Official Site
OVERVIEW*
Mr. Willoughby -Plinius Audio Chief Executive- about Plinius history: "Plinius was founded in 1980
by a chap called Peter Thompson. To make things more difficult, transistors were a new technology
and the quality wasn't often very high. There were also import restrictions and that made any kind
of kit that was moderately expensive, very expensive." This led to the formation of about a dozen
high-end manufacturers in a country with, "only three million people and seventy million sheep."
Toward the end of the 1980"s import restrictions were lifted and that saw the demise of quite a few of those companies. In fact, Plinius is one of two that survived, and by far the largest.
According to Willoughby, "Where I think it's going to go, the server is one area of the technology
that's going to get better so the storage is going to be better used. The library management
software on the storage is also going to get better. And for Plinius, our game is to have a window
into that, which is our app that allows you to look at that file structure and see it in a structure that
is good to read. And it's in making sure that we take the signal, render it well, and put it into a good
DAC. That's the part where Plinius has got to concentrate."
"If you're going to be a Plinius user you're going to have a certain profile. You're going to value some
of the nice things in life. You're going to have an appreciation for the aesthetics. That's going to be
important. You're going to want to be dealing with a company that's not pretentious.
As Kiwi's, we're not ostentatious. We're not over the top in any of our presentation stuff.
And our products reflect that. And you'll be a person that values that.
That'll be the thing that makes you choose Plinius."
INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS
Integrated amplifiers have a smaller footprint than separate components
and they are more economical to make because they combine both the preamp
and power amp stages into the same chassis.
Plinius has for years had a great reputation for producing great, highly regarded
amplifiers in this category. The current range has exceptional award winning pieces
that can drive any speakers and will grace any listening environment with their lustrous
finish and simple elegance.
HIATO
With 300 watts per channel the Hiato integrated stereo amplifier is a serious piece of
equipment capable of driving big, difficult to drive speakers. It masters complex musical
pieces that many dedicated power amps struggle with to give you spine tingling detail
in the treble and control over the bass and mid range that is a pure delight.
The rear panel layout includes four line level inputs and a user adjustable phono input.
High quality WBT RCA connectors are used on all line level and phono inputs with additional
balanced XLR inputs for CD and Line 1. It has RCA and XLR HT bypass input, remote IR input
and 12V input/output triggers. There are four pairs of output connectors allowing bi-wired
speaker applications, line level output for archiving and pre-out for bi-amping.
The phono stage is optional.
SPECS
POWER
300 watts RMS per channel into 8 ohms
450 watts RMS per channel into 4 ohms
Both channels driven from 20Hz to 20kHz
at less than 0.2% total harmonic distortion
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
20Hz to 20kHz ±0.2dB
-3dB at 70kHz
DISTORTION
Typically <0.05% THD at rated power
0.1% THD and IM worst case prior to clipping
CURRENT OUTPUT
50A short duration peak per channel
Fuse protected
SLEW RATE
Typically 5µs
HUM & NOISE
90dB below rated ouput 20Hz to 20kHz unweighted
POWER/CURRENT CONSUMPTION
800W
0.6A (138W) Class AB Idle
0.3A (69W) Standby
OPTIONAL PHONO INPUT
RCA Unbalanced
INPUT CAPACITANCE
100pF
ADJUSTABLE GAIN
50dB, 56dB, 60dB, 66dB
ADJUSTABLE LOAD
47k ohms, 470 ohms, 100 ohms, 47 ohms, 22 ohms
HAUTONGA
The rear panel has five line level RCA inputs with Phono RCA and a balanced XLR pair additional
as standard. There is a Pre Out for those that only want to use the pre-amp stage and the Line Out
connection for archiving or other ancillary equipment. Trigger in and out connectors provide for
multi-room or home theatre simplicity.
A full function remote lets you scroll through inputs from your seat. HT Bypass, standby mode for
true low power operation that keeps the circuit active to deliver peak performance with minimal
delay, mute and volume controls, display brightness adjustment and the full complement of CD
player functions are all available from the remote.
Careful attention has been paid to signals and circuit layout with short signal paths, optimal
component placement and wiring specification working in harmony to extract exciting depth
and detail from any musical recording.
SPECS
POWER
200 watts RMS per channel into 8 ohms.
280 watts RMS per channel into 4 ohms.
Both channels driven from 20Hz to 20kHz
at less than 0.2% total harmonic distortion
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
20Hz to 20kHz ±0.2dB
-3dB at 5Hz and -3dB at 70kHz
DISTORTION
Typically <0.05% THD at rated power
0.2% THD and IM worst case prior to clipping
CURRENT OUTPUT
40A short duration peak per channel
Fuse protected
SLEW RATE
50V/µs
HUM & NOISE
90dB below rated output 20Hz to 20kHz unweighted
INPUT IMPEDENCE
47k ohms all inputs
RATED PRE OUT LEVEL
1.5V RMS into 47k ohms or higher
PRE OUT SOURCE IMPEDENCE
Typically 1.5k ohms
PRE OUT MINIMUM RECOMMENDED LOAD
47k ohms
LINE OUT LEVEL
190mV at 200 ohms
GAIN
Line inputs to speaker out: 40dB
Phono Input To Pre-Out: 66dB on high gain, 60dB on low gain
POWER/CURRENT CONSUMPTION
600W
0.4A (92W)
Class AB Idle 0.14A (32W) Standby
INSPIRE 880
This versatile 80 watt per channel integrated amplifier goes a step further than traditional
integrated products and gives you enhanced listening from almost any source.
The Inspire 880 will accept signals from your CD player, your personal computer,
your AV source and even vinyl from your turntable.
To listen to stored digital files all you need do is connect your music collection to your
Inspire 880 via the USB input. You then use your media player to select what you want
to play and stream it to your Inspire 880 which converts the digital signal to the analogue
signal your speakers need. In no time at all you can be up and running with Plinius clarity
refinement and power.
SPECS
POWER
80 watts RMS per channel into 8 ohms.
100 watts RMS per channel into 4 ohms.
Both channels driven from 20Hz to 20kHz
at less than 0.2% total harmonic distortion
DAC CAPABILITY
24 bit, 192ks/s
CONNECTIVITY
USB asynchronous
Optical Toslink
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
20Hz to 20kHz ±0.2dB
-3dB at 5Hz and -3dB at 300kHz
DISTORTION
Typically <0.05% THD at rated power
0.2% THD and IM worst case prior to clipping
CURRENT OUTPUT
16A short duration peak per channel
Fuse protected
HUM & NOISE
90dB below rated output 20Hz to 20kHz unweighted
INPUT IMPEDENCE
10k ohms for line inputs
GAIN
Line inputs to speaker out: 38dB
Phono Input to speaker out: 50dB
POWER/CURRENT CONSUMPTION
300W
Class AB Idle 0.14A (32W) Standby
INSPIRE 980
The 80 watt per channel Inspire 980 has all the versatility of the Inspire 880 that allows you
to directly connect up almost any source from a CD player, your personal computer, your
AV source or turntable. The Inspire 980 adds the further feature of networking capability
via wired or wireless Ethernet and this allows you to directly access your music library
stored on a networked drive.
Various network controllers can be used to control playback but for the ultimate in refinement
of interfaces the Plinius Arataki can’t be beaten. The Arataki app for iPad was developed
to control network playback via our premium Tiki and Toko products but it can also be used
with the Inspire 980.
SPECS
POWER
80 watts RMS per channel into 8 ohms.
100 watts RMS per channel into 4 ohms.
Both channels driven from 20Hz to 20kHz
at less than 0.2% total harmonic distortion
SUPPORTED AUDIO FILE SERVER
DLNA Digital Media Servers
SUPPORTED PLAYBACK CONTROL
DLNA Digital Media Controllers
DLNA Mobile Digital Media Controllers
UPnP smartphone applications
iPad/iPod applications
DAC CAPABILITY
24 bit, 192ks/s
AUDIO CODEC SUPPORT
FLAC (up to 24/192), LPCM (up to 24/192), ALAC,AIFF, MP3
CONNECTIVITY
10/100 Ethernet
Wi-Fi
USB asynchronous
Optical Toslink
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
20Hz to 20kHz ±0.2dB
-3dB at 5Hz and -3dB at 300kHz
DISTORTION
Typically <0.05% THD at rated power
0.2% THD and IM worst case prior to clipping
HUM & NOISE
90dB below rated output 20Hz to 20kHz unweighted
POWER/CURRENT CONSUMPTION
300W
Class AB Idle 0.14A (32W) Standby
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POWER AMPLIFIERS
Years of experience designing amplifiers and listening to what our customers want
has resulted in products that deliver pure distortion free amplification that allows
even the most difficult to drive speakers achieve their best performance.
From the unsurpassed Class A Reference with its high current delivery through to the
more understated Class AB units there is a product in our line up to satisfy your needs.
SA - REFERENCE
Designed to work as either a monoblock, or a stereo amplifier. They are truly a masterpiece
of design and they display the very best craftsmanship in their build quality.
As a bridged monoblock the SA-Reference will exceed 1kW of pure balanced amplification
and in balanced XLR mode operates as a true balanced amplifier from input to output.
Premium components have been used throughout and Class A operation is maintained
to over 100 Watts per Channel while 300 Watts is available in both Class A and Class AB stereo mode.
SPECS
POWER
300 watts RMS per channel into 8 Ohms
450 watts RMS per channel into 4 Ohms
Both channels driven from 20Hz to 20kHz
at less than 0.05% total harmonic distortion.
MONO OUTPUT
1000 watts RMS into 8 Ohms
1800 watts RMS into 4 Ohms
20Hz to 20kHz
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
20Hz to 20kHz ±0.2dB
0dB at 1Hz and -3dB at 70kHz
DISTORTION
Typically <0.05% THD at rated power
0.1% THD and IM worst case prior to clipping
CURRENT OUTPUT
100A short duration peak per channel
Fuse protected
RISE TIME
Typically 5µs
HUM & NOISE
100dB below rated output 20Hz to 20kHz, A weighted
INPUT IMPEDENCE
47k ohms
GAIN
RCA Inputs: 32dB
Balanced Inputs: 38dB
POWER/CURRENT CONSUMPTION
1400W
4.8A (1100W) Class A Idle
0.8A (184W) Class AB Idle/Standby
SA 103
The PLINIUS SA-103 stereo amplifier is a Class A amplifier capable of delivering up to 125 watt
per channel in both Class A and Class AB mode. Bridged Mono RCA and Balanced Mono XLR circuits
used in the SA103 allow Monoblock operation delivering in excess of 400 watts.
Plinius' distinctive heatsink profile has allowed us to maintain the classic look and produce an
amplifier capable of operating in Class A without the use of troublesome fans or other methods
used for cooling. Its 500mm by 455mm footprint belies the power it produces and these units sit
comfortably beside big speakers, understating somewhat their contribution to the speakers' performance.
SPECS
POWER
125 watts RMS per channel into 8 ohms
220 watts RMS per channel into 4 ohms
Both channels driven from 20Hz to 20kHz
at less than 0.05% total harmonic
MONO OUTPUT
400 watts RMS into 8 ohms
730 watts RMS into 4 ohms
20Hz to 20kHz
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
20Hz to 20kHz ±0.2dB
0dB at 1Hz and -3dB at 70kHz
DISTORTION
Typically <0.05% THD at rated power
0.1% THD and IM worst case prior to clipping
CURRENT OUTPUT
50A short duration peak per channel
Fuse protected
RISE TIME
Typically 5µs
HUM & NOISE
100dB below rated output 20Hz to 20kHz, A-weighted
INPUT IMPEDENCE
47k ohms
GAIN
RCA Inputs: 32dB
Balanced Inputs: 38dB
POWER/CURRENT CONSUMPTION
700W
2.1A (485W) Class A Idle
0.4A (92W) Class AB Idle/Standby
SB 301
For the technically minded the SB-301 is a Class AB two channel amplifier that delivers over
300 watts per channel at 8 ohms.
The physical construction of the SB-301 is based on the SA series designs so it has the same
distinctive aesthetic as the Class A products and indeed much of the electronics topology is
derived from that Class A history.
SPECS
POWER
310 watts RMS per channel into 8 ohms.
470 watts RMS per channel into 4 ohms.
Both channels driven from 20Hz to 20kHz
at less than 0.2% total harmonic distortion
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
20Hz to 20kHz ±0.2dB
-3dB at 70kHz
DISTORTION
Typically <0.05% THD at rated power
0.1% THD and IM worst case prior to clipping
CURRENT OUTPUT
100A short duration peak per channel
Fuse protected
RISE TIME
Typically 5µs
PHASE RESPONSE
+0° at 20Hz and -14° 20kHz
HUM & NOISE
100dB below rated output 20Hz to 20kHz, A-weighted
INPUT IMPEDENCE
47k ohms
GAIN
RCA Inputs: 32dB
Balanced Inputs: 38dB
POWER/CURRENT CONSUMPTION
900W
1.6A (370W) Class AB Idle
0.2A (46W) Standby
P10
The large toroidal transformer will allow the P10 to deliver power levels in excess of 200 watts per
channel into 8 Ohms. Difficult speaker loads are driven with ease to the most satisfying levels,
while maintaining control and finesse.
Partnered with the Plinius Kaitaki preamplifier these stable mates will combine to perform at the
highest level. The P10 is also highly suited to multiple custom installation use featuring a Home
Theatre trigger bypass.
SPECS
POWER
200 watts RMS per channel into 8 ohms.
300 watts RMS per channel into 4 ohms.
Both channels driven from 20Hz to 20kHz
at less than 0.2% total harmonic distortion
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
20Hz to 20kHz +/–2dB
-3dB at 5Hz and –3dB at 70kHz
DISTORTION
Typically <0.05% THD at rated power
0.2% THD and IM worst case prior to clipping
CURRENT OUTPUT
40A short duration peak per channel
Fuse protected
SLEW RATE
50V/µs
HUM & NOISE
90dB below rated output 20Hz to 20kHz unweighted
INPUT IMPEDENCE
47k ohms
GAIN
RCA Inputs: 32dB
XLR Inputs: 38dB
POWER/CURRENT CONSUMPTION
600W
0.4A (92W)
Class AB Idle
0.14A (32W) Standby
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRE AMPLIFIERS
Plinius' well proven and reliable preamplifier circuit designs do a great job of protecting the tiny
signals from your source components and presenting the power amp with a clean distortion free signal.
As well as managing the delicate signals from the source the preamplifier is a routing and control
centre for the music system and excellence here allows the power amps in the system to faithfully
drive the speakers to evoke all the emotions the artists have poured into their work.
TAUTORO
There are balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA connection to the 5 line inputs, home theatre bypass
loop and dual outputs for bi-amping or multi room installations. There is also an opportunity for an
optional phono input to be added in place of one line input.
With a host of features including individual source selection, headphone output, line level source
output for archiving and remote trigger in/out for integration into a semi automated system, the
Tautoro will comfortably support any combination of power amplifiers you have in your system.
SPECS
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
20Hz to 20kHz +/- 0.2dB
DISTORTION
<0.05% THD at rated input level
HUM & NOISE
-80dB at rated input level, A weighted
INPUT SENSITIVITY FOR RATED OUTPUT
125mV RMS Unbalanced Inputs
62mV RMS Balanced Inputs
INPUT IMPEDENCE
50k ohms
RATED OUTPUT LEVEL
500mV RMS into 10k ohms or higher
POWER/CURRENT CONSUMPTION
50W
0.12A (28W) Idle/Standby
OPTIONAL PHONO INPUT
RCA Unbalanced Input
ADJUSTABLE GAIN
50dB, 56dB, 60dB, 66dB
ADJUSTABLE LOAD
47k ohms, 470 ohms
100 ohms, 47 ohms
22 ohms
within RIAA spec
KAITAKI
Visible controls on the Kaitaki are the rotary volume knob and source selection buttons with all
other functions driven from the distinctive Plinius remote control. LED indicators on the front panel
display demonstrate the source selected and status of the mute, phase and HT bypass functions.
The Kaitaki will allow the connection of up to 5 source components including both balanced and
single ended connection for CD. A processor loop allows integration with a home theatre system
and output is available from RCA or XLR connectors. The optional adjustable phono stage model
allows enjoyment of vinyl at a sophisticated level without the need to purchase a specialised phono preamplifier.
SPECS
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
20Hz to 20kHz +/- 0.2dB
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO
-80dB at rated input level, A weighted
DISTORTION
<0.05% THD at rated input level
INPUT SENSITIVITY FOR RATED OUTPUT
125mV RMS Unbalanced Inputs
62mV RMS Balanced Inputs
INPUT IMPEDENCE
50k ohms
RATED PRE OUT LEVEL
500mV RMS into 10k ohms or higher
PRE OUT MINIMUM RECOMMENDED LOAD
47k ohms
LINE OUT LEVEL
190mV at 200 ohms
OUTPUT SOURCE IMPEDENCE
Typically 100 ohms
GAIN
Line Ampilfier: 12dB
POWER/CURRENT CONSUMPTION
40W
0.10A (23W) idle/standby
INPUT CAPACITANCE
100pF
ADJUSTABLE GAIN
60dB, 66dB
ADJUSTABLE LOAD
47k ohms
470 ohms
100 ohms
47 ohms
22 ohms
* Parts taken from Paul Wilson's interview at AudiophileReview.com