"The OPUS is the direct result of an intense 35 years fascination with music recording and reproduction to perfect the most transparent, reference calibre “monitoring” preamplifier to complement both the finest domestic audio playback & professional recording systems in the world. Using technology borrowed from Aerospace and Formula 1, the design also reflects the extraordinary advances that made over the last 15 years in modelling and simulation software."
The PCB software he uses not only lays out the boards, but also allows schematic based simulations which can test [or verify] the PCB’s signal integrity displaying Reflection and Crosstalk Analysis.
Not content with a strict engineering approach, Metaxas started working on creating the ultimate library of test recordings using three “Metaxas-modified” portable Swiss Stellavox to record and film over 300 live acoustic concerts.
To house this cutting-edge technology, a striking “organic” case design was 5-axis CNC machined from a solid block of Aircraft Aluminium [or Copper or Titanium] to shield and mechanically ground the low-level signals.
All switches, attenuators and sockets/plugs [hardware] are of the highest possible quality, many meeting or exceeding military specifications.
Additional “Plug-in modules’ allow almost infinite possibilities for the addition of LP phono RIAA equalized playback, microphone preamplification or Digital recording [ADC] and Playback [DAC].
In its basic format it comes with a “Mainframe” and separate AC Mains Isolated Power Supply connected by two aerospace-grade umbilical cords.
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: DC - 10MHz (-3dB)
VOLTAGE OUTPUT: 15VRMS per channel into 50 Ohms with no more than 0.05% T.H.D.
SLEW RATE: Greater than 1000V/us small and large signal
T.H.D.: Less than 0.005% 20Hz-20KHz
I.M.D.(S.M.P.T.E.): Less than 0.005%
SIGNAL/NOISE: -117DBV unweighed input shorted
SENSITIVITY [Line Stage]: 26dB
INPUT IMPEDANCE: 100kOhms in parallel with 11pF
“So neutral though, is the Metaxas Opus/Soliloquy set up that I could have used just about any sources I liked once the interconnecting cables were sorted. All I’d be hearing were the individual characteristics of the source components. However neutral or ‘naked’ the sound, the MAS doesn’t come off as ‘transitory’ or clinical... it had a feather-light touch and a way with tiny details that suggest either a pedigreed 60W or 70W per channel tube amp of recent vintage...”
— KEN KESSLER, HI FI NEWS& RECORD REVIEW, ENGLAND.