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High frequencies were extended and sweet when the system was fully adjusted. No harshness or grain were ever in evidence that could be attributed to the electronics. Midrange was dimensional and highly detailed. Vocal material had enunciation without becoming clinical and could achieve a richness of detail and presentation similar to that of tubed units. There was an aliveness that could convey emotional nuance. Bass character was natural. It exhibited substantial power and control but was also very revealing of rich instrumental texture. Rather than being impressive per se, the bass allowed the instrument to be impressive.
Soundstage presentation was neutral, neither recessed nor forward unless material was so recorded. Absolute depth was foreshortened to a small extent. This was most noticeable in the upper frequencies and probably the result of a minor forward push in that range affecting timing. The acceptable trade-off was a corresponding increase in transparency revealing a substantial amount of hall acoustic and air.
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Imaging and solidity varied according to setup. In the early listening stages the system leaned to transparency more than dimensionality. The inclusion of the upgraded power cable and resonance control devices added greater dimensionality, making the performance far more real and palpable. At optimum, the unit displayed imaging prowess reminiscent of a tube design but achieving that level of performance required attention to detail.
Resolution was quite good. It reproduced fine detail with finesse capturing differences in leading and trailing edges of instruments on recordings. It was highly revealing of timing information. A difference of ½° in the vertical alignment between the two speakers was easily discernable during setup. That level of precision made placement decisions and system changes easy and obvious. There is an abundance of information available and your skill can shape it into a credible performance.
Mating with the subwoofer and crossover was excellent. It was easy to achieve a relatively seamless blend as a result of the amplifier’s high resolution and ability to convey timing information. One additional byproduct of the pairing was a further improvement in midrange dimensionality and high-frequency cohesiveness, indicating that the amplifier was more comfortable with the load.
I decided to separate which of the characteristics of the integrated amp belonged to the line stage and which to the output stage. Evaluation of the preamp was done in various stages.
Preamp evaluation. The CD player was connected directly to the amplifier stage using the bypass provision afforded by the loop-through. Incidentally, I never came across any circumstance where noise or hum were detectable, true not only for this portion of the evaluation but over the entire course of the review.
The performance in this test can be considered unremarkable or remarkable depending on your viewpoint. Tonal balance, soundstage characteristics, imaging and dynamics were all unaffected to any appreciable degree. By virtue of this, one can conclude that the line stage function is as transparent as any passive stage could wish for.
In the next phase, the CD player was fed to the Wyred4Sound line stage and the loop-out was fed to the Bel Canto amplifier. This allowed me to evaluate the unit as a preamp alone. The results were quite positive. Again, there was no appreciable difference between the direct signal and that from the preamp. The Wyred4Sound line stage altered the signal to about the same extent as any quality volume pot. And make no mistake, this volume pot is very good.
What’s the potential? From a technical standpoint, the STI 1000 amplifier offers a vast amount of low distortion power in a small package. It is exceptionally efficient. From a sonic standpoint, it has the potential to deliver uniform dynamics over a wide volume range. This is something the best amps aim for and something digital amplification appears to do rather well. Dimensionality and soundstaging can rival tube technology. Resolution and accuracy of response can challenge the upper tiers of audiophile product. In short, an excellent potential technology if intelligently implemented.
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With that level of expectation, how did the amplifier section perform? Given a single caveat, the answer is very well. My loudspeaker is unusually inefficient and presents a challenging load. The addition of the upgraded power cable made a huge difference to the performance of the power supply. The caveat is that the B&O module may prefer to see an easier load or require better conductivity to the electrical source to work at full potential. Once that is achieved, the amplifier really does deliver a stunning level of performance.
Richness is not a description you would expect of a non-valve design but it is achievable with the STI 1000. Driven direct from the CD player or through the preamp stage, the amplifier was capable of lifelike palpable images in a well-defined acoustic space offering as much dryness or warmth as was captured on the recording.
Tonal balance could be varied depending on cabling and resonance control. The system could be varied to achieve “studio monitor” type sound with microscopic hyper detail or any audiophile style through lush and mellow. The amplifier was therefore accurately reflecting system changes.
Resolution and dynamics? The crucial ability to preserve dynamic range at low listening level was achieved. Given a loudspeaker that can convey that characteristic, the amp can create a vividly dynamic picture at natural instrument levels. This is simply dynamic accuracy affording a more realistic and lifelike reproduction. Coupled with superior resolution, the amplifier achieved inflection, fine detailing and frightening power from a performer drawing breath, the resonance of a bow being drawn to the flutter of a reed instrument or massive percussion and organ.
Bass control? Where most people will think in terms of terms like “slam”, I prefer texture. If an amplifier can pass power with detail, it is more accurate. Think of hitting a bass drum - the instantaneous strike, the resonance of the drumhead, the definition of how tightly it is tuned, the massive amount of delayed air motion which it creates from the back, the reverberation and decay of both hall and instrument. That is a real bass drum. This amplifier gives that type of detail and level of control. Steep transients are captured, nuances revealed.
It wasn’t so surprising that the amplifier did well with large-scale pieces. That is expected with this level of resolution and power. It is after all a “big” amplifier. Surprising was the agility whereby it handled small-scale material, intimate details, tiny nuances, those performance-oriented characteristics which are more associated with “smaller” amplification. Soundstage and imaging results were identical to the holistic evaluation - neutral presentation, excellent width, mild foreshortening, palpable images with focus and specificity, excellent ambient retrieval. Looking at these results, one can understand the popularity of this amplification module in statement designs. This is very high-caliber performance and its inclusion in this integrated design elevates its stature.
Conclusion. Wyred4Sound has gone to great lengths to earn your business. They are offering near state-of-the-art technology and performance at mid-level prices. By any realistic definition, the STI 1000 is a bargain. The preamp will appeal to those looking for the “straight wire with gain” approach. It will not create warmth but convey it. The line stage alone would probably warrant the price of admission. The amplifier has virtually unlimited power and a high pedigree. If your loudspeakers are relatively sane loads, the sole caveat I have expressed will not apply and it will be happy to display its HighEnd credentials.
For years, serious hifi has traditionally meant separates. Wyred4Sound has challenged that preconception with a no-compromise single box solution which gives little ground to any separate dynamic duo (and made this proposition temptingly affordable). This is a serious effort and in the right system the STI 1000 will perform with a vengeance that belies its size. Powerful, efficient, musical - separation anxiety? Perhaps it’s time the masses embraced integration.
Easily recommended, the Wyred4Sound STI 1000 is sold Internet direct and through select dealers. See website for details.
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Quality of packing: Double shipping box. Product well protected with formed foam and plenty of open space.
Reusability of packing: Yes
Condition of components received: Perfect.
Delivery: Prompt
Website comments: Well laid-out and informative but the current descriptions about the STI units' preamplifier stages require better explanations on how they differ from the STP standalone preamp..
Human interactions: Professional and friendly.
Warranty: 3 year warranty.
Final comments & suggestions: Bargain. One only hopes the manufacturer will not review their advertised retail price and deem it a typo. |
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