DNA Starlett Impressions

If you don't mind sharing, what do you feel about the comparison between Starlett and GS-X Mini?

I always want to try a DNA amp but I don't think I have ever seen one in my country so I am still trying to figure out how it sounds like. I have a GS-X MK2 on loaner so maybe your comparison will give us more clues. Generally I'm a solid-state person but I am begun considering trying out a tube amp.

 

Sure, here goes... The DNA Starlett has more weight from the upper bass into the mids. It's got a fat sound that can take any type of recording and present it in a pleasing way. The midrange is really special, with a lush quality. The bass is rock solid on the Mini but in a different way. It's tight, articulate and probably more neutral, but it feels a little thin in direct comparison with the Starlett.

I find the GSX-Mini to be more resolving, with better transient speed and treble extension. The soundstage is slightly larger but more diffuse where the Starlett has more of a holographic, tactile feel to it.

I hope this is helpful. My chain, for reference:
Metrum Ambre > Metrum Adagio > GSX-Mini / DNA Starlett > ZMF Auteur / ZMF Vérité Closed.

 

Just out of curiosity I switched the power cable from the stock one to an analysis plus cable I use for my power amp, and I couldn't believe how noticeable the difference is...The most obvious improvement being on the low end and the dynamic is also improved a bit. Now I have to get a second power cable...

 

With the price increases, I'm completely with you, even for cheap tubes for MJ2. Tired of dealing with it, especially how dust loves to get into the sockets. Again, hard to get away from the tube sound...

 

I also heart zomg Mullard in my Studio B vs. a new prod Tung Sol 5AR4 I was using, although I think its tilt toward richness was ameliorated by Craig's non tooby OPT's, despite the 300B's. I could see how you'd have to swap around toobs to get the right synergy with it in a DNA.

Speaking of Mullard GZ34's, if you hate toobs you should check out guitar amp guys arguing about them at guitar amp guy forums. It's kind of funny. They all accuse each other of being like audiophiles, lol.

 

Wait, so is THIS why guitar amplifiers have a standby switch? I know many high powered guitar amps, like Fender and Mesa Boogie, that use 5U4G rectifier tubes. And the standby switch is nothing more than a SPST that disconnects the B+ from getting to the tubes. I was always told to wait until the amp is on for a minute to let the heaters warm up a bit and then turn on the standby switch. And this was done to protect the life of the tubes.

And I guess the same would also occur with a sold state rectifier since those are not going to have really any delay in providing B+.

I guess I answered my own question.

 

After having this amp now for a couple of weeks, it is still quite a masterpiece. I will mostly agree with what has been said in this thread and try not to repeat. I will do my best in description and maybe some things that might be suprising (or at least they were surprising to me).

• The first turn on of it, I can say it has slightly softer sound that the Stellaris. Sounds are not quite as sharp or maybe as "fast."
• It still has that "window" of effortless sound from DNA. The depth and layers are still tremendous and quite the best at this than any amp I have had under my roof.
• It does have some tube bloom, but like a gentle touch. Not nearly as much as a Crack would. It is kind of a gentle lift of the lows around 50hz and with Senns really helps with that last octave come through.
• The mids are so wonderful, I don't have words...
• Highs are slightly subdued, but not overly done. Although it will be softer than maybe even other tube amps, although not as soft as MJ3.
• It gets super loud. I am on 2 and that is too loud most of the time. Not sure if the TKD pot is log or linear, but yeah, I can find the imbalance area if I want to listen super quiet.

Surprising things (or maybe not so surprising)

• It is super quiet. And I mean, no noise. No hiss, no hum, no rumble, no pink/white/brown noise to speak of. Matter of fact, it was so quiet, it revealed that my Freya N actually did have a slight noise in the left channel that sounded like a distant waterfall. I thought this was from the DNA, but I hooked up more sensitive headphones to my MJ2 and also heard it there. (Yes the Freya N is under warranty and on its way back to Schiit for repair). But I knew the tube heaters were DC and run from their own choke, but that never guarantees low noise or low hum; that is determined by good tube amp design and good grounding and shielding schemes. And of course good tubes, which the ones provided are by far and wide very fantastic.
• Yes, it was so powerful, I had enjoyable experience with my LCD-2 pf. Even on the QS amp the LCD-2s sounded strained. The Starlett was not perfect, but it was the best tube amp I have tried so far for them.
• Not every recording sounds great on it. Because it is more revealing, it also means bad recordings will not sound as good. For those I guess I can use my modded DV 336SE. But seriously, good recordings will actually sound even more impressive.
• The impedance switch is interesting and I enjoy the Low setting rather than the higher IEC setting, even for higher impedance headphones. It really makes a difference on HD800 more so than HD650, but it is there. The IEC sounds a bit more congested and the Low seems to have more layering and fullness.
• The gain -6 thing does nothing when you have balanced out. I guess this switch only affects the SE 1/4" out.

Again, amazing amp. I see what others are saying about better at presentation and not the last word on detail, however, it has plenty of details for most amps below. If you want detail, there is always SS options, and if you want detail with good presentation, then the next step up is Stratus, which is also maybe twice the price? Sure, more suitable for LCD-2, but I think anything above this mark is a "If I win the lottery" line for me.

I know for sure I will be listening to my HD800's more because I have not found an amp that makes these shine more. It actually transforms the HD800 into an actual very listenable experience, which leads to tell me that I have been using the wrong amps all along (which I knew), but yes, HD800 + Starlett is a magical combination for sure.

PS - Thank you @Donald North for making such awesome amps! I now actually own two DNA products...one tube amp and a pair of speakers.