont be high level enough but digital I have used several sources inc some excellent ones.
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Let’s assume Avid voices their amp with a top flight turntable and it sounds great. Only a very good digital source would compete… Linn, DCS, Naim, Chord come to mind. While the NAD and Mac make everything sound nice, perhaps the Avid is revealing the limitations of the sources it’s been fed. Does this make sense?
Yes I can see what you mean, but I think to say it showing up poorer digital sources is also implying high end vinyl is better than digital. I think vinyl sounds different to digital I dont think you can say its better as the medium, or that a Naim 555 sounds like vinyl because it doesn't... So yes maybe its tuned to get more out of vinyl or make vinyl sound a certain way but that doesn't mean the digital sources are not good enough, I understand what you are saying, Its also assuming I said things sounded bad I didnt, I was being extremely critical given the price point and highlighting the stronger and weaker points when compared to other solutions.. That is HiFi nothing is perfect or gives you everything
@@PursuitPerfectSystem I'm a source-first guy and lucky to own both very high end digital and vinyl sources. As good as my digital source is my LP playback is superior. But Hi-FI is never black and white. I was not suggesting your review was negative, rather I enjoyed your candor. Clearly the AVID is very revealing and lays the source bare. Thanks again for the review... I've been intrigued by AVID, but I doubt I'll get a chance to hear it. All the best.
Your not just paying for the parts, your paying for the designers time, the labour costs for someone to hand build it in the UK, for all the safety testing and insurances that need to be paid, for package and shipping and storage, for all the other costs associated with running a company. Then for distribution and dealers to make these available all over the World to listen to compare and buy. Then taxes on all that several times over and somewhere in there all these companies have to make a profit. That is every business for every industry
About no volume control............................ For some reason, every system I see pictured these days has their amplifiers on the ground, sources raised about 18-24 inches and everything between the speakers. Why this became fashionable I'll never.....................well, you know. I've always had my system next to my seated position and within arms reach of the preamp. There weren't remotes, plus I like fingering the "AnaKnobs". 🔊
At least McIntosh gives you lovely blue and green lights ….
The Avid looks cool. It breathes breathes build quality. Why the integrated amp of a turntable manufacturer has all balanced inputs except as for the phono stage is a miracle to me. It is the very weak MC signal that is our balanced by nature, that benefits most from the common mode noise reduction of balanced input. I know that some analog fans prefer RCA, but a amplifier in this price range from a phono manufacturer should offer both input options. The Yamaha C-5000, M-5000 combo offers that option.
THANKS TERRY🤗 FOR ASKING WHY ,…AND ANSWERING…SYNERGY IS A GREAT REASON 👍💚💚💚
I like your honesty and professional presentation good man!
Would love for you to hear a Pilium Leonidus and an Audionet Watt. The Pillium is $40,000 and the Audionet in the USA is $58,000 but cheaper in europe by maybe 20-25%. In this pricerange try an Audionet Watt it is next level and has 50-60% more power
Nice job Terry, it's a shame it doesn't have a remote control though.👍🎧🙂
Looks great, but is it really 3 times the price better than Rotel michi, a shoot off would be great. And CDs are great, buying more than ever.
This strikes me as a product where the price is hard to justify. Maybe more to do with exclusivity and small production runs than just sound. It would have been interesting to compare with a £4K to £6K super integrated to see where and if it is significantly better sounding.
Have you tried it in your system...?
Probably better to compare with equally priced amps, such is the category of it.
I did compare to the NAD M23 and everything I said was based on that comparison and to the Mc
He compared it to two other amps in a similar price category. Did you watch the review?
Good video Terry. I always enjoy your down-to-earth delivery.
Perhaps you should review the Acutus...
Thanks, I am not ready for that level of TT yet
Great review Terry🍻
But the lack of remote will kill it stone dead for many, inc. me. Madness.
My dream amplifier would cost less than £150 and sound as if there was nothing there between the source and the speakers.
Forking out £15,000 for an amplifier would be a nightmare for me.
Terry you do such a great job communicating your thoughts. The Avid looks amazing and I’ll bet its built beautifully. I’m confused by the title of this video that its a Vinyl Lovers Dream. You gave the internal phono preamp a mixed review at best and the fact that all the controls for cartridge matching are on the bottom is one of the worst designs I could imagine. How did that one leave the design group as ok?!? If you switch cartridges or have a tt with two arms that’s a nightmare. With the Mac you can just turn a dial and get the setting you need. I can’t imagine this product doing well long term with what else is on the market in that price range.
I agree with you in some ways here, and you make a very valid point. Please forgive me for the slightly click bait title it’s a necessity sadly on CZcams to try and stand out.
to be honest at the time I didn’t know how easy the mac was to change the phono stage settings. I didn’t think you could change capacitance on the mm so I missed that bit. Not on purpose.
Also I could tell the phono stage in the Sigsum was showing up my TT setup and it’s also a sound that others will love but I prefer something slightly different so I have to take my own personal preferences out the equation.
I know the sigsum has been designed with high end turntables in mind but the dual tone arm situation would be a bind yes. I assume as avid don’t currently make a table like that it’s not a consideration they thought of.
Points taken on board and thanks for pointing them out
At that price I’m getting the MA12000 and saving money.
With £3000 less; I personally prefer to go for the French 🇫🇷 NEODIO Origine A2 EVO. Check it out. It’s pure gold.
Give me any Hegel over these two any day of the week, half the size and half the price!😊
Probably best to listen to them first Paul before making that assumption
This is how you lift ?? watch it... I've done this mistake once when I purchased my Vincent amp and it took my back a week to recover 🙂
Great CZcams channel
Great comment appreciate it
seems by listening what you mentioned that avid is more capable amplifier of all
I'm always curious why something is priced the way it is. Why does it cost less or more? And I think I would be surprised if I knew the truth beyond cost, profit, marketing & all the quiet little elves behind the scenes.
Any thoughts on the Avid vs Luxman L-509x? Similar power
I had the 509x here a long time ago, I would need both here but my best guestimation would be the AVID sounds cleaner clearer and more open, the Luxman richer warmer and more about tone
I wonder if the Sigsum is revealing the limitations of the source? I'd be curious to hear it with a top digital source like the Naim ND555 or a well sorted out turntable. Thanks for the video review.
What limitations of the source? Not sure what your referring to Chris to answer this, The turntable yes it wont be high level enough but digital I have used several sources inc some excellent ones.
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Let’s assume Avid voices their amp with a top flight turntable and it sounds great. Only a very good digital source would compete… Linn, DCS, Naim, Chord come to mind. While the NAD and Mac make everything sound nice, perhaps the Avid is revealing the limitations of the sources it’s been fed. Does this make sense?
Yes I can see what you mean, but I think to say it showing up poorer digital sources is also implying high end vinyl is better than digital. I think vinyl sounds different to digital I dont think you can say its better as the medium, or that a Naim 555 sounds like vinyl because it doesn't... So yes maybe its tuned to get more out of vinyl or make vinyl sound a certain way but that doesn't mean the digital sources are not good enough, I understand what you are saying, Its also assuming I said things sounded bad I didnt, I was being extremely critical given the price point and highlighting the stronger and weaker points when compared to other solutions.. That is HiFi nothing is perfect or gives you everything
@@PursuitPerfectSystem I'm a source-first guy and lucky to own both very high end digital and vinyl sources. As good as my digital source is my LP playback is superior. But Hi-FI is never black and white. I was not suggesting your review was negative, rather I enjoyed your candor. Clearly the AVID is very revealing and lays the source bare. Thanks again for the review... I've been intrigued by AVID, but I doubt I'll get a chance to hear it. All the best.
I can only watch because i can't afford🤭😊😂
Bottom phono section?
the phono stage connections are on the rear as you would expect but the adjustment controls are on the underside of the amp yes
No remote! that's a no no in this day and age.
Video on the Goldring phono cartridge soon? ;^)
Will be one not ready yet
There’s no way in hell the parts or materials used in 90% of the audio hifi gear justify the mountainous prices.
Your not just paying for the parts, your paying for the designers time, the labour costs for someone to hand build it in the UK, for all the safety testing and insurances that need to be paid, for package and shipping and storage, for all the other costs associated with running a company. Then for distribution and dealers to make these available all over the World to listen to compare and buy. Then taxes on all that several times over and somewhere in there all these companies have to make a profit. That is every business for every industry
...so it's roughly £500 per 1kg 🤣
About no volume control............................
For some reason, every system I see pictured these days has their amplifiers on the ground, sources raised about 18-24 inches and everything between the speakers. Why this became fashionable I'll never.....................well, you know.
I've always had my system next to my seated position and within arms reach of the preamp. There weren't remotes, plus I like fingering the "AnaKnobs". 🔊
My girl gives you a WAF score....................
She says because she can't fit the vacuum under the racks, you get a zero.
Tell her I said thank you