A hybrid affair.
The Aesthetix Mimas integrated amp is one of those products people have been whispering in my ear about for some time.
“Have you heard one?”
“Not yet.”
“You should.”
“I shall!”
The preamplifier section of the Mimas uses one 6DJ8 (6922) vacuum tube per channel in a fully differential, balanced configuration.
More from Aesthetix on the preamp stage:
This stage uses Roederstein plate load resistors from Germany, Reliable Capacitor coupling capacitors from California, USA, and a discrete solid-state current source. Tubes are burned in for over 100 hours before testing. Our tube testing regimen includes full FFT distortion analysis, gain matching to within .1dB, microphonics and noise levels.
And on the power stage:
This power output section is fully discrete (no integrated circuits), fully differential, zero-feedback, DC coupled, balanced bridge output operating in Class AB. It is capable of 150W into 8 ohms, and nearly double into 4ohms, with both channels driven. Aesthetix painstakingly matches individual FET input devices and bipolar output devices, to ensure channel matching, linearity and stability driving any speaker load.
As you can see, there are a total of 10 inputs, 5 single-ended RCA and 5 balanced XLR, and a pair of speaker binging posts on either side.
And on the “overbuilt” power supply:
A key part of any Aesthetix piece is our devotion to overbuilt, advanced technology power supplies. Mimas is no different, incorporating no less than seven fully regulated power supplies. Fundamental to any power amplfier, the high current power supply is provided by a separate center tapped transformer winding capable of 750VA and feeding 176,800uF of capacitance for a total energy storage of over 110 Joules. The high voltage supply for the vacuum tubes is a fully discrete regulated supply with over 220uF of capacitance supplied by a separate high voltage transformer winding. Mimas’ input circuits are operated by a fully discrete regulated supply with over 4,400uF of supply capacitance. Vacuum tube heater supplies are fully DC regulated. The 900VA low flux power transformer, incorporating 5 separate secondary windings, is designed and manufactured by Aesthetix in our facility in Moorpark, Ca.
I include these quotes because they matter and I prefer to quote than re-write, which somehow always feels like cheating.
The Mimas is warming up as I type and we can’t wait to get acquainted. Stay tuned!
Aesthetix Mimas Integrated Amplifier
Price: $9000
Company Website: Aesthetix
Specifications
Power Section:
Power Output: 150W into 8 ohms, <1% THD; 280W into 4 ohms, <1% THD, both channels driven.
Input Impedance: 20Kohms single-ended, 40Kohms balanced
Bandwidth at full power: 4 – 150kHz
Rated THD at full power: <1%
Preamp Section:
Inputs: 5 line RCA or XLR (balanced)
Volume control: switched resistor network volume control with 88 1 dB steps
Dimensions: 17 7/8″ x 17 11/16″ x 5 1/2″ / 43.4 x 44.9 x 14 cm
Weight: 44 lbs / 20 Kg
Shipping weight: 51 lbs / 23 Kg
Finish: black or silver
Warranty: 3 years, non-transferable