Perreaux

[whitehart]

Hi all,
Opinions please.
I have been offered a Perreaux Eloquence 150I in exchange for my Sugden Masterclass IA-4. Would this be a wise move, or one I'd live to regret?
Some people say once you've had a class A amp, it's very difficult to change. The only reason for me considering off loading the Sugden, is the amount of juice it uses, otherwise I'm very happy with it.
I know there are a few Perreaux and Sugden owners on the forum, so look forward to all comments.
Cheers
Mac

[gjm]

Perreaux kit is excellent - I definitely prefer it to Sugden, simply because in my experience it is nicer and easier to listen to.

[unclepuncle]

Is there no way you can borrow the Perreaux and then return it if you decide it's not for you?

I love my Perreaux 200i (2nd one I've owned) but it's an older model (2002ish) and the newer and much more expensive Perreaux R200i I had in 2009 (gorgeous though it was) just did not float my boat in the same way. I have no idea what the latest Perreaux's sound like but would expect the 150 to be a quite different sounding to the IA4.

I've heard the original Sugden Masterclass integrated and the Masterclass Stereo power amp and thought both were very ordinary - transparent enough but lacking guts and drive.

[myrman]

Forget the leccy bill. If you like the Sugden stick with it. Amp swapping is a slippery path. Isn't it unclep

[whitehart]

Unfortunately the dealer can't give me a home demo of the Perreaux on this occasion, as he has several potential buyers lined up, but given me first refusal.
I have also been offered a Lavardin IT in part ex, but not such a good deal financially.
Any views on Lavardin V Perreaux and which be the best match with Harbeth?
Cheers
Mac

[gjm]

Lavardin amps are also extremely good, and the IT is very highly regarded. I don't think I have ever heard a bad word about them - quite the opposite.

This is very much IMHO, but I would happily take either the Perreaux or the Lavardin in preference to the Sugden.

[musicbox]

Haven't listened to a Masterclass in years but wasn't too impressed with the old model. I have been listening a lot recently to the Perreaux 150i and it is absolutely superb - so much so that I nearly bought it, but decided to wait until I can hear the 250i before making up my mind.

[mikehit]

Another thumbs up for the Lavardin - mine power my difficult-to-drive ELS 57s with no problem but are currently running a pair of ART Stilettos. Reviews talk about the amp being 'valve like' but don't let this create images of cuddly warmth. IMO they are referring instead to the transparency and response.

I have not heard a Perraux so cannot offer a comparison.

But the Lavardin has no remote (if that bothers you)

[Maro73]

Hi
I have no experience with Sugden. But Perreaux is quite nice piece of kit , but quite overpriced for what it sounds.
Lavardin has some nice reviews , I think , in HifiCHoice, but for sure , toooo much for the money. I've listened to the Lavardin IT (priced at 6000 euros)..and I think that for that kind of money there is much better. The Stormaudio amps are terrific for the price.
Worth to mention though , that the Lavardin IT15 is a real wonder, but it's another world.. but after all may be my ears are not good enough.
Hope that this contributes.
Cheers

[mikehit]

I have to admit I would not pay full wack for my IT. I am so pleased I got it when I did - the dealer had received it as p/ex that day and wanted shot of it so I got it at a very good price.

[mattski]

I ended up with a Perreaux 250i after auditioning stuff from Naim, Musical Fidelity, Leema Acoustics, Plinius and some other bits and bobs and I'm truly delighted with it. It's got excellent build quality and sounds superb. If the 150i is anything like it you'd be very happy.

[whitehart]

The Perreaux should be here on Thursday. I've also got an Electrocompaniet ECI-5 MKII with an EMC1UP CDP arriving on the same day.
Still interested in the Lavardin, but prefer to try these first before making any decision.
On another forum, the Musical Fidelity AMS35I is garnering rave reviews... was curious to try this, but it's another class A like my Sugden and whilst it might sound better, I'd still have the same problem with regards to the juice it uses.
Cheers
Mac

[Malvolio Evans]

The AMS35I is being pushed by one or two people at most on the forum run by the planet's best selling HiFi magazine. That doesn't mean it is good or bad, just that you have to be careful on the internet when you see rave reviews as often they represent not very much.

[AlanB]

Lavardin amps are also extremely good, and the IT is very highly regarded. I don't think I have ever heard a bad word about them - quite the opposite.

This is very much IMHO, but I would happily take either the Perreaux or the Lavardin in preference to the Sugden.

Sorry to ruin it Graham.
I had a Lavardin IT that sent a DC current into my SF Guarneri Homage's and blew a tweeter.
The manufacturer COULD not repair it as the designer had recently been killed in a motorbike accident and there wasn't anyone who knew the how to repair it.
Although it was reviewed as being the nearest thing to a 'valve amp sound' it certainly wasn't. Sound was good but not up to other amps I've owned that cost far less.

[Petrat]

I'd agree with AlanB re the Lavardin IT. The one I had a very 'lightweight' presentation ... detailed, but rather aneamic, not very involving IMO.

[gjm]

Well, I cast the runes and summoned the bad news fairies that time!

Stick to the Perreaux.

[andreweast]

I'd agree with AlanB re the Lavardin IT. The one I had a very 'lightweight' presentation ... detailed, but rather aneamic, not very involving IMO.

Bizarre - this was the complete opposite of my experience of the IT. On Harbeths it had an extremely rich and deep sound, beautiful high frequency extension and a great sense of ease and flow. It is valve like in richness of timbre, but it lacks a sense of air and space. This is why its partially true to say that its like a valve amp made by Naim, because it puts the same constraints on the soundstage as Naim amps. At the same time it has much more tonal colour than any SS amp of equivalent pricing I've ever heard. On small scale chamber music it is superb. Listening to Debussy chansons on the IT through Harbeths was stunning for me.

The Perreaux 150i is more of an all rounder, and a very good match with Harbeths.

[Lokes]

I've got a Perreaux power amp that I keep as a back up
again an older one, the E200.
It's very good, I prefer valves but can listen via the Perreaux without
wishing to set fire to my ears, the same can't be said of most SS amps

[Petrat]

Bizarre - this was the complete opposite of my experience of the IT.

Well, I can only report it like I found it. Bought on the strength of the reviews at the time (no audition, idiot!), I was the fourth owner of the sample I had (which was less than two years old), so presumably the previous ones found it disappointing too. It was very transparent and OK on small-scale stuff, but didn't have the drive of good ss, or the 'palpability' of good valves. Possibly we are comparing different generations of the IT, as I seem to recall that Lavardin had to re-launch the amplifier after the death of the designer, as he took the secrets of the encapsulated components which counter-acted the dreaded 'memory distortion' effects he had discovered, to his grave. I sold it to someone who listened to old blues singers using Lowther horns ... he loved it! Yes, it's a good amplifier .... but not for me.

[enbee23]

I'd agree with AlanB re the Lavardin IT. The one I had a very 'lightweight' presentation ... detailed, but rather aneamic, not very involving IMO.

This sounds exactly like my Lavardin experience. Was glad to get rid.