Aragon Palladium 1K & Infinity QLS-1 Review...Finally

CarnahanBB

CarnahanBB

Super Member
Okay, so I finally feel as if I have had sufficient listening time to cobble together a review of my new Aragon Palladium 1K monoblocks. First of all, I should state that the 1Ks are the latest version of the Palladium line with 24 output transistors per monoblock versus 16 on the earlier models. They also operate in pure Class A up to 125 WPC into 8 ohms.

Most notable was the control these amps had over the speakers. So much more fluid, musical and listenable while also providing increased detail and nuance. Definitely a new level of 'effortlessness'.

Secondly, the QLS finally sound good at lower volumes. With the Adcoms I always felt the need to 'crank 'em up' in order to really enjoy the music. With the Aragons there is just so much more smoothness and detail at lower volumes it's crazy. I had not idea the QLS could be so well resolved at lower listening levels. It's really pleasant to casually listen to them at 'background' levels.

I didn't realize it previously but the Adcoms had a bit of 'graininess' at higher frequencies. The Aragons do have a little 'zing' but it's more of an 'airiness' and 'open-ness' than 'graininess'. (Please bear with me on my adjectives)

Because of the Watkins DVC woofers and the elaborate XO that goes along with them there are always going to be vast differences when switching amplification. The Aragons are shockingly more powerful than the Adcoms while also being more controlled. The difference was marked and definitely not minor (parts of my home vibrated like never before - still working on remedying that).

Also, oddly enough I feel like recordings I previously felt were poor are suddenly more listenable with the Aragons. For example, I've never considered Wallflowers - Bringing Down the Horse to be well recorded. I didn't listen to that CD much while I had the Adcoms. With the Aragons I've been listening to it the last several nights. This seems to be at odds with the Aragons being more detailed and nuanced but I stand by it. Much better to listen to.

The sound stage is broader and more enveloping and open. It's really been an eye-opening experience getting to know these amps. I'm still amazed how much difference there can be between good and potentially great amplifiers. I'm sure they'll be more to come but I've been dying to get some of my thoughts written out.
 
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Very interesting, thanks for the update.
Regards,
Jim
 
Ryan,
Great review. It speaks volumes of what a better amp, with a better power supply can do. :yes:

There is nothing wrong with the big Adcoms. There are very few affordable amps that are up-to-task trying to keep up with the big Infinity speakers. Kudos to Adcom for selling things at a price point that allowed people to try some of the crazy-impedance speakers without breaking the bank. That said, there are many better choices.

I've migrated to amps that are pure class A. The huge behemoths that are expensive and double as space heaters. What you are experiencing with your Aragon's is IMO, what real class A brings to the table. Nothing grabs a hold of a woofer like class A. Add in world-class over-sized power supplies that act as pure voltage sources, and you've got killer bass.

Also, the level of detail that is exposed (I assume due to the lack of cover distortion?) with class A is really what its all about. There's more there, but on the same side of the coin, it's not 'too much highs. Gotta experience it to understand. It's more akin to what a good tube amp can do with the highs. Lots of info there, just not fatiguing.

At your normal listening volume, you're probably staying in class A with your Aragons. My pure class A Levinsons and Krell do the same thing your amps do, but they can do it longer, into a lesser impedance (.5 ohm), and keep coming back for more without overheating and failing. But in normal listening situations your amps and mine are likely very similar in presentation, with just the inherent vendor-voicing skewing things a bit. Also, yours can easily trump mine in pure output, once they enter A/B; as mine will not.

All in all, I think it was a great purchase. I'm happy the differences for you were more than nuance.:thmbsp:
 
this is pretty much what i thought you would say. we have had the same experience here with the monarchy audio se 100 delux monos. are you fronting them with the parasound p3?
 
stereocuuple said:
this is pretty much what i thought you would say. we have had the same experience here with the monarchy audio se 100 delux monos. are you fronting them with the parasound p3?
Click to expand...

Nope...VTL 2.5

The Parasound was more of an impulse purchase and is being used elsewhere. I did swap it in to compare with the VTL and it wasn't even close. It's a darned nice preamp for the money but sonically it is trumped by less expensive and less full featured preamps.
 
CarnahanBB said:
Okay, so I finally feel as if I have had sufficient listening time to cobble together a review of my new Aragon Palladium 1K monoblocks. First of all, I should state that the 1Ks are the latest version of the Palladium line with 24 output transistors per monoblock versus 16 on the earlier models. They also operate in pure Class A up to 125 WPC into 8 ohms.

Most notable was the control these amps had over the speakers. So much more fluid, musical and listenable while also providing increased detail and nuance. Definitely a new level of 'effortlessness'.

Secondly, the QLS finally sound good at lower volumes. With the Adcoms I always felt the need to 'crank 'em up' in order to really enjoy the music. With the Aragons there is just so much more smoothness and detail at lower volumes it's crazy. I had not idea the QLS could be so well resolved at lower listening levels. It's really pleasant to casually listen to them at 'background' levels.

I didn't realize it previously but the Adcoms had a bit of 'graininess' at higher frequencies. The Aragons do have a little 'zing' but it's more of an 'airiness' and 'open-ness' than 'graininess'. (Please bear with me on my adjectives)

Because of the Watkins DVC woofers and the elaborate XO that goes along with them there are always going to be vast differences when switching amplification. The Aragons are shockingly more powerful than the Adcoms while also being more controlled. The difference was marked and definitely not minor (parts of my home vibrated like never before - still working on remedying that).

Also, oddly enough I feel like recordings I previously felt were poor are suddenly more listenable with the Aragons. For example, I've never considered Wallflowers - Bringing Down the Horse to be well recorded. I didn't listen to that CD much while I had the Adcoms. With the Aragons I've been listening to it the last several nights. This seems to be at odds with the Aragons being more detailed and nuanced but I stand by it. Much better to listen to.

The sound stage is broader and more enveloping and open. It's really been an eye-opening experience getting to know these amps. I'm still amazed how much difference there can be between good and potentially great amplifiers. I'm sure they'll be more to come but I've been dying to get some of my thoughts written out.
Click to expand...

I realize this is a very old post and you may have moved on, but it is relevant to me. I have one Aragon 4004 MKii powering my QLS-1's. My second Aragon is being worked on so that I can bi amp them. Do you feel the Palladiums are better than the 4004 MKii's? The reason I am asking is I see a pair of Palladium monoblocks for $2100. That's not much more than a pair of fully rebuilt 4004 MKii's.

Your 2 cents, or anybody's 2 cents on this subject, would be greatly appreciated.
 
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