METAXAS IKARUS INTEGRATED AMP

[audiofilio]

I'm not sure if this is the right thread to post this topic, but since I'm particularly interested in a brand that I believe has been out of the market for quite some time, Technical Archives seem a logical forum.

The brand I'm referring to is Metaxas.... the model, IKARUS



The reason for my sudden recall of this small wonder ( in terms of wattage & size, and also in terms of company name ), is that I recently bumped into someone, who I can consider as my "audio" mentor. I frequented his audio store Sound Advice here in Bacolod religiously during the early '90s. When you were nuts about hi-fi during that time, and you live in Bacolod, Tata Salgado is the person to go to.

The Ikarus sounded magical no matter what speakers it was hooked up with, if I remember correctly, it was paired with, among others... ML Aerius ( the Ikarus drived it decently ), the better Tannoy Sixes model/s.

If anyone still owns this wonder amp, what speakers do you pair it with now? What other speakers are recommended?

[amonv]

I still have my MAS solitaire II with Mas marquis preamp. It is paired with piega p3 with good result. If your in alabang area you are welcome to come over to listen..

[audiofilio]

wow.. MAS separates! Thanks for the invite amonv. I haven't encountered Metaxas separates yet, and Piega speakers too. If I'l be in town I'l surely take your offer sir, raincheck muna for the meantime. Thanks for sharing.. I seldom encounter Metaxas owners.

Btw.. the pics I posted above are the ones of Ikarus Mk.5. Tata Salgado used to have the original model ( chrome faceplate ), he is now a wiredstate browser! Welcome to WS Tata.

[amonv]

Oooops mine is not seperates.... dual mono (?) what they call it... you are welcome to come over...

[rvc]

i had a metaxas ikarus II, if i'm not mistaken. the thinner one with a black faceplate, steel knobs and polished chrome casing. aside from the sound, the build quality is very impressive. had a solid feel to the controls. what i remember most about it is the weird balace control response it had. instead of decreasing one channel, it would somehow move the entire soundstage left or right. does yours do the same?

with matching speakers, it sounded detailed and quite robust for its power. but i could be very picky with speakers.

sold it several years ago. now i miss it.

enjoy yours.

[troporobo]

I had never heard of this gear, so did a quick search. Interesting. It is (was?) an Australian company, founded by a Greek man. Their web site is still live (www.metaxas.com) with product descriptions, but strangely it says "new products coming soon for 2009" which suggests maybe its not still in active business. The most recent review I could find on the net was from 2008. Cool looking stuff though, that's for sure!

[m_shoe_maker]

If I'm not mistaken, Metaxas was brought in by Upscale Audio back in the 90s.

Very maporma looking units with lots of bling!

[audiofilio]

I had never heard of this gear, so did a quick search. Interesting. It is (was?) an Australian company, founded by a Greek man. Their web site is still live (http://www.metaxas.com) with product descriptions, but strangely it says "new products coming soon for 2009" which suggests maybe its not still in active business. The most recent review I could find on the net was from 2008. Cool looking stuff though, that's for sure!

Kostas Metaxas ( Metaxas Audio Systems ) is Australian of Greek heritage. Very classy guy.. even ventured into publishing a lifestyle magazine. His 3 references in music are Belafonte @ Carnegie, The Weavers @ Carnegie and Porgy & Bess w/ Ella & Louis.

[tasa]

yeah, metaxas products were very maporma looking. have you seen their product brochure during that time? it can put others to shame! the metaxas ikarus you are refering to was a 40wpc integrated amp. it has a stainless steel housing, not chrome. the construction was very detailed. you should see it to appreciate it. yes, it came from Upscle Audio in Makati. during that time, i was a provincial audio dealer in bacolod of upscale, reference,audiophile, avesco and others of which i have forgotten. anyway, i had the luxury of comparing all the products of these competing brands from various dealers all at my store. i can still remember that the ikarus, paired the the vandersteen 1B floorstanding 2-way speakers and rotel rcd955ax was a very outstanding set up. REGARDLESS OF PRICE. if i remember right, 1 set up that i has that could surpass it was a rotel 955ax cd player, coupled to audible illusions modulus 3 preamp, aragon 2002 power amp and the martinlogan AERIUS hybrids. to audiofilio, t y for the kind words!

[JackD201]

Welcome Tata! You still active in the industry? I have lots of friends in Bacolod.

[tasa]

not anymore. commercially!

[audiofilio]

not anymore. commercially!

Ta.. maybe we can bring back the good ol' days of bringing in hi-end audio here in Bacolod, if we're both not busy. just a thought hehe..

[amonv]

I've heard the solitaire paired with martin logan... it's a perfect match....

The amp has been my main system since the 90's until I was reintroduced to the tube world...

[audiofilio]

To amonv.. the Solitaires are 100 watts per monoblock right?

[amonv]

I think its 130 watts per channel

[amonv]

for more info:

http://www.metaxas.com/pages/products/solitairex.html