Review: Plinius 8200 Amplifier


Category: Amplifiers

Trying to simplify my life (and audio system) I decided to try an integrated amp. This was prompted by numerous equipment failures that left me without the ability to listen to music for weeks. I got really tired of sending equipment in for repair, waiting for it to return, only to have another component fail.

Looking around I had heard good things about Jeff Rowlands but that was a little pricey. I auditioned a Gryphon Callisto 2100 and liked it as well but also out of my range. The Plinius was highly rated and had the right pedigree and fairly reasonable at $3000 so I went for it.

Mine arrived in silver and had the impressive Plinius quality with low key good looks. The power switch leaves a little to be desired but there you go. The remote, thankfully, is simple with only three buttons for a change: MUTE, and VOLUME UP & DOWN.

The 8200 has plenty of inputs (all RCA) and two sets of speakers binding posts. The speaker outputs are very good quality, substantial, gold plated metal. I used a 13mm wrench to tighten down my Empirical Audio Clarity7 spaded cables, connected Empirical Ics to the Cary and let her warm up for a few hours.

When I came back, man my rack looked empty! All that was there now was my Cary 306/200 and the 8200. The Plinius (like everything else these days) has a blue led for a power indicator that flashed briefly when it's first turned on and another blue led indicating whether the 8200 is muted or not.

My first listen was with Keiko Matsui's "Deep Blue". I have listened to this CD so many times I know it very well. It is soothing yet dynamic, restrained yet thrilling. She plays piano and keyboard for those that don't know her. Within the first few notes I knew the Plinius was something special.

The mid range came alive with lush fullness I had never heard before from my Muse monoblocks or Bryston 4B-ST. And the highs, well they were etched in space and time with definition I didn't think a redbook CD was capable of. Each key struck, hung sharply in the air with perfect pitch until it gradually dissipated in anticipation of the next. And then there were incredibly low level triangles and chimes I had never noticed before, so subtle as to be almost inaudible but now clearly heard. These did not call attention to themselves but blended into the overall composition as she intended.

After many hours, I am still in awe of what the 8200 can portray. I listened to Norah Jones, Lorenna McKennit, Vanessa Mae, and Rachmaninov. The 8200 produced vocals, piano, violin, and brass with equal fidelity and effortlessness. Oh, but does this come with a price? In my system, I began to detect a looseness in the very lowest bass octaves.

I put on Madonna's "Like a Virgin" and played through all the cuts and it seemed okay, brilliant in fact, in keeping pace. I then played McKennitt's "The Visitor" and on track 5 "Greensleeves" and especially on track 6 "Tango to Evora" I detected an irritating boominess at the bottom which I had not noticed before.

The Bryston went back into the system, using the 8200 as a pre-amp. I played the same CD.
Damn, the boominess was mostly gone but so was the phenomenal midrange and highs I loved so much.

Recently, I have trying different power cords. A DIY 8 AWG cord helped quite a bit, but I'm not sure I can live with the low end. I don't care how loud it is, I just want it tight. Maybe the 8200 is actually getting lower than the Bryston and my speakers can't handle it. I will continue to work with this amp because it is too good to give up.

If you lack space, and seek a high resolution, yet smooth sounding amp, give the 8200 a try.

Associated gear
Cary 306/200 CD Player
Empirical Audio Cables

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emorawski
Redkiwi,

Yes, I know about why you are referred to as "kiwis." I grew up in Scotland (which I think of as another former English colony!). I carry two passports (UK, US) just in case I get into trouble.

I was hoping to get to NZ for part of the Dylan tour, but it's not going to work out, unfortunately!

Thanks for your comments regarding cables and shelves. I'll look into the ICs, esp., and see if I can find some for audition.

I don't know about ludicrous left-wing politics. I lean that way a little, but find most politics/politicians to be ludicrous regardless. And, by the way, you are welcome up here anytime!
Sherod - yes Tiger's caddie is from here. Kiwis are usually both fiercely independent and fiercely competitive. This is possibly why our ancestors went to precisely the other side of the world just to get away from the English. Poor old Tiger probably gets told exactly what to do and gets ribbed when he screws it up.

Marakanetz - last time I looked the price in NZ was around half the price in the US. Some dealers here began to get a lot of internet and mail order sales to the US, but the US importer got wild and Plinius had to reign in those dealers. All that is fair enough. I personally do not disagree with the right of a supplier to set whatever price they wish, and therefore do not object to the price discrimination. But I am pretty sure noone can object to you walking into a NZ dealer and buy a Plinius at NZ prices, get a refund on the sales tax on the way out of the country and then rely on the international provisions of the warranty. Conversion to 115V is fairly easy with the Plinius gear, but I am sure the dealer would happily supply it in 115V guise. The relativity of prices will have changed with the NZ dollar having risen recently - principally because the US dollar has fallen, but also because our interest rates are high and terrorists are not interested in us. Since you seem like an old buddy to me, if you want to follow it up just send me an email and I will happily help some more.

Cpdunn99. Yes, I was referring to the ludicrousness of the politics, not the ludicrousness of being left-wing. While I lean to the right, or should I say towards Libertarianism rather than the "let's nuke 'em" part of the spectrum, it would be fair to say that NZ's right wing parties are well to the left of the Democrats in the US. What frustrates me about NZ's ludicrous left is that their well intentioned, but totally emotionally driven decisions, often completely backfire on the people they so desperately want to help. But I guess my apologetic reference to our politics was to say I am often embarrased at the churlishly anti-American sentiment that is often present in some of the statements of our left-wing leaders here. However, I am sure you are occasionally embarassed by your politicians too(?) Now tell me, are you a man that likes a wee dram. I love the Scot single malts, but can always benefit from a recommendation. I tend to like the peaty Islay (like Lagavulin) or Isle of Skye (Talisker), but also like some complex lighter drops such as the Balvenie too. The last Scotsman I asked this question of on Audiogon told me he didn't drink the stuff - hope that wasn't you.
No, Redkiwi, it wasn't me!! I actually responded to another post on another thread about Scotch. I listed two of the three you mentioned, Lagavulin and Talisker! I also listed Knockando. So, ye ha' goood taste!
I shall get my hands on some Knockando today as the cupboard is looking perilessly bare - and drink you a toast (or three) over some music tonight. If Lagavulin and Talisker are to your liking and so is Knockando, I am sure I will agree. Many thanks.