Review: Ars Sonum Filarmonia SE Tube amp

Category: Amplifiers

I hesitated before posting this review because the Ars Sonum, paired with the Merlin VSM-MME, has such a synergy that the results are beyond everything I've heard in this price range and much higher. My hesitation came from the fact that I don't know how the Ars Sonum sounds with other speakers (I have no reason to think it doesn't sound as amazing, though), and from the fact I don't want to sound pretentious or aggressive by saying "I see no reason to spend more if you're looking for a state of the art amplifier, whether separates or integrated, regardless of price". Yet that's how I feel.

The secret here is synergy. There's something a little bit crazy buying a pair of speakers then trying to find an amplifier from another manufacturer which is going to be a good match. The Filarmonia happens to be perfectly suited to the Merlins, and goes a long way showing how system synergy and design optimization (only the best, matched components are used) can produce astonishing results.

To the defence of other manufacturers, it is also my understanding that Ricardo Hernandez, their very humble and sweet designer, builds them as a side-job himself, one by one, and doesn't rely only on them to make a living. As a result, you spend 3500 dollars and get something that would normally retail for at least twice that amount. Then there's the talent of the designer, and I believe you would actually have to spend more than five times that amount to get this kind of sound quality. Last time I heard something as good was a pair of 20.000 dollars Lamm monos.

If I put them side by side, maybe the Lamms would sound even better, I don't know. Somehow, I hope so. But the thing is, I have no desire to compare. In absolute terms, the Ars Sonum satifies me on every level. The soundstage is enormous, full of details, and both frequency extremes are served equally well. Midrange transparency is top notch. The tone of this little wonder is up there with the best. The amp is fast, very dynamic, life-like. The sound has that tube sense of easy and serenity, without sounding tubey at all. If you're looking for something euphonic to tame overly bright speakers, this is not the one for you. The Ars is transparent and neutral, and will give you warmth if there is warmth on the record. Most of all, it will reproduce music in the most natural, relaxed way.

I keep shaking my head at the end of every listening session. There doesn't seem to be a limit to the Ars Sonum's magic. As I said, maybe you can have a little bit more of this of that, although I'd be hard-pressed to say what without doing a side by side comparison. Oh yes, maybe it doesn't have that utter blackness of the best solid state designs. But that's really nit-picking and more of an audiophile than a musical criteria.

I really hesitated before going for such a "reasonably" priced amplifier, and such a small one at that. How could it rival bigger, much more expensive machines? What would be the trade-off? Well the proof is in the listening, and I can happily and honestly report that there's no trade-off. The Filarmonia made me a happy audiophile, which probably means I'm not an audiophile anymore. Thank you Ricardo @ Ars Sonum (and Bobby @ Merlin for insisting I wait!).

PS: it should be said there's a long, long waiting list for this amp, hence a lot of waiting. So make sure you have something to listen to music with in the meantime. Every minute of the wait is worth it anyway.

Associated gear
Merlin VSM MME
Esoteric X-03 SE
Nottingham 294 VDH Condor XGM
Cary PH302
Au24