Comments on: Ars-Sonum Filarmonia SK Integrated Amplifier https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/ars-sonum-filarmonia-sk-integrated-amplifier/ A Creative Forum for the Audio Arts Thu, 26 Aug 2021 21:05:46 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 By: AXPONA 2018 https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/ars-sonum-filarmonia-sk-integrated-amplifier/#comment-838 Sun, 29 Apr 2018 18:17:42 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=22995#comment-838 […] integrateds like the Ars-Sonum Filarmonia ($4950) our own John Marks reviewed back in Issue 94 (HERE). Add an affordable turntable (and quality phono preamp) and you're in the […]

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By: Rich Brkich https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/ars-sonum-filarmonia-sk-integrated-amplifier/#comment-1983 Wed, 20 Dec 2017 04:23:00 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=22995#comment-1983 In reply to Tom Gillett.

Tom,

The Filarmonia is a self biasing amplifier. There is no manual bias adjustment. The pairs of EL34 tubes used must be matched pairs. So if one tube goes bad, another matched tube must replace it (or you replace both tubes in one channel with a new matched pair).

The specific stock tubes that come with th amplifier (JJ E34Ls, NOS 5814As, and JJ E88CC gold pin) are very carefully selected and tested for best performance and sound. The designer does not like folks tube rolling tubes in his amplifier! 🙂 Though, owners are of course free to do so.

Cheers,
Rich Brkich
Signature Sound
Ars Sonum Noeth America Dealer

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By: Maurice Jeffries https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/ars-sonum-filarmonia-sk-integrated-amplifier/#comment-1982 Wed, 20 Dec 2017 00:25:00 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=22995#comment-1982 In reply to Tom Gillett.

Brother, I fell in love with your reviews for Stereophile as the Audio Cheapskate. I miss your irreverent voice to this day. I hope you are enjpying your "retirement" from audio reviewing, listenig to music for the sheer joy of doing so, and celebrating the holidays with family and loved-ones near by. Godspeed!!!!

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By: Maurice Jeffries https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/ars-sonum-filarmonia-sk-integrated-amplifier/#comment-1981 Wed, 20 Dec 2017 00:22:00 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=22995#comment-1981 Great review, John. True story: I bought my first set of audiophile speaker cables from Rich (for a pair of Epos ES 11s - remember them) while I was a visting professor at Syracuse University many moons ago. I'm glad to learn that he is still in the biz. Thanks for sharing. So glad you have joined us here at PF.

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By: Tom Gillett https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/ars-sonum-filarmonia-sk-integrated-amplifier/#comment-1980 Tue, 19 Dec 2017 22:18:00 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=22995#comment-1980 Very nice review, John.

I was very impressed by the sound (and looks) of the original Filarmonia, and by the austere design approach.

The amp inspired reviewer's lust but you beat me to it.

Now a question about the EL34 output tubes. Are these auto bias? Fixed bias with trim pots? In other words, what does one do when changing output tubes or replacing an output tube that has blown?

Anyway, if you want to hear Mahler, hie thee to Symphony, which I am sure you do. When I was at Brown, ten years before you, the round trip train fare from Providence was $2.97. The Brown music department often had tickets donated by Providence patrons. Not many takers. So three bucks to attend Symphony.

Leinsdorf. He knew how to conduct Mahler.

-- Tom Gillett aka the former Sam Tellig

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