Over the years that SoundStage! has covered Audio Video Show in Warsaw, we’ve watched different companies evolve. Companies will often occupy the same room, but as the years go by, their products will change.
We’re human here at SoundStage!, so we can become stuck in our perceptions of brands. Pylon Audio, a Polish speaker manufacturer, and Fezz Audio, a Polish manufacturer of electronics (mostly tube-based), have shared the same room for years. We always look in on them, finding that their products combine high quality and exceptional value. But sometimes companies make revolutionary leaps, going from nice-looking, high-value components to veritable works of art. That happened this year.
The Pylon-Fezz room was flanked by a static display in the adjoining hallway, and that display stopped me in my tracks. Pylon Audio’s Amethyst Beta speaker (€40,000 per pair) and Fezz’s Magnetar stereo amplifier (€55,000) looked like they cost far more than they actually do.
Matt Bonaccio and I looked at that display in awe. The massive tube amplifier’s glass cover provided a three-dimensional look that made the tubes appear to be floating. The large, oval speakers looked organic and graceful. Without playing a note, this system pulled me in with pure sex appeal.
As one, Matt and I turned into the Pylon-Fezz room and sat down for a listen. The smaller Amethyst Gamma speakers (€35,000 per pair) were powered by a pair of 200W Fezz Audio Magnetar mono amplifiers (€35,000 each), fronted by Fezz’s Magnetar preamp €5000 and Pacific 3 DAC (€28,000).
The Magnetar amplifiers are far and away the most physically beautiful tube amplifiers that I’ve yet seen. The tube cage is made from multiple sheets of thick, tempered glass. The cage over the transformers follows the same layout, but is made from aluminum. Under the aluminum, the stunning custom-made transformers are visible. It’s important to note that Fezz Audio manufactures its own transformers.
Pylon’s Amythest Gamma speaker also drips sex appeal. The organic shape, the contrast between the light front panels and the richer walnut sides, the striations in its flanks, and the outstanding workmanship make the Amythest Gamma a luxurious package.
I didn’t know that Pylon is such a large company. They manufacture cabinets for a long list of high-end speaker companies and recently acquired Vienna Acoustics.
In many ways, the sound in this room mirrored the system’s appearance. Smooth and sensual, with crisp attacks that accentuated the leading edge of transients. I heard a silky top end and tight but not overbearing bass. This was an eminently listenable system that would be easy to live with, easy to listen to for long, long hours.
I could imagine myself listening to this system with the lights dim, but not off, perhaps with a couple of soft lights highlighting each speaker, and one above each amp. This could easily be an end-game system.
Jason Thorpe
Senior Editor, SoundStage!
