REDGUM Articulata Integrated Amplifier Review

A new wrinkle; the sound of a non-oversampling DAC and the Articulata

An idiosyncrasy of this integrated is that it did not mate well with DACs featuring their own integrated volume controls (at least in my experience), thus the need for a dedicated DAC sans preamp function. I tried pairing both the Benchmark DAC3 DX and the Exogal Comet with the Articulata and the noise-to-playback level was too evident. I conclude that the particular design Ian has used in achieving the higher power, high current topology does not take well to an outboard active preamp. If you are considering pairing the Articulata with a DAC in the “direct to amplifier” configuration, I suggest you avoid a DAC with an integrated preamp function. If you feel there must be a preamp in the chain, presumably for switching in a multiplicity of sources, then a passive preamp would be preferable. See further discussion below about noise and how to banish it.

In every class of audiophile component over the years, one aspect of the build quality and performance keeps surfacing, the component’s power supply. Components such as the Salk Audio StreamPlayer III and the Exogal Comet, both of which have the option of an upgraded power supply, show themselves to be holistically superior via that enhancement. The aforementioned BorderPatrol DAC eschews up-conversion in favor of a tweaked power supply, and in initial systems it is easily holding its own with such upsampling DACs. The secret of the BorderPatrol DAC is the power supply. So also in amplifiers such as the Articulata the integrated amp’s own power supply is critical.

Here, then, was an atypical rig; how many people do you know who are running a NOS DAC directly into an integrated and using playback software such as Roon to control listening level? I would guess upwards of 95% of audiophiles today would establish either a more traditional source/preamp/amp setup or the more recent integrated DAC (DAC with preamp function)/amp combination. There may be only a handful of people who have ever tried a NOS DAC with an integrated – and that’s a shame, because it’s a bona fide HiFi setup. How good was this combination? Good enough to land the Legacy Whisper in the “best sound ever” category. Consider that I have used this speaker with dozens of permutations involving preamps, both passive and active, joined with dedicated amps, and here comes an integrated that surpasses them.

Up conversion of digital source signals and integration of preamp functionality in DACs seem to be two unstoppable forces of the audio industry. It is becoming the norm to see more integrated DACs and fewer dedicated DACs. I wonder if the industry is missing the boat on this. Only an extensive comparison between the two setups would yield a general rule of thumb, but in my experience the NOS DAC and integrated amp is a serious alternative for superb sound.

As the name implies, articulate is the best word to describe the performance of the combination of the BorderPatrol DAC and the REDGUM Articulata Integrated. Much like looking at deep space pictures from the Hubble Telescope, hearing more deeply into the music is the benefit accorded by this pairing. One of the most startling aspects of listening to this setup was the fullness of the extreme low frequency response. Ultra low notes in pieces of music, such as “For Whom the Bass Tolls” by Bass Addiction, a reference in LF response in systems, have normally been only hinted at and have been fairly two-dimensional. They are so low that most systems can’t reproduce them forcefully. However, they were clean and strong, so strong that my ears felt the pressurization of the room even when the level was not greatly elevated. Further, the tone of the note was discernible rather than a “punch” or “pop” at low frequency. This means the signal had to have been ultra clean and strong. That strength and cleanness was exhibited at all frequencies, but is almost never heard at around 20Hz.

Complementary to the seismic nature of the bass, vocals provided a more gentle assessment of the Articulata’s capabilities. In contrast to Class D amps that have tended to emphasize the acoustic envelope around the performer, the Articulata allows hearing not just the performer but also the subtleties of the voice interacting with the recording space. Several times in recordings where historically I did not hear any background echo on voices there were now faint reflections returning. I could step through different recordings and hear the precise amount of echo as an effect.

Cecile McLorin Salvant has a classic songstress voice, sure and pure, as she tells the story of “John Henry.” There is such a subtle echo that only a finely tuned system can reveal it. A faint hint of return from the smallish recording space is to be discovered. Similarly, Victory’s “Cheap Love” from It’s A New Dawn is so nuanced that the echo fills in like a backing instrument. “This is Love,” sung by Selah Sue on the Jazz Loves Disney 2 album (don’t laugh, it’s very good music!) is more overt with the use of the room in the recording. The effect here is more akin to my friend Dave’s horn speakers in his more lively room than my well-damped room. Finally, we have the overwrought “Leaving Me Now” by Level 42; it’s a 2009 recording that sounds like it’s straight out of the 1980s. Moving from track to track and clearly hearing the vocalist and the aftermath in all its glory is gratifying.

Solidity without stridency

To my ear some of the most challenging notes for an audio system to reproduce are those of the piano and the cymbal. Both are struck often with considerable force, and as such the energy of the notes is difficult for a system to capture without stridency. The knife’s edge is the balance between solidity of the note and stridency, which is to be avoided. Solidity imparts a sense of the dynamics in play in hearing real music, but stridency carries an electronic tinge that is a dead giveaway that one is hearing a set of electronics.

Hiromi plays a mean piano. On her album Alive! she shows mastery of the instrument as she tenderly tickles as well as “tenderizes” the ivories. The album is wonderful for capturing the drums as well as bass, allowing a full spectrum system tuning session. Piano, drums and bass all need to be expressed with dynamic range that seems unhindered in order to be fully appreciated. The powerful Articulata filled each of these instruments with power and a sense of potential for powerful sound, even when softly played. Solidity of the bass and piano notes was gratifying.

Some low-level noise

A niggling issue of low-level noise presented itself throughout the review. In times past, when I had used a high-powered amp there might be present a soft noise in the speakers during dead air passages. While the noise from the REDGUM Articulata was at that level, it was discernible. I attempted to isolate the source of the noise by switching to CD transport as the source, as well as by trying different DACs. Initially I thought the noise was associated with the use of a DAC having an integrated volume control. However, while the noise seemed to be of a higher level with an integrated DAC, it did not disappear entirely when I switched to the BP NOS DAC. It did, however, drop to a level that some would consider negligible.

Noise in amplifiers and integrated amps is a catch-22 situation. The times I have heard noise associated with amps have also been times when the amp is paired with a more efficient speaker. That was the case with the Articulata as well, as there was no discernible noise when using the much less efficient Kingsound King III electrostatic speakers. After all, the amp is designed purposely for less efficient speakers, so this must be taken into consideration. What is heard through higher efficiency speakers when it comes to noise is not identical to what is heard through lower efficiency speakers. Soft background noise has historically been much more muted with less efficient speakers.

With more efficient speakers the holistic results are noteworthy, even though the noise exists. In this instance the only times the noise is audible is when the music is stopped, or during utterly silent passages in the music. Apart from that it was a non-issue. Yet, audiophiles will want to consider honestly their listening environment and tolerance for such things. My listening room is nearly as quiet as a bank vault; ambient noise is extremely low due to the special construction of the room. Consequently, I hear many more small sounds from gear. I can hear when a disc begins spinning in my transport, or the extremely faint whirring of the drive in the Salk StreamPlayer III server/streamer. For all intents it is silent, but not absolutely silent in my room. This must be taken into account when I discuss noise and speakers. My observation of noise with components is higher than average since my room is far quieter than average.

When I was younger any noise associated with an audio system, no matter how faint, was cause for alarm, an unsettled disposition, and action to be taken until it was banished. Thankfully, through experience and mellowing with age I can get past faint noise to focus on the music. I may even have reached the point where I would prefer a faintly noisy rig with superior performance in all other respects to one that is dead silent but less impressive. Wow, did I actually say that? Yes, I did, and after 35 years of audiophilia I make no apologies for that sentiment. Having heard dozens of times faint electronic gurgles over the years I am more forgiving now. I see that not all pairings are absolutely silent, just as not all pairings are superior sonically. Twenty-five years ago my attitude toward any reviewer who said such things would have been scorching, but with perspective (read: experience) tolerance levels may change.

If one wishes to try the Articulata with a very efficient speaker despite potential for low level noise, then perhaps the use also of an AC power filter unit may help mask the noise or eliminate it altogether. My experience with system matching of components causes me to conclude that I prefer component-specific power upgrades. Another newish product, power cords which integrate filtering, might be the most elegant solution.

Timeless design

REDGUM Audio makes much of the longevity of their designs, which have remained largely unchanged over the years. Parts have been upgraded, but Ian suggests that the layouts of the components was so good initially that they have not been surpassed over time. If you think this is a flimsy selling point consider that I have reviewed other amplifier manufacturers who declare the same thing, working to incrementally adjust their design rather than reinvent it. Having used many fine sets of separates I tend to agree, at least as far as the sound compares to what I have reviewed over the years. In regards to separates I have yet to hear one in my room with the fortitude of the REDGUM Articulata.

What is there to be said about an integrated amp that drives the electrostatic speakers better than the mega-watt and mega-priced monoblock amps I have used? It’s a powerhouse, a bully of an amp, fit for long term buyers who want the utmost from those older, less efficient speakers or the newer designs that demand more capable amps. It’s a strong amp that is especially recommended for demanding speakers.

Copy editor: Dan Rubin

Manufacturer’s Comment:

Our thanks to Douglas for the intensity of ideas and breadth of cross-referencing he has undertaken in this tome of a review!!

We are delighted by his comparison of our amplifier to a platypus (being “as unexpected as”) but, as Australians, feel we should defend this shy and retiring gentle mammal so it not become tarred with the same brush as all our other notably nasty biting beasts! (Yes, the platypus has venomous spurs … but only for dire defense emergencies!)

Dwelling on things natural, and the topic of which wood is used for our solid front panels, it is kept as simple as the brand name with all being made from Red Gum aka Eucalyptus camaldulensis (plantation sourced).

Although the names chosen for our Amplifolia range are drawn from the vast number of Eucalyptus species, each model name was chosen for the word’s inherent meaning as it can relate to Audio or what Audio aims to achieve. For example, choosing E. articulata for an amplifier we trust reflect its ability to articulate the clarity of performance details.

REDGUM

Associated Components:

Source: Salk Audio StreamPlayer Generation III with Roon interface
Streaming Music Service: Tidal
DAC:  Eastern Electric Minimax DSD DAC Supreme with Burson, Dexa NewClassD and Sparkos Labs Discrete Opamp Upgrade; Exogal Comet DAC and upgrade power supply
Preamp: TEO Audio Liquid Preamplifier; Cambridge Audio 840E
Amps: First Watt J2 (two); Exogal Ion (PowerDAC); Benchmark Media AHB2 (two); Belles ARIA Mono Blocks
Integrated: Redgum Audio Articulata
Speakers:  Legacy Audio V Speaker System; Kings Audio Kingsound King III; Legacy Audio DSW Clarity Edition; Kings Audio King Tower omnidirectional; Vapor Audio Joule White 3; PureAudioProject Trio15 (Voxativ and Horn 1 versions)
Subwoofers: Legacy Audio XTREME HD (2)
IC’s: TEO Liquid Splash-Rs and Splash-Rc; TEO Liquid Standard MkII; Clarity Cable Organic RCA/XLR; Snake River Audio Signature Series Interconnects; Silent Source “The Music Reference”
Speaker Cables: TEO  Cable Standard Speaker; Clarity Cable Organic Speaker; Snake River Audio Signature Series Speaker Cables; Silent Source “The Music Reference”
Digital Cables: Clarity Cable Organic Digital; Snake River Audio Boomslang; Silent Source “The Music Reference”
USB: Verastarr Nemesis; Clarity Organic
Power Cables: Verastarr Grand Illusion; Clarity Cable Vortex; MIT Oracle ZIII; Xindak PF-Gold; Snake River Audio Signature Series; Silent Source “The Music Reference”
Power Conditioning: Wireworld Matrix Power Cord Extender; Tice Audio Solo