Anyone heard of Advance Paris?

[Whiskey the Cat]

@Subob, I'm quite familiar with the games quote on quote "Audiophiles" play, which is why I never feed into it. They all use the same psychological tactics, it's like this everywhere. It gets really boring and lame.

Thanks for your “hands on” report. I’m not actually contemplating buying one. It’s just a new make I had not come across before and I wondered what it was like. Some of your report is very subjective which doesn’t go down well here as this tends to be (quite thankfully) a science/engineeering orientated forum. Also you mention things like the frequency response being wide but quote numbers that are not exceptional, and you don’t say what the dB variation is. Flatness is more important than excess width for most people. Then you say that the tubes give some “tonal shaping”, which implies that the frequency response is being distorted (although you may like the effect). Finally, in A+B mode the amp does not “half” the power going to each set of speakers. It always delivers what is demanded by each individual speaker, provided it can. Looks like it has lots of power to spare though, so that should not be an issue. Please don’t take offense; I’m not criticizing you, but you may want to spend some time looking a the amp reviews here to see what I mean. Also, take a look at the Amp Measurements video by the site owner Amirim – lots of good info.). You mention the Anthem STR: I have seen and heard it, and would be more inclined to go that route if I was actually in the market.

 

[aceofgulls]

@Whiskey the Cat,

Sure thing... Of course my report would be subjective, because I listen to Music and am giving Anecdotal information my experience.

I listen to Music, not Gear. The Amp is very neutral and accurate across the whole Frequency Spectrum.

If you only go by "Science", then you will basically get the same answer from everyone. Being too pragmatic is a bad approach to everything, and it's actually a fear-based approach.

Specifications don't always mean everything in every instance, but the Lower and Higher End of the Frequency Response has more to do with how it will
form the outcome of even frequencies that are listened to in the music itself. I suggest not getting too lost in them and listen to the Equipment to decide for yourself.

The main drawbacks with Advance Paris like I said, the Build Quality could definitely be improved, for the sake of the Brand Naming it would be nice if they actually "DID" Manufacture it in Paris, rather than China. It would make a lot more sense and give their Brand a more prestigious reputation, considering the naming they chose for it. But it's understandably why someone would be skeptical about a New Brand coming along, I was at first as well when checking into them.

 

[voodooless]

Again, it’s not a new brand, just a new name. It has been around for decades making similar products.

 

[aceofgulls]

Again, it’s not a new brand, just a new name. It has been around for decades making similar products.

Hm, well to be fair, it could be argued both sides... They've been around since 1995 as Advance Acoustics. But they are by no means as old as Marantz, McIntosh, and many other Brands which have been around during the Older Vintage Units.

Some of the skepticism also is from the fact that when they used to exist as Advance Acoustics, it was actually more Lower-end in quality, and they had many issues with equipment failure and wear issues that became problematic. Advance Paris is their company remake and is a Higher End brand compared to their older name and series.

 

[Scrivs]

What video are you talking about?

Cheapaudioman did one. The second hand cringe had me taking a shower half way through, couldn’t go any further.
Kind of an insult to Paris.

 

[Whiskey the Cat]

@Whiskey the Cat,

Sure thing... Of course my report would be subjective, because I listen to Music and am giving Anecdotal information my experience.

Some subjectivity, such as the perceived quality of build, how the controls feel, how it appeals aesthetically, etc. is entirely valid. “Sound stage” perhaps not too much, as this is determined almost entirely by the recording engineers.

I listen to Music, not Gear. The Amp is very neutral and accurate across the whole Frequency Spectrum.

If you only go by "Science", then you will basically get the same answer from everyone. Being too pragmatic is a bad approach to everything, and it's actually a fear-based approach.

“fear-based approach”?? That’s a new one! Taking a scientific approach, which means measuring where you can, and using logic, will hopefully get you to the right answer, not necessarily the same answer from everyone. Sometimes science doesn’t apply; like picking a hot date to ask out, but when picking a manufactured object like an amp, it surely does help.

Specifications don't always mean everything in every instance,

That’s true. See my example above.

but the Lower and Higher End of the Frequency Response has more to do with how it will
form the outcome of even frequencies that are listened to in the music itself.

You give no reason why you think this, which many would dispute. Class D amps and DACs for example sometimes have “brick wall” filters at about 22kHz. Does that impact the sound in the rest of the audible spectrum? How?

I suggest not getting too lost in them and listen to the Equipment to decide for yourself.

I agree!

The main drawbacks with Advance Paris like I said, the Build Quality could definitely be improved, for the sake of the Brand Naming it would be nice if they actually "DID" Manufacture it in Paris, rather than China. It would make a lot more sense and give their Brand a more prestigious reputation, considering the naming they chose for it. But it's understandably why someone would be skeptical about a New Brand coming along, I was at first as well when checking into them.

Based on what you say, (and my dislike of visible tubes and vu meters, very subjective I know ), and the high asking price, I would be much more likely to look at one of the many other possibilities out there like NAD, Anthem, etc. etc.

 

[aceofgulls]

@Whiskey the Cat,

I think there mere problem is that you treat Science as if it's a Fact. But Science is not a Fact, Science is a "Means" or a "Process".

Class D Amps are COMPLETELY different in so many respects that it would be hard to compare these units to those.

 

[mhardy6647]

Kind of an insult to Paris.

... and, I'd posit, to Advance, as well.

 

[voodooless]

@Whiskey the Cat,

I think there mere problem is that you treat Science as if it's a Fact. But Science is not a Fact, Science is a "Means" or a "Process".

And you treat it as a menu card. You only order the things you like, leave the rest

Class D Amps are COMPLETELY different in so many respects that it would be hard to compare these units to those.

They are just amps, put out the same signal as any amp should. There is zero reason why we could not compare them.

 

[aceofgulls]

@voodooless, Science is a Man-Made process. It's not a Universal Truth. Science might stumble onto truths now and then, but it is not "the" ultimate truth or understanding about everything. It's really just a guide, at best.

That's why you always hear new discoveries and understandings about things being made or challenged.

 

[mhardy6647]

They are just amps, put out the same signal as any amp should. There is zero reason why we could not compare them.

Indeed - and true (and valid) whether the mode(s) of comparison be quantitative (frequency response, distortion, s/n, physical mass of the component, etc.) or subjective (listening to reproduced music).

 

[voodooless]

That's why you always hear new discoveries and understandings about things being made or challenged.

So where are those new discoveries in audio electronics that explain all those lifted veils, back backgrounds, wider soundstages, etc…?

 

[aceofgulls]

So where are those new discoveries in audio electronics that explain all those lifted veils, back backgrounds, wider soundstages, etc…?

They're discovered by "Experience". By people who actually listen to Music and appreciate Music and the capabilities of the SoundStage expressed from their Equipment.

That's what people do who have Passion and Love for Music. A Robot has no feelings or passion.

 

[voodooless]

They're discovered by "Experience". By people who actually listen to Music and appreciate Music and the capabilities of the SoundStage expressed from their Equipment.

Strange how these experiences go away as soon as you eliminate all biases and only leave the sense of sound…

That's what people do who have Passion and Love for Music. A Robot has no feelings or passion.

Science and passion are not mutually exclusive. The notion that they are is just silly.

 

[aceofgulls]

Strange how these experiences go away as soon as you eliminate all biases and only leave the sense of sound…

Science and passion are not mutually exclusive. The notion that they are is just silly.

Humans only have Experience or Access to about 4% of the whole spectrum of frequencies, both with what you can see, hear or even Experience... You live in a Matrix, most your actual DNA is disabled...

So there, have fun with that Science Your Species knows almost nothing about the reality you exist in, especially because you didn't create it. Only the beings who created something could have full oversight both in Knowledge and Science over it, far beyond what any Human can comprehend.

 

[Scrivs]

They're discovered by "Experience". By people who actually listen to Music and appreciate Music and the capabilities of the SoundStage expressed from their Equipment.

That's what people do who have Passion and Love for Music. A Robot has no feelings or passion.

Neither does a Cassette, LP, CD, or a FLAC file. No one here is arguing where the enjoyment of music comes from.

Please double check the name of this forum and consider some of the replies you’re receiving here.

Hint: audioSCIENCEreview

 

[aceofgulls]

@Scrivs, I really don't give two, three or more flying effs to be honest. I came here to leave remarks on Advance Paris Equipment. Most of the replies by others have little to nothing to do with the topic of the thread, so that speaks for itself.

 

[Scrivs]

@Scrivs, I really don't give two, three or more flying effs to be honest. I came here to leave remarks on Advance Paris Equipment.

That’s cool Brosef, no skin off my back.

Welcome aboard mon ami!

 

[RPoitou]

Tubes (I still think of them and refer to them as valves) have had no serious place in hi-fi since the late 1960s, they are best used in guitar amplifiers where their aurally pleasant distortion adds to the character of a musical instrument.

 

[voodooless]

Humans only have Experience or Access to about 4% of the whole spectrum of frequencies, both with what you can see, hear or even Experience... You live in a Matrix, most your actual DNA is disabled...

So there, have fun with that Science Your Species knows almost nothing about the reality you exist in, especially because you didn't create it. Only the beings who created something could have full oversight both in Knowledge and Science over it, far beyond what any Human can comprehend.

… like I said: science menu card.. I rest my case.