Coming undone by the world’s best electrostatic system. THE $33K WARWICK ACOUSTICS APERIO REVIEW.

[@tonyd9998]

Just a quick comment of appreciation. I have been in this hobby decades and have had many systems from downright cheap to (after a lifetime of work ) very high end expensive. I IMHO find reviewers in this hobby for the most part are incredibly helpful in fostering thought and opinions on these components.A review like the one we are watching takes an enormous amount of time and research and effort. It's amazing what many in this hobby will do to share their experiences. Most of the people doing reviews like this are not getting rich (some spend lots of their own $$$) to do this. I for one would like to thank each and every one of them for their time, effort and the love they express for the hobby. I don't always agree with their observations or statements but learn from every one of them. THANK YOU convenceMeAudio you clearly put an incredible amount of effort into this review. Much appreciated!!!!!

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Thank you for the very kind words it’s very much appreciated. I’m glad you enjoyed the content, welcome to the fam 🐅

[@mr.dynamite2543]

Once again CMA describes a component’s sound from a unique angle while others do so from the usual straightforward approach. I appreciate you, gentlemen. After owning too many silver and black components to count over the last 30 years, I simply MUST go with the gold. How do you not? Lol.

[@chungang7037]

The more technically capable a headphone is rarely means I enjoy my music more through it, but that might just be me. I wonder if listening to the Aperio would be similar, or is the experience wholly beyond the dichotomies of detailed/fun, analytical/relaxed, sterile/lively, etc.

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Sometimes that can happen yes, I agree That’s why a lot of us lean towards tubes What is the scenario it’s a pass as all of that that’s why I stated breaking the system down to such aspects is just not right

[@eruilluvitar]

💯 agree. This is why I prefer the Bravura over the Aperio.

[@carminedesanto6746]

Good lord I thought the HaloMay desk set up was TOTL 😵‍💫 Great video, thank you. 👍☕️🍕🔥

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

People are going to get serious whiplash with the release of the latest video LOL

[@mattlth]

A brilliant and entertaining video, as always. I did find it funny when the Premiere Pro Warp Stabilizer “Click Analyze to begin” prompt appeared at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1484">24:44</a>. I didn’t know PP applied those prompts during export.

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Lmfao I will throw it back to the team and do some shouting

[@mattlth]

@@ConvinceMeAudio Please have the team listen to your shouting through the Aperio so that they can truly discern your emotions.

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

@@mattlth lmfao ❤️

[@WoodstockG54]

If I were told that I had only a year to live, I would buy one.

[@SergeySedlovsky]

Will be interesting for you to compare the new Raals to this.

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Danny is sending it. I’m just waiting for shipment.

[@SergeySedlovsky]

@@ConvinceMeAudio Excellent! I'll also go to a demo in a couple of weeks and most likely will purchase, thing is expensive as hell but I guess from what I've read so far, it's totally worth it.

[@khhoaiii]

Currently owning Sony mdr-z1r and the Sony taz-1es headphone amp. I plug into my pc via usb and enjoy my music and Apple Music. My question is can I do it with this item since it has a usb digital input like my Sony headphone amp? Or do I need a dac to go along with this system?

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Its a DAC pre and a energiser all in one It’s also a streamer, so you don’t even have to connect it to your PC and stream to it wirelessly using UPnP protocol

[@khhoaiii]

@@ConvinceMeAudio thank you for clarifying it. so it's basically the same setup as my current but with i assumed is much better sounds. Dare I ask if you listen to my system and how does it stack up with this god tier system? is it worth the upgrade?

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

@@khhoaiii different universe mate, those transducers are not even on the calibre of some of the flagship Headphones we have these days I wasn’t a big fan, yeah different sound, though this is more of a neutral reference liquid sound beware of that

[@tonyd9998]

Hi, great review. Question. How would you compare Aperio to DCS Lina system. Also the golden sound review kind of suggests the DAC in aperio is not TOTL? Do you need to pair Aperio with a Dac? I have a Lina Dac i would like to sell to help afford the aperitif but wonder if i will not be satisfied with the Aperio Dac and should hold on to the Lina Dac?

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

I have been using the DAC inside the unit for the last month and a half, exclusively It’s an exceptional DAC, you do not need another separate DAC, the reason we do is because you can get even more performance, it definitely outperforms that unit, and the Dave, as well in my opinion R2r is my preference, hence the reason why I’d like using it with it, but genuinely it’s been my main DAC for the last short while, and I’ve not missed a single thing

[@stevehenning2146]

My question also

[@edlillie8965]

Great review. I'm tempted. How does your May DAC work with Aperio.... and how many luxury watches do you have?

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

I like the R2R May and Wavedream on the Aperio it’s really does take it up, even a step further, more rich and organic a touch of warmth from May If you’re crazy enough to not be happy with Aperio, you can definitely push it further

[@tonyd9998]

So to be clear, in your opinion I won’t miss or see a noticeable difference if I don’t use my Lina Dac? Also how is it with higher volume settings? I also have the HiFiman EF1000 with Susvara I’m selling them to put towards the Aperio. I also had a Bartok in the past. I like the all in one box solutions and have always liked electrostatic speakers over the years hence my interest. I am hoping this will be at or above the performance level that have been use to?

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Presentation might be slightly different. Obviously the transducers will show what’s going through it very clearly, but I will say different definitely not better.

[@tonyd9998]

The best Susvara experience I have had was with the HiFiman EF1000 amp designed for Susvara.(It is a huge set up though not for a desktop) I had the Bartok 18 months ago. I enjoyed it and love the DCS upgrade paths for both software and hardware. I did find the amp at that time was not a good Susvara experience. It drove the AB 1266 much better. From there I moved over to the Lina stack for that reason. I found a much improved Amp experience but not quite as good a Dac and it costs significantly more than Bartok.I asked about the Bartok because I am wondering if Bartok Apex is an improvement in the Amp/Susvara combo. I am currently evaluating the Aperio and I finding it to so far be many of the things you observed as well as the observations of golden sound. I do feel its value for me is much more when my external Lina Dac is in the chain. (Quite expensive set up that way). I am trying to decide between keeping Aperio or going back to a DCS set up of Bartok apex maybe with a more powerful amp? (That would still cost less than Aperio + my Dac in the chain.) There is something about Aperio that hooks you, but I want to be more objective given the price point choices.I do find these days I want components that are more compact.That’s why I did not hold on to the HiFiman set up with Susvars I mentioned. On Aperio I do find I am experiencing the clipping notification at higher levels. Im using low gain settings to compensate. So im off to running through my critical playlists this week to come to my conclusion as to which is my next set up. Thanks for the show details.

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

If we are talking about a specific amplifier that drives SUS, I have never heard anything the likes of headtrip iii level two, the review will be out shortly, $15,000, it’s absolutely mind-boggling But I did like the Bartok Apex and LINA amplifier for SUS. It was lovely With this kind of budget, there are some tremendous options you can tailor to your tastes, but nothing is as simplistic as Aperio Yes, I had the same experience with the wave dream and May I found I was enjoying Aperio even more HE1 and Lina what is tremendous as well, I heard that this weekend

[@tonyd9998]

HE-1 with Lina vs Aperio with Lins. Now that you heard both what are your thoughts ? @@ConvinceMeAudio

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

@@tonyd9998 I would still consider Aperio as a reference out of the way sound characteristics that provides nothing but the music, where the Orpheus was a bit more euphonic in its tube characteristics. Resolvability with that DAC in place, the Orpheus had a bit more of a transparency in an electrostatic manner to it, then aperio where the elements felt as though they were floating holographically in the air, but the stage technicality and coherency aperio took it There is something utterly euphonic about Orpheus, though, and you fall into the music But you are in an intimate stage with the singer Subbase for electronic, I felt as though apperio feels as though it has so much to give But midbass, the Orpheus has a utopia, esque slam They are genuinely two sides of the same coin I will do a shoot out between Shang, Senior Aperio and Orpheus very soon The Shanks Senior review is completed and is going up on Patreon with four others this week

[@tonyd9998]

Thanks for responding.The Aperio using only the internal Dac is how I am using it. I am reluctant to use the Lina Dac as my go to as it is external to Aperio's AIO chain. I am feeling like I am degrading the basic concept of the AIO engineering? But to your point about the euphonic mids in your comments above, as absolutely "Real" or Pure" sounding The Aperio is I may be finding I prefer a touch more musicality and looking to see if the lina doc can help provide a bit? In my A/B testing I'm not quite sure if it's adding to that or just making the full impact of Aperio less in presentation. Has me even considering if I should move from Aperio to a tube set up Like the WOO wa 33 elite/ 1266 combo. I'm kind stressing over it a bit? (relatively speaking)@@ConvinceMeAudio

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

@@tonyd9998 the aperio by itself, is an incredible system I highly recommend, not being scared and implementing an external DAC it exponentially improves the quality that already is outstanding, I used a wavedream may on a regular basis with it And all in one system is designed for somebody who does not want to mess around, but you clearly sound like you like to experiment, and there is a lot more to be had than the baseline per performance, including a tube pre-which I have tested is amazing as well. I am using LTA z10e

[@johnspyridopoulos1517]

Does the Aperio distort at higher volumes? I understand that the Bravura does (as does the Stax SRX9000). I'm currently using Meze Elites on TT2, these don't distort easily

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

No 😅

[@tonyd9998]

Hi, BTW did you ever evaluate DCS Bartok Apex or the DCS Lina system. I am curious as to how you would feel about their components to the Aperio experience. Currently evaluating Aperio

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Hi, actually, yes at the show it was one of my highlights let me write you about the experience I had So at the London show over the weekend, I’ve got to sit with the HE one in a private setting with absolutely dead silent, and nobody there and the same environment for the DCS room and spent half an hour there too I heard SUS on the Bartoc and Lina amp and clock I have been testing SUS for the last 2 1/2 years and it just opened another door. It was absolutely unbelievable. Honestly if somebody had told somebody who was not too sure about it, apologies they would’ve thought SUS was an electrostatic Coming away from 81, it was just a different experience, rather than the worst one. It was unbelievable holographic, sweet as sugar and fixing the frequency response in the mid range as well. It was just a very different presentation. The unit will be coming in for review from DCS. I think the STACK first day in the bar talk later Was it as good as a aperio? I think it was 93 of the way there LOL You just got more detail with the electrostatic But a wholly incredible experience, but you’ve got to look at Aperio, I think the chain worked out 15,000 less and it’s just one unit by itself

[@grayfox198]

First of all, I love your reviews one of the best reviewers hand down. Weird question but have you used the Aperio for gaming? I have the Bravura and love them but I'm looking for the next level.

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Yes certainly, it’s absolutely super Buuuut Shang sr god now that is a gaming beast fuuuuu** in

[@grayfox198]

​@@ConvinceMeAudio one more question, how is it for rock and metal? How do kick drums feel and sound? Any noticeable differences in these genres from the Bravura? Thanks!!

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

@@grayfox198 unlike the Shangri-La senior this is one aspect of this system. That is incredible where its limitations for genre is just not a thing. Everything is organic and realistic, and as reference as the music portrays You are going beyond frequency response and the usual stuff we tend to evaluate less HPs I listen to a variety of genres from music scores to metal from EDM to classical and jazz it was a system where I never thought. Oh, let me pull up another headphone because this is lacking These top three systems have all their strengths, but I think the most balanced out of the three is aperio

[@grayfox198]

@@ConvinceMeAudio I just pulled the trigger on the Aperio! I can't wait to listen to it!

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

@@grayfox198 . If it’s a brand-new unit, give it a couple of hundred hours breaking is a serious thing on that unit. Using 7 µm drivers that are quite thick for electrostatics And definitely come back and give in-depth analysis here Congrats again

[@samlee2562]

Should get a master cabinet maker to design a motorized display case for 10k and hold up two fingers to He-1 😅

[@dhananjeyannatarajan5366]

How does the Aperio silver compare to the gold edition? anything clearly noticeable?

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Only hardware, feels even more premium. Honestly attention to detail is Godly Sonically identical

[@amaya897]

Considering we are talking about "the best" So what are the actual differences of such system to lets say a higher end systems like Holo May / Bliss setup with Caldera or Susvara? An A/B would be very interesting.

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

I believe I addressed this in the review, but a in-depth analysis would be ideal SUS may kte serene monoblocks benchmark ahb2 Is this CMA reference and I put it at 60% better, but that’s just arbitrary numbers. I will bear this analysis in mind for future video.

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

I love ZMF cal And on the best systems here, it’s not even in the same criteria mate SUS ab1266 camerton valcarya x9000 are the only ones with a competition chance of discussion

[@amaya897]

@@ConvinceMeAudio Thank you! I find it very difficult to talk about "60% - 50% better" objectivly when it comes to music reproduction and our very own preferences, very curious about your take on it. Caldera review and A/B to Sus, Bravura and Aperio on a good system like what you describe abocve would be exciting too. Especially since Zach isnt chasing harman and mesurrements but going with his ears and how music feels best to him personally. Which apperently works very well for so many people.

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

@@amaya897 exactly, that’s why I detest arbitrary numbers

[@gaekooooo2531]

@@amaya897 Yes pretty big statements in this review. Like Susvara being the best planar (which is just very very debateable) but being only 60% up to the potential of Aperio. I am bit confused about how CMA comes to this conclusions. Some criteria and less superlatives would be great. Like "I prefer this and that in sound thats why I like Susvara and Aperio) I focus on this things in music and so on. And yeeah Caldera is the next thing I really want to look into.

[@bakerlefdaoui6801]

You mentionned the Aperio is the best system for Mastering in studios, is the Bravura enough for that task? I am thinking of a portable solution when I am traveling. Thank you.

[@O_D_O_U4YA]

As usual, your review did poetic Justice. One thing you didn’t seem to mention… Is it roon ready?

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

DLNA Roon will see it as an endpoint, no problem

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Thank you so much for the kind words I appreciate it

[@andreaaaaaaa574]

Please make the shangri-la Sr. review

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

It’s already under progress, filming begins next Friday, it’s been here for a month and a half

[@darrellc4338]

Great review. Does the Aperio show up as an endpoint in Roon for streaming?

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Yes 😀

[@stevehenning2146]

Is it better than the Lena system?

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Oh yes

[@hifix-man319]

If SUS is thin, that is on the source and amp configuration

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Mono block ahb2 holo serene kte May kte bliss rockna WaveDream 😎

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

I never ever felt as though it ever was, it has an incredible base response and terminal density Buuuut aperio is on another level

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Wells audio headtrip iii level ii ..

[@hifix-man319]

@@ConvinceMeAudio The best is use it two as mono, plus well’s audio tube pre and tube dac. Yet I fully understand your excitement about the technicalities stuff of Aperio and Wavedream which is the first R2R I owned back then.

[@hifix-man319]

@@nitraM321 I heard it with different sources and combinations in 2019 when no one in US head of Aperio thank you

[@chrisnyc3641]

Did you just call HE-1 unattainable while wearing a gold Patek? 🤔🤣

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

Good, eye LOL You’ve got to consider one can be used in investment, the other is definitely not

[@jirihorsky9600]

I noticed that too. Nautili are a rare beast.

[@johnspy12345]

Also, the Panda Daytona cut in earlier 😊

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

@@johnspy12345 👌

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

@@fisherman9435 correct on both counts 🐅

[@Leon-lg7zm]

Hmmm i guess I can just get a loan 😅

[@CovertOperative]

Not a viable product for circa 99% of your community so what was the point of the review?

[@ConvinceMeAudio]

You should rather think of the video as educational, as is what is possible, don’t look at life as the glass is half empty it’s not a good outlook It will give you a fundamental understanding of what is achievable now in our current state, when it comes to audio and a hobby Because if we take your statement, as fact, to be honest with you, 70% of what I review, most people can’t reach for all really find it difficult to justify Which is very valid, Thanks for dropping bye

[@sandydennylives1392]

I can afford it but I'm happy with entry level hi fi portable, and would prefer hi end boxes/speakers. No rush, I'm entry level with both and happy.@@ConvinceMeAudio

[@michaelgebauer5235]

It is always good to learn what is possible. So many thanks for this review