Audiomat... where to buy?

Here's my 2 cents too... being more than concerned :)
- I am not an "euro" dealer, but a Canadian distributor established in N-A since 1996, and selling direct since 2008 when most of my 110 dealers decided to stop their activity; that allowed me to offer very low prices, to the satisfaction of all buyers since.
- I always answer emails... when they are courteous, and not anonymous.

- I fell in love with Audiomat 30 years ago; since then, every customer bringing any other electronics, at any price, recognized their "special" musicality: they just sound "real". Built to last forever, with a service available even for the models sold 30 years ago... a dream come true.Now, matching is still important, as with any system; sometimes it's not the "best" model that suits a specific system.Feel free to ask me; if by chance I know your components, I will share my feeling.
- About tubes: just ALWAYS use the brand and model (example: Sovtek 6550 "C", etc) that was installed on the model at the factory. For the most recent amplifiers (the last 5-10 years, depending of the model), the boards are equipped with protection; Audiomat is the only tube brand having succeeded to implement this without compromising the sound; then a led stops glowing to show the defective tube; with these models, just order a matched pair (or quad) from a reputed dealer (in Canada: thetubestore); it's even cheaper than buying our own tubes; ours were matched in the same amp, a very tedious process; it sounded better on ancient models, but then most of these users are happy getting 95% of the potential of their amp for a fraction of the cost.
Best,
Pascal RavachMutine- 

Here's my 2 cents.  I reviewed the Arpege for SoundStage! back in 1999. https://www.soundstage.com/revequip/audiomat_arpege.htm  

It is a fantastic amp. I like it so much that I became first US dealer. What the above posters said about service was true back then. Can't say how it is now.        theedge's post nailed it. A great sounding ampo.

At the time I was carrying the line, the Prelude was the sweetheart of the line. I haven't heard the Opera.  What was said about the tubes if correct- at least the power tubes. I replaced the 2 input tubes with Mullards with noticeable improvement in the sound.

Congrats on the Arpege Reference. It will serve you well.

HOLD UP!

You do NOT have to send your unit ANYWHERE to get tube replacements.

1. If you buy tubes from the authorized service centre (which I obviously think you should), they keep a record of your amps measurements.

2. If you're the kind of person who owns a $5,000 to $10,000 amplifier but is not willing to pay the mild premium to get it factory serviced (which I do not understand), any competent technician can figure out tube settings.

The service centre mails the tubes to you.

There is no sending units back anywhere.

I have owned two different Audiomat amplifiers, and tube replacements are a breeze.

Audiomat amplifiers sound absolutely incredible in my opinion, and they can be a tremendous value.

With Audiomat because they are integrated amplifiers you eliminate the cost of a separate preamp, and an expensive interconnect.

After years of switching from one integrated amplifier to another, then from one pre / power combo to another, I bought the Audiomat Prèlude Référence and it stopped me in my tracks. I had it from 2011 until 2017, and the only reason I sold it was to buy an Audiomat Opéra Référence.

I previously owned the Audiomat Phono 1.6 (which was excellent) but recently picked up the Audiomat Phono 2.0, but am still waiting to install it in my system.

In my experience, Audiomat products are exceptional sonically, but they also seem to communicate the emotion of the performance a lot better than other gear I have owned in the past..

The Audiomat thread referenced below contains the voices of a few people who are not necessarily the right owner for an Audiomat product, along with a few voices who I think are (including me).

If you are a "tube roller", Audiomat is probably not for you.

If you are a "DIYer", Audiomat is probably not for you.

If you want the reliability and ease of use of a solid state amplifier, but the magic of EL34 tubes and custom wound transformers (and the musicality and magic that comes along with it), Audiomat is probably for you.

If you want to hear the uncompromising vision of the designer of your amplifier, Audiomat is probably for you.

Honestly, give this stuff a listen and if you don’t like it, fine. But it’s exceptionally musical stuff, and it deserves the utmost respect and consideration from any audiophile that fits their target market.

Another reason to think carefully about MUTINE .... PITA in having to send the unit back to MUTINE for tube replacements.

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43797

A sampler:

".... I know from experience that a Audiomat OPERA REFERENCE has to have the 4 El34L replaced my Mutine themselves.

They keep a record of each OPERA REFERENCE according to serial number and they then
send El34L tubes which are numbered to fit the proper tube socket..."

Now I get my Audiomat Arpège Référence 10, and it is singing in my room:) 

Few days after my first email to Mutine, I emailed Audiomat directly, and they relayed it to Mutine. Then, the line was connected, and he helped a lot on answering my questions and getting me an Arpège Référence 10 very soon. I would say Pascal is not unresponsive. Probably he just wants to spend more energy on those who really love their products. 

Another reason to think carefully about MUTINE .... PITA in having to send the unit back to MUTINE for tube replacements.

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43797

A sampler:

".... I know from experience that a Audiomat OPERA REFERENCE has to have the 4 El34L replaced my Mutine themselves.

They keep a record of each OPERA REFERENCE according to serial number and they then send El34L tubes which are numbered to fit the proper tube socket..."

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43797

Here you go....all the trials and tribulations posts of AUDIOMAT experiences in NA with MUTINE.....

caveat emptor .....

MUTINE , located in Montreal, is the full North American distributor for AUDIOMAT,

AUDIOMAT has only limited product distribution around the world for this French product line. So..... unless you have the kohonas the size of church bells to buy it direct from a Euro dealer, you are stuck.
And that’s not recommended because it will only be that local country Euro dealer warranty that applies with $$ shipping costs over the pond that applies,  with none provided by MUTINE.

i have heard from several sources that MUTINE -- a Quebecois distributor --moves primarily in an "edited" (ergo -- ranging from ultra slow crawl to just ignored and still waiting...) format to respond to emails, and that a phone call should be your preference .

To wit: Taken from the MUTINE website itself:

MUST READ BEFORE CONTACTING US

I took my semi-retirement in 2008; hence, I answer only to serious requests containing full information, including name, address, phone number and a short description of the expected information.

The constant variations of currencies and cariers’ charges prevent stable pricing.
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Musically yours...