High End 2024: Big Muff Fezz—New Analog Products out of Poland

Many consider that there exists a kind of information that can not be discovered within the observable universe, and that the hunt for Truth (with a capital “T”) essentially entails the pursuit of such information. Studies of spirituality, magic and the darkish arts, and spiritual esoterica exemplify this search, however for the standard digital engineer, a deep understanding of electromagnetics is simply as profound. Polish producer Fezz Audio is right here in Munich displaying its mastery of the topic with two new analog hi-fi merchandise, every of which depends on critically audiophile-grade transformers.

The first product Fezz unveiled at High End 2024 was its Argentum X10 moving-coil step-up transformer. This SUT is the results of a four-year interval of improvement, however Fezz believes the time spent on R&D was price it. The toroidal transformer is wound with 99.9% pure silver wire on a high-permeability nanocrystalline core, and the magnetic and electrical shields are product of Mu-metal (a gentle nickel-iron alloy) and oxygen-free copper ribbon, respectively. These are some critically high-grade supplies, however in response to Fezz, it’s the Argentum X10’s design that’s accountable for its sound high quality.

The SUT is wound such that, correctly arrange, it’s going to yield a acquire of 10 instances. The claimed THD is lower than 0.01%, and Fezz says its bandwidth extends from 8Hz to 110kHz. The Argentum X10 is designed for MC cartridges with an output impedance of 10 to 50 ohms; an X20 model will likely be made accessible to be used with cartridges having a attribute impedance of 1.5 to 9 ohms. Both Argentum step-up transformers are set to retail at €2500, VAT included.

On the larger finish of the size is the brand new Olympia mono amplifier. The Olympia options an unusual-for-tube-amps differential driver stage, whereas a quad of KT88s kind the output stage. In a primary for Fezz, the output stage has a fixed-bias configuration, with a microchip frequently measuring and adjusting the bias to stay fixed regardless of the tubes’ age or state of damage. Coupled with certainly one of Fezz’s toroidal output transformers, the large bottles produce 150W with a THD spec of lower than 0.5%.

Interestingly, the Olympia has each RCA and XLR inputs, one other uncommon characteristic on a tube amplifier. Fezz has integrated within the Olympia a small-signal transformer to make it attainable to just accept a balanced enter. The firm says the enter transformer is wound on a high-permeability nanocrystalline core, very similar to the one used within the Argentum X10 and X20 step-up transformers. The Olympia monoblock hasn’t been given a value but, since it’s nonetheless so new.

In Fezz’s listening room, which it shares with Polish speaker producer Pylon, I heard a pair of the Olympias taking part in via the Pylon Jade 30 audio system. The Jade 30 can be new, and the plan is to promote it for someplace between €4000 to €5000 per pair in Europe, VAT included. The system additionally had Fezz’s Sagita Prestige line-level tube preamplifier, which matches for €2990, and the Equinox DAC, which sells for €2500, each together with VAT. The room additionally featured an MT1 Evo turntable from Warsaw-based Muarah Audio (value varies relying on which tonearm is fitted), which is commonly paired with Fezz and Pylon gear.

Matter of reality, I wrote about this combo earlier than once I first turned acquainted with it at Audio Video Show 2023 in Warsaw. Here at Munich, it was fitted with Muarah’s new MY-1/12 tonearm, which is priced at zł8450 (roughly $2115 within the US, however no value in euros but). An Audio-Technica AT-OC9XSL moving-coil cartridge ($749 within the US) hung off the tip.

Juicy, enveloping tube sound emitted from these vintage-style monkey-coffin audio system, and I famous that the singer’s emotion was conveyed significantly effectively. Fezz and Pylon had an uptempo blues recording taking part in, and the male vocals had a palpability that one typically doesn’t hear from the easiest methods in any context, a lot much less plopped proper in the course of a crowded hi-fi honest. As I’ve come to anticipate from Fezz, I used to be totally impressed. Though the Jade 30 i nonetheless too new for us to get our arms on a pair, we’ll undoubtedly need to see about getting a pair of Olympia monos in for assessment. Or an Argentum X10. Or each . . .

Matt Bonaccio
Contributor, SoundStage!