PILIUM AUDIO from GREECE was founded in 2014. It is headed by the ever-passionate and inspiring Mr.KONSTANTINOS PILIOS. It is well known that there is already a number of High End Audio Designers and Manufacturers that use PILIUM AUDIO components in their respective audio system and showrooms,…
and that is a testament of PILIUM AUDIO‘s QUALITY, DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, and PERFORMANCE!
The current PILIUM AUDIO DIVINE Line, ARES preamplifier (retail at Euro €34,000 in standard colors) replaced the previous and discontinued BRUTALE Series ARES preamplifier that I have the pleasure of reviewing it here in 2017. According to PILIUM AUDIO, the DIVINE Line ARES was generally ‘similar in concept design‘ to the previous BRUTALE Series ARES‘ quad-mono, true balanced designed preamplifier for ultimate channel separation, with a sophisticated volume control, minimal signal path and minimal components (only one resistor!).
In addition to the aboves, PILIUM AUDIO combined with Zero-Loss Design Techniques, Excessive Voicing, and Cost-No-Object Parts/ Materials, to the DIVINE Line ARES design and manufacture, thus it could be classified as…
a State of the Art machine of its Kind!
However, the DIVINE Line ARES was updated (from the BRUTALE Series ARES), with a few minor upgrades in Cabling-Power Supply and with a very neat interactive Touch Screen, where every operation in the preamp could be done via that elegant control panel. Also the touch screen has the ability to Change Screen Colours to go with one’s preference.
DELIVERY & INSTALLATION.
The DIVINE Line ARES review sample was delivered to me by PILIUM AUDIO‘s appointed distributor, CENTRE CIRCLE AUDIO (MALAYSIA). The first impression that I got from it was positive, the Sheer Size, the Hefty Weight, the Fit and Finishes, the Flight Case,…and the Color of the chassis,…
all spelled Luxury, High End and Expensive!
I was already in excitement from the mere sight and feel of the DIVINE Line ARES alone. Therefore, I have it quickly connected to my audio system. The connected analogue source comprised of the THOMAS SCHICK‘s Tonearm and GARRARD 301 Turntable, DS AUDIO MASTER 1 Optical Phono Cartridge and associated Equalizer,…the digital source was the PIONEER UDP-LX500,…the connected amplifiers were the LINN KLIMAX SOLO 500 monoblocks,…the connected loudspeakers were the JBL L100 CLASSIC 75 LIMITED EDITION (No.8),…and cabled by VERMOUTH AUDIO CABLES & SKOGRAND CABLES.
“An modern audio preamplifier should act as an interface between the music sources and the power amplifier, ideally matching impedances and provide a volume control fuctionality”.
Before embarking into serious listening for the review of the DIVINE Line ARES, I read my previous review of their BRUTALE Series ARES which I wrote in 2017. After some pondering, I decided to initiate the review with some of the tracks that I used in that BRUTALE Series ARES‘ review for easy reference/ comparison between both preamplifiers’ performances.
WHERE IT COUNTS.
Interestingly, when I played the vinyl record, Smoke A Moto’s Blues by Tsuyoshi Yamamoto with Ray Brown (Yupiteru Records YJ25-7028), I heard the similar sound qualities of the BRUTALE Series ARES, namely the…
instruments’ Richness, Bloom, Body, Weight and Presence throughout the musical presentation.
In addition to the aboves, I found that the DIVINE Line ARES presented the instruments with…
slightly deeper Dimensions, more Depth and weightier Bottom-End for the bass heavier instruments.
Unsurprisingly, I found that playing the vinyl record, TANK! GOLD COWBOY BEBOP by Yoko Kanno (VTJL-15-16, JAPAN), proved that the…
DIVINE Line ARES was indeed More Transparent
than the previous BRUTALE Series ARES, especially at the Dynamic (Contrast) and Bass (Transient),…which were more Articulate, Cleaner, more Extended, Snappier and more Exciting,…
as the Music was Meant to Be,…
and that established a ‘Connection‘ to the Music.
THE BIGGER PICTURE.
Playing back my go-to vinyl record test track of “Faust” Ballet Music & “Carmen” Suite ~ Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden conducted by Alexander Gibson (Analogue Production/Living Stereo LSC 2449), I found the DIVINE Line ARES to be…
revealing even to the Settings of the Soundstage,…
where each instrument was presented Distinctly, Delineated, at its Respective Position and Spaced-Out from one another within its Designated Group.
Furthermore, I could appreciate the Depth, Height and Width of the recording venue (or Soundstage),…and that ultimately showcased the Expansiveness, Envelopment and Extention of Soundscape.
In other words, the orchestra was presented in Full Granduer, Scale and Details.
ON AN INTIMATE LEVEL.
Here, playing one of my favorite ‘Intimacy Test‘ vinyl track (that if ‘Play Right’ could easily bring ‘Emotional Tears‘), “Send in the Clowns” by Bill Henderson “Live At The Times” with Joyce Collins at the piano (20th Anniversary Commemorative 12″ Single, Jazz Planet/Classic Records JP 0779-12), with the DIVINE Line ARES,…I could easily hear, feel and connect with the artist’s Emotional Weight that was (almost) Palpability, poured into that song,…
that Touched the audiophile Soul in me.
Moreover, the DIVINE Line ARES preamplifier was able to display…
the Natural Flow, Pace, Life and Energy to the vocalisation of Mr.Henderson.
Similarly, playing the SACD version of Lyn Stanley‘s latest reference grade audiophile album, “TRIBUTE TO 1924” (SACD A.T. Music LLC #3112), proved that the transparency of the DIVINE Line ARES was ‘extensive’ even to the Fluidity, Breathiness and Pause in her vocalisation.
Besides, I heard and experience more Realism, Naturalism, Intimacy and Clarity of Ms.Stanley‘s voice,…
as if an unwanted ‘Coloration‘ was Removed from the Recording Chain (thus colorless?)
A SHOW OF POWER & CONTROL.
Here, at the track “Portals” where Alan Silvestri wished to present through his Orchestral Music, the Grand Impact of the Full Assembly of the Marvel’s Greatest Avengers.
Therefore, one could expect the Grandest and possibly the most Powerful of Orchestral Music to express the supposedly Emotional Impact of that scene,…and unsurprisingly (to me, again), the DIVINE Line ARES delivered that Orchestral Music with the expected Grandness/ Granduer, Power, Expansiveness, Envelopment, Control, Authority, Weight,…
and Slam-Bang Bass that was Articulately Outlined.
Here, at the track “Wonder Woman’s Wrath” where the whole orchestra was at ‘Heavy Play‘ (from the top to the bottom of the frequencies/ bandwidth), yet the DIVINE Line ARES did not fail to put…
the whole presentation into Perspective and in an Organized Manner,
made the listening session a thoroughly Energised, Enjoyable and Exciting experience.
Finally, all the aboves supported my assertion that the DIVINE Line ARES was of…
extreme Low Noise Floor and its (almost?) Non-Interference with the signal that passed thru it.
DECISIVELY THE BETTER ARES.
I really enjoy living with the DIVINE Line ARES,…
it has become an ‘Everyday Use Preamplifier‘ in my audio system since its arrival,
and to me,
its Performance is More than Advertised,
…therefore I have decided to join the rank of those audio designers and manufacturers who believed in the brand and its philosophy,…
and Keep(!) the Review Unit.
Key Features and Design:
- Quad-Mono, True Balanced Design:Ensures ultimate channel separation and a clear, detailed soundstage.
- Sophisticated Volume Control:Minimizes signal path components, contributing to a pure and transparent audio experience.
- Zero-Loss Design Techniques:Emphasizes a direct and natural signal path, minimizing any coloration or distortion.
- High-Quality Parts and Materials:Pilium Audio uses a “cost-no-object” approach, employing top-tier components for optimal performance.
- Interactive Touch Screen (Divine Line):Provides a user-friendly interface for controlling all preamp functions and allows for color customization.
- Natural, Uncolored, and Dynamic Sound:The Ares aims to reproduce music with a high degree of realism and fidelity.
Specifications
- Full Balanced Dual Mono design
- Inputs: 3 pairs XLR, 2 pairs RCA
- Outputs: 2 pairs XLR (standard and P-LINK)
- Voltage gain: 2
- Output Impedance: < 10 Ohm
- Dimensions: 170x480x490mm (HxWxD)
- Net Weight: 30kg
- Shipping Weight: 50kg