Donald North Audio — Owners Thread

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Huxleigh, Aug 12, 2016.

  1. Erroneous

    Erroneous Friend

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    I have the anniversary edition, and that's what @penguins tried too.
     
  2. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I also have the anniversary edition.
     
  3. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    Tried both actually, was going to do a write up, but then felt unmotivated to spend 2hrs writing about tubes b/c busy and tired lately. As I mentioned earlier though, I will do a write up one day.

    EDIT: Disclaimer in advance: I will write about rectifiers first to cut down on write up time. Some of the extra tubes were sold here on SBAF and I still have 1 Raytheon 5U4G listed and will be listing a KR 5U4G in several minutes (I bought 3 total and IMO 2 is enough if I also have an ELROG). Selling not b/c any of them sounded bad, but b/c I bought A LOT of rectifiers (maybe 20-25, way too many for 1 amp) to try as SOME mfgs sound different between individual tubes even if they have the same constructions and very close lot numbers. Other mfg tubes pretty much all sound the same as long as it was the same construction. I will go over my findings w/ regards to this later.

    Short version though - both versions of KR are pretty similar to each other in the Stellaris. I could maybe pick them out in a blind test 50% of the time at best and even then the difference was very small to me. I'd be more worried about getting 2 in good condition than anniversary edition or not. 2 tubes because if you like the KR, KR tubes have a reputation for dying randomly for no good reason at any given moment...

    Or go ELROG which sounds different and also very good, but keep in mind $$$$, long wait times, and it's literally as bright as a light bulb if that will bother you (I actually put up a barrier each time I use the ELROG). However, I personally prefer the KR about 60-70% of the time.
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2022
  4. perogie

    perogie Facebook Friend

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    How do you find the KR in comparison to the Elrog?

    I didnt see anything earlier in the thread. I prefer a U52 variant with Acmes and stock driver in my Stellaris. Tried Lin Global 2a3 but found them slightly veiled with some treble recession. Domestic market Lins might be more to my liking but havent tried them. RCA spring top 2a3s are nice, but I never found a pair that performed consistently, Tried 4 pairs (returned 3 pairs for being faulty) and the best pair that I kept still has a bit of noise to it. Ive essentially given up on NOS 2a3s for now.

    Im actually quite happy with my current tube complement so my interest in the KR is just curiosity. Ive avoided KR tubes for the associated failure rate that has been reported. Not sure if that has been remedied or not.
     
  5. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    My experience with rectifiers so far:
    TLDR - ELROG and KR are my favorite overall. For vintage I liked the 5AS4 (will not sound like a 5U4G) and the Tung-Sol 5U4G I had (least sins of commission of all 5U4G I tried, RCA is pretty close though). Some people may like the KenRad silver 5U4G (very bloomy but increased resolution and other technical performance vs other vintage).

    MOST VINTAGE 5U4G will sound pretty similar to each other in this amp, the below is all about comparing SMALL differences within the "realm of DNA amp sound".
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Intro:
    Sharing because I've had several PMs / texts here and elsewhere asking about my experience with tubes on the Stellaris. There are many more tubes out there I have tried, but I'm happy where I'm at right now with tubes.

    While the rectifier usually makes the smallest difference on most tube amps I've heard, changing the stock Stellaris rectifier was actually pretty good in terms of enjoyment for money spent. I would classify the available rectifiers into 4 approximate tiers: cheap modern rectifiers, vintage gray plates, vintage black plates, high end modern rectifiers. Given that the amp comes with a vintage gray plate, don't spend money to downgrade to a cheap modern rectifier. However, most vintage black plates aren't very expensive meaning this is an easy upgrade for the amp. The high end modern rectifiers are worth it too. If I could only upgrade 1 tube, I would actually upgrade the rectifier over the power tubes or input tube. Note that these notes MAY NOT APPLY to other amps, this only applies to my experience with DNA amps.

    Also note that with many vintage 5U4G the brand on the tube is not necessarily the brand of mfg. I did my best to check against factory / date codes as well as physical tube construction.

    Use:
    This was over 3ish years of casually trying different tubes with different DACS, a lot of different input tubes, and maybe 8 or 10 different power tubes. For most of the below I got sample size of 2 or 3 given that many vintage tubes vary often vary in sound for whatever or seemingly no good reason. None of this was conducted "scientifically correctly".

    Overview:
    - Tried stock vintage Svetlana gray plate and one other gray plate someone loaned me. Don't remember what it was. Were about on part with each other and differences in sound were small.
    - Most of the vintage 5U4G were really similar to each other. Upgrading to the KR and ELROG 5U4G made a "big difference" in the overall sound of the amp.
    - The vintage Ken-Rad 5U4G and EML Mesh 5U4G make a "significant difference", but not as much as the KR and ELROG to me.
    - Notes on individual tubes below. Lastly, if you roll to a different tube family, the sound will change more than switching between different vintage 5U4G.

    Vintage 5U4G:
    - Stock gray plate Svetlana 5U4G - nothing bad or wrong per se, but every quality vintage black plate 5U4G below yielded a noticeable improvement over this tube without changing the sound of the amp too much. Also applies to the other vintage gray plate I can't remember.

    - RCA - Most readily available for me, but each one sounded different from the next, even when they were very close in year of mfg. Not my favorite in any one aspect, but had the fewest issues with various aspects of the sound to me. Also add a little bit of a nice tube sweetness to the sound throughout (but not more tube bloom). My biggest complaint with these is the "pillow in the drum" sound these have - muffled and sort of flattened out dynamics and a little less color in the sound was noticeable to me with these tubes - not sure if it's really because these kill dynamics more or if they just colored the sound less so these flaws were easier to spot.

    - Tung-Sol - Sample size 1 but I really liked it. Very similar overall to most of the RCA. The most clear / clean sounding tube out of the vintage tubes , no extra sweetness like the RCA, and a tiny bit less of the "pillow in drum" dulling of the dynamics. Nothing stood out in any way good or bad. The only reason I didn't keep this one was because this tube in particular would have occasional noise sometimes with both pairs of my RCA 2A3. When used with other 2A3 it was fine and both pairs of my RCA 2A3 were used with other rectifiers, no problem. All tubes measured good too, so not sure what happened here.

    - Raytheon - Tried a few that were both "flat plates" and "normal ribbed plates". The flat plates are were better in terms of most technicalities, detail, and resolution than most of the other vintage 5U4G. However, they had some slightly plasticky timbre at times for me when using my preferred RCA 2A3 (not an issue with other vintage 2A3) . The ribbed plates were similar, but not quite as good in terms of technicalities, and instead of timbre issues, they would put a slight "edge" to the sound with my particular RCA 2A3. Unlike the RCA tubes that sounded different from each other, the Raytheon ribbed plates were similar to other ribbed plates and the flat plates were similar to other flat plates.

    - JAN marked tube - Sample size 1. Don't remember which one I tried and even then I only made an educated guess based on the construction anyways, but I didn't like it. Rough sounding and edgy. However, I know some JAN marked 5U4G supposedly are pretty good while other JAN marked are about par with modern inexpensive 5U4G. Maybe I got one of the not good ones.

    - Sylvania - Similar to Sylvania 2A3, I really can't quite describe why, but these just didn't sound good in the Stellaris in the same ways their 2A3 didn't sound good in the amp to me (but were my favorite in EC AF when I had it). The Sylvania 2A3 were voiced similar to the 5U4G as well in this amp. I guess if I could use a comparison, these sounded a bit more like an EH 2A3 and that sort of rough bitey sound doesn't compliment the sound signature of DNA amps, but even this is not a great comparison.

    - National Union, CBS / Hytron, Other US brands - I may be wrong, but all but one of these "other brands" I had looked like they were RCA or Sylvania construction tubes. The one tube that did seem to have unique construction that didn't resemble any of the above and was Hytron marked IIRC but I can't tell who actually made it. The Hytron slightly softened up the sound of the amp on some tracks and sort of made other tracks more "pushed forward".

    - Ken-Rad - Best resolution of the vintage tubes, including vs other tube families. A lot of "glorious tube sound" with all of the bloom and tube sweetness as well. Downside was too much bloom for my preference (others may disagree) and kind of made the sound soft and mushy and PRaT suffered noticibly. Applies to both Ken Rad I tried. If the above don't bother you then definitely get these over any other vintage, maybe even over the high end modern tubes.

    - 5U4GB - All were RCA but 1 was made a decade later with slightly different construction yet all 3 sounded very similar to each other. Overall, in the Stellaris, the sound is like splitting the difference between a 5AR4 tube (in other amps, overall more linear and clean sounding to me of being less lively and less tube magic and sweetness) and a 5U4G (more "tube sound" but at the expense of the "pillow in drum" dynamics). This will do pretty much the above to the amp. Technicalities were maybe a smidge below most of the 5U4G above - not sure if it's the tube or just the way the amp is designed.

    - 5AS4 - Splits the difference between 5U4G and 5U4GB. Also adds a sort of "glimmer" or "sprinkle" in the overall sound not present in the other vintage tubes. Pillow in drum deadening of the dynamics is still present but minimal, none of the slightly boring sound I had with the 5U4GB, and I still got a little of the nice linearity of the 5AR4. Technicalities on par with RCA 5U4G.

    - GEC Rectifier: Based on feedback I received from Donald and others, I didn't think I would like this so I didn't bother hunting one down to try. This would probably be too rich, syrupy, and slow for me although yes, it would most likely bring good resolution despite the richness.

    - WE 422A: I barely missed the train on these. Were $400-500 right before I wanted to buy one, they're regularly $1400 now, so I'm in no rush to buy one. I've been told this is the ultimate in resolution and technicalities, but the amp loses some of it's flow and musicality. If WE re-releases this though for a reasonable price, I wouldn't mind finding one to try or buy and sharing my own experience / opinion.

    High End Modern 5U4G:

    - EML Mesh - I really liked this rectifier on @Erroneous 's Stratus with EML 2A3 and with 1 other 2A3 (I forget who's amp or which 2A3 they had), but I did not on the EML Mesh on Stellaris with any vintage 2A3. On the flip side, IIRC this is Donald's favorite in both amps.
    To me in the Stellaris, this tube had an uneven sound in the highs as well as an odd boost in the highs, the amp became sort of shouty, the dynamics in the bass was more but it felt uncontrolled and slappy to me (in a bad way), and the entire sound signature / character of the amp was a bit different (but not as different as KR or ELROG make it). Resolution and clarity was not as good as KR or ELROG either.
    However, in the Stratus, especially with EML 2A3, the highs had a very nice sparkle to them, the mids were great, very even mid-highs transition, bass was a little more lively while also being in control. Per Erroneous, resolution and clarity still behind KR and ELROG when using a Stratus.

    - KR non-anniversary edition (globe tube) vs 2 anniversary editions:
    KR 5U4G had great resolution, no more "pillow in drum" dynamics and really wakes the amp up to the point where the character of the amp changes a bit, adds some fill and a little color (but not tube bloom), the wet lush DNA sound becomes a little less wet (I personally prefer a slightly dry sound so this works for me), and it's not as energetic as the ELROG but more energetic vs vintage options. This and the ELROG are the only tubes that make the Utopia do-able on the Stellaris for me (and the tubes don't do this by recessing the 5.5k peak that is my biggest complaint with the Utopia). The downside to all of this is the KR adds a hazy/etchy and grainy sort of sound that's more noticeable with some headphones vs others.

    I heard 1 KR non-anniv and got a matched pair of the RK KR anniversary edition (KT88 envelope). There is also a Lampizator anniversary edition but I haven't heard or seen it before. I can't hear a difference between the 2 tubes in the matched pair, their serial numbers are within 30 or 40 of each other. Between the non-anniversary and the anniv, the difference is very tiny and I probably wouldn't be able to pass an A/B test consistently, but there is just enough of a difference that I think I may be hearing a difference sometimes.

    I personally would be more worried about "right price" and if possible, trying to get earlier ones that were supposedly more reliable (this is all internet hearsay though, I haven't seen any definitive evidence that supports this). With that being said, the Anniv edition seems to have a tiny bit more resolution but at the cost of a tiny bit more of that sort of haze and grainy sound. The anniv edition also seems to make the sound a tiny bit more "focused" PRaT with more of a "forward cadence" on some tracks where-as the non-anniversary edition seems to just have the sound "float there in space" sometimes in terms of cadence. These are the only differences I have perceived so far.

    Also, one thing to note, when using a capacitor-input filter, their spec sheet specifies only 10uF which is much lower than the typical 40uF of most vintage 5U4G. IIRC the Stellaris is high 20's, I may be wrong, please check with DNA instead for this.

    - ELROG: Will describe later because I'm tried, but it's really good. I prefer my Auteur with this rectifier because of it's more energetic and clear sound. 2 quirks of this tube is it's light bulb bright and it's really tall.

    EDIT: update per above:
    First and foremost, the hazy/etchy and grainy sound of the KR is completely gone. Resolution is usually a bit better than the KR, depending on setup (more on this in the next paragraph). The dynamics wake up a lot. Sound was more "forward" directed in terms of cadence. This rectifier is also very energetic sounding but without pushing sound forward and without giving you a wall of sound in your face - actually very similar to how the ZMF Atrium is very energetic sounding. However, it isn't shouty in any region and doesn't do anything I found weird to any one section of the dynamics unlike the EML mesh.

    There were 3 downsides though:
    1. Not sure if it's the individual tube or all ELROG 5U4G, but it was like this since the first day I borrowed it - this tube adds a low noise floor, kind of like dithering but a bit louder. I can distinctly hear it if the room is very quiet and I'm using the Utopia or a more sensitive headphone. It's harder for me to hear with the Autuer. This is why the KR is more resolving sometimes - one some tracks with a lot of micro or plankton, I feel like this "sort of dithering" masked some of the very fine tiny details that the KR doesn't mask. On other tracks, the hazy / etchy and grainy sound of the KR would get in the way but this noise doesn't. And on some tracks, I have the respective problems with both tubes. Either the above or this tube is somehow so mega ultra resolving that I can now hear all the crap in my power line / chain / amp that the power conditioner doesn't take out - IMO very unlikely, but on 2-3 occasions I've heard weirder things caused by the AC mains before.
    2. I keep my amp on my desk beside me, so the fact that this is light bulb bright is really annoying. I have to put up a physical barrier every time I use this tube.
    3. $$$ - This tube is almost $1k USD at this time. It's really good but $1k is $1k.

    For me, I would use the ELROG if I was in the mood for the above or wanted to use my ZMF Autuer or an Atrium (in the future). The extra energy is great synergy for both. I still strongly prefer the KR with the Utopia. 50/50 with the HD6xx and HD600 for me. I also think the ELROG is a little better with vintage 2A3 versus the KR. With modern tubes, I think the ELROG was actually a tiny bit better with the Linlai Elite (borrowed) versus ACMEs. Also, although m17xr2b is banned now, he and @Erroneous separately agreed that the ELROG rectifier is easily the best 5U4G rectifier that they've heard, including the KR, with pretty much any variation of their setup. IIRC, I hope I'm not misquoting him, but I think m17 said the ELROG is better than his WE 422a, both in terms of sound signature and resolution / technical performance.
     
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    Last edited: Jul 10, 2022
  6. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    In the last few days I've been experimenting with Linlai E-2A3 (which I had on my Af) on my Stellaris Special (other tubes: EML mesh rectifier, stock 6N1P). A few drops wetter than stock 2A3s, but still within the bounds of good taste and delightfully engaging, especially with the Atrium LTD koa that have been dominating my listening since I got them.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2022
  7. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    Elrog update added above.

    Also, because the listing is closed now, @dncnexus , please let me know where to send the ELROG to. Tried to reach out via PM and other methods but haven't heard back, just want to put this here in case you or the buyer sees it.
     
  8. Donald North

    Donald North Friend

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  9. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    @Donald North - Do you have a brief opinion about how they sound compared to single plate RCA / Cunningham 2A3?

    granted i don’t think I would spend $1700 on a pair of tubes… but there seems to be some rumbling on the general internet about how good these are.
     
  10. Donald North

    Donald North Friend

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    I just saw them featured in the Parts Connexion newsletter and wanted to bring it to more people’s attention.

    I haven’t heard them yet and am very curious to try since they’re made in Japan and may embody the same spirit of audio excellence as many other Japanese components and amps like the Ongaku.
     
  11. RestoredSparda

    RestoredSparda Friend

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    New (3rd) owner of Stratus v2 serial number #44, thanks to an awesome Friend here. Just getting to grip with the stock tubes for now but I'm very much enjoying what I'm hearing. Hope to post impressions after a few weeks with this beast.
     

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  12. RestoredSparda

    RestoredSparda Friend

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    Thinking of picking up a pair of either new old stock Sylvania 2a3, or RCA dual d-getter. Has anyone had a chance to compare these to the stock Chinese 2a3s?

    Having a hard time digging through the thread to find tube recommendations so I apologize if this is a common question.
     
  13. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    My understanding is you won’t beat the price to performance of the new production Linlai or Acme 2a3’s. I guess it depends how much money and time you want to spend exploring options, I avoided this due to good vintage 2a3’s being hard to find.
     
  14. RestoredSparda

    RestoredSparda Friend

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    Appreciate the insight. I just found a good testing pair of RCA 2a3 for under $300 so took the leap. Will return em if they are noisy.

    I will for sure take a look at LinLai and psvane Acme to compare. Thanks!
     
  15. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    I have a pair of RCA black plates that came with an Af amp I bought from another SBAFer. Both Psvane ACME and Linlai E-2A3 beat the RCA on the Af. Not a noise issue, just detail and dynamics, the RCAs sound a bit muffled and metallic in comparison. I've not used the RCAs on my Stellaris, but I prefer the Linlai to the stock tubes, as I described earlier on this thread.
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2022
  16. RestoredSparda

    RestoredSparda Friend

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    Curious if anyone has any recommended replacement tube sockets that fit the Stratus chassis holes? They are quite small and I've struck out a few times already as almost no one online lists actual socket dimensions/sizes. Ugh.

    Reason I ask is my old sockets are pretty corroded and loose and it's easy enough for me to replace.

    NINJA EDIT: Donald got back to me super quickly so if anyone needs to replace their sockets, here is what fits...

    4-pin sockets like this:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/4pc-4pin-C...=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

    8-pin sockets like this for the same seller:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/2pc-8Pin-O...=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

    9-pin:
    https://www.partsconnexion.com/SOCKET-55293.html
     
  17. Ksorota

    Ksorota Friend

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    Contrary to the title of this thread, I am not a DNA owner, however, I have been listening to a Starlett for many more hours than I should have over the last week or so and compared it to a recently purchased EC BA and wanted to get my thoughts out for another reference point.

    I had a wonderful time comparing these two amps and will have to say so long to the Starlett in the near future, but until then it is nicely situated to the right of my monitor.

    DNA vs. EC.jpeg

    Starlett vs. Balancing Act (307A)

    TLDR
    If I had it my way, I would own both of these amps…favorite amps I have yet had the pleasure to listen on.

    Thanks to audio friends and associates I found myself the owner of a Eddie Current Balancing Act with the 307A tube compliment. As I was finalizing this purchase another SBAF friend was willing to send me his Starlett so that I could also get some experience with the DNA sound. With the greatest appreciation I thank @innoculator for the loan.

    I have been listening to these two amps for the better part of a week spending a day, or two days at a time with either one to understand how they compare to my ears. I am using a modified Bifrost MB (opamp 1656) as my DAC and a Mac Mini as my source. Volume is controlled via a homebuilt AVC that has multiple inputs and outputs for easy switching between amps. The BA was run at max volume at all points during the comparison while the Starlett was a bit lower on the dial for volume matching to be achieved.

    I’ll start with my word associative thoughts while listening to both amps via HD580 or HD650

    DNA Starlett
    · Euphony
    · Note Float
    · Airy
    · Romantic
    · Disassociate
    · Immersive
    · Clouds
    · Synergy
    · Haunting

    EC Balancing Act
    · Oomph
    · Pinpoint
    · Distance/precision
    · Deliberate
    · Balanced
    · Layering
    · Ocean waves
    · complexities
    · Surround sound
    · Grounded haunting

    Review of Starlett:
    Had I not already owned or heard the BA when I received the Starlett loaner then I never would have. I would have just sent the money where necessary to own the DNA amp. It is such a good match with the HD650 that I was blown away at what I was hearing. The word haunting is what most often came to my mind. The Starlett was invoking sounds from around my head as opposed to projecting them into my ears on the side of my head. The sound signature is delicate and airy, while maintaining a rich and smooth tonality that may be the bloom and wetness that is described by some. (I am not sure what wetness really is honestly).

    Bass is clean and tight and delicate leading into an effortless midrange that is slightly rounding of notes/vocals but never degrading but engaging. The highs are airy and light, with good texture and refinement. I considered the soundstage to mostly be in front of my head, but with good presentation to the left and right. Listening to tracks had me motionless with anticipation with what was coming next in the track. I spent a lot of time listening to Zero 7 thanks to @dubharmonic and in particular “morning song”. The track has tight percussion with articulate vocals and a natural decay that allowed the tones and vocals to float in and out of my headspace. It was a truly transformative listen on most songs that I tried.

    The downside of the DNA Starlett is that it is a bit forward sounding in the upper Mids. This is not always a bad thing. But can render some background instruments as more forward than the vocals or other supporting sounds in an unnatural way. It’s not always bad, because it is a new experience or way of listening and may represent what you would hear at a show when the tambourine player has had a bit too much redbull prior to the show. The only other neutral (not negative) comment would be more of a observation of its staging. The amp projects sound around you with a more diffuse pattern that is both mesmerizing and a bit disorienting at times. The effect is that you are engrossed/surrounded by the music, but it’s not as grounded as the BA.

    Review of Balancing Act:
    The EC Balancing Act is the best Amp I have owned/listened to at this point in my audio journey. Not only is it able to produce a substantial soundstage, it produces minor and major details in a cohesive way that is not overly projecting any one frequency. The effect is that you can hear all the details in a track in the correct positioning around your head from front to back (almost complete surround sound). The head stage is wider and more defined than that on the Starlett, while not presenting any frequencies more forward than another. The BA is confident sounding with high levels of detail retrieval and clear delineation of each note. I am amazed how I can hear music projecting from in front of me, and in back of me, and at all points around my head. The head stage is more grounded, confident, and deeper and more layered than what the Starlett offers. The BA has more sub bass extension, with more sustain to those notes.

    The knock on the BA is that it does not produce the euphonic presentation of notes floating in from seemingly nowhere, while seductively attracting your attention. It is more focused on definition accurate positioning. The BA also has some harder to find tube compliments, but luckily, they are not in the same price category as the PX4 or 300B variants. I was able to procure a few matched sets of tubes from National Union and Raytheon for under 150$ a pair. I do like the one box solution of the Starlett more, but the power supply of the BA is hidden away, and the amp itself does not get very warm if you don’t touch the tubes (but honestly the 307A tubes are not very hot while on for hours at a time).

    Long story short. If I had the funds, I would own both. If I never bought the BA, I would have not let the Starlett out of my home after the loaner. I thought I was done when I got to the QS HPA, and had I not heard anything better, I would have just claimed ignorance and would have been happy. Given all that I have tried, I think the Starlett (still in production) should be a goal amp for those who own and love their HD650’s. The BA is another level in technical performance and amplification authority.


    My review was done using music that consisted of songs from rock, to electronic, symphonies and movie soundtracks. I just let music play on Apple Music and was never let down. I had a hard time making myself listen critically and all the impressions come from notes I jotted in a notebook as they came to me.

    After all of the comparisons I hooked up the Quicksilver HPA for a reminder of how it sounds. The QS has been an amp I have owned a long time and know quite well. The QS gets honorable mention for how good it sounds, but its not as resolving or involving as the main event. The QS does have great bass authority and is not as far away as it could be using the upgraded tubes I have installed, but it does not provide the same sense of immersiveneness or stage presentation, leaning more SS than I ever realized. The QS has more bass presence and is warmer than the other two, but also more flat sounding in the way it presents soundstage. It has more tube rolling options in the EL84 and 12Ax7 positions and can change dramatically depending on which are used, but still did not have the projection I now come to expect. I am glad to have owned the QS, it is very competent and great sounding. I would not hesitate to have one as a second system in the house or at work, but its not a current need and I would rather save up to purchase a Starlett or even a Stratus of my own!
     
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  18. poohlikehoney

    poohlikehoney Facebook Friend

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    You've brought up an interesting point. The increased upper mids presence is also something I've noticed when compared to my Studio B and it becomes very apparent when paired with Verite. But when compared to some other amps I've tried at one point like the RME ADI, HPA4 and Vali 1, the upper mids thing becomes much less noticeable on the Starlett. Not quite sure if the perceived forward nature is attributed more to the Starlett or the general sound of EC amps having a more even/slightly less pronounced upper mids. Just thought it's worth noting as it's something we've observed when compared to an EC amp albeit a different model.

    Interestingly, my observation of the EC and DNA sound seem to mirror yours to a certain extent, namely a more stately, grander presentation of the EC v euphonic, rounded and dreamy feel of the DNA. I've thought of writing a comparison between the 2 amps late last year and even began jotting down notes but stuff came up and I've never got to do it.
     
  19. RestoredSparda

    RestoredSparda Friend

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    I've been busy refurbing my Stratus with new balanced connectors, new zinc screws all around, and new tube sockets. She pretty much looks brand new now. Previous owner took really good care of this amp, I just think the weather took a toll on the zinc coating.

    This amp just sounds too good and is too pretty to not bring back to 100 percent condition.

    Stupidly, I cracked a cermamic resistor with my pliers so I'm waiting on a 2 dollar replacement and no tunes in the right channel until it arrives. Donald got back to me in about 5 minutes with the correct part number. He's the freaking best.

    Ninja edit: Over-night shipping on a 2 dollar resistor and Stratus is back making sweet music (worth it). :punk:
     

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  20. RestoredSparda

    RestoredSparda Friend

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    After owning this amp for a few months (and realizing I will probably request it be buried with me when my time comes) I thought I'd share what I feel are this amp's standout qualities IMO.

    PI2AES -> AES -> Yiggy LIM -> DNA Stratus v.2 -> Balanced -> HD650 KISS / ZMF Aeolus
    • BIG: I've never heard such a prominent low end on any pair of HD650 until paired with Stratus. It's sort of like turning up the lower frequencies on a Loki, except it introduces no distortion or boominess. For lack of a better term, this amp sounds FULL and BIG on both senns and ZMFs. EDIT: I forgot to mention how explosive and delicate this amp can be. Micro and macro dynamics are impressive.
    • 3D: The headstage is nuts and probably the first thing that stood out to me. HD650 KISS honestly sounds like a "mini-HD800" here. Wider, taller, and more space around instruments and vocals. Also, a very cohesive and organic sound. The 3D quality is fun. Everything sounds correct and organic. It's hard to analyze this amp as the nuances of each recording come through so clearly I get carried away just enjoying what I'm hearing.
    • TONE: The tone (paired with Yiggy LIM) is the best I've heard. Vocals, male and female, regularly give me goosebumps. Depending on how vocals are recorded the feeling of being next to the singer or in the recording studio is sometimes shocking. So close to REAL that it scares me. Eerie, in a way.
    • CLEAN: High frequencies, with the right tube complement, are exceptional. If there is one sin of commission I cannot stand it is fucked treble. Stratus gives me all the resolution and detail I could hope for in cymbals, female vocals, etc, all without sibalance or etch. Clean, clear and extended. It's a true pleasure to revisit albums I assumed were just a wall of crashing symbol noises to actually hearing everything going on in the mix.
    I'm looking forward to many years of enjoyment with the Stratus. I'm so pleased with it at the moment that I've decided (for now) to hold off on the v.3 upgrade. Time will tell. Lol.
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2022

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