Las Vegas, NV – In the ever-evolving landscape of high-fidelity audio, discerning consumers often face a daunting array of choices. The pursuit of sonic excellence can quickly devolve into a labyrinth of technical specifications and brand loyalties, leaving many yearning for a more accessible and curated path to exceptional sound. Enter Decibel+, a burgeoning audio retailer spearheaded by the visionary Gabe Toro, who is rapidly carving out a distinct niche by assembling meticulously matched system bundles designed to deliver both stunning performance and aesthetic appeal, particularly for the modern audiophile.
This review focuses on a compelling inaugural system from Decibel+, featuring the Neoson Genese Tube Integrated Amplifier and the Atlantis AT 16 Pro loudspeakers. While these components are offered as individual items, Decibel+’s strategic approach, honed through interactions at industry events like the recent encounter in Las Vegas, positions them as a unified solution for enthusiasts seeking an immediate and deeply satisfying audio experience. This partnership, bridging French engineering prowess with a forward-thinking American retail model, promises to democratize high-end sound without compromising on quality or style.
The Genesis of a Curated Experience
Gabe Toro, the driving force behind Decibel+, operates within a family tradition of audio excellence. He shares space with his father, Hiram Toro, proprietor of Supreme Acoustic Systems, a company renowned for its mastery of ultra-high-end audio components. While Supreme caters to the pinnacle of the market, Gabe has strategically identified a crucial gap: the need for expertly curated systems that resonate with a younger demographic and those operating within a more accessible, mid-market price bracket. This focus on the "younger, perhaps more mid-market audio enthusiasts" is a cornerstone of Decibel+’s philosophy.
In an era where readers frequently seek guidance on component matching, Decibel+’s approach is particularly welcome. They aim to simplify the audiophile journey, enabling music lovers to immerse themselves in superior sound without necessarily needing to become deeply entrenched in the often-complex world of component trading and obsessive gear acquisition. This ethos is vividly embodied in the Neoson and Atlantis pairing.
A Harmonious Union: French Design, French Sound
Both the Neoson amplifiers and the Atlantis speakers share a common origin: France. This shared heritage is not merely geographical; a discernible design aesthetic connects the two brands. From their visual presentation to their tactile feel, there’s an inherent synergy that suggests a shared design philosophy, particularly evident in their elegant use of lighter woods and refined finishes. This cohesive look makes them not just audio components, but also aesthetically pleasing additions to any living space.
Neoson Genese: The Heart of the System
The Neoson Genese Tube Integrated Amplifier, priced at $7,885, is the sonic engine of this particular system. This is not an amplifier built for brute force; rather, it’s a testament to the nuanced beauty of single-ended class-A tube amplification. Boasting a modest 10 watts per channel output, the Genese utilizes KT88 tubes in its single-ended configuration. While this power rating might seem conservative compared to typical AB push-pull amplifiers, it is precisely this design choice that unlocks a richer, more tonally saturated sonic presentation.
A meticulous inspection beneath the amplifier’s chassis reveals a commitment to uncompromising quality. Decibel+ has outfitted the Genese with premium components that speak volumes about its pedigree. The volume control is handled by a high-quality ALPS potentiometer, renowned for its smooth operation and precise attenuation. Furthermore, the signal path is adorned with a selection of Mundorf MCap Evo Silver Gold capacitors, esteemed for their exceptional sonic characteristics. These are further complemented by the inclusion of premium PSVANE Art tubes, chosen for their sonic purity and musicality.
The overall build quality is exceptional, with every element exuding a sense of thoughtful craftsmanship. Sonically, the Genese evokes a familiar and cherished character, reminiscent of high-performance single-ended triode (SET) amplifiers. The midband, a hallmark of SET designs, is imbued with a remarkable richness and harmonic complexity. However, by employing the more robust and readily available KT-88 tubes, Neoson achieves a user-friendliness and tonal balance that transcends the typical limitations of some lower-powered SET amplifiers. This also translates to greater affordability and ease of maintenance when it comes time for tube replacement, a significant consideration for any tube amplifier owner. The Genese’s tube complement – a pair of KT-88s and a pair of 12AX7s – is straightforward, simplifying the re-tubing process.
Convenience and Control
The Neoson Genese offers practical connectivity with three RCA single-ended inputs, providing ample room for essential sources such as a digital streamer, a dedicated phono preamplifier, or even a vintage tape deck. Safety and user comfort are also paramount. The tubes are elegantly shrouded, offering peace of mind for households with children or pets. A simple yet effective remote control is included, but the amplifier’s tactile appeal is such that the user will likely find themselves drawn to interacting with its physical controls. The overall aesthetic, with its thoughtful materials and refined finish, contributes to a relaxed and inviting user experience.
Atlantis AT 16 Pro: Sculpting Sound with Style
The Atlantis AT 16 Pro loudspeakers, with a price of $1,609 per unit in black leather (and $1,729 each in white), complete the system. These compact yet capable speakers exude a sophistication that belies their price point. Atlantis has demonstrated a keen understanding of materials, employing an exceptional grade of synthetic leather that, even under close scrutiny, rivals the appearance and feel of the finest finishes found on much more expensive loudspeakers, such as those from the esteemed Italian manufacturer Sonus faber. This attention to detail elevates the aesthetic appeal, ensuring the speakers integrate seamlessly into any décor.
Innovative Acoustic Design
The AT 16 Pro features a sophisticated bass reflex port design, with a front-firing port complemented by a rear-firing woofer that mirrors the 7-inch front-firing driver. This dual-woofer configuration, housed within a relatively compact enclosure (approximately 32 inches tall by 9.5 inches wide), allows for placement flexibility in a variety of room sizes. Crucially, the variable porting allows users to fine-tune the speaker’s bass response, particularly beneficial for those needing to position the speakers closer to a wall. This adaptability proved invaluable during testing, with the speakers performing admirably in both a smaller 13 x 18-foot living room and a more expansive 24 x 36-foot studio, demonstrating their ability to fill larger spaces with engaging sound.
Their ease of placement, coupled with excellent dispersion characteristics, contributes to a user-friendly setup. However, the standout feature of the AT 16 Pro is its remarkable sensitivity rating of 94.5 dB/1-watt. This makes them an ideal match for the low-powered Neoson Genese amplifier, creating a synergistic partnership that unlocks the full potential of both components. This perfect impedance and sensitivity matching is precisely why Decibel+ has championed this specific pairing. Gabe Toro also offers complementary streaming/DAC components that align with the system’s form factor and budget, further solidifying the "bundle" concept.
Atlantis claims a frequency response down to 40Hz with a +/-1dB tolerance. While formal measurements were not conducted, subjective listening with test tones revealed a powerful and consistent output from 50Hz down to 40Hz. A noticeable roll-off occurred below 30Hz, which is highly respectable for speakers of this size and price. For those seeking even deeper bass reinforcement, the option to integrate subwoofers remains, provided space allows. As with any loudspeaker, optimal bass extension and room integration are achieved through careful placement and fine-tuning, with adjustments to the bass-to-midrange transition, image width, and high-frequency sparkle further enhancing the listening experience.
Performance: A Symphony of Synergy
The combined performance of the Neoson Genese and Atlantis AT 16 Pro speakers is nothing short of impressive. The system possesses the ability to play music at volumes suitable for most listeners, and the efficacy of an 86dB sensitivity speaker, when driven by a well-matched amplifier, is consistently astounding. For those requiring even greater output, Decibel+ has a broader selection of components available, catering to the desire for one-stop shopping.
During listening sessions, a variety of components were employed to assess the system’s versatility. While other excellent pairings were noted, such as the PrimaLuna ProLogue 1 ($2,595, all tubes) and the Atoll INT-200 Evolution ($2,900, solid-state), the core of the review focused on the Decibel+ curated system.
Bass Performance: Depth and Definition
The bass reproduction from this system is full-bodied, characterized by impressive definition and extension. The 7-inch woofers in the Atlantis speakers deliver clean, articulate bass that can muster significant weight. Explorations through Jaco Pastorius’s virtuosic basslines and the contemporary urban pulse of Kim Gordon’s "The Collective" revealed the speakers’ capacity for substantial low-frequency output.
The extended listening experience, encompassing the entirety of The Smashing Pumpkins’ epic "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness," highlighted the system’s ability to handle densely layered musical arrangements with remarkable composure. All the intricate sonic details that contribute to the album’s masterpiece status were rendered with effortless clarity. Similarly, Kim Gordon’s track demonstrated the system’s prowess in separating the driving bassline, distorted instrumentation, and heavily processed vocals, a feat that speaks to the coherence and resolution of the AT 16 Pros. This capability extends to the raw energy of vintage Nine Inch Nails, suggesting that this system is more than capable of providing a vibrant soundtrack for any gathering.
Midrange and Treble: Coherence and Clarity
The Atlantis AT 16 Pros excel in seamlessly integrating their compression tweeter with the dynamic woofers. This results in a level of coherence typically not found in speakers within this price bracket. The Black Crowes’ latest release, "A Pound of Feathers," with its return to hard rock roots, presents a dynamic challenge for many speakers. The AT 16s met this challenge head-on, delivering the music with a clarity that breathed life into the aggressive instrumentation.
Decibel+’s Vision: Curated Excellence for the Modern Listener
What truly sets Decibel+ apart is their meticulous curation of components. They are focused on assembling systems that perform exceptionally well in small to medium-sized spaces, within a price range that offers significant value, typically between $5,000 and $30,000. The systems they offer provide a tangible taste of what’s possible in the higher echelons of the audio world, all while presenting a visually appealing package.
In contrast to the more utilitarian designs often found in similarly priced speakers from brands like Zu and Klipsch, the Atlantis speakers possess a distinct stylistic flair, a point of high praise from an owner of both those brands. This emphasis on design alongside performance is a key differentiator.
Gabe Toro, the principal of Decibel+, at 40 years old, brings a fresh perspective to the hi-fi retail industry. Operating through direct sales and offering an "experience center" for in-person listening, he is keenly attuned to the preferences of his demographic. This approach is not only beneficial for his target audience but also a positive development for the broader audio industry, injecting a much-needed dose of contemporary thinking. His start has been nothing short of remarkable.
Decibel+ plans to continue featuring system recommendations, including those from other select manufacturers, in an effort to draw more enthusiasts into the world of high-fidelity audio. The promise of future system showcases from Decibel+ and other innovators is an exciting prospect for the audiophile community.
Special Offer: Decibel+ will be offering a 10% discount on bundles through Audiogon and at THE Show in Las Vegas this week.
Manufacturer Information:
- Neoson Genese Amplifier: https://neoson8301.live-website.com/genese/
- Decibel+: www.decibel-plus.com
