The dragon roars: "A few words about the time required for locking in Hyperion's final tuning. The time to finalize its prototype was only 15% of the total time it took to arrive at the circuit's definitive topology. Creating the precise sound signature of the amplifier took three times longer than the topology. When we add the time to acquire the correct parts, the sound creation process extended to several solid months. Selecting just the right Germanium transistor took a few more months. In total, the creation of Hyperion took up almost a year. That acknowledges many days when the general emotional and mental state doesn't allow us to conduct auditions which go after very small differences. But many small steps create the final result. So we always work on two identical amps to clearly track differences in construction.
"The Ge parts have very clear advances in the microdynamic domain. The input sensitivity in certain Ge types is up to 4 x higher than silicon transistors. In the correct application, this also gives them an advantage over tubes. Their other acoustic influence is a pleasant sparkle and smoothness uncharacteristic of today's semiconductors. Their noise is higher than silicon transistors but the esoteric nature of their reproduction so attractive that it still makes them a valid choice for modern audio gain circuits. Hyperion Ge is a true semiconductor hybrid whose topology marries Germanium, Fet and classic bipolar transistors. Hyperion Ge is both relaxed and very resolved at the same time. This depicts the depth of the 3D stage very nicely. Older audiophiles who began their listening education with speakers far more sophisticated in terms of presentation immediately sense Hyperion's luxury.
"Connecting high-quality speakers takes you into a special zone of hedonism. In the first moments the massiveness and detail of the presentation will be confusing. We just don't expect that from a 10wpc solid-state amp. Relaxation and transparency are in the manner of the most expensive valve amplifiers. Hyperion Ge is the best proof that the final taste mostly depends on the spices used. Our basic intention for creating a playback machine is not a coloured finely scented sound but to present the musical material as realistically as possible; just with relaxed immediacy. We use a non-balanced power supply as the foundation of physiological sound enjoyment. The output capacitor prevents potential DC voltage. There's global feedback and a local loop that corrects the output capacitor's response. The output stage with ~180V potential is powered by class A transistors and the entire topology is discrete except for the XLR input."
Dragan's design process pays obvious homage to both topology and parts selection. It's not just schematic or block diagram. It's also strategic parts choices that influence the outcome. And even though he openly acknowledges Germanium's higher self noise, the correct application of these parts in the input not output stage was key to securing the desired sonics. We're also reminded that critical listening is hard work which we're not always equal to. Some days our attention is keener than others. Unless we enjoy making that concentrated effort; or it's our actual job; listening for pleasure should be about letting go not effort. Here we're told that Hyperion's unusual detail density and microdynamic nuance were deliberately tuned for ease and relaxation. Could AI have designed for these qualities plugged into advanced test kit and robotic assembly? Dragan's words include very human very artistic/creative aspects of circuit design which account not just for measured correctness but how the playback experience feels to the listener.
"My power supply for Hyperion is a voltage-stabilized source of +36V in relation to ground with an output capacitor. Today's amplifiers mostly use symmetrical balanced power like ±18V without an output capacitor to connect directly to the load without protection. Instead they use electronic circuits to disconnect the outputs via relay; or drastically limit their power. Such current limiters often have a negative effect on the sound. Choosing an output capacitor is very demanding because it relies on auditions. This is precisely why we always use two amplifiers during R&D. We make changes in one but not the other. Sometimes it takes hours to make a proper decision. Very often we must postpone the decision until the next day because auditions over one hour long become counterproductive. It must be a job you love. It must be your passion to search for superior more complex sound. Unfortunately an oscilloscope can't measure these changes though they're very obvious to an experienced listener." Can the Germanium input stage be overloaded by hot DACs? "Higher sensitivity loads should use the output marked -6dB. The Meze 109's sensitivity is too high so should connect to an attenuated output. The max optimum sensitivity on the unattenuated outputs is ~105dB/1mW. With ultra-sensitivity headphones the 24-step attenuator control becomes too coarse. The source setting should be such that there's no distortion at position 20-21. Hyperion only requires 0.7V for full power. The industry-standard DAC output voltage used to be ~2/4V on RCA/XLR. Yet some current DACs have outputs higher than 10V. This must be taken into account to not saturate Hyperion whose Germanium buffer precedes the attenuator. It's a topological detail that must be considered." Running my iFi iDSD Pro Signature in fixed mode delivers nearly 6/12V max on RCA/XLR respectively. I'd obviously use that machine in variable mode to pad down those insane figures. Also, Hyperion has no short-circuit protection to eliminate sound-degrading parts. Speaker users in particular want to pay proper attention to correctly affix their cables and prevent accidental slippage.
"In Belgium, Michel Warlop of Ultisone Distribution tested Hyperion on their ~€60K Aries Cerat Symphonia speakers of 99dB/W sensitivity. They had spectacular results against their Aries Cerat preamp and monoblocks so bought Hyperion Ge instead. Its headphone capabilities were just a side attraction. Thanks in advance for testing with such really serious speakers." Conflating serious speakers with expense or sensitivity obviously isn't my beat. I'd try my regular Qualio IQ and Mon's Super Mini both in high-passed mode. We must roll with what we actually have. My days of Avantgarde Duo ultra-efficient hornspeakers are long behind me.
