Any opinions on Audiomat Amps?

I considered buying an Audiomat amp because they are supposed to be quite good but decided against it because of a reported incident of the importer. The word used by my friend was not repeatable here...

I would go with an Audio Note Soro SE integrated amp like I did, 18 incredibly robust watts with amazing sound for about $1200 - $1500 used - with phono available.

I have owned both the Audiomat Arpege and the Equation 25 speakers (but not at the same time). My two cents...

The Arpege is a nice clean sounding amp, but fairly weak bass, and lacked 'grip' with most speakers I used it with. Replaced it with a ASL AQ1001DT- a much more enjoyable and cheap amp. Recently I have been using the PrimaLuna Prologue 1- an EL34 integrated like the Audiomat amps. The PrimaLuna is just as fast and clean as the Audiomat, but with much better bass, drive, and a bit of midrange warmth lacking in the Arpege. Personally, I would take the Primaluna or the ASL any day over the Arpege for sonics (must admit the Audiomat amps are much better looking). I have not heard the Prelude and is probably a better amp, but is a lot more expensive.

As to the Equation 25 speaker. They use high quality drivers, well made cabinets, and are voiced for speed and detail- not warm laid back speakers. Also, they are capable of very accurate deep bass. I found these speakers had a lot of potential, but not quite to my taste. My solution has been to use them in a DEQX based system. The DEQX preamp uses DSP to correct speaker frequency response, driver time alignment and phase, as well as performs digital room correction. My amps are Granite Audio tube monoblocks. The DEQX corrected Equation speakers are a whole different animal- just the right balance of speed, detail, warmth, and deep coherent bass. The DEQX is the real deal.

There should be many threads on Thiels and tubes in the archives- may not be the easiest speakers to drive with tubes. Many less expensive tube/speaker combinations that would probably be more satisfying than the Equation/Audiomat gear. Fine equipment, but requires a lot of time and effort to get the best out of it.

I have owned both the Arpege and the prelude, the prelude is in a class of its own, while the Arpege is still a very nice sounding amp, the prelude has ALOT more power and very fast tight bass.
As for the North American distributer (Mutine)
I ordered a new set of tubes, on a Monday and received the tubes on a Wednesday.
I must mention that they where slow responding to emails.

I was driving a pair of focus audio fs688 that run at 85db with no problem and by far the best sound out of all the intergrated and separates I have owned
(sim audio I-5, I-5 LE, P5/W5 combo and the DK vs-1 MK II

You will need more power for the Thiel speakers than these amps provide if my experience with the 2.2 and 3.5 speakers have any relevance. The Audio Note P2SE could not work well at all with the 2.2 Thiels.

Being a previous owner, I would stay away from anything Audiomat and Equation for the following reasons:

1. The amps are good, but overly pricey - you can do better for much less money.

2. Weak bass.

3. Two weeks from Mutine to answer e-mails, no help whatsoever if you buy your amp used, even if you offer to pay for service.

4. A very confidential and almost non-existent dealer network (most have left or are thinking to leave) , yet the distributor frequently admits to being ''overloaded'' with demand...his reason for not having the time to respond quickly....sure.

5. Try to find anything written on the Equation 25 speaker aside from that lone review....nothing, nada, zip. It's like this is a ghost speaker. If its that good, surely, something else can be found other than the self-congratulatory comments on Mutine's own website.

6. Low resale value. A Sim Audio I-5 sounds much worse, but will sell in a week. An Audiomat?....took me 3 months to sell mine at a ridiculous discount.

In case you need more reasons e-mail me !