Jumped the shark. ???

It is at my daughters Condo now.  I brought back the Heed Obelisk to my house so she could have the HT bypass feature. 

Yes it is quite nice and I am sure you may enjoy it. Only one way to find out. 

I am enjoying the Obelisk now.  

Good luck on your quest. 

Yes we own all of these @rpeluso So S&G means FUN! Also these are all brands that have been around for quite some time.

Google and the Dailyaudiophile.com are your friend. 

okay here you go @immatthewj  Got it covered betting man? 

Thorens TD145, MP110, Clearaudio Performance DC turntable with MP500 cart, SPL Voltare Phonos. Simaudio 680D with Mind2 Players. Simaudio 650D DAC and Transport, Bel Canto CD3t. 

See you in a few weeks with my review. 

 

 

@soix   The Pharaoh II has had a complete overhaul. Here are a few lines from the interview:

 

Not looking for this to be a replacement of the X200 or the for that matter the Heed. Just intrigued by the Class D Hybrid architecture.  

Some Q&A With Designer / Owner Mark O'Brien
What Hypex module are you using in the Pharaoh II? Are the toroidal transformers different?

We use the new OEM version of the N-Core module because it is more transparent and sounds better than the UCD module we used in the original Pharaoh. The N-Core modules are more powerful and require a higher operating voltage than the old modules, so we need to use a larger toroid to provide the higher B+ voltage.

 

Has the topology of the circuitry changed from Pharaoh I?

Yes, the new Pharaoh is quite different from the original version and the circuit has been redesigned to achieve a higher level of performance. We use high-quality components in all of our equipment, but we did upgrade some of the critical capacitors and resistors in the Pharaoh II. In general, we believe the quality of the circuit is of fundamental importance, but better parts can improve an already good circuit.

 

Has the front end (tube) circuitry been improved?

The new Pharaoh II circuitry was designed using a newer and much more sophisticated CAD system than the original version; this alone results in enhanced performance. Beyond that, the circuit grounding, as well as the tube design parameters, have all been improved upon.

 

Has any of the major specifications changed with the new revision?

The biggest specification difference is the higher output power of the new Pharaoh II. It went from 185 Wpc to a 250 Wpc (conservative) rating. More importantly, the specs don't indicate how much better the new version is. For example, the new version has a larger and higher quality power supply, which doesn't affect the specs but improves the sonics.

 

Is there anything new in the headphone and Phono sections?

The headphone has been completely redesigned and is effectively a single-ended version of our dedicated headphone amp (the RH-5). It features MOSFET buffers and higher output power. The phono design is similar to the original but uses better components for a lower noise floor and better sound.

 

Does the unit have to be on (Blue Light) for the Pharaoh to be used as a preamp? Tubes engaged?

The unit does need to be turned on to use it as a preamp and it does incorporate the tubes when used in this manner.

 

Any similarity to the RP series of Phono Preamps?

The preamp in the Pharaoh is its design. While it does have some similarities to the RP series, when you design a preamp for an integrated amp, you can optimize it for the power amp section.

 

@immatthewj you are a real fine human being. 

 

@boxer12 Thank you for the compliment. We have been collecting for a while and while I was down in Padre Island recovering we made a few acquisitions.

Now I am back traveling and have been in the RSA and Mexico for work. Back to the grind.

 

Like I said you are a fine human being @immatthewj.

Time to move a long. No time to waste on the likes of you. 

 

A total waste of time. But a fine human specimen.