Shortest Way 51 (SW51+) Amp Impressions (Only)

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Koth Ganesh, Sep 28, 2019.

  1. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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    Yeah, I get why people like these things. Just the idea that you get a good value item with actually good sound (well taking a leap of faith). I have some contempt for low quality consumer goods. It has been with me a long time, just personality. So I would be proud to own a good value item. Like my multitool or a power tool. I am a simple person I know.
     
  2. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    @dark_energy I'm listening to Boz Scaggs on the SW51+ with the Auterus as we speak in la-la land while work is piling up on my end via job.

    First dislike was making a waaaay broad assumption on something you don't own (and others saying no this is closer to EC stuff but not quite there for a few steps). Second dislike was noise. Third dislike is eh, wasn't paying too much attention.

    Viewpoint on my end is similar to @JK47, but busy with work. I'm laid back and touchy touchy (which people will know me via our Zoom meetings) but sometimes I have my opinion by Likes/Dislikes without doing long posts like these that isn't adding too much value to this thread. I can be a silent guy but attempts to throw "influence" in other directions.

    I'll say this again, just look out what @Zampotech is cooking in his kitchen with hot vodka. A $400ish Tube Amp shouldn't sound this GOOD. Funny thing is, it is going to take A LOT of time an energy to try to beast this sucker for $400. Yes we know EC/DNA/ECP stuff will be better (and none of us are saying anything different), but we are shocked that this thing is $400. For once those who don't have money to spend stupid money on t00b amps can get on the action that doesn't have some of the faults of some of the tube amps in its prince range (grainy highs, extreme Wampoo Chi-Fi mess, very bloated and boring lows, etc.).
     
  3. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    Dear friends. There seems to be an argument about whether pepper or vanilla is better.
    EC is a recognized authority in its field. Unfortunately, I do not own its amplifiers, but I am sure that its authority is reserved by many years of work.
    In the words of Mao Zedong "let a thousand flowers bloom"
     
  4. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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  5. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    You see, for me, tubes are a component of an amplifier, not a product for sale. I usually buy the tube.

    Now 100 powerful GU50 NOS tubes from the Northern military warehouse are coming to me. Will be used in high-power power amplifiers.
    This is a clone of the LS50 tube, which was used in German Luftwaffe radio stations. The tube has a rare combination of power, reliability, quality and availability.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2020
  6. mokobigbro

    mokobigbro Acquaintance

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    Looks so radical!
     
  7. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    That yes. German radio engineers before world war II were probably 20 years ahead of their time

    I studied German radio equipment from the second world war. What can I say? Genius and technological sophistication.
     
  8. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    [​IMG]
     
  9. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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    LoL.Sometimes French press is great.
     
  10. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    The French were 20 years ahead of their time for coffee making!
     
  11. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    Two identical pitchers fell into the hands of a gloomy Teutonic genius and a Jolly French inventor. Same pitcher, two different results
     
  12. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    One is still used by millions today :cool:
    The other found its way into the lab of a mad genius for a second life as a power amplifier :D
     
  13. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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    Not that I would like to bragg or align with it too much, but ze Germans made some adavnced tech before and during the war time. B2 bomber concept (one wing)is based on a smaller plane that two brothers with engineering mindset made in a shed. They say it flew , obviously without advanced computers on board. Things like joystick controlled turret control on Tiger 2 makes me scratch my head.. not bad. They had not so smart overengineered tech they used also.. On the advanced side take Russian v2 tank engine with direct injection and overhead camshaft. Just got to admire the engineers that made this stuff. I expect modern advanced civilization to use the tech for smart purposes and make the world a better place for all. Using miltary tubes for headamp is cool idea.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2020
  14. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    Military tubes will be relevant for a long time.
    In 1986, as a young soldier, I took part in the deconservation of old tubes radio stations. These radio stations went to the Chernobyl zone. Modern radio stations on microchips and transistors refused to work under radiation conditions.
    At the same time, a robot scout manipulator with automation on relays and tubes was created. Only these elements can withstand high levels of radiation.

    Here is a photo (this is not my photo) at the bottom of the photo there are white stripes, this is the illumination of the film from radiation.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2020
  15. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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    Reminds me that we can never completely remove danger from life but we need intelligent danger aware specialists and smart people in different fields. On a more simple level. It is like riding a 130 hp (or more) motorcycle. You cant go from a bicycle to high power motorcycle and be comfortable on it. You need training and experience.

    I read a book about the accident 10 years ago. The radiation was very high. The writer described how peoples faces started melting away minutes or hours after leaning over the edge. So yeah, as an energy tech enthusiast I support only the safest forms of fission tech if any should be used at all. Lets get back to the sound again.:)
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2020
  16. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Has anyone swap tubes and have one of the channels not working? I'm getting that problem right now on my end, left channel isn't working. Just curious.
     
  17. Phantaminum

    Phantaminum Friend

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    Zampo sent out an extra pair of tubes along with my amp. Have you tried those to see if it’s the tube having any issues?
     
  18. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    I didn't get an extra pair of tubes. I did put back on the stock tubes and if I just shift the left tube up slightly it is making contact and works. It's the Siemens EF184 that is giving me a minor issue. Still testing around.
     
  19. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Looks like a standard tube amp problem, springs in the tube socket is a little off. @Zampotech said use an Awl to fix the issue on the spring. I looked at the left channel and I noticed that one of the springs is a little off. Time to get my hands slightly dirty and get an Awl and learn to fix shit.

    If I put the Siemens EF184 left side crooked, connection is made and it'll work on both channels. And honestly not a biggest fan of this tube. Sounds too gooey.
     
  20. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    For @rlow.

    So I was bored and @rlow want some impressions with Vali 2 (from @rtaylor76) & SW51+ with HD6XX. Then again, will be the same impressions if using HD600. DAC on Vali 2 + Magni 3+ was actually the Bifrost 2, while DAC on SW51+ is the Airist R2R Dac.

    For Vali 2 I run on low gain for better sound and using the OKI 6H1N, a great middle ground tube that is aggressive enough, does give you breathing room for the music, and has nice low end impact (but not too crazy). For SW51+ I use the stock tubes, which is quite excellent (look at my previous post with issues I was having when trying to swap out the stock tubes with the EF184 Siemens).

    Straight to the point, SW51+ is a big improvement over the Vali 2. However, Vali 2 still performs above its price point after all these years. As long as you get the right tube for the Vali 2, it will sing as an non-aggressive Schitt amp that is pleasant to listen to.

    SW51+ to me is like HD music at 1080p video while Vali 2 is more like that fuzzy 480i video. Vali 2 is like sitting in Row 5, while SW51+ is like sitting in Row 2. Bass is tight on SW51+ but you hear the textures quite well, which is harder on Vali 2. While SW51+ is Row 2 seats, it appears to be more wider on the stage than Vali 2. To me on staging from best to weakest: SW51+ > Vali 2 > Magni 3+.

    Detail retrieval is bonkers on SW51+, much less so than Vali 2. Vali 2 is pretty rounded, but doesn't sound like you are missing music. Vali 2 reminds me of old Hi-Fi and something that I didn't expect from Schiit, while SW51+ is new Hi-Fi.

    Vali 2 can still have the gray type of sound on HD6XX, but that depends on what tube is in your Vali 2. Much less gray on SW51+, and you still get that wonderful treble detail on SW51+. Vail 2 on the other hand the treble is defined enough depending on the tube. I feel SW51+ really push the Senn drivers to work, Vali 2 less so.

    For a little bit of the Magni 3+. Magni 3+ is like sitting on Row 1 with all the sound coming from a stage. It can be sharp but not defined. Can be like your sound doesn't have room to breathe in. If I wanted to do a cheap Schitt amp, I should had done the Vali 2 a long time ago. However, SW51+ just surpass both amps in crazy amount of levels for a minor price upgrade. However, SW51+ has shorter distance of improvements/refinement to a DNA Starlett. Then again, stock tubes on SW51+ is SS sounding, while Starlett is a tube amp that's neutral with just enough bloom where it is not overdone.
     

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