System edited: Added new power cords and biwire jumpers. I have to say I have been turned into a believer on the difference good power cords make. I love both the JPS and the Eichmann cords. Also, I bought a house so I had to change listening rooms. I'm still playing around with placement. Still thinking about upgrading the power conditioner when money allows. I've thought about upgrading the speakers but it would cost a whole lot to go with something I like better. So far I've heard the Thiel CS2.4, the Von Schweikert VR2 and VR4Jrs and would love to have a chance to listen to the Amphion Xenons. On the other hand I'm pretty happy with my system so I could live happily with it for years to come.

ffontan September 01, 2005 22:30

I think either Perreaux would be a great option. They are both incredibly musical amps(again the R200i more so than the 200iP) and they both handle dynamics with great ease; I believe this is a function of their power. They are so effortless(another audio concept I never quite understood until I heard them). As I mentioned their bass is incredibly impressive(you gotta give them a little time to break in though...probably like a few days to a week of continuous play), and their midrange has a nice richness and body to it. Not quite tube-like, but a nice and believeable weight to it. They are really musical. In fact, those amps make me wonder about any objections tube-guys have to solid state. I would recommend anyone seek an audition of them.

Another thing, and I can't stress this enough. Their built quality, is IMPRESSIVE. No picture makes justice to how MASSIVE the 200iP is. When I received it, I was just impressed looking at it. The R200i isn't quite as massive, but the built quality is at least the same, just a bit more compact. Of course the R200i is also quite a bit more elegant.

I would suggest you check out a review of the 200iP by Doug Schneider at Soundstage.com at this link:

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/perreaux_200ip.htm

...and if you can check the review of the R200i by Wes Phillips at onhifi.com at this link:

http://www.onhifi.com/product/perreaux_radiance_r200i.htm

Hope this helps. If you got more questions please feel free to ask.

Have a great day;

Felo

ffontan October 08, 2004 15:49

Hey...thanks for the info Felo...if you look at my system, you'll see that I use my integrated for 2 channel HT also. I have found that my old Bryston was better for HT and some music, but the Electrocompaniet is better for most music but lacks the dynamics for action movies and the sort...how do you think that the Perreaux sound would fit my bill in the future?

ellery911 October 07, 2004 23:42

Let me qualify my last statement...

The R200i is indeed a step up from the 200iP...but the 200iP is way above the point of diminishing returns, so you know the differences, in my opinion are not night and day.

The difference in price for new integrateds at MSRP is about $1500.

ffontan October 07, 2004 19:42

Hi there Ellery:

I gotta say, I'm with you on integrateds. I like the simplicity. Plus the performance of the modern day integrateds is really good.

I've owned both Perreaux upper echelon integrateds, the Reference 200iP and the Radiance R00i. I say they are both very impressive with a few similarities and a few differences. I'll share the impression on both.

The first thing that jumps at me anyway, is how efforless they are with music. Not restrained in the least bit. They are both pretty neutral, clean, clear, precise and very quick. They both have bass that's the best I've heard on the price range(better than Krell integrateds in my opinion), and a certain midrange richness that's very nice. Very clean and detailed highs. Their soundstages have real good size, and the imaging is precise and very stable. I love their tonal balance. Its very, well hmm, balanced, neutral, but again with a certain midrange richness and incredible bass prowess. I gotta say I'm impressed with both integrateds.

Now for the differences, the thing that stood out to me about the Radiance R200i, is that in my opinion, its a little more neutral than the Reference 200ip and quieter. In fact the R200i is tomb-like quiet. This of course helps a bit with real low level detail, which goes a bit further into presenting the space around the musicians. I mentioned somewhere that I never truly understood what the whole "quietness" thing meant until I had the R200i in hand. Functionality is great on both integrateds, but the R200i goes a few notches forward. I love the preamp bypass function on both integrateds. For a while I lived in an apartment and had to have my music listening system and my hometheater on the same room. This function went a long way to make my life easier. Build quality on both integrateds is flat out impressive.

To be honest, even with the advantages of the R200i, I probably would've stayed with the 200iP if it wasn't because I caught a REALLY good deal on a demo Radiance one.

Hope this helps. By the way, I'm happy to have answered my first question about my system. I can't wait to move into the new house and finally hook it up, sit down with a good aged rum in hand and listen to some music!

ffontan October 07, 2004 18:18

Just wondering what your impressions are of the Perreaux integrated. I'm a big fan of integrated amps and will ultimately churn through a few of them before I find the one I'm ready to settle down with for good.

Ellery

ellery911 October 07, 2004 17:11