Metaxas & Sins solitaire User manual

metaxas &sins
solitaire
depuis 1981

Thank you for your
kind interest in my
work.
This amplifier is the
result of my 35
year fascination
with the art of
music reproduction
from concert
recording,
electrical engineeing
and ultimately,
artistic design.
This solitaire has
been totally
handcrafted by
either myself or
one of my sons.
I consider it an
object of art.
kostas metaxas

solitaire
metallic automotive paint option

The Solitaire is a straight 150WRMS Stereo Power Amplifier or can
be oered like the IKARUS as a higher powered [150WRMS] Stereo
Integrated Amplifier.
It best embodies the sculptural design and “lack-of-sound”
philosophy of Metaxas & Sins.
After over 35 years of work in the field of High End Audio, from the
design and manufacturing of entire playback systems to the
recording of over 300 acoustic concerts to gain further musical
insights, the last thing that artist-designer Kostas Metaxas wanted
to produce was “another box with transistors on a heatsink”.
Kostas was dreaming of the most spectacular architecture, design
and sculpture he had experienced and wanted to bring that
emotional intensity, daring and seductive beauty to an audio
amplifier.
As a recording engineer, Metaxas also wanted to “voice it” for
extremely realistic recording playback, to be able to reproduce all the
nuance and emotion of a musical performance.
His new SOLITAIRE is the result. Machined from a solid block of
either aircraft aluminium, copper or titanium, it’s totally bespoke and
the modular electronics make it future-proof. Even the circuit boards
can be CNC machined from 1mm solid silver coated clear polystyrene.
From the sensual, organic and striking casework [inspired by the
stunning work in Sports cars of the 1950’s/60’s of Ercole Spada, as
well as the architecture of Hadid, Gehry and Calatrava] to absolutely
every part of the amplifier including the circuit, topology, layout and
casework has been developed by Kostas Metaxas. It is the logical
evolution of his groundbreaking design concepts pioneered in the
early 1980’s.
specifications

Then, it true “Bugatti fashion”, each and every amplifier is assembled by
the master or his sins — either Andreas or Alessandros Metaxas.
The individually 5-axis CNC’d “sculptural” enclosure presents a very
heavy, solid, inert, non-resonant structure to RFI shield and ultimately
protect the delicate electronic signals, driving the noise floor to
ultra-ultra-low levels, revealing a wealth of detail that has never been
heard before.
1. INPUT STAGE:
The fully complementary, dual dierential, cascaded input stage is lin-
earised to ensure least distortion over the large volt-age swings to the
amplifier input from the preceeding preamplifier. A very gradual (6dB/
octave) Bessel filter is incorporated at the input to eliminate the needless
reproduction of Radio Frequencies.The second voltage gain stage uses
considerable local feedback to ensure that large voltage swings from
the input stage are accommodated with the least possible distortion. An
overall negative feedback of only 11dB is required to stabilise the
complete D.C. operating point and reduce distortion at full power to
below 0.01% T.H.D. which is primarily composed of second harmonics.
A D.C. servo is built around an integrated circuit to monitor the output
voltage and ensure absolute D.C. stability at all times.
2. OUTPUT STAGE:
Our triple Darlington output stage uses the fastest power transistors that
were previously available, but no longer available since the factory in
Japan was destroyed by a Tsunami. Fortunately, we purchased large
stocks of these devices 30 years ago.
Our printed circuit design borrows techniques from RF and UHF
groundplane technology to maximise the speed of current delivery,
especially at high frequencies. from the ultra high-speed (fT’s 150 MHz)
power transistors.

3. POWER SUPPLY INPUT & OUTPUT STAGE:
The input voltage gain stage of the SOLITAIRE is isolated via the
high-current output stage via a two stage’capacity-multiplier’ cir-
cuit which uses the beta of the transistors to multiply the filtering
eect of the capacitor used. The simplicity of this circuit allows the
elimination of any output bypassing capacitors which would
otherwise reduce the apparent speed and degrade the sound
quality of this amplifier.
4. PROTECTION CIRCUITS: To eliminate the sonic colourations
imposed by sophisticated current limiting protection circuits, the
SOLITAIR Euses only the short M205 fuse types to protect the high
current stages.Apart from the fuses is a four pole relay in series
with the loudspeaker connections. If over 0.6VDC is sensed at the
amplifier output, the relay is activated until the condition is
rectified.
FREQUENCYRESPONSE : DC - 5.0MHz (-3dB)
POWER OUTPUT: 150WRMS per channel into 8 Ohms
with no more than 0.05% T.H.D.
DAMPING FACTOR : Greater than 500 wide band
SLEW RATE : Greater than 1000V/us small and large signal
T.H.D. : Less than 0.05% 20Hz-20KHz
I.M.D.(S.M.P.T.E.) : Less than 0.05%
SIGNAL/NOISE : -117DBV unweighed input shorted
SENSITIVITY: 0.5VRMS in for 150WRMS out (28dB)
INPUT IMPEDANCE : 100kOhms in parallel with 11pF

the making
of a solitaire
These videos trace the creative and
manufacturing process of a SOLITAIRE.
https://vimeo.com/164672495

UNPACKING
Carefully remove the SOLITAIRE from it’s FOAM PACKING taking note of how
it’s inserted [in case you wish to reuse the Flight Case for future transport].
Using the Alun-key set, you can remove the top amplifier module cover and
bottom plate to ensure that the 2 amplifier modules and one VU module haven’t
become unseated from their PCB connectors during transit.
Steps for Connection
1. Ensure that the front ON/OFF switch is in the OFF position before connecting
the amplifier into your system [VU lights are OFF].
2. Once connected, ensure that there are no ‘short circuits’ in the speaker wires,
then proceed to switch the unit ON.
For the best results, it is recommended that the unit is powered on for at least 15
minutes before critical listening is attempted.
Protection CircuitsThe output stage of the amplifier is fused with +/- 3Afast blow
fuses [M205 type] which protects the amplifier in case of operating faults.
Two 4-pole high current relays with DC sensing protection is also included.
Mains Fuse: [240V - 5AMP , 115V -10A ] A SLOW BLOW DA205 Type fuse is
next to the AC MAINS SOCKET located on the underside of the amplifier.
If this blows,simply replace with the same rating fuse. If the fuse continues to
blow, please contact us immediately, but also refer to the Maintenance Section
of this manual for further instructions.
unpacking and
connecting

After unpacking, don’t forget to remove the “white foam” which holds the modules in place - top and bottom panels.

future-proof modular
construction
the "heart" of
the solitaire-
two updateable modules

If the words you think of when listening include - eortless,
transparent, engaging, holographic, real...then you are close.
More than that, you need to “feel” the performance.
It MUST move you.
The only way to design audio equipment with these qualities is
to have first-hand experience with the finest available recording
equipment AND playback equipment.
This is important for two reasons; it ensures that your designs work
and ’mate-well’ with other products and that their resolution is not
limited by the weakest link in the playback ‘chain’.
Metaxas amplifiers have been conceived using extensive
listening tests with a variety of state-of-the-art ancillary equipment
[and the systems of customers] over a 35 year period.
Our amplifiers have been designed using a variety of state-of-the-
art phono playback equipment over the years but our
ABSOLUTE REFERENCE is our library of over 300 in-house
Master Tapes of acoustic Jazz and Classical concerts recorded
using our Metaxas-modified battery-powered Stellavox SM-8 [and
TD9]Tape Recorders with AGFA 468 1/4” tape recording using
Bruel & Kjaer 4135 1/4” instrumentation and modified NEUMANN
TLM-50 and M150 condensor microphones.
Digital copies of these recording “Masters” are freely available
to our customers.
perfect sound?

“It has taken little time for Australian firm MAS to receive worldwide attention
.InFrance,the range of MAS Electronics has seduced us... Metaxas products belong
tothis rare category of electronics which achieve the essential and vital qualities of
agood Hi Fi system which drive you to irresistibly listen and enjoy records one
after the other”.
Jean Hiraga/Patrick Vercher LANOUVELLE REVUE DU SON, France.
”The IKARUS manages to combine two characteristics which are generally
incompatible; on the one hand it succeeds in X-raying the music, whilst at the same
time, it preserves its spirit and its musicality.The Ikarus is in fact an excellent product,
richin personality, refined, easy to use, very pretty, but most of all, it is a high
class product.
Silvio Delfino FEDELTADELSUONO, Italy
” Provided that the back-up components are of good quality, listeners can expect-
lush, well produced sounds closely akin to vacuum tubes. The unit’s presentation of
asoundstage is astounding. All dimensions are faithfully reproduced with the
appropriate focal impact. There is enough air around instruments and voices to
beguile even seasoned listeners”.
Ernie Fisher, THE INNER EAR REPORT, Canada.
”In my listening sessions, the IKARUS amazed me with what 40Watts can sound
like.Mids were neutral and transparent and the highs were shimmering and detailed
withneither harshness nor a hard gloss. The sound is astonishingly finely etched,
even atvery low volume levels. For sheer beauty (sonic and visual),
uncharacteristically good connection flexibility and the ability to drive dicult
audiophile speakers, the MAS IKARUS is the best 40 Watter around”.
Greg Borrowman, AUSTRALIAN HI FI, Australia
what the critics said

integrated or stereo version

However I come to peace with myself by the sound of the
IKARUS. The Australian neither over-searches for superfine
details, nor omits any information. The IKARUS plainly serves
the music. Searching carefully for its characteristic features, one
notices that it produces an exceptionally broad soundstage in the
listening room.”
Ulrick Michalik, HI FI EXCLUSIV, Germany.
“I’m surprised that this slim and simple appearance IKARUS in-
tegrated amplifier can perform almost perfect sound quality and
high drive power. Output stage is normal class AB with 40WRMS
into 8 Ohms, but with such a natural and clear performance, i it
sounds like class A. Even with its slim body, it drives speakers to
loud levels with a vividness with fine energy levels from all
frequencies”.
Mitsugu Kobayashi STEREO SOUND Japan
what the
critics
said
“On modern music (jazz , fusion and even rock), the IKARUS is
very impressive. Its sound is correctly aggressive but at the same
time warm and liquid; it captivates with the intense fascination of
the sound it portrays. But it is with the late-night listening
session at home with the volume control set just right so as not to
disturb anyone, family or neighbours, that the IKARUS
reaches the pinnacle of enjoyment. Joe Henderson breathes into
the mouthpiece of his tenor sax ‘Miles Ahead’, the window is open
to let a breath of fresh air in to take the place of the torrid daytime
heat. Ah...tender is the night...”
PierLuigi Sandonnini & Fabrizio Montanucci SUONO Italy.
“In contrast, the Metaxas presented more information especially
‘in space’. Thanks to additional details and finer presentation, the
IKARUS succeeded to demonstrate more clearly the
characteristics of dierent recording techniques on a demo CD.”
RATING: Absolute Spitzenclasse IV REFERENCE (This is the
highest rating for integrated amplifiers in German STEREOPLAY)
Wilfried Kress, STEREOPLAY Germany.