Aries Cerat preamplifiers compared – Incito S and Impera Reference
Cables
The more I use them, the more I find that the Driade Flow Link Reference cables are not only very linear and very neutral in addition to being highly refined, but so far, they also work in almost every combination and my listening sessions with the Impera further established this. However, when switching between the Impera and the direct DAC to power amp connection, one of the very few areas that I felt were better with the DAC direct, was the precision in the bass. And that was my cue for trying other cables.
I won’t dilute this review by mentioning every cable that I tried but I do want to mention the AudioQuest Fire. With its superbly articulate and relatively dry bass and its very neutral overall balance, I hoped to lend the Impera some of the C1’s remaining superior bass precision. And indeed it did! Having replaced one of the two Driade cables, the Impera now provided even tighter bass while also becoming even more expressive and involving. To my ears, using the Fire between DAC and preamp, and the Driade between preamp and power amp provided the very best balance that I could achieve.
Maybe two Fire cables would have been even more to my liking, but alas, at this moment, I only have one cable. On the other hand, I must admit that the Fire, while steering the sound a little more toward the direction that I am accustomed to (high-precision), the full Driade cable outfit provided the highest amount of fluidity and flow.
In parallel with this Aries Cerat review, I also reviewed two Signal Projects cables, Lynx and Apollon, which provided a very interesting alternative. Please see the review for all the specifics.
DAC-Direct or Preamp?
The CH Precision C1 was the first DAC that sounded refined and fluid even when used without an analog preamp, and so, it has formed the core of my system up until this point. Decades ago, in the olden days when Wadia Digital recommended ditching the analog preamp, the benefits of the direct connection were very clear, but I also could not deny the considerable downsides. Especially with those Wadia products, the midrange lost a lot of liquidity and the treble became dry, which I then combated with the use of various Jeff Rowland preamplifiers. I owned almost all of them but no matter how liquid and refined they sound for solid-state designs, none of them ever came close to matching what the Impera Reference achieves.
With the Impera, the C1 DAC is now allowed to supply the music in its full resolution, rather than throwing away bits as the result of its digital volume control and that is an aspect that is not to be underestimated. For the longest time (as my room acoustics were still cough-less than ideal-cough), I have accepted this particular downside because of the superb definition across the board. And those still non-ideal room acoustics also made that the DAC’s dryness did not stand out quite as much as it does now. Annoyingly, no matter which preamp I tried, the result was always a lessening of definition, and often reductions in other areas. Not so with the Impera. And, dare I say it, at a more reasonable price point than much of the competition. Of course, 22.000 Euro is far from peanuts but at least with the Impera, you get 50+ Kilos of transformers and smartly-designed circuits instead of a big empty box.
Conclusion
The Impera Reference is easily the most powerful-sounding preamp that I have heard. Its bass rivals that of many solid-state preamplifiers in terms of solidity, speed, and drive while its overall impact, expression, and dynamic slam are either on par with or actually outperform other preamplifiers, irrespective of their design principles.
But this preamp is not just about power and impact. Like the Incito S, the Impera almost unassumingly has an absolutely superb resolution. It resolves low-level details so deeply and with such naturalness that you’d almost think nothing of it when compared to other products that add some edge or fake definition. And although it sounds highly neutral and very linear, the Impera is most definitely not deficient in warmth, richness, texture, bloom, and warmth, as long as it is registered in the recording.
So far, when inserting other tube preamplifiers, there was always a penalty either in terms of pacing, dynamics, bass control, transient speed, or transparency or even in all of these aspects. For a change, all of the benefits come without any penalties. Even more significantly, the character that the preamp adds is very slight, as well as uniform on all levels and spread across the entire frequency range. As such, it sounds very neutral, but more importantly, wholly natural. What the Impera adds is done in such a fashion that it actually enhances the message and provides a deeper emotional connection.
Musically, emotionally, and for the most part, technically, the Impera is the best preamp that I have heard. It makes for extended sessions during which visitor after visitor, no matter if they are tube-heads or transistor-lovers, makes the very same comment, which is that my system has never sounded better.
Therefore, the Impera Reference deserves the highest praise that I can give it, which is to hand it the Magnificent Masterpiece HFA award.
Videos on the Hifi-Advice YouTube Channel
Aries Cerat Helene and Incito S preview
HFA visits Callas Audio
HFA Front Page
External Links
Distributor for the BeNeLux: Ultisone
Dealer for Belgium and Luxembourg: Alpha High End
Manufacturer’s website: AriesCerat
Dealer for the Netherlands:
www.callas-audio.nl
Lelystad 8241AK
info@callas-audio.nl
Next: Bonus Content: Technical Q and A
I owned the Accuphase C3900 solid state preamplifer, then replaced this with the tube Nagra HD Preamp HV. With the Nagra, there is a significant improvement in bass quantity and quality (for example bass textures), amongst other improvements.
It seems as if the “old saw” about tube units lacking bass when compared to their solid state counterparts (at least for preamplifiers) is no longer valid at the top level.
Dear Christiaan,
thanks again for the exciting review about the two Aries Cerat preamps. Like yourself I use a CH Precision C1 as DAC and as a preamp. Your review about the L1 especially in combination with the X1 got me thinking to get them if an occasion arises. Also I’m wondering why you still use the C1 alone without a L1 or even a X1. From what I read in your review you were quite impressed about the L1 especially with the X1 in your chain.
Now I have the chance to get a used L1 plus X1 with two regulator boards for a very reasonable price (it’s around the list price of the Impera II Ref). But after reading your review about the Incito S and especially the Impera II I’m unsure which way to go – L1+X1 or Impera II. Or maybe stay with the C1 alone like yourself. Unfortunately I’m not able to listen to either preamps to get to the right decision. I already searched the Internet about useful messages and other reviews. What I found is high praise for both brands. And the system synergy was mentioned a lot particularly with a complete CH Precision chain, but also with a Aries Cerat chain. So I was hoping you can help me with your vast experience to find the right perspective for a decision.
My YG speakers are quite power hungry, I guess a future amp will be rather from CH Precision than from Aries Cerat. But even with your C1 and A1.5 and the system synergy in mind would you still prefer the Impera II against L1 + X1 in your chain?
Thanks in advance for your insights
Michael
Hi Michael, meanwhile, among others as a result of a series of improvements to my room acoustics that resulted in tighter bass and a cleaner, more precise, and more neutral sound overall, I have changed my original opinion of the C1 relative to the C1 + L1 and I am now I am actually using the L1 with the C1.
As you mention, both brands receive high praise, and that’s well deserved. It will come down to user preferences. Basically, the Impera is not as tight and precise (across the frequency range but for me most noticeable in the bass) as the L1 but the L1 is less spacious and free-flowing, and not as majestic or emotionally involving as the Impera and Incito S. The X1 will move the L1 closer in terms of intimacy and flow, but at the cost of some precision. Even now having had both the L1 and the Impera side by side for a prolonged period, I find that the decision between the two comes down not only to taste but also depends on my mood.
System synergy can definitely be a thing, but it is not sacred. In the end, it is about balance. CH works splendidly with AC and vice versa. As a great example, Ron Ploeger of Callas Audio loves his Aries Cerat Genus power amp but he also reports great synergy using his Aries Cerat front end with Concert Fidelity mono power amps. The one amp offers richness and romance, the monos offer clean neutrality but with musicality. He likes both.
Given that you have YG, I would definitely not recommend using a tube power amp.
Hi Christiaan, thanks a lot for your very helpful reply. And wow, that’s a surprise that you use a L1 again in your system. Thanks for your personal thoughts about both preamps, it’s surely quite nice to be able to exchange such fine preamps depending on your mood ;-). But I understand what you mean. I think I’ll go with the L1 and report back.
All the best
Michael
Hi Mike,
How is your finding with L1? Thanks
Kevin
We have compared Aries Cerat Impera II to Atma Sphere MP-1. They are in the same price range. MP-1 was (hugely) better, much more natural, greater transparency, more body, better middle range… well, the difference was not small.
Hello sir,
how are you?
i am reading your reviews for long time now and always enjoy them immensely .
i just read some of your impera II review and i saw you connect it to your main system that contain mainly with CHP equipment.
also i read this that you wrote –
On a related note: I am currently reviewing the Impera II with the CH A1.5 power amp and while this pairing results in a little too few volume steps down below, the sound is simply breathtaking. Indeed, quite something else than the CH L1, or any other preamp that I have heard, be it solid-state or tube.
if i can ask what do you mean in saying- “little too few volume steps down below” ?
does the impera II is perfect paired with the CHP amps? or does you had to change gains or other settings?
i saw you also had the incito s low gain, can you point about it also with pairing with the A1.5 please?
im not asking sound wise the different between the two AC, that i understand completely from your review but the technical condition with the CH equipment with the AC between them.
also if you have some comments about the AC pre amps v.s the CHP L1 i will be happy to hear your thoughts.
thank you very much!
Hi Aviad, good to read that you like my reviews! The Impera had a very high output gain which means that the positions in the lowest range of the volume control were basically very loud – loud – rather quiet – off, instead of multiple small steps. But one can custom-order the gain. This unit was just not ideal for the CH power amp. Nevertheless, I found it to sound really fantastic.
With the Incito S, this was considerably less of an issue, although it, too, had only a few steps below the level that I am comfortable with. So, if I were to order an AC preamp for use with the CH amp, I would get a lower gain version.
Of course, you can lower the gain on the CH A1.5 but that changes the sound, it makes it less tight and expressive. It’s just not ideal, entering with a very high gain, then attennuating the gain again.
Regarding AC preamps versus the CH L1, please see my extensive review here: https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/am…g-preamplifiers-in-a-digital-streaming-world/ Basically, I really like both, for different reasons, as they are very different.
Hi,
I too have read your reviews for some time, always enjoying your thoroughness and shall we say reliability of your writings. Some things are worth describing completely and I never finish an article of yours wondering still what a component sounds like.
I would like to follow up on this question of gain with another question as I am considering purchasing an Incito S preamp. Clearly it will depend on the gain of the particular paired amp, but what would you estimate the dB increment to be between steps as you adjusted the volume? I prefer 1 dB steps or less and plenty of them if possible. I also prefer a readout of my volume which does not appear to be a feature with AC preamps as far as I can tell. Please correct me if I am wrong. Do you think the Incito S was close to 1 dB steps or was it more like 2 or 3 dB steps?
Your help with this matter is very much appreciated! Keep up the amazing work with the insightful reviews.
Cheers,
Christopher S
That’s very nice to hear, Christopher! The Incito S has a volume level display. It may not indicate actual dBs but it is very useful for finding the right level and re-finding it after adjusting. The volume steps differ in size depending on the volume level. At the very lowest levels they are quite large, a few dB I would guess. When the power amp has too much gain, that’s when you run into the steps being too large. But further up in the range, they are much smaller (probably indeed close to 1dB) and that worked well for me. Please note that the Aries Cerat preamp gain can be specified by the user when purchasing new. That way, you should have the ideal match.
Thank you Christiaan for your detailed and quite helpful response!
Dear Christian,
I have always been a fan of CH Precision since they first came out and I heard the C-1 DAC, with the original M-1 amp and L-1 pre-amp which I heard at Audio Arts in NYC. I lack financial resources more than most but still want to put a system together that is simple and sounds exceptional. I currently use a very old YBA -3 pre amp with a CHP M-1.1 amplifier and have an opportunity to replace the pre-amp I purchased the CHP amp used from Worldwide Wholesales distributer of Aries Cerat for Canada and the USA who I believe you would be familiar with. I read your reviews on the CHP L-1, as well as the Aries Cerat Impera and Incito-S. I have a pair of spkers that I can use for a direct trade for the Incito-S or for an additional 9k get the Impera new or if a used Impera becomes available and additional 5K. The Impera used + 5k (4k) would be preferred).
I also can purchase a CHP L-1 for 18k or so…..
your quote Christian (there was always a penalty either in terms of pacing, dynamics, bass control, transient speed, or transparency or even in all of these aspects (I dont want to lose these characteristics at all as i love these) Granted, with the Impera, you also get a tonally fuller, and slightly enriched delivery that I don’t feel is strictly 100% neutral or linear. However, for a change, all of the benefits come without any penalties.)
From reading your commentaries on the CHP L-1 and A-1.5 and also the A. Cerat Pre-amps in addition to the C-1 and C-1.2 DAC I have as close to the same taste in electronics as yourself as I could possibly have as far as I can tell. I want the speed, dynamics, control, detail etc etc just as you describe what you like with all the naturalness etc..would love to add the C-1.2 DAC …
So I think I would like to buy the A.Cerat Impera used so I could have the most impactful, dynamic…..etc.sound possible…I am afraid to lose the control and dynamics attack, slam etc that I love about solid state. I think I would like the 10 series pre-amo by CHP best but I think the A.Cerat Impera would be the best I could do on my budget. Would still consider the L-1 but think the ACerat Impera would sound better to me overall and would be 26k invested vs 21k for the Incito-S. Also I have T & A Solitaire CWT 1000 speakers
So I am planning on trying to wait for a used Impera and think it would be well worthwhile vs the Incito-S for most musical enjoyment. Owning the L-1 and hearing the other two do you think this would be correct ? Thank You.
Bill
Hi Bill, With the AC Impera, you’ll have the most dynamic and impactful sound that I have heard yet from a tube preamp, in addition to what you can expect in terms of positives from a good tube preamp such as harmonic richness, flow, and bloom. The CH L1 is not actually any more dynamic or impactful than the Impera but it is more linear and transparent and a little tighter and more articulate. And of course it is not a tube preamp, although it is most certainly also not typical solid-state-like. The more I use it, the less it makes itself heard, just like with the A1.5 power amp. It is so utterly self-affacing that it simply blends in and that is exactly what I want. Others might desire more character and any AC preamp will most certainly provide that. I’ve heard various 10 series CH components at shows but I have yet to hear an A-B comparison. As such, I still don’t know for sure how the 1 series compares. Thus, I can also not tell you how much better the L10 would perform compared to the L1. Between Impera and Incito, it is, in a way, a decision between ultimate refinement similar to what the L1 can do, and a less subtle, but more textured and visceral sound. If you can, I would suggest trying an Incito S first, live with it for a while, and decide from there if you need a shift in presentation.
Hi Christiaan
Your feedback is very much appreciated! I love how you describe the sound of the L-1. I believe I would be more satisfied with the sound of the L-1 after reading what was written above. I am not sure how I will proceed yet. I may consider a CHP DAC with the CHP M 1.1 as I currently do not have a separate DAC. Everything I had read previously only one person was satisfied with the DAC-to AMP combo without a pre-amp. I use a Electrocompaniet blu-ray player which for is price point is a good value and works well but of course can not play music in a higher end system. The idea of buying a used CHP 1.2 DAC and using it as a controller sounds like it might be a better way to go as I can not afford a high quality pre-amp and DAC. I would be very excited to do this because getting any of the pre-amps mentioned I would be without a capable DAC and hence can not really play and enjoy music with any reasonable satisfaction.
Warm regards
Bill Emery
Hi Bill, The C1 and C1.2 DAC are still my personal favorites and even without preamp, they belong to the best DACs I heard. That said, I’m afraid there’s ultimately no beating a preamp if you want maximum fluidity, flow, and refinement. But I agree it is good to get the basis right. And you can always add a preamp later:-)
Understood, very, much appreciate your reply. This is an understatement. Thank you!