Stellavox Introduces a New State of the Art Amplifier IDEM Monoblocks

[Steve Williams]

been talking to Gideon and a pair of Stellavox IDEM mono blocks should be here in my room to compare to my darts in 3-4 weeks. might make an event of it. Gideon will be here to set them up properly. from all i'm hearing and reading, they go down my personal sonic compass road of being 'not there' without any gear signature. not tubes, not solid state. my view of the darts is similar so it ought to be a great and fun compare. in a system and room already tweaked for that sort of 'lack of' character amplification.

just the music.

did not think i was in the marketplace for amplifiers, but this has possibilities to go a little deeper. stay tuned.

Nice Mike. I look forward to your review. My plan to hear these is to do an open house for Gideon in December as my November is booked right out

It will be a good comparison of the amp with all SS vs all tube compnents

Im not a fan of Youtube videos but watching those posted by Myles was most impressive.

And one again I am not in the market to switch amps but there is such a strong initial following on these that I am looking forward to hearing them in my system

 

[pk_LA]

Nice Mike. I look forward to your review. My plan to hear these is to do an open house for Gideon in December as my November is booked right out

It will be a good comparison of the amp with all SS vs all tube compnents

Im not a fan of Youtube videos but watching those posted by Myles was most impressive.

And one again I am not in the market to switch amps but there is such a strong initial following on these that I am looking forward to hearing them in my system

It has been a minute, Steve. Good to see you back in the mix!

 

[Steve Williams]

Never gone Pat but IMO it is more fun hearing about exciting new products. I appreciate your well wishes. I reiterate that my electronics are a lasting part of my system but that doesnt quell my desire to hear the alleged latest and greatest

It's all good

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Nice Mike. I look forward to your review.

thanks Steve.

My plan to hear these is to do an open house for Gideon in December as my November is booked right out

you are a busy guy.

It will be a good comparison of the amp with all SS vs all tube compnents

i agree to some degree.

my EMIA Phono is all tube, and both my Ampex ATR-102/MR-70 hot rodded tape decks have the All-Nuvistor Tube preamps. and the Wadax Reference Level 4 is very musical. my dart preamp is battery powered. the system is very tweaked with Tripoint and Entreq grounding. the signal path has active platforms. so an amplifier in my system is not needing to calm things down or richen them up. it can just amplify. the darts have certainly flourished.

Im not a fan of Youtube videos but watching those posted by Myles was most impressive.

And once again I am not in the market to switch amps but there is such a strong initial following on these that I am looking forward to hearing them in my system

should be a fun listen in your superb system.

 

[Steve Williams]

It’s refreshing Mike. This is what this hobby is all about. Good we can share it with like minded individuals.

 

[matthias]

Report from Singapore:

HiEnd Asia 2025 - Audio Exotics' First Public Showcase in Singapore

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audioexotics.vanillacommunity.com

 

[Kingrex]

View attachment 160116

Holly Cow. Thats a big sub driver.

 

[microstrip]

(...) It will be a good comparison of the amp with all SS vs all tube compnents (...)

What preamplfier will you be using? Will you also try driving it directly from your DAC?

 

[microstrip]

been talking to Gideon and a pair of Stellavox IDEM mono blocks should be here in my room to compare to my darts in 3-4 weeks. might make an event of it. Gideon will be here to set them up properly. from all i'm hearing and reading, they go down my personal sonic compass road of being 'not there' without any gear signature. not tubes, not solid state. my view of the darts is similar so it ought to be a great and fun compare. in a system and room already tweaked for that sort of 'lack of' character amplification. (...)

IMO tube and sound signatures were "characteristic" up to thirty years ago. After the 2000's we live in a world where the numerous exceptions to these rigid models made them meaningless. Since then designers and manufacturers claim to have the best of SS and tube with none of their faults ...

I anticipate reading your opinions.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

IMO tube and sound signatures were "characteristic" up to thirty years ago. After the 2000's we live in a world where the numerous exceptions to these rigid models made them meaningless. Since then designers and manufacturers claim to have the best of SS and tube with none of their faults ...

agree that the best tube and solid state amplifiers can both be part of a system reaching similar involving end points based on the right speakers and room. amplifier topology does not need to be limiting.

I anticipate reading your opinions.

thanks. looking forward to it. been awhile since i had new stuff to explore.

 

[morricab]

IMO tube and sound signatures were "characteristic" up to thirty years ago. After the 2000's we live in a world where the numerous exceptions to these rigid models made them meaningless. Since then designers and manufacturers claim to have the best of SS and tube with none of their faults ...

I anticipate reading your opinions.

Claims are not reality. One visit to a show or shop that carries different technologies puts the lie to those claims. There is no significant convergence. SS amps today sound different in the past but the gap remains just as wide.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Listen to refurbished Sony VFET or Sansui amps from back then—they're ten times more musical than today's stuff.
Exsample

 

[Steve Williams]

What preamplfier will you be using? Will you also try driving it directly from your DAC?

Need you ask.....Lamm LL1 The Aphrodite does not have a preamp so no I wont be driving the amps from my DAC

 

[microstrip]

Need you ask.....Lamm LL1 The Aphrodite does not have a preamp so no I wont be driving the amps from my DAC

In such case is is not an all SS system! The Lamm LL1 has a very strong personality ...

 

[pk_LA]

In such case is is not an all SS system! The Lamm LL1 has a very strong personality ...

I have listened to Steve's system a couple times. I cannot help but feel that the Lamm gear carries the day in his system.

 

[Steve Williams]

I have listened to Steve's system a couple times. I cannot help but feel that the Lamm gear carries the day in his system.

Thanks Pat . I'll be interested in what you hear now , with the Wilson's gone and the. Zellaton here. Looking forward to seeing you again on Saturday Pat. Hope you make it early as we discussed to hear Lukasz intro at 1000.

 

[Porsche]

Listen to refurbished Sony VFET or Sansui amps from back then—they're ten times more musical than today's stuff.
ExsampleView attachment 160547View attachment 160548

that's a pretty absurd and bold statement

 

[DasguteOhr]

that's a pretty absurd and bold statement

Listen to that amps what happens when well-designed amplifiers are enhanced with modern capacitor and component technology. They already knew how to build amplifiers back then; the wheel isn't being reinvented today.

 

[microstrip]

Listen to that amps what happens when well-designed amplifiers are enhanced with modern capacitor and component technology. They already knew how to build amplifiers back then; the wheel isn't being reinvented today.

Unfortunately we can't easily rebuild rusty switches and most potentiometers - I have found them to be the Achiles knee of many rebuilts.

 

[cjfrbw]

Listen to refurbished Sony VFET or Sansui amps from back then—they're ten times more musical than today's stuff.

My all original Yamaha B2 VFET was mesmerizing. I won't comment on any other qualities, as it would keep me locked in my seat until I broke the spell.

My single ended ancient Sony 2SK60 VFET @ 10 watts class A (built from Nelson Pass DIY) is amazing sounding. Puts the spook in spooky.

I always wanted to hear the Sony TA-N7B, but never had the chance.