Donald North Audio Supernaut Review and Impressions

OK, I know somebody has this. Cough up the deets. Donald. KT66. Enuff said.

 

@Donald North was kind enough to allow me to borrow this, so I currently have it. BTW everyone, loaner gear is effing cursed; makes you want to do dumb stuff and buy things.

@purr1n this new amp Donald calls the Supernaut (really likes the names that start with S). I'm in line to buy one and already forked over the deposit money (see what I mean about loaner gear making you want to buy stuff?). Sounds a lot like a Starlett+ but with more power. Supernaut is like Starlett (they both use pentodes wired in triode mode) but with KT66 tubes instead of the 6DG6 tubes, and 5U4G rectifier instead of 5AR4. Supernaut uses those fancy custom Audio Note transformers (Stratus V4 and Stellaris also uses Audio Note transformers, but obviously Supernaut has a different spec to work with KT66 tubes). The price will hover somewhere around the Stratus (aka not cheap at all).

As far as the sound goes? GLORIOUS. More simliar to Starlett than Stellaris, but it's a big step up when it comes to resolve compared to Starlett. The lows are really good. Somehow manages to clean up the bass on the Sennheisers and ZMF like the EC Ultralinear (custom amp). It sounds good from top to bottom. Has the extra bit of refinement in all registers compared to Starlett. Transients are both a touch faster and hit harder than the other DNA amps. I haven't heard the Stratus V4, but my 8-ball says that these two amps are similar performance with different sounds (the Supernaut is definitely much closer to Stellaris than the Starlett in terms of total resolve).

It's interesting in that it sounds different somewhat to other DNA amps (again I have not heard the latest Stratus). It shares some similarities with the Starlett. I did heard the Stratus V2 and the Supernaut is more to my preferences. I'm not sure about its clarity compared to Stratus, but the Supernaut for sure has more presence and engagement factor than Starlett, and I've loved the Starlett as an owner for some time.

There is a quality that's hard to describe that the Supernaut has, with maybe the way to describe it is that I feel like the Supernaut has good weight to each note. The layering is very impressive. The Supernaut plays each note with presence and clarity while being cohesive and having the "I'm there" factor. Rythmic drive is a good way to put its overall character, especially in direct comparison to the other SET DNA amps. Make no mistake though, the Supernaut is still very much a DNA: composed, refined, and stately are all adjectives that come to my mind (borrowing from @ColtMrFire).

In short, take a Starlett, give it more power, throw in touches of EC Ultralinear (neener neener neener), and make it super resolving. Has more grip all around but still sounds like a DNA amp. Not quite as resolving as a Stellaris but this is noticeably better than Starlett and EC Ultralinear. Easy to tell even without A/B. Really nuanced and just a damn good sounding amp that doesn't use tubes that cost $$$$$ (which really is the only reason why I never bought a Stellaris; screw 2A3 prices).

 

Holy moly. I want this even though I don't have any room. Seems wrong that the SBAF guy doesn't own a DNA amp.

I know you like the EC UL because it's a different flavor. While I appreciated what the EC UL brought to the table, it wasn't my cup of tea. This sounds like it could be the ticket for a mid-level DNA piece. Like a Starlett with weightier attack and transients.

 

hell, I haven't even HEARD a blue smurf DNA amp in my days.

could someone please summarize prices on these DNA amps? why aren't they listed on the web site?
does it take an 18 month lead time to get a Supernaughty built?

 

To be fair, while I really like the EC Ultralinear, with some headphones like ZMF Atrium I can only listen to it for about an hour. Feels like I'm getting whacked around by prime Mike Tyson. That being said, it's a helluva fun hour.

This is a really good way of putting it. The Supernaut definitely has a bit more heft and weight behind the notes than Starlett (alongside more defined transients) while retaining the DNA character and sound.

@Donald North or someone else who is more familiar can chime in if I'm wrong (which I probably will be). For now I will give ballpark figures and will amend this post pending further information:

• Starlett: Around $2k (at least it was when it first released; unsure how much COVID shenanigans affected the price)
• Stratus: Around $4k - 4.5k
• Stellaris: Around $7k, although price really quickly goes up depending on what options/upgrades you want. For your sanity don't ask what a maxed out Silver Stellaris costs.

Supernaut is going to be around the Stratus price.

I'm pretty sure that if I'm not first on the list, I'm among the first ones on there and currently the amp is about 12 months out from production. Donald might be able to get it out sooner, but currently the Supernaut really is just a prototype. That being said, apparently Donald sold his first batch of Starlett stupid quick partly because SBAF kept talking about it and hyping it (rightfully so).

 

Yes it has the DNA headstage. They really do have great width and depth in my experience with excellent imaging characteristics despite being somewhat nebulous, although I'm beginning to think nebulous isn't the right word for DNA. It's more like the stage doesn't have well-defined boundaries but the sound cues played are played in a precise spot.

 

Just for you DNA compendium coming up. Give me a few days

 

Dissenting opinions are important. Opens up further discussion and ultimately in SBAF usually we all come out better for it. Better information out there, etc. Means more people can triangulate.

I in no way want my word to be taken as the Gospel.