First impressions of the PMG S200 amp

Audio Components
1

I am two weeks into my experience. So far everything positive. Absolutely no issues. The sound has changed for the better and at around 70-80 hrs. I am quite impressed. I paid close attention to the warning about the rear panel power switch and that is a first for me: to be concerned about that.

I just inserted the amp into my system without changing anything else. It replaced a RogueStereo 100 Dark with PSVane Summit KT-88 tubes. I am all digital using the PMG 512 as streamer, dac and pre-amp. Cardas Clear xlrs into the amp. PS Audio AC-12 power cord for the amp connected to an AQ Niagara 3000 conditioner. Oh yeah, it’s driving KEF Ref 3 Meta speakers through Cardas bi-wired Clear Reflection cables augmented by a pair of Foundry 12 subs.

At first the amp was very dynamic but seemed a bit over board in the treble, but that has come back into balance and now my favorite thing about the amp is the way it handles brass passages. I am a lover of big band jazz and this amp plays the hell out of it. It presents a fine soundstage and allows the force of massed brass attacks to be quite thrilling. It has great musicality which to me means the ability to draw you into the performance even when all aspects of the recording are less than perfect.

Vocal reproduction is excellent, although at first it was not in the class of the Rogue. And now they sound different, but not qualitatively. I love the vocals from the Rogue, but the PMG is excellent and probably more true to the recording. But no way the Rogue keeps up during brass attacks. The PMG is also more interesting because of its transparency and ability to reproduce a more detailed soundstage. I am not a bass freak like some but I find the bass fine.

A couple things I would change: The light in the on button is too bright. I reduce the light on my dac to 3. I like the binding posts on the Rogue better. Also. what is the point of the xlr sub connectors. Are they supposed to sound better? So, unlike the PMG DAC (which I love) this has been uneventful. If you have any interest, you should hear it. I love jazz, but I have listed to all kinds of stuff through it and it plays everything well.

2

Are you saying you could live equally happy with either amp and that the S200 is not a clear upgrade over the Rogue and they just sound different?

3

I am saying that the vocal reproduction is qualitatively equal, but the PMG amp is overall better balanced and clearly better handling demanding passages (with my speakers).

4

How are your subs connected now? Any interest in trying the sub out from the new amp? I would be interested to know if you experience any difference (good or bad). Thanks

5

I am now connected to the high level from the speaker terminals. I have experimented and I really don’t discern much difference between amp and speaker connection. The xlr connection from the PMG amp requires special xlrs which are not provided with the amp.
Steve

6

I have given serious thought to what someone, who dares not to believe in break in, might actually suffer because of this belief.

I have prepared a list of each trauma:

  1. Unwarranted lectures.