At the time of order, you can pay a couple dollar extra for a flight case versus the wooden box. But the standard shipping is a wooden box.
Pilium Audio in action-
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You cannot connect the negative terminals of any PILIUM amplifier to grounding. You can connect to chassis ground and on the latest models there is a connector for this. For earlier models, you can go to one of the chassis screws and ground, but never never never to the negative terminal.
Hello everyone,
does anyone had the chance to compare CH Precision L1 and/or M1.1 with Pilium line-stage and amp?
I'm currently in the process of changing CH D1.5/C1.2/X1 to a Wadax Studio Player mainly to reduce the box count (still like the CH P stack very much). In consideration to add a proper line-stage my dealer suggested that I would probably like Pilium Alexander/Achilles (especially the new MY2025 models) more than my 2x CH M1.1 (currently in bi-amp mode to drive YG Sonjas). Due to limited space I already used the C1.2 DAC in Controller mode instead of an extra line-stage.
He meant that in his opinion Pilium is more organic and powerful.
But with the Studio Player already be more organic vs the CH stuff I don't know if it's getting too much in conjunction with Pilium.
Thanks in advance for your help!
does anyone had the chance to compare CH Precision L1 and/or M1.1 with Pilium line-stage and amp?
I'm currently in the process of changing CH D1.5/C1.2/X1 to a Wadax Studio Player mainly to reduce the box count (still like the CH P stack very much). In consideration to add a proper line-stage my dealer suggested that I would probably like Pilium Alexander/Achilles (especially the new MY2025 models) more than my 2x CH M1.1 (currently in bi-amp mode to drive YG Sonjas). Due to limited space I already used the C1.2 DAC in Controller mode instead of an extra line-stage.
He meant that in his opinion Pilium is more organic and powerful.
But with the Studio Player already be more organic vs the CH stuff I don't know if it's getting too much in conjunction with Pilium.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Forgot to mention that I've got the information that the MY2025 models from pilium (especially Alexander and Achilles) should be a lot better than the previous versions.
From the Pilium Achilles website they mention that they redesigned the whole amplifier circuit, replaced the transformers with new encapsulated ultra low noise ones and added new custom made heatsinks CNC machined from a unique piece of aluminium block.
From the specs the Achilles is similarly powerful as 2x CH M1.1:
Achilles: 2x 2KVA transformers, 2x 200.000uF, 2x 300W,
CH Precision M1.1 (one unit) 2,2KVA transformer, 240.000uF, 2x200W.
Even if the Achilles is a lot heavier than one M1.1 (130kg vs 80kg), I still could save some space when I go from 2-box M1.1 to 1-box Achilles.
But from the specs it would be rather a sidestep than an upgrade.
From the specs the higher model Zeus would be an upgrade, but with its price, size and weight it's a bit much.
And I have some other questions regarding the usage of the Pilium Alexander/Achilles:
1. both Alexander and Achilles have only a main switch at the back. Are they always on or do they also have a standby mode?
2. Do you know how much power they need when they are not in use or in standby mode?
3. is it possible to dim the display from Alexander and also the central "switched on" light from Achilles?
4. do you maybe have a recommendation regarding an amp stand for the big Achilles? At the moment I have my 2x M1.1 each on an Artesania Aire rack, but with the big Achilles on top of Aire it's getting a bit high.
5. what is it about the special P-Link XLR connection?
From the Pilium Achilles website they mention that they redesigned the whole amplifier circuit, replaced the transformers with new encapsulated ultra low noise ones and added new custom made heatsinks CNC machined from a unique piece of aluminium block.
From the specs the Achilles is similarly powerful as 2x CH M1.1:
Achilles: 2x 2KVA transformers, 2x 200.000uF, 2x 300W,
CH Precision M1.1 (one unit) 2,2KVA transformer, 240.000uF, 2x200W.
Even if the Achilles is a lot heavier than one M1.1 (130kg vs 80kg), I still could save some space when I go from 2-box M1.1 to 1-box Achilles.
But from the specs it would be rather a sidestep than an upgrade.
From the specs the higher model Zeus would be an upgrade, but with its price, size and weight it's a bit much.
And I have some other questions regarding the usage of the Pilium Alexander/Achilles:
1. both Alexander and Achilles have only a main switch at the back. Are they always on or do they also have a standby mode?
2. Do you know how much power they need when they are not in use or in standby mode?
3. is it possible to dim the display from Alexander and also the central "switched on" light from Achilles?
4. do you maybe have a recommendation regarding an amp stand for the big Achilles? At the moment I have my 2x M1.1 each on an Artesania Aire rack, but with the big Achilles on top of Aire it's getting a bit high.
5. what is it about the special P-Link XLR connection?
It would be best to ask these questions to the dealer that is discussing the Pilium gear with you. He can also put you in touch with Konstantinos if necessary to answer any of your questions.
Thanks for the suggestion. I already wrote him my questions. But he's always quite busy and sometimes his answers need some time. So I was hoping to get some useful information from the valued WBF community. And he doesn't have CH P in his portfolio so it's just an estimate that I'd like Pilium more than CH.
But thanks for the idea that he could put me in touch with Konstantinos, I'll try that too.
Ok, I was trying to give Konstantinos your information but without knowing the dealer, that is impossible. Best to pm me and I will pass your information on to Konstantinos.
Hi
I have an acquaintance who made a significant change in his amplification setup.
He replaced a CH Precision pre/power combo (previously paired with Magico S5 mk1 or 2, Today with something else).
I don’t recall the exact CH models, but to my understanding, it was one of their high-end sets.
About two years ago, he switched to a Pilium amplification system — Alexander preamp and Achilleas power amp — before the current MY25 revision. According to him, the improvement was substantial, with notable gains in dynamics, black background, speed, naturalness, and more...
Hopefully, I can convince him to share his impressions here directly.
In any case, it would be very interesting to read your thoughts as well...
Good luck.
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Thanks for your input, itay123, very appreciated.
And wow, that's really interesting that your friend had such an improvement, that sound very promising.
It would be really great if he could share his impressions directly. And which CH pre/power he had previously would also be very interesting.
One of the great things with CH amps is their versatility. Both of my M1.1 are stereo versions, I could use either one alone as stereo amp, use them for special Mono mode (the whole PSU is solely used for one channel. That means in this mode it's a bit more powerful than 1 channel of Achilles), Brigded mode or even passive or active Bi-amp mode, which I'm using currently. You also have Gain and Global Feedback settings to match the speakers. And you can dim the display completely.
Besides that Achilles has none of these settings it's almost as powerful as 2 M1.1, that's something very intriguing.
And when it really could be better than 2x M1.1 then I would do the change.
Hi
Based on what I’ve read, it sounds like you’re very satisfied with your current setup. So why consider replacing it—especially when you yourself point out that, in this case, both the specifications and configuration seem to favor the CH gear you currently have?
Hi,
that's not that easy. Versatility is of course a factor to consider. But it's more important if Achilles could be musically better (for me) than even 2x M1.1. That's the big question.
And I could save some space and reduce the box count.
Regarding the pre I could go with a L1 + X1 from CH P. Compared to Pilium Alexander L1 + X1 is similarly priced but needs 2 power cords.
Again the versatility is with L1 surely higher but if Alexander sounds better then that's a better choice (at least for me).
It would be really great if you could ask your friend about mor details regarding his change from CH to Pilium.
In the meantime I've got some further infos about Pilium from my dealer:
1. the display of Alexander can be dimmed but not completely turned off,
2. Achilles has besides to the two power switches on the back no other settings. That means they are always on if you don't switch them completely off. Still don't know what that means regarding power consumption when they are not in use (but with power switches "on"),
3. P-Link is for impedance matching between Pilium pre/power.
Flexibility is definitely a key factor when pairing a preamp and power amp from different brands or product lines. Proper matching becomes essential — and in this regard, CH really nailed it!
That said, I believe PILIUM designs their gear with the clear intention of it being used as a complete set — meaning their preamp and power amp are meant to function together as a unified system. That’s exactly why they developed the P-LINK connection.
Recently, due to some changes in my setup, I tried several high-end preamps with my Achilles power amp for comparison — including units from Soulution, Accuphase, NAT, Absolare, and even the volume control stage in my MSB SELECT 2 DAC, as an alternative/preamp-saving solution like you mentioned (saving on another power cable, etc.).
Still, the Achilles performed best — by far — with its dedicated matching preamp, the Alexander. The combination delivered the most transparency, clarity, focus, and dynamic authority. This experience really made me appreciate how critical it is to match a preamp and power amp from the same series, especially when both are designed to operate at the highest level.
I’ll check with my friend soon to see exactly which CH components were swapped out in his case.
Update:
He was using the CH Precision M1.1 as a power amplifier, paired with an Audio Research 6SE as the preamp.
I wish you the best of luck on whichever path you choose!
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Thanks for your update. I can imagine that changing from ARC Ref6SE plus M1.1 to Alexander/Achilles is quite a powerful upgrade and of course with better synergy between pre and amp.
In my own experience with a Ref 6 (without SE) in combination with M1.1 I liked the C1.2 in Controller mode more, so I sold the Ref 6. I guess it's surely a lot of system synergy too, I still liked the Ref 6 a lot.
It's a bit strange that there are barely any Pilium reviews around, at least I coudn't find any meaningful from reviewers I trust.
A strong silent advocate for Pilium has been Magico (the manufacturer). They have demoed their loudspeakers to best advantage with Pilium amplification on numerous occasions.
You're right, I forgot that completely. I guess Magico would not present their megabuck speakers with crappy amps
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