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Plinius or YBA?

I have the opportunity to buy either a Plinius 8200MKII or a YBA Passion Integre integrated amplifier used for approximately the same money. Both units are in great shape as I know the owner and he is getting out of high end equipment. My other equipment is a Rega Jupiter CDP, Vienna Acoustic Beethoven speakers and Acoustic Zen cables. Obviously my question is which amp to go with. I have heard many great things about both the Plinius and the YBA. I haven't found a thread that directly compares the two. What do you folks think? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
crega
clamps200045c1
63 posts
 
Buy them both - each one has characteristics which are compelling. Then sell one of them, then sell the other and buy something else and start the madness ALL over again. Ain't it fun!
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
I own the Plinius 8200 MKII integrated and I really like it however I feel it is slightly warm in character and so are the AZ cables as the Jupiter may well be, so you may want to consider if it would be too warm for your tastes.

I do not want to downplay this amp at all as it is quite good.
vibeman
29 posts
 
8200 II matches up well with Totem Forests. I wouldn't condider this combo warm sounding at all. AQ Sterlings were noticeably better than the AZ Hologram. So match either amp up well and you'll have a winner. ICs are AQ Diamond(silver) - this combo works really well.
youngcanuck2001
3 posts
 
I am currently listening to a Passion Integre at home with a YBA CD1 Delta and I am comparing it to a YBA1 PRE 1 alpha "that I own" and a YBA HC Delta 1 amp.

Both have diffent sound qualities and that is subjective to your personal flavours.. I am on the fence .. But the Passion is suberbe for a price/quality performance ratio.

if you are interested you can read my quick comparison of both in another thread i started before purchasing my CD1 Delta.

Good luck with your purchase...

If you purchase the Passion Integre watch out to not short the speaker cables you will fry the transistor ouputs...

cheers.
lgregoir
106 posts
 
Take them both home and try them in your system... This is the best advice I can give you.

They both are great units... Of course, I am biased towards the Passion but your ears should make the decision.

Just one thing, listen to both amps at different volumes. The amps may have different audible characteristics when played at different volumes. For example, the Plinius may sound great at low volume but may sound very harsh at higher volume level. On the other hand, the Passion may sound less involving at low volume but sound much nicer than the Plinius at higher level. These are only ficticious examples but these are factors that have to be considered.

Just me 2 cents
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