Ars-Sonum Filarmonia XP Universum Series Class A EL34 Tube Integratred Amplfier

JUST DON’T LOOK AT THE PICTURES! :-P LOTS OF DETAILS, INFORMATION, ETC THAT IS ACTUALLY WORTH READING ABOUT THIS AMP IS GIVEN BELOW! :-) Thanks!

Special Offer: For several months this year (likely ending this fall 2024), save $500 off the $5,450 current price and get a Filarmonia XP for only $4,950. A demo amplifier is available for home demo. Give it a listen before ordering. Call/message for details.

The Ars-Sonum Filarmonia XP Integrated Amplifier

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF Ars-Sonum AND A FEW NOTES ABOUT THIS AD Please Read (sorry this is a long ad, but we wanted to give full details on this amplifier in hopes it will answer most questions you may have or info you would like to know - Thanks in advance for your interest!):

INTRODUCTION & SOME HISTORY
Like some other small companies are doing, I am using this Audiogon ad as a way for us to get the word out, generate some interest, and maybe sell a few Ars-Sonum products for we are the exclusive USA dealer/retailer for. I imagine most of you are not familiar with Ars-Sonum or have ever heard of them. They are a small company located in Madrid Spain that has been manufacturing tube audio amplifiers for over 20 years. Some of you may recognize this is (a much later and newer version of) the amplifier that Merlin Music Systems (Bobby Palkovic) introduced and sold in the USA around 2005. It quickly earned a reputation for delivering excellent sound with his Merlin speakers and also received a excellent review in Stereophile by John Marks in 2007 (and if I recall right, it was a Stereophile Class A recommended component).

With Bobby Palkovic’s unfortunate passing in 2015 and the following closure of Merlin Music Systems, we (Signature Sound) took on all sales and support of Ars-Sonum amplifiers in the USA. Service work for the amplifiers was always performed by me (Rich Brkich) for Merlin, so I have since then continue(d) to provide authorized factory service and upgrades for all Ars Sonum amplifiers today (my background includes younger years of working as a tech then degrees in Electronic Tech and Electrical Engineering, followed by about 10 years in the aerospace industry).

There have been several versions of the Filarmonia amp made over the years. The early version reviewed by John Marks back in 2007 was the Filarmonia SE version (read that as Filarmonia, Series "E" - hence the "SE"). Since then, the SJ and SK models/versions have been sold here in the USA. These versions incorporated various improvements over the SE version such as reducing the number of coupling caps in the signal path, revised chassis design with better venting and chassis mount RCA jacks, improved power transformer, and a coupling cap upgrade in one spot in the design. This latest upgrade/version is a new Filarmonia XP Universum which features new further optimized output transformer designs.

WHAT’S AVAILABLE TODAY AND HOW WE ARE SELLING THESE AMPS
This brings us to 2024 and the new in 2024 Ars-Sonum Filarmonia XP Universum integrated amplifier, which from the outside looks much like the amp introduced by Merlin to the USA back in 2007, but internally incorporates many improvements/changes that results in a clearly better sounding amplifier than any other previous version. These are outlined (in the italic paragraphs) below, but first a few notes about how this amplifier is priced/sold:

  - We WILL consider trade-ins. Please message, e-mail, or call us with what you have to trade-in (its age, condition, inclusion of box/manual etc) and I will let you know if I will take your item on trade and how much I could offer for it towards purchase of a this demo Filarmonia.

  - Ars-Sonum amplifiers are priced here in the USA with no additional distributor mark-up. In fact if Ars-Sonum would sell you a amplifier from them in Spain to the USA (spec), after currency conversion, FedEx shipping, and import duties - for a new amplifier you would be more than what we are charging for this amplifier plus you get the full benefit of support, warranty, and service here in the USA.

- Price includes free ground shipping within the continental USA on new amplifiers. All amplifiers come to us directly from Ars-Sonum in Madrid Spain via FedEx international Air. Each amplifier when it arrives goes through a 40 point test to ensure it (and all its tubes) are perfect prior to shipment to the customer. Each amp arrives double boxed from Spain, but we replace the outer box with a new (double wall) box to ensure the amp arrives to your door in perfect shape. Since Ars-Sonum has limited production capacity, lead time on new amplifiers can be as long as 8 weeks.

- How to order: Just call or message us. All we require is a (fully refundable) $500 deposit and in about 2 months (or sooner) when your amp is here in the USA and ready to ship, you make your final payment in full and the amp ships promptly off to you.

 - Lastly, if your are serious about buying one and want to hear it, contact me to make arrangements for a home listen to our demo unit (yes, I will require refundable deposit to be made to secure the amp while in your possession until it is returned). We also welcome visits to our Syracuse NY area location for a listen if that is feasible.

PRODUCT OVERVIEW/TECH SUMMARY

Ars Sonum NEW Filarmonia-XP Universum Integrated Amplifier - $5,450 Hand crafted (limited production) optimized classic design made with very high quality parts, materials, (hand wound) transformers, and more - all lovingly put together by designer/engineer Ricardo Hernandez in Madrid, Spain. The Filarmonia uses a special screen grid regulated pentode circuit and a low 6dB of feedback to deliver 30W/ch of glorious sound. The Filarmonia XP builds upon the previous Filarmonia XX (introduced 2022) with further improved new output transformers that offer:

• More Power into a wider range of loads: Got a "8 ohm" speaker that dips to 6,5 or even 4 ohms? The Filarmonia single output (no taps) transformers allows the amp to deliver 28W/ch into 8 ohms, 32W/ch into 6 ohms, and 29W/ch into 4 ohms.
• Even greater load flexibility with optional XP4 output transformers (special order for a small extra charge): The new optional XP4 output transformers are capable of driving 4 ohm nominal load speakers which dip as low as 2 ohms! With the XP4 output transformers the Filarmonia can delivery its full 32W/ch of power into 4 ohm and as much as 28W.ch into 2 ohms!
• High quality audio coupling capacitors: The Filarmonia XP not only features high quality resistors, wiring, and controls in the signal path, but also Mundorf Supreme Silver/Gold/Oil (their best) coupling caps in the audio signal path.
• VISUALLY: This amp looks exactly the same as the previous Filarmonia XX! I am trying to get Ars-Sonum to add the Universum logo to the front faceplate though. The magic here with the XP is basically in the further revised output transformers... you are not paying extra for some fancy new enclosure, faceplate, yadda yadda. (I am working on updating some of the pictures and literature shown in the ad)

1. Highly optimized circuit board design. It incorporates multiple improvements to the power supply, optimized audio signal path routing, improved ventilation, and audio circuit refinements for considerably better performance and sound.
2. The power supply improvements necessitated the design of a completely new power transformer to supply additional voltage supple/regulation circuits.
3. New additional voltage separate power circuits for various parts/sections of the amp.

The Filarmonia XX comes with thoroughly tested and matched JJ E34L output tubes, select NOS 5814A driver tubes, and a carefully screened (only about one out of four to five new tubes meet Ars Sonum’s spec’s for use in their amplifiers) low noise JJ E88CC gain/preamp tube for excellent performance right out of the box without any tweaking or tube-rolling necessary. Additionally, all signal path capacitors go through a 1,000 hour run in process (on a proprietary coupling capacitor break-in device) before being installed in any Ars-Sonum amplifier. While the amplifier does require break-in to sound its best, the run in process minimizes the coupling capacitors effects during this period.

Ars Sonum produces its amplifiers in limited quantities. Generally they are built to order, but we are working with Ars Sonum to pre-order units in order to minimize lead time. As well, we also have a fully broken in demo model that is available for audition here at Signature Sound or in YOUR home (please call or e-mail to make arrangements for a home demo of the Filarmonia) before placing your order.

For the ultimate turn-key experience, the Filarmonia XP can be purchased with a optional Cardas Audio power cord of your choice at a substantial savings. Please contact us for details and pricing for your preferred length of Cardas Power Cord

Signature Sound is a small Hi-End HiFi shop located near Syracuse New York. We have been in business since 1990. Feel free to check out our website www.sigsound.com or call us at 315-622-4137 with any questions. We accept all major credit cards and PayPal. A note to my fellow New Yorkers.... New York state residents (i.e sales billed/shipped to a New York State address) will be charged applicable local New York state sales tax on the total sale amount.

Signature Sound is a authorized dealer for: Audience Cables, Atma-Sphere, Clearaudio, Cardas Cables, Benz Micro Cartridges, Fried Audio Speakers, DH Labs, Dynavector, EAR USA, Grado Labs, JPS Labs, Joule-Electra, iFi Audio, Kiseki, Merlin Music Systems, Musical Surroundings, Mark Audio-SOTA Speakers, Power Modules (Belles), Rega Research, Roon Labs Nucleus, Rogue Audio (NEW!), Ryan Speakers, and Wavelength Audio.