Aesthetix Mimas Integrated Amplifier Lab Report

Lab Report

The last Aesthetix amplifier tested here was the mighty Atlas Signature [HFN Dec '14] and, like that tube/transistor hybrid, the new Mimas's continuous power output is also generously in excess of Aesthetix's 150W/300W 8/4ohm rating at 230W/385W, respectively. Similarly, its A-wtd S/N ratio is a little below average at 81dB (re. 0dBW) while its output impedance is uniformly high at 0.24-0.26ohm from 20Hz-20kHz. The latter will cause some modification of the amp/speaker system response depending on the impedance trend of the speaker itself but this, the moderate noise and very high +48dB overall gain are all functions of Aesthetix's very sparing use of compensatory feedback. Distortion, while impressively uniform with frequency [see Graph 2, below], increases steadily with power output from 0.011%/1W to 0.036%/10W, 0.11/100W and 0.15% at the rated 150W/8ohm.

519aes.lab1

Dynamic power output versus distortion into 8ohm (black trace), 4ohm (red), 2ohm (blue) and 1ohm (green) speaker loads. Max. current is 27.4A

519aes.lab2

Distortion versus extended frequency from 5Hz-40kHz at 10W/8ohm (one channel driven)

The distortion behaviour under dynamic conditions is less predictable [see Graph 1, above], reinforcing the fact that the solid-state balanced bridged output is probably injecting more 'colour' into the performance than its tube preamp stage. Nevertheless output is prodigious under transient, music-like conditions where a full 265W, 510W, 780W and 750W (or 27.4A) was recorded up to 1% THD into 8, 4, 2 and 1ohm loads, respectively. So the Mimas really is a powerhouse, its 135W idle power consumption falling to a still-significant 53W in 'normal standby' setting (1-2W would be standard here)! Finally, the stepped attenuator volume control is accurate to ±0.05dB over the top 60dB of its dynamic range while channel separation is a fine >100dB through bass and midrange. PM

Power output (<1% THD, 8/4ohm) 230W / 385W
Dynamic power (<1% THD, 8/4/2/1ohm) 265W / 510W / 780W / 750W
Output imp. (20Hz–20kHz/100kHz) 0.240–0.261ohm / 0.277ohm
Freq. resp. (20Hz–20kHz/100kHz) –0.15dB to –0.32dB/–3.5dB
Input sensitivity (for 0dBW/150W) 11mV / 138mV (balanced)
A-wtd S/N ratio (re. 0dBW/150W) 80.5dB / 102.3dB
Distortion (20Hz-20kHz, 10W/8ohm) 0.035–0.055%
Power consumption (Idle/Rated o/p) 135W / 675W (53W standby)
Dimensions (WHD) / Weight 434x140x449mm / 23kg
Price £8725 (£1500 for phono and DAC options)
COMPANY INFO
Aesthetix Audio
California, USA
Supplied by: StoneAudio UK, Dorset, UK
01202 630066
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