HI-FIVE Audio
Audition Audiotricity Chimera Signature
Listening to a piece of equipment obviously depends on the sound system it’s part of, the recording of the music, the electrical system, the acoustics of the room, your ears, tastes and knowledge.
That’s why the most important thing is to listen. After we have read each audition, we invite you to come and listen and draw your own conclusions.
Lisbon, 02.Jul.2023 – José Costa
During our auditions of Portuguese hi-fi equipment, we were kindly given the Chimera Signature power conditioner by Audiotricity in the person of Nuno Silva and with the collaboration of Jorge Gaspar (Hi-Duet).
Appreciation of Build Quality and Aesthetics
When we took the Chimera Signature out of the box, we were immediately impressed by its excellent build quality. The structural rigidity, the quality of the chips used, the finish right down to the simple screw, nothing is left to chance.
In aesthetic terms, this is a sober device with an excellent design, where the embossed logos and red dial make the difference.
Some technical data (from the manufacturer)
6 sockets
Less than 1 inch between the last filter stage and the outlet socket
Made 100% from passive components
Noise reduction of over 52db
Internal architecture designed to withstand a 360A peak
Non-magnetic housing with anti-vibration treatment and isolation spikes
11520W power capacity
Sound System
The sound system where the audition took place consists of:
Sources: Transport – Mark Levinson nº 28 ; Streamer and Server – Innuos Zen (Tidal HiFi Plus service); USB / coaxial digital converter – Topping D10s ; DAC – Mark Levinson 30.6; Turntable – Rui Borges (Primo, vinyl turntable version); Arm – VPI JMW Memorial tonearm ; Cell – in transformation
Preamplifier: Nagra PL-L; Amplifiers – Karan monoblocks KA-M 1200; Phono preamplifier – Rotel Mishi RHQ-10
Cables: ZDL Vibrato throughout the system
Columns: Revel Salon I
Current filter; PS-Audio Premier (except for amplifiers).
The system is powered by an independent electricity circuit and the room has no acoustic treatment.
Audition
With a 4-participant panel, Chimera Signature was integrated into the system, replacing PS-Audio. Immediately after the call, we chose the track Life Goes On from the same album by Carla Bley, via Innuos Zen. The reaction was immediate and unanimous; the soundstage increased laterally and a little in height, the sensation of more air between the instruments due to greater silence and greater definition in the instruments. The bass is more controlled and richer,
We continued the auditions with various musical genres, such as Filia Son by Vox Clamantis, a Portuguesa by Carminho, Nameless by Dominique Fils-Aimé. We then confirmed a few more characteristics: the timbrally balanced ensemble, with the voices sounding correct and separate, with the correct diction, the treble equally balanced; the musical tempo, which I personally value a lot; and a sensation, which became a certainty, of a sound that I’m going to call more solid. Not in the aggressive or muscular sense, but solid.
With ML #28, we hear the track Nardis, Café Blue, Patricia Barber. Here, the separation of the instruments, the solidity, the musical tempo, the dynamics and the speed of the system are essential for us to hear the drum solo in all its fullness, without overlapping the cymbals or bass drum. On the cymbals, if the treble was unbalanced, it could sound harsh, metallic, but fortunately that didn’t happen.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t hear the analog source, as we were waiting for an upgrade to the cell.
I had the privilege of listening to Chimera over a weekend, where I could see all these characteristics, which have been confirmed and evolved over time.
Conclusion
The change produced by the introduction of this equipment in a sound system is immediately noticeable, and it quickly becomes a fundamental piece.