Concerto Plus Review From Audio Asylum:
A few years ago I got back into vinyl by purchasing a used VPI HW19 Jr with an Antique
Sound USA PP-1 phono preamp that was made in Seattle (not to be confused with the
Antique Sound Labs that is currently made in China). Since then I have upgraded the table
with SAMA, Scout platter and bearing, fully Expressimo modified RB300 tonearm with a
VTAF (vta on-the-fly), Grado Sonata cartridge, Black Diamond Racing MkIII cones
supporting the plinth instead of the stock sorbothane and Aurios supporting the base. I went
through a Grado PH 1 and an Audio Research PH-3 phono preamp prior to the Concerto
Plus in the attempt to upgrade that end of my system. I came back to my Antique Sound
USA with Brimar NOS tubes every time because of it's fantastic dynamic quality that
always kept me interested in the music. I found the others lacked that quality of drawing me
into the music with that "live" sensation and then hammering me with micro and macro
dynamics. The Antique Sound USA PP-1 was sold direct for $575 and would have become a
cult product had it not been for the untimely death of the designer and company owner. My
positive experience with it allowed me to believe that factory direct products that are not
reviewed by the audio magazines can be real contenders. I was fascinated by the YS Audio
ads on Audiogon and began an e-mail conversation with the designer and owner Mr Chui
Yat Sang that convinced me that he was on to a great simple design using three 12AX7A
tubes similar in concept to the EAR 834P and my current reference. I placed my order easlily
through Paypal. The Audio Experience Concerto Plus (new Aug/04 version)arrived from
Hong Kong in 10 days double boxed with a combination of styrofoam and paper packing.
To my eye the unit looks stunning and far more expensive than it's $699 price on
Audiogon.com.
The following listening experience notes are after the necessary 150 hours of "bedding in" as
Chui Yat Sang calls it and 30 minutes of warm up time after turn on:
I was initially struck by the outstanding articulation and slam of the bass. This is better than
the PH-3 and much better than the Grado and Antique Sound preamps. There is a very
quiet black background with the same level of detail and "you are there" feeling as my
Meridian 588 cd player but with the "continuousness" of analoque. This was very different
than I had ever heard from vinyl before and had me sitting up as new micro details were
presented that I hadn't heard before - impressive considering that this detail was presented in
complete neutrality. Often we perceive detail because the treble frequencies are enhanced.
The soundstage is huge with rock solid images that hang in space. When brass comes in it is
wonderfully dynamic and lifelike. Cymbals shimmer as they should and the differences
between drums can be easily heard.
Next I installed Pearl Tube Coolers, available from partsconexxion.com, on all 4 tubes. This
tweak smoothed things out to my liking. I then tried my Brimar NOS tubes and was
disappointed. These tubes are magic in the Antique Sound PP-1 but gave a sound that was
too soft and lacked the detail that I was now accustomed to. It is interesting that when I
asked for Mr. Chui Yat Sang's advice regarding NOS tubes to run he replied that he didn't
recommend them because they were not stable enough. Good advice. I did, however, try a
set of the China sourced Golden Dragon tubes in place of the stock Chinese tubes and found
them to offer that little hint of "glow" that I like without sacrificing dynamics and detail so I
have settled on them. Please do not feel that the stock tubes are inadequate. They are very
good and have obviously been chosen for a combination of stability, voicing and cost and I
could easily live with them and, in fact, prefer them to the Brimars.
If you are looking for a well made, great sounding and looking phono preamp then this
could be the one for you. It should appeal to the audiophile who likes his/her tube sound very
dynamic and engaging with neutrality and an accurate level of warmth. It will not appeal to
those who enjoy units that roll off the treble in favour of a soft and, in my opinion, less
engaging sound like the PH-3.
This is the type of bargain that can only be had through factory direct sales. The true
testament for me is that my upgrade search is now over. Good luck in your search.