Plinius is probably best known for it's flagship behemoth Class A power amps. These days, everyone is raving about their latest Class AB gear. All models have striking designs and give knock-out performances that will last for ever. The latest Plinius SA201 is a 225wpc two channel version of the monster Odeon multi channel amp.

More recently, a new CD player, the CD101. Wonderful to look at and quirky to operate, but a quickly acquired taste.

Full details and brochures can be found on www.pliniusaudio.com

Nevertheless, some comments may be useful.

Plinius is essentially an amplifier company who also, after much agony, happen to make a rather good CD Player.

The current "sweet spot" in the Plinius range tends to be in the "mid-range", especially as Plinius have made every effort to make their Class AB amps sound as good as their Class A amps.

To appreciate these amplifiers for more than their good looks you need to drive them hard into awkward loads. The sort of loads where most other amplifiers lose bass control and either compress the music or simply distort. The Plinius amplifiers can be happily partnered with the most difficult of speakers in the largest of room and will belie their nominal power output.

Integrated amplifiers

Models 9100/9200. Evolutions of their earlier units now housed in very swish attire. These units are also robustly built and fully functional with flexible inputs. The 9200 offers additional power and a fine phono stage. The rated 120 watts/channel of the 9100 will easily eclipse many amplifiers claiming more . These units are single ended only. The remote operates the volume control.

The separates.

More functionality and more current capability is what you get. The sound is "bigger" too.

For example, the M8 pre-amplifier. Essentially a knob free, Odeon cased version of the M16 pre-amplifier. Balanced inputs/outputs.

Remote control only, but what a remote!

The latest power amplifier to partner this is the SA201 This 225w/channel dual mono amplifier is actually a two module version of the Odeon itself.

Same Odeon case and it takes a day to warm up. Yes, it does and better give it a week!

There is not much to be said about this hulk except that there is no limit to what it will drive whilst retaining sweetness, openness and composure. A great power amp.

CD101

Peter Thompson of Plinius must have had his tongue well up against a cheek when he named his CD Player the CD101. If I am not mistaken, the CD101 was the name of the first Sony CD player to hit the deck back in 1983.

How times have moved on!

Plinius have gone out of their way to make their CD player "vinyl like". No display to distract you from the performance. No easy skipping of tracks, you just have to guess, just like you do with vinyl. The "display", such as it is, comprises of a row of lights which light up or fade in/out to give a broad representation of what's going on. I just switch them off.

The CD101 is a robust piece of gear, from it's heavy remote to it's heavy duty disc caddy which has a custom support tray and bearing.