Welcome to my first every review on Head-Fi, an unusual review in that it is so un-current that I might as well be writing about a NAD 3020. Well, not quite - given that many potential readers are either wondering what they missed out on, or wanting to confirm their expectation bias isn’t in hyperdrive, or wondering whether to buy one of these hen’s teeth on eBay.

If you are in the second category, I can happily confirm that you are not deluding yourself. If you are in the third category – good luck. If you are in the first category you might not want to read this review, or see someone about that FOMO problem.

I did consider taking the Piety out of my system to make some pretty photos – but sorry, I am listening to it is as I write – and there are plenty of other photos on this thread and elsewhere. Just typing this article is proving to be a challenge as my concentration is divided between drafting this review and being really engrossed by what I am hearing.

To give you some system context, gain was kept to low, and the Piety is partnering:

• a heavily customised PiCorePlayer with HiFiBerry Digi+ Coax/SPDIF board (Transformer Version) and Gallium Nitride power supply.
• Schiit Modi Multibit (current version)
• Mogami 2549 cables.
• Audeze LCD-X 2021, Hifiman HE-5XX, Hifiman Ananda 2021.

Also with my Audio Note DAC 2.1 Signature, I have not felt any urge to connect it into the chain – mainly because of how well the Modi Multibit and Nitsch Piety synergise. Yes, what others have said is absolutely true, more on that later.

After switch-on it will take about 30 minutes for the sound to settle, After 12 hours the Piety sounds even more natural and effortless, so I recommend keeping it switched-on if you can.

So let’s hit the play button.

‘The Primrose Path’ from Jonathan Bree brings out the tone and space around Jonathan’s voice - great sound stage depth too. Width is pretty good, but the depth is a particular strong point. What I really want to underline here, probably the most important point of this review, is how well this amplifier is at portraying tunes and timing. The inflection is Jonathan Bree’s voice is outstanding and the build-up at the end of the song is rousing.

With ‘People in the City’ from Air’s 10,000 Hz Legend, the Piety does everything to preserve the momentum of the song. Even down to the piano tinkling in the background in unison with the other performers. ‘Don’t Be Light’ from the same album has you in no-doubt about the dramatic arrangement of this song - with its insistent drums bringing underlying tension to the proceedings, while the Piety’s tunefulness allows the song to swoop through its many transitions with ease.

The synths on Hotel Pools’ ‘Eclipse’ sound even juicier and bouncy, and even more makes me want to escape the December freeze of the UK.

Musically it will hold the attention and do so with class and refinement. Yes it sounds unlike most sand-amps out there, having a fullness, smoothness and harmonic presence akin to an excellent valve amplifier. Its spaciousness is great, although the Ly3 will just have a bit more atmosphere and spatial reverb. This is an amplifier with no nasties. Treble is sweet, but without muting the plucked strings on Teho Teardo’s ‘London Offered Us Possible Mothers’ – which has great attack and weight. The Lyr 3 will have a tad more leading-edge definition though.

No weakling bass either – in fact it betters the Lyr 3 in terms of bass weight.

With the listed headphones, the Piety drove them with plenty of headroom and no apparent distortion or strain. But keep in mind that this refined amplifier is not specifically designed to power a Susvara, HE-6, or an arc welder.

When it comes to using the Piety with a Modi Multibit, it is a heavenly match. I can’t praise the Modi Multibit high enough, except for a very mild graininess to the treble harmonics that was apparent on the Asgard 3 and (to a lesser extent) the Lyr 3. With the Piety that graininess is gone and the Piety has that tonal warmth and articulate bass of the Modi Multibit.

At its initial price, this amplifier is real one-off, okay a 1000-or-so-off, and I am truly glad I took the chance to buy this. Well done @Jason Stoddard in putting together an outstanding design and @CEE TEE in offering us this little box of juicy wonder.