Disclaimer: Sean Chan, ohm-image's patron saint, loaned Trio to me weeks ago. A cursory info drop revealed that he's not forgotten about it. Shame. Anyway, this isn't my unit. And I'm not its general customer. The Trio goes for 599$. You can find all about it here: AlgoRhythm Trio.
I should also mentioned that my comrade, Lieven, reviewed Trio at Headfonia in July, and that while ohm-image currently isn't sponsor-funded, Headfonia is. And, I write for Headfonia. God bless 'em!
As this is a simple RMAA bench-thread, I'll try not get into what I like and dislike about Trio. Okay, I'll try not to say too much. First, I love its milled unibody design. Sure, its smooth surface picks up thumb prints, etc., like mad. And it still uses Phillips's bolts, which are both uglier, and more prone to stripping than good steel allen bolts. Trio's clear typography, chassis solidity, and generally good-for-front-in-and-out layout are brilliant. As always, Cypher Labs's advertising photography isn't worth the salt it took the administrative assistant to sweat 'yes' to the new role.
The following Rightmark Audio Analyzer tests were conducted through this equipment.
Source: Mezzo HiFi MS-AK100 (500$ USD)
Amp: Cypher Labs AlgoRhthym Trio (599$ USD)
ADC: Lynx Studio HILO LT-TB
Computer: 2012 27" iMac
Cables: 1,5m Hosa Pro 3,5mm stereo to dual 3-pin XLR (around 8$).
Loads:
NL - no load
SM2 - Earsonics SM2
ES7 - Audio Technica ES7
DT880 - Beyerdynamic DT880/600
Note: The MS-AK100 was set to optimal voltage output, and the Trio was set to maximum non-damaging distortion volume levels. Obviously, valves distort heaps. And set to a lower maximum volume, Trio distorts even less. But the following tests illustrate its performance at maximum stable volume levels.
24-bit TARGETS and loads
Anomalies in noise level and dynamic have been verified on my equipment through voltage-regulated tests. Each was performed three times. Otherwise, it is obvious that Trio suffers nearly no load effects.
Below are unloaded summaries for Trio fed by the MS-AK100:
The following Rightmark Audio Analyzer tests were conducted through this equipment.
Source: AK Jr (499$ USD)
Amp: Cypher Labs AlgoRhthym Trio (499$ USD)
ADC: Lynx Studio HILO LT-TB
Computer: 2012 27" iMac
Cables: 1,5m Hosa Pro 3,5mm stereo to dual 3-pin XLR (around 8$).
Loads:
NL - no load
SM2 - Earsonics SM2
ES7 - Audio Technica ES7
DT880 - Beyerdynamic DT880/600
Note: The AK Jr was set to optimal voltage output, and the Trio was set to maximum non-damaging distortion volume levels. Obviously, valves distort heaps. And set to a lower maximum volume, Trio distorts even less. But the following tests illustrate its performance at maximum stable volume levels.
Anomalies in noise level and dynamic have been verified on my equipment through voltage-regulated tests. Each was performed three times. Otherwise, it is obvious that Trio suffers nearly no load effects.
Below are unloaded summaries for Trio fed by the AK Jr:
End words
While I can't account for the anomalies in dynamic range and noise, both AK units, as well as my test bench, including a MyTek Stereo 192-DSD DAC, exhibited similar results. Otherwise, and respecting jolty distortion at high voltage levels, Trio is eminently stable. In fact, it holds signal very almost perfectly at all loads. I've not seen its like in any amp I've tested through the HILO. That said, on bar, its performance is only good as it relates to its base. Compared high-performance amps such as Vorzüge's PURE, Trio performs well behind the pack. It falters against ALO's CDM in most areas, beating only in dynamic range and overall noise. Still, while Trio demands attention for sustaining loaded signal quality so closely adherent to unloaded signals, it does so at the expense of overall much lower base levels of performance.
Among portable valve amps, Trio is probably the stablest, and tubiest of all. If you really like valves, Trio may be your best bet.