AUDIA FLIGHT Strumento No.8 Signature
Power amplifiers
Throughout Audiodrom’s history, there are two power amplifiers that top the list of the most-tested amplifiers ever. These are my own TAD M2500, which never made it into a proper written review, and the Audia Flight Strumento models, which also never made it into a review. Is it possible that when you spend too much time with a piece of equipment, it loses its novelty for you and you no longer feel the need to write about it? Both the TAD and the Strumento No. 4 and No. 8 models are fantastic amplifiers and always have been. When Audia announced a new, improved version of its flagship models, it occurred to me that this would definitely be an opportunity for me to atone at least one of my sins.
Funkce a forma
I don't want to dwell unnecessarily on an elaborated description of Strumento No. 8 Signature, so I'll keep it brief, just basic facts. It is a rather bulky and really heavy mono power amplifier (450x280x500mm, 103kg each) that drinks energy like a vampyre (330 watts at idle, 1200 watts in operation, because it operates in Class A), has 1000+ damping factor, outstanding signal-to-noise ratio of 110dB, and delivers 650/1300/2300W output power per channel into 8/4/2 Ohm load. That is to say the Strumento No.8 is stable into very low loads - not many amplifiers can handle the impedance dips of some demanding loudspeakers. Audia Flight can handle basically any speaker (tested and validated).
However, there are also some drawbacks—you could say they’re the price you pay for the design. Strumento No. 8 is heavy, and the new Signature version is even heavier. The only way to move it is to use the same methods as the builders of the pyramids at Giza: either plenty of manpower or levers and pulleys. It is also a hungry amplifier which means huge thermal losses. Forget about energy savings if you want to be an owner. Lastly, it has a very elaborate undercarriage. It is basically a chassis-in-chassis design, that isolates what we see from the electronics inside. Audia Flight argues it is the mechanical decoupling that is superior to any standard feet. It won't spare you of additonal investments, though. The Strumento No.8 placed on Stillpoints Ultra 6 V2 is a dramatic upgrade on the factory feet. It’s true that you have to place the Stillpoints pads under the aforementioned floating chassis, so you end up with a combination of two clever anti-vibration solutions under an amplifier.
Nízké frekvence
How the Strumento No.8 Signature is different from the default version? Using the manufacturer’s language, “Every component is scrutinized for peak performance, much like a master luthier perfecting a fine instrument”. The Signature version revisited channel separation by choosing better parts with tighter tolerances and matched values (320,000uF capacitor bank and optimized resistors, custom gold-plated circuit boards and signal paths, ultra-fast rectifiers), and it has been given new 3000VA toroidal transformer for the output stage stage, supported by other three transformers for power and control sections. Fuses were replaced with microprocessor-monitored current sensors, eliminating resistive limitations for optimal energy flow. The gain stage is housed in an aluminum bunker and encapsulated in epoxy resin on top of it, to ensure thermal stability and protection against interference.
From outside, the Signature version certainly looks more premium. It is not that much seen when viewed from the front, where a gold plaque was added (completely cheesy, in my view, but hopefully removable). However, the redesigned cooling fins are a true work of art, and the rear panel features new speaker terminals, which are a beautiful and functional improvement over the standard version (see photos in the gallery). The amplifiers come in wooden crates. If your neighbours see them, they’ll think you’ve acquired the legendary Ark of the Covenant. Twice.
The Strumento No.8 has both XLR and RCA inputs, and two or more monoblocks can be daisy-chained through provided XLR port. It is another smart feature provided that you’d like to run it in bi-amping set-up. The IEC input is a C19 standard, like in the standard version.
Čistota rozlišení
The amplifier has a main mains rocker switch at the back; to turn it on from the standby mode, you use the acrylic drop-shaped button on the front at the top edge, which is backlit in blue with the company logo. Then you’re ready to play.
As I mentioned, I’ve heard the Strumento so many times and in so many different setups that I can’t even remember them all. This time, however, I was in a privileged position, as I had the opportunity to compare the predecessor and the new model head to head under exactly the same conditions. That doesn’t always happen with amplifiers of this caliber and size.
Both the original version and the Signature model share one thing for which I value these Audia Flight amplifiers: you get a solid, well-defined, and exceptionally musical sound. Music is the primary focus here, and that probably makes sense given their Italian heritage. Control and definition are sort of a bonus, not the main focus. Combine that with clarity and dynamics, and you have a guaranteed recipe for success.
Tonální věrnost
The Signature and the non-Signature versions of the Strumento No.8 exhibit remarkable sonical differences, although the aforementioned house sound - that is the inclination towards pleasant touch of sweetness, musicality, and listenability - is present with the upgraded version too.
The first thing that jumps out at the listener is the improvement in the bass end of the spectrum, where the Signature version is clearly superior. The bass quality is in a league of its own, particularly in terms of detail—and thus texture—and control, where the Signature reigns over the speakers with more grip. The tighter low end is thus less likely to mask the adjacent midrange, and where the original version operates with a sort of analog warmth, the Signature is—one might say—analog-precise. Other sonic elements go hand in hand with this grip and control—for example, the treble is more open, more sparkling, and breathes a little more. It’s interesting because I never noticed any deficiencies whatsoever with the treble reproduction in the original version—quite the opposite, the top end was always excellent. But the new version proves that there’s always room for improvement.
The midrange is outstanding; voices like those of Jennifer Warnes or Mari Boine (Grandma) are exceptionally lively and nuanced. Mari’s voice seems to cut through the smoke of a fire against a backdrop of ethnic percussion and rattles. When the skin of the big drum thunders, it isn’t muddled but precisely defined; the bass drum stands out sharply against the silent backdrop, the vocals are delicately rendered, and you can even see the singer’s vocal cords vibrating. This is exactly how you want to hear it.
Prostorovost
Black Sabbath's Fairies Wear Boots and Paranoid from the reissue of their eponymous album (DSD transfer from analogue master tapes in Universal Studios for SACD release) sounded great through the Strumento No.8 Signature. The bass guitar had more snap and crack. The clarity of the bass lines let the guitar solo at 3‘mark stand out, the rhythm and timing around 4‘ mark was fabulous, 30“ later the cymbals were appropriately metallic, the vocal was clean and passionately delivered. The rock sound was punchy, dynamic, and pristine – just outstanding.
Should I point my finger to a practical aspect of the life with the Strumento, it would be its warmup. Alike any other amplifier, to come alive these monoblocks require time to stabilize and develop its full potential before every listening session. In case of the Strumento it means several hours of music with reasonable power delivery before the amp blooms in full. Several means minimum 2, rather 3 hours. The difference between cold and warmed up is quite remarkable. Not switching the amps off could also be a solution, but considering the heat and energy waste it does not seem like a good proposition.
In conclusion, I can say that while I’ve always considered the Strumento amplifiers from Audio Flight to be a safe bet, backed by an excellent price-to-performance ratio, the Signature versions make them one of the best amplifier investments in today’s high-end audio market. If you have room for them at home and on your account, don’t hesitate for a second.
Připojené komponenty
Výpis kompletní řady spolupracujích komponentů nejsem vzhledem k časovému rozsahu už udělat, dominovaly ale různé modely Gauder Akustik, Estelon, Silent Laboratories, Marten Audio, Legacy Audio, Albedo Audio a MoFi. Níže výčet komponentů pro porovnání původní verze s verzí Signature.
- Sources: Wadax Studio Player (streamer/SACD)
- Amplifiers: Audia Flight Strumento No.8 and No.8 Signature mono power amplifiers
- Interconnects and speaker cables: Synergistic Research SRX XL
- Loudspeakers: Silent Laboratories Equilibrium
- Power conditioning: Synergistic Research SRX XL, GMG Power X-Blocker Exclusive Edition, Synergistic PowerCell 12 SX, TweakGuru Horizonta grounding units and cables
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