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Trinnov Audio Amethyst
The Amethyst includes an 12 input preamplifier with built-in Speaker/Room Optimizer, Trinnov’s innovative HybriD Phono Preamp, a Network Renderer, a 24 bit/192kHz DA Converter and a 2-way intelligent, active crossover engine. It also features built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for simplified operations making it the perfect centerpiece of any traditional or modern HIFI Installation.
Highly accurate, transparent and revealing as a pure preamp, the Amethyst elevates stereo playback through its state-of-the-art room correction system that reveals the best of your loudspeakers with incredible focus and imaging stability. High-resolution audio sources, up to 192kHz, are processed at their native sampling rates, never converted or down sampled.
With 64-bit floating-point processing, true signal integrity is assured, producing resolution greater than 320dB and enabling digital volume control without any loss of resolution. As the heart of your system, the Amethyst accommodates a total of twelve digital and analog sources, even including an analog phono stage for LP playback.
Straightforward Automated Process
Setup is guided by the Optimizer’s calibration wizard, which enables system optimization in a matter of minutes.
The wizard creates five presets with different acoustic flavors to get you started. Further fine-tuning is available through a deep set of additional tools, with up to 29 individual presets available for saving custom settings.
Why Room Correction Matters
The Amethyst delivers an outstanding transparent sound and provides a versatile set of features as well as rich connectivity.
However, it stands out with its built-in state-of-the-art room correction system to ensure true-to-source sound reproduction in your listening environment.
REMOTE & NETWORK CONTROL
Any tablet, smartphone or laptop can control the Amethyst over a local network. Connection is available through Ethernet or Wi-Fi. The Amethyst can also act as its own Wi-Fi access point and is a network UPnP/DLNA player. An IR remote is also provided for more conventional operation.
More than 2 Channels
The Amethyst provides four output channels for stereo playback, enabling active crossovers, intelligently calibrated, for bi amplified speakers, or bass management to drive one or two subwoofers.
The stereo channel configurations available are 2.0 with no subwoofer, 2.0 with bi amplified speakers, 2.1 with a single subwoofer or 2.2 with dual mono or stereo subwoofers.
Roon Ready
Roon has become an industry standard for streaming high-resolution music to high-performance stereo and immersive audio systems.
The Amethyst, like all Altitude preamp/processors, is a Roon Ready network player, enabling you to enjoy your music through its direct Roon interface. Roon network playback utilizes the Amethyst’s exceptional internal clock, ensuring the highest possible audio quality.
iOS Remote Control App
Remotely control your processor from your iPhone or iPad with our iOS Remote application. Set the volume, switch between inputs and select a different preset from your fingertip.
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Trinnov Audio Amethyst: surgical room correction meets musicality
The Amethyst pairs Trinnov’s 3D Room Optimizer with a full-featured stereo DAC/preamp platform to deliver noticeably tighter bass, refined midrange texture and a more coherent soundstage. Reviewers reported the Optimizer’s single-microphone calibration and presets produce cleaner low-end and improved imaging while preserving dynamics and transparency. Al Griffin, Tom Waters and Brian Kahn praise its active crossover/bass-management, native 24/192 streaming (Roon-ready) and the HybriD phono stage. Built like a high-end component—thick engraved faceplate, robust chassis and comprehensive I/O—the Amethyst is ideal for owners battling room acoustics or integrating subs and active crossovers. For systems where room interactions limit performance, the Amethyst offers a transformative, all-in-one solution that balances precision engineering with musical appeal.
Pros
- Industry-leading Room Optimizer that tightens bass, sharpens midrange focus and improves imaging and soundstage coherence.
- Comprehensive integrated feature set—Roon-ready network streaming, native 24/192 DAC, HybriD MM phono stage, active crossover and extensive analog/digital I/O.
- Musical, transparent presentation with strong dynamics and taut transient control that brings improved clarity to dense mixes.
- High-end build and thoughtful ergonomics—solid engraved faceplate, rigid chassis and well-implemented safety/clocking hardware.
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Cons
- Internal cooling fans have been reported audible at the listening seat on some units, which can be distracting in very quiet rooms.
- Some Optimizer presets (Precision/Monitor) can produce a forward or dry treble that a few listeners may find fatiguing on certain recordings.
- No native DSD or MQA support and no front-panel headphone output, which limits some modern-format and private-listening use cases.
Transparency
90/100
Multiple reviewers described the Amethyst as very resolving, open and transparent with 'no glare' and 'no sensation of digital processing' (Waters, Kahn). Bypassing the Optimizer noticeably reduced openness, indicating the processor preserves transparency when engaged. I reduced the ceiling slightly for audible fan noise at the listening position and occasional terse treble in 'Precision' mode that can call attention to the system.
Sound Quality
91/100
Dynamics
90/100
Dynamics were described as excellent across reviews: 'dynamic charge', 'impressive dynamic snap', and tighter, taut transients on drums and bass with Optimizer engaged (Waters, Kahn, Griffin). The Room Optimizer and active crossover consistently improved perceived punch and transient control.
Soundstage Imaging
92/100
The Amethyst earned strong praise for spatiality and imaging: clear separation of voices/instruments, realistic height and improved depth and focus when the Room Optimizer was used (Waters, Kahn, Griffin). The processor's phase and impulse corrections materially tightened imaging and stage coherence.
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Build Quality
92/100
Built like a high-end unit: thick, engraved faceplate, solid resonant-minimized chassis, independent internal PSUs and anti-pop relays on analog outputs (Waters, specs). I docked a couple points because the internal cooling fans were audible from the listening seat in one review, which affects the physical 'quietness' of the package.
Features Connectivity
93/100
Very well featured: balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA I/Os (4 each), AES3 and S/PDIF digital I/Os, Wordclock I/O, built-in 24/192 DAC, network renderer/Roon-ready streaming, 11-source preamp, HybriD MM phono, active crossover and comprehensive Room Optimizer with multiple presets and remote/GUI control (Waters, Kahn, Griffin, specs). Those capabilities push this into the fully-featured tier for a modern high-end preamp.
Value for Money
90/100
At roughly US$11k (and AU pricing noted in reviews), the Amethyst is a serious purchase, but reviewers consistently argued the feature set and sonic/room-correction benefits justify the price: 'well worth it' and 'kept it' (Waters), 'game changer' (Kahn). The inclusion of high-quality DAC, phono, streaming and advanced room/crossover tools supports a 'justified premium' rating.
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