Perreaux R200i - Manual (Page 2)

Currently Perreaux has an extensive assortment of integrated amplifiers, pre-amplifiers,
amplifiers, phono amplifiers, DACs etc… arranged in three product ranges. There is the basic,
budget-orientated ‘Silhouette’ range, the ‘Reference’ range which is based on professional
techniques, and the ‘Radiance’ range which is meant to set a new hi-fi standard. According to
Perreaux, this last range should result in sound reproduction of unprecedented integrity
because of their design experience of more than a quarter century and the exclusive selection
of components. We need not mention bold statements like these create great expectations…
A very elegant product arises from the stylish double packaging full of company logos. The
excellent build quality and finish of this little New-Zealand amplifier strike you immediately.
Although the R200i is rather small (430 w x 105 h x 340 d) it is quite heavy: 13.5 kilos! The
front panel consists of a 10mm-thick, (in this case) black anodized aluminum panel that has a
centrally-placed, ellipse-shaped gap housing the blue alpha-numeric vacuum fluorescent
display and five miniature buttons. The brand name Perreaux is engraved bottom-left on the
front panel. The left- and right side of the casing is completely occupied by the cooling
elements of the end stage. The top plate is made of black, high-shining acryl. Because of the
lack of buttons on the front panel and the minimalist design of the rest of the casing the
Radiance 200i looks very trendy.
All functions are controlled and driven by a microprocessor and are operated by three
miniature buttons to left, and two miniature buttons right of the display. Partly due to the
Microprocessor control the R200i can be used in all kinds of situations: as an integrated
amplifier, a pre-amplifier or an amplifier. Left of the display we find the stand-by button and two
scroll buttons that allow you to scroll through the menus. Right of the display we find the
menu/enter and the mute/exit button. All advanced functions can be accessed using the
supplied remote control that has 36 buttons emitting blue light for some seconds after they
have been pushed. The remote control, made from a heavy zinc injection-moulded frame, an
acryl plate and silicone rubber buttons, is ergonomically designed and very pleasant to operate
despite (or due to?) its heavy weight.
The rear traditionally houses all the in- and out connectors: two pairs of smart WBT
loudspeaker-clamps that can be used to connect loose wires, forks and banana plugs, one pair
of balanced in-connectors and four pairs of single ended RCA in-connectors. Via two pair of pre-
outs, one without volume control before and one with volume control after the pre-amplifier you
can involve an extra amplifier into reproducing music.