1,000,000%

I'll add RAAL ribbon, Karan acoustics, Dayens, Auris audio, Supreme Analog, Solaja audio, Korato etc.

Glad to hear that. Enjoy! 👍

​@@iiWiReviewsIn your opinion, would this preamplifier sound better than the Holo Audio Serene for its price? I am keen to purchase the Acoustic Invader preamplifier and amplifier (both would add up to be close to the price of the Serene).

Constipated viewers - the best praise a KZfaqr can get. 🤣 Cheers!

Discovered Odyssey just now due to your comment. They have some promising gear that I'm going to be paying close attention to. Thanks for the reference.

I auditioned these at CAF…..very impressive.

Bas si me zainteresovao za ovaj kombo! Skupljam lovu!

Thanks! Special 40 looks like a great speaker and I do like Dynaudio in general. I'm currently working on a DIY project called Spirit Wind by Jeff Bagby that uses great Danish drivers. Special attention will be given to the crossover. I hope it will outperform LS50 very clearly.

Me and the live stream, well that would be a proper disaster I guess. 😅

LS50s are insane when it comes to scaling. Many experienced audiophiles mentioned it, but you don't know by how much until you actually feed them with something like this. All that said, I'm working on a DIY replacement that should really be the next step in terms of sound quality.

@@iiWiReviews interesting!

Can you give us the name and contact of the companies please?

Thanks James! Well, I'm not a good person to test phono stages since I've been a fully digital guy for a decade now. But I guess it is doable to test Ai DAC. As for the speakers, it's a traditional boxed design but a truly high-quality one. It's the project Spirit Wind by Jeff Bagby. He was a well-respected designer with many highly praised speakers. Drivers alone are state of the art and a big chunk of the price, so I'll just make an effort that cross-over and box are up to the challenge.

@@iiWiReviews Thanks so much for the info-look forward to hearing more!

You're right, and I already have something in the workings... A DIY speaker project from the respected constructor Jeff Bagby. Hope it turns out well. 🤞

Thanks! Yeah, their website could use a bit of work. Contact is at the bottom. The mail is acousticinvader@gmail.com Cheers!

@@iiWiReviews thanks for that. I try that email now. A word on the pre-amp. If it doesn't sound good until its warmed up for about 4 hours. Can it in your opinion be left of permanently.

It can be left on permanently, but the stand by mode is also fine. Only complete disconnection from the mains is something I don't recommend.

There is no import duty just 20% Vat...besides I have Acoustic Invader available in the UK if you are seriously interested,

Congratulations! Hope you'll like it as much I do. 👍

@@iiWiReviews I really think there is a good chance I will. I have been looking for a good and not-crazy prized JFET-based preamp. Was considering a used Sugden LA-4, but I honestly think Acoustic Invader looks like the better - and better built - design, and it’s also at a price, where I can take the chance on it. Not least based on your thorough review. Thanks again for that. Great review and help since you compare and address to objective reference points, that match my experience. I recognise what you describe about Hegel and typical class D fra NAD etc. I’m now also considering the matching power amp - my only concern is that I’ve never really liked a class D amp. They can sound impressive for 10 minutes, then I get bored - even if it’s 1KW and wrestling big speakers with ease, it’s like Coke Zero to my ears; something essential is missing. But you don’t hear that in this case? I also hear Paul McGovern from PS Audio uses the same ICE 1200as2 class d modules in this power amps, and he’s also sceptical of class d. So I’m considering - and tempted - at the moment 😊

@soundapple, how did the Acoustic Invader amp work out for you in the end? And did you get the matching post amp?

@@franknelissen8041 It is a very good preamp. Fast sounding first and foremost, with excellent flow. If I have to choose between warm and slow and faster and leaner, I will take fast any time. Not that it sounds lean - it dosent. I also tried combining it with an ICE 2000AS2 power module (high power version of 1200AS2) - the same as Acoustic Invader uses - in an other casing and with other connectors etc., but essentially the same circuit. With my speakers at the time - NEAT Iota Xplorer - that ended up sounding a little too dry. Probably also due to the crazy high damping factor of the power amp. For a fully balanced, solid state preamp - if you need such a thing - the Acoustic Invader is an excellent choice. Runs totally quiet, sounds musical, great build, and Goran, the builder, is a great guy and a pleasure to do business with. But it depends what you are looking for. I am looking for music to sound alive, and that, is my best guess, means simple curcuits and low power (SE class A, like the best of Audio Note, although that is crazy expensive and over priced). I have since sold the whole system, and am now having single ended 8w monoblocks and preamp custom built with very linear and fast sounding tubes (GU50 / 6n6P) and top quality components (the fewer components = simplest possible circuits, that are still stable and operating within correct paremeters, the better, is my conslusion after MANY years). New speakers will be Cube Audio Nenuphar v2, full range speakers with no crossover. In such a system, you get even closer to pure and natural sound. Even the best components burn off part of the signal as heat.

Thanks! Big greetings for Greece! Unfortunately, Acoustic Invader is doing auditions only locally, cause it's a small scale operation. Hope it will grow and maybe implement some sort of return policy that would make it more accessible to everybody. Cheers!

@@iiWiReviews Thanks a lot for your reply. [Athens is watching you!!]

@@iiWiReviews Thessaloniki watching too!

May I ask how’s your purchase? Any comment so far for reference would be appreciate

I'm just about ready to make a purchase and have been considering the Parasound P6 or PS Audio GainCell DAC (out of stock) to go with my Parasound A23+ amp. But I can't get Acoustic Invader out of my mind. I have contacted Goran again and just like before he was very helpful and sent me a new price list. My question is to you think the AI pre will be a good choice even though I won't be using the AI power amp. I have an SMSL SU-9n DAC. Thanks for your thoughts.

@@michaelboyce3619so what did you decide?

Combo itself sounds very good at lower volumes because it has full sound that doesn't feel depleted and thins when you decrease the volume. But this also depends on speakers a lot.

"The great stereo separations are due to the separate power channels - this is why people bi-amp" -------no it is not.

Yeah, I am. Thanks for the praise! The quoted price is for new units, I got my second hand at a lower one.

I'd like that too but it's expensive to get it here with all taxes and everything. Maybe sometimes. Also, I think Acoustic Invader ships worldwide, but yeah...expanses and everything.

@iiWi Reviews Either way you do an exceptional job evaluating this crazy topic called sound quality.🤗😇

Hi, I have heard i22 and i32 but not their separates, so not sure about mixing and matching... If you're from Serbia, Acoustic Invader would probably provide their preamp for testing, no strings attached.

In that case, most would depend on the quality of that preamp. You know that one - the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. For example, I've tried this amp hooked directly to the Gustard X18 DAC (which has volume control) and while the sound was more than OK with plenty of punch and details... But it lacks width and airiness compared to using this preamp. Considering that you do save money that way it might be an OK compromise really, but it can't fully match the high quality preamp. As always, I'll keep testing and searching for more affordable gems out there.

@@iiWiReviews thanks!

It's difficult to digest for some people but cables and connectors do make a difference. Here, WBT binding posts are used, IeGo gilded IEC, and Duelund internal wiring across the board. I had a chance to hear the same module with different connectors and wires and it does make a noticeable difference. Danny GR research is not lying about that. 🙂

Yes it can; it’s fully balanced.

You can check acousticinvader.com/, there's contact details there. I am not sure about pricing at the moment so best check with Ai. It's a small brand and will personally answer any questions you may have.

Thanks John! My name is shyly shown in that short intro under the iiWi logo... I don't mention it because it's a mouthful - Srboljub Stojanovic, and it's as difficult to pronounce for westerners as it looks. 😄 I'm very glad to hear you like Tradutto. Regarding Acoustic Invader, I would say that the final sound is definitely the combination of the two. The power amp is very powerful, dynamic, focused, and clean. Preamp adds width, air, and a sense of relaxation to the sound. Also a bit of sparkle in the highs. I haven't heard XTZ Edge yet so not sure how would those combine, to be honest here.

@@iiWiReviews Thanks very much for your reply, Srboljub. incidentally, I still can't find your name anywhere, even under the site logo. Never mind. I looked it up and as far as I've been able to determine, it would be pronounced phonetically as SHR - BOHL- YOOB, which if correct, doesn't sound too hard. I feel as if I've come to know you a little and it seems rude not to use your given name. From what you say about the preamp, it appears it is largely responsible for the underlying sound signature of the combination. I recognize the general contribution of the power amp from my own class D power amp (also ICE powered) -- it adds dynamism, weight and authority to the 6000A without altering its basic sound signature. See Zero Fidelity's review of the A2-300 here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hr5miqtyz6esn4k.html&ab_channel=ZeroFidelity My Quad S2 speakers are an excellent match, I find. Very probably the Acoustic Invader power amp, being almost three times the cost of mine, and more powerful to boot, would lend even more dynamism/authority/weight, but it might be worthwhile to get the preamp and see how it works out. Could be it would be sufficient for my needs, as I have neighbours to think about! I will mull it over -- I must say, I am very tempted indeed.

I believe you're right about pairing, and which brings what. You're also right about the name pronunciation (it's on that short gray YT intro at the beginning of every video, that says: iiWi Reviews with Srboljub Stojanovic). A shorter nickname I go by is Srba, but even Serbian kids have trouble saying that because of three consonants, rolling R, and only one vowel. 😅 BTW, it's a very old and uncommon name even here, and I'm the youngest person I've ever known having it. 😄

@@iiWiReviews I can't roll my "R"s at all well (I found this out when some Spanish friends tried to get me to pronounce them and fell about laughing when I tried). But apart from that, I can get pretty close. I enjoy your reviews very much and look forward to them a lot. So I think I'll join your Patreon group as I want to help you with the channel. You should be a lot bigger than you currently are and I want to help you get there.

I swear I sound much smarter in my native language. 😄

I didn't do enough testing separately to say with confidence, but connecting Gustard X18 directly to the power amp had great amount of details and focus, while lacking some width and air, and that sense of effortless sound that both amp and preamp provide. So I would say that amp brings power, dynamics, and control... While preamp is most deserving for the big soundstage, air, some tone timbre. I will keep testing them both in different configurations.

Thanks! It gets warm to the touch but not alarmingly hot. Unlike some ICEpower implementation that use casing only to disipate heat, this amp has an aluminium heatsink inside the unit and plenty of venting openings. I guess that makes a difference.

@@iiWiReviews Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

Modules in M700 are ICEpower but slightly older, weaker, and mono modules. I have never heard any implementation of those but ICEpower 1200AS2 that is used in Acoustic Invader power amp is the latest and the most powerful ICE module. The only way to go up from it is by using two 1200AS in dual mono configuration.

@@iiWiReviews Ahh - guessing the 2x 1200s is what's in stellar M1200 - at $6k!

I just installed the XTZ Edge A400 ICE amp in my Hades/Thallo setup, it sounds good with the Hades and Ares II. Cannot say it sounds better, just different, in a good way. I'm using the KLH Model 5 speakers.

​@@michaelwright1602 Thank you.

I think the star of the show here is the IcePower AS module. I wonder if they picked up some cues from Purifi and Hypex designs? Would be interesting if you could compare the 1200AS to them in a shootout.

Will do if the chance presents itself.

I ended up building a Icepower dual mono 200AS1 amp in a Ghent case. It’s quite good. Also built a set of Mogami XLR cables (W2534 star-quad, Neutrik Black/Gold). This amp with PecanPi streamer is killer value!

Ai is not making tube preamps but this JFET from the video is actually aimed to achieve some good aspects of tubes like big holographic soundstage and smooth sound. He knew what he was doing in my opinion.

@@iiWiReviews From your description of AI preamp, it would seem that it sets the benchmark for preamps both solid state and tube, and as the Schiit failed to surpass, my question was, is there perhaps other tube preamps in this price range that can equal or surpass the AI preamps stellar performance and work well with his power amp, there is perhaps another contender, the Musical Paradise MP-701 mk2 tube preamp from Canada at $720, it looks better build quality than that Schiit, I would very much like your opinion on this one partnered with AI's power amp, thanks.

@@pounceonyou1958 It might be a very good match but I haven't tried it so I could only guess at this point.. BTW, even though I didn't like Freya+ more personally, with some nice NOS tubes it is also a really good match in my opinion. Especially for US based buyers that can get it at advertised price.

I hope you'll like it too. Yes I still use AI combo but upgraded a bit to a flagship preamp Fulcrum and two amps in dual mono.

@@iiWiReviewsAre these more expensive AI components a huge step up?

I tried connecting it to H190, it did improve its sound slightly...but it was better yet with this dedicated preamp.

Thanks! I was initially planning on moving to H190 myself so a friend brought it to my place and we compared them directly in my system. To my ears, Acoustic Invader sounded fuller and more present in the midrange with simply more palpable sounds, which is opposite of my previous experiences with class D. Music just sounds more life-like. So I purchase these instead, and that friend is thinking about doing the same. The only thinness and lack of richness I can hear happens when the preamp is disconnected from the mains and gets cold completely... On the next power up it needs 4+ hours to get to its usual rich tonality. This doesn't come up in normal use but just wanted to say that no critical listening should take place in those first few hours after connecting it in the system cold. Personally, I haven't heard H390 and can't comment on it, but another owner of this preamp/amp combo told me he did actually compare it to those and still preferred Acoustic Invader. By the way, very nice rig. I'm also contemplating upgrading to Pontus II sometime when my budget recovers from this and the new speakers that are in the making. Cheers!

@@iiWiReviews I was using LS50 meta with Audiolab pre and Orelle power (Orelle brand no longer exists and taken over by Naim around late 1990) was very happy with the combo. Unfortunately, with the transformer hum, I misjudged as a fault and replaced with H190. I believe Orelle had much higher current (but only 75W at 8ohms) and was a better match compared to H190. But H190 has a cleaner background. Then I have replaced LS50 with Harbeth M30 XD and I have no words to explain how good these Hrabeth speakers are. With the lack of midrange energy in H190 I should change my amp when I have sufficient budget for an upgrade. I am reluctant to invest on class D amp until I am convinced that it can match at least to a class A/B amp. With the pricing, even I sell my H190, I should be able to get acoustic pre/power combo. It is hard to find any one in Australia for a sound comparison. Not sure you have any plan to have some demo clips in the future for comparing acoustic combo with H190. All the best for your new project building speakers. After changing my speaker cables from AQ rocket 88 to Ramm Audio AMADEUS-5 MK2 SPEAKER CABLE, I was able to achieve much of the midrange but still lacking the energy, i believe due to the less peak current availability on H190. This speaker cable is highly recommended.