"Shortest Way" SW51 Amp Impressions (Simple SET Amp)

$10 that a really bright DAC with the stock tubes on the SW51+ will kill your hearing 8k and up.

 

Haaa and pairing it with a modibit will kill ALL of your hearing because it sounds so smooth and full and clean that you just can't help but turn it all the way up. Kind of a best of both worlds.

I'm sorry, that's too hype. It is a legitimately good combo, though. It's the kinda thing that can temporarily make you forget about gear when listening. At least for me. I've been on team dark for years now and to me it's just the perfect balance. SW51+ is like the cream in the Oreo cookie, sandwiched between a modibit and an hd6xx.

 

Looks like I’ll be pairing it with a Bifrost 1 MB actually.

 

Nice, if is it the one that you got here then nice. With the stock tubes it should be a good balancing act.

 

Yep, it was too good of a deal to pass up.

 

SW51+ Vs Sonett 2: SBAF Favorite Shootout





I bought these two amps because of the recommendations of people on this site, and have spent some time listening to each of them now. On the face of it, comparing them might appear unfair: the SW51+, is, after all, around $300 dollars, and the Sonett 2 is more than three times the price of that (and is discontinued). But my belief is that though the SW51+ doesn’t possess all the technical chops of the Sonett 2, it offers a unique presentation of music that may make it a preferable amp for many.

As some of you know, I've already written some initial impressions of these two amps elsewhere, as well as a comparison. In retrospect, that comparison was a bit verbose and imprecise, and I hope here to take a more exacting, analytical approach to impressions: I'll move through the entire frequency response, give a spider summary, and then write about the general presentation of each amp and what my personal verdict on each amp is. Without further ado, let's jump right in.

Bass

The Sonett 2 undoubtedly has bass that is better-extended, with a greater sense of weight to the overall delivery. Bass texture is also somewhat more readily ascertained, with smaller nuances and “plankton” in the bass more apparent. That being said, the bass on the SW51+ is not too much of a slouch. Though it doesn’t quite have the extension that the Sonett 2 has, it has more overall pop and slam: it doesn’t dig as deep, but is also less bloomy and more precise sounding, giving it the impression that it hits harder.

Mid-range

The mid-range is where the music lives for me. The SW51+ and Sonett 2 both have very clear mid-range presentations which are enjoyable to listen to. However, they accomplish this differently. The Sonett 2’s mid-range has a more “liquid”, “smooth” character, which tends to give the music a sense of fluidity and balance. The SW51+’s mid-range, by contrast, seems to emphasize the upper mid-range slightly more than the Sonett 2, placing more emphasis on the bite and pluck of instruments, making it sound noticeably less rounded and “faster”. It does this without, however, making the mid-range sound at all unnatural or strained. In contrast, though the Sonett 2 has better “texture” to the mid-range (more nuances can be perceived in instruments), it also has a tendency to make certain vocals sound smoother than they ought to. For example, In The Tallest Man on Earth’s debut album, the voice lacked some grittiness and hardness that is a genuine part of the presentation.

Microdynamically, I don’t think one amp is superior to the other. However, the SW51+ has a more pleasing presentation of micro dynamics to me. The SW51+’s presentation does more to illustrate and push forward various types of tonal and timbral contrasts, whereas the Sonett 2 has more of a tendency to meld things together into a single whole. Impressively, though, the SW51+ does not sound at all disjointed despite highlighting these various contrasts, just as it manages to present mid-range bite without sacrificing body. This is a very impressive amp tonally, and I am tempted to say that it has a more accurate mid-range presentation than the Sonett 2.

Treble

This is where the Sonett 2 wins. If the bass is a mix-up, and the mid-range probably goes to the SW51+, the Sonett 2 clearly edges out the SW51+ here. Though the SW51+ probably has more upper midrange and lower treble quantity to my ears, it is both less extended than the Sonett 2 throughout the upper treble and more fatiguing. The Sonett 2 manages to present a wealth of treble information that the SW51+ cannot. This makes the Sonett 2 sound a good deal more detailed and also present the upper harmonics of female vocals in a more pleasing way. The SW51+’s treble presentation is not at all bad, but is notably more edgy than that of the Sonett 2. At times, this edginess feels more accurate to the particular track, but it can also be somewhat fatiguing after long periods of time.

The Sonett 2’s treble extension, along with its better staging and layering abilities, also give it a better sense of overall air than the SW51+. Treble notes float seamlessly above the rest of the music in a very pleasing way. That being said, there is one issue with the treble of the Sonett 2: it is relatively rounded, with the leading edge of treble notes sounding somewhat light compared to their body and decay. Merely because of this, some may prefer the SW51+, which has more “palpable” treble, even if it is less detailed, airy, and extended.

General Presentation

In terms of most technical measures, the Sonett 2 is superior to the SW51+: detail, staging, layering, are all improved on the Sonett 2. Timbre is another matter: they both portray instruments in a realistic way, with the Sonett 2 tending to have more texture and the SW51+’s images tending to be a bit more “pure” and crystalline, as I recall Hands putting it. Overall, though, the most notable difference in presentation is that whereas the Sonett 2 tends to have a more organic, flowing, cohesive sound, the SW51+ instead emphasizes tonal breaks and contrasts, resulting in a choppier but more engaging sound. This difference is further reinforced by the way that SW51+ handles dynamics: while neither amp is particularly “slamming”, there is more of a spookiness and “wow” factor to the way that the SW51+ handles major dynamic shifts, while the Sonett 2 is a bit muted here. Additionally, the more compressed, focused stage of the SW51+ contributes to a sense of energy and forwardness, while the more distant and diffuse stage of the Sonett 2 gives it a more stately, reserved character.

Spider Summary



To define a couple of these terms and reflect a bit more on how they apply to these two amplifiers...

Textural Realism: The degree to which textures of instruments sound like they are realistic representations of the actual instruments. Related, of course, to richness and microdynamics. Sonett 2 lets you “Hear into” instrument timbre a bit more than the SW51+, but SW51+ is not bad at all.

Staging: Thinking of both stage depth and width here. Surprisingly, to my ears Sonett 2's stage is only a bit wider than that of SW51+, but it is much deeper. SW51+ has a much more intimate, in-your-face presentation. For some, this may make it a more intense, engaging listening experience.

Richness: Roughly speaking, the saturation of notes, or their “thickness”. SW51+ strikes me as leaner than many tube amps I’ve listened to, but by no means lean in general.

Vibrancy: Borrowed this from @E_Schaaf. Roughly speaking, the extent to which notes “pop” out of the background. Greyness vs. tonal color and contrast, “Sonic saltiness”. The SW51+ -easily- wins in this category, and this is one of the reasons why it is a more engaging listen.

Midrange Balance: The extent to which the mid-range sounds neutral and flat, not emphasizing either the upper-midrange or the lower mid-range. Sonett 2 sounds emphasized in the lows and somewhat recessed in the upper-midrange, whereas it strikes me that SW51+ has perfect mid-range balance.

Speed of Attack/Sharpness of Attack: Took these from here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...tive-terms-used-on-superbaf.3400/#post-100490. Basically, speed of attack refers to how fast the object is going when it hits you, whereas sharpness is whether that object is a rock or a pillow. Sharper transients will emphasize leading edge notes more, while speedy transients won’t necessarily do this. SW51+ is both speedier and sharper than Sonett 2, which feels both rounded and sluggish in comparison. It is lighter and nimbler on its feet, but at the same time, this does not detract too much from the sense of presence and tactility of notes. Definitely not an “ethereal” presentation. Yet another reason why the SW51+ is so excellent.

Personal Verdict

I personally prefer the SW51+. While they are both undoubtedly excellent amps, in the context of my system (Bifrost 2 and JAR HD600 + Auteur), I feel like the SW51+ works better. I found that with the Bifrost 2 + Sonett 2, the Auteur sounded a bit blurred in the transients, while the JAR HD600 was still energetic but lacked the snap and aggressiveness that makes it so distinctive.

 

Fabulous review, both in style and (especially) ease of read despite the sheer amount of detail being communicated!

If we ever review reviewers, you'll get a top recommandation from me

 

Wow great review @dematted

Do you also prefer the SW51+ with the Aeolus?

 

I actually don't have an Aeolus on me right now, though I do plan to get one in the future. Great "flavor" can, but never was able to try with the Sonett 2. Really loved the way it sounded on SW51+, though: rich, punchy, fun sound with lots of flair. Definitely recommend, though probably not as your only setup, if you prefer neutrality.

 

Thanks for your feedback

 

Excellent review! Thank you for that.

 

SInce i also own both amps, i am curious @dematted, why do you feel that the SW51's macrodynamics are so much better than the S2's?

There are several points that i agree with your perception but some not so much. Could be a system thing, could be a listener thing. It was a very interesting read.

 

Hey there! I don't feel like either of these are the most slammin' amps, but I think that this can obscure that there are real differences in macro-dynamics between the two. When listening to classical pieces with large and sudden shifts in volume levels (I think of the kreutzer sonata in particular), the SW51+ tends to highlight these changes in a way that the Sonett 2 does not (at least to my ears!). The differences between the macrodynamics of both amps are most easily heard in upper mid-range and treble macro-dynamics, if that's a thing. Bit harder to hear in the bass because the superior bass extension and quality of the Sonett 2 and the SW51+'s leaner overall bass make it a bit harder to judge macro-dynamics there.

 

Interesting, this is definitely what i was kinda expecting you to say and is the one that i have been debating the most, with my own thoughts.

I agree that they handle macro-dynamics in different ways, specially in the upper registers, which is something i actually enjoy because i don't want the same amp sounding presentation, just because of them being tube amps, i wan't a very different presentation/nature and i have these amps as perfect examples.

When i listen to music and when i think about dynamics i, as you mentioned about the way then handle changes in volumes, feel that the Sonett 2 handles those "separations" much closer but still apart enough to be able to tell them apart, without them sounding "blurred" into each other, which, for me is a huge quality in being able to handle those volumes. While the SW51+ separates them a lot more (i think this is what you meant by "choppier") but this also highlights the musicality of the Sonett 2. This is where i think most will prefer one to the other.

Since you mentioned classical music i used the same music (Kreutzer Sonata) and i understand a bit more of what you perceived. I also feel when listening to the Sonett 2, that a live recording introduces me more into it and not only imaging or spatial-wise but also because it, for me, can show me details that i cannot hear at all, or at least in a less rich way, than in the SW51+ (i think you called it texture), which is less organic..

So up to now some are asking "so what do you disagree with" and my since i don't have the same DAC as you i used my iFi Micro BL since the Jade is still not in it's place (i just moved here) and the HD800 and maybe this is why i don't perceive such that big of a difference in macro-dynamics, although they exist, and i feel as the Sonnet as an advantage on micro-dynamics because that low level information, at least from what i am hearing doesn't get masked as it happens with the SW51+.

So here lies the "big" difference in opinion, i would reduce the difference in Macro's between them and give the micro-dynamics a slight advantage to the Sonett 2.
I feel that there are many competent amps that do macro's well but not many can do the same with micro's.

Now many will barf with this example but i have been using the SW51+ connected to my computer while my Crimson is still packed and while listening to casual "shake you booty" music i heard something with the Sonett2 that i never even heard/noticed with the SW51+. As an example, i don't know what instrument it is but in the music E No Easy by P-Square there's a kind of diaphragm sounding thingy that comes up from time to time and i never noticed until i connected the Sonett2.


TL;DR:

All in all if you prefer, lean your chair back, dance some kizomba/semba/bachatta, enjoy musicality, slowly shake your head, consume every note, involving, dance with your whole body, enjoy bass a bit more, lower fatigue threshold, you would choose the Sonett 2; on the other hand if you prefer to shake your butt, dance some salsa,, enjoy faster rhythms, shake your head faster, heck connect it to the computer and play some video games than the SW51+ is your choice, it's clarity and quickness are such strong weapons...


Last thoughts

My last thought about it is that i could sell all my amps and would never feel the need to upgrade the SW51+ or feel that i was missing something and it costs "nothing", it's just a TOTL amp (according to my budgets) in a "i am a close friend" price and quality/price is my #1 recommendation by far and it "only" took a 4x as costly amp to make me see that. Make no mistakes, for me the Sonnet is just a better amp (musicality, bass, treble, micro, stage, imaging) but it wouldn't be my #1 recommendation.

Edit- @dematted what tubes are you using?

 

I agree with a lot of your impressions! In particular, I think that you're right that the Sonett 2 is better at presenting small micro-details and "plankton". Like I said, you can definitely hear more "into" instrument timbre with it. But I don't think that means it's better at micro-dynamics... though if I had to give one amp the edge in that area, it would probably be the Sonett 2. I actually initially had the Sonett 2 slightly ahead in my spider chart, then revised it a bit on later listening to the SW51+. Perhaps that was a mistake!

As far as tubes go, I'm using electro-harmonix ones on the Sonett 2 along with the RCA "coke-bottle" rectifier tube. I find that the stock tube makes it way too mushy and blurred sounding to me, though it's good for relaxing. For the SW51+, I'm using the stock tubes. I've done way too much tube rolling, but I always find that whatever benefits I get from using other tubes are off-set by unacceptable trade-offs (though I know a lot of people have different experiences). IMO, Zampo really knew what he was doing picking these tubes.

 

My 51 also uses stock but the Sonett 2 has an amperex, which is more aggressive than the RCA I had, plus 2 electro-harmonix.

The SW51 really works well with anything I have thrown at it just, as you said, always about compromises.

One really has to appreciate @Zampotech work.

 

Hi, quite nice reviews on the SW51+ especially with HD6x0. However there are few other amps which trusted ears here have found to have very good synergy with SW51+ (within the similar price range). I currently have one of those - Project Sunrise III, it would be helpful to have comments on the differences between PS III and SW51+.

 

I thought for a long time in which section of the forum to post this photo report.
Then I decided that this report is related to the money received from the sale of SW51, then this photo report can be posted in this topic. If I made a mistake, I hope the moderators will move it to the appropriate section.

In our country, the New Year holidays are very long, from January 1 to January 11. In my family there are 4 women, a wife, a daughter, a cat mom and a cat daughter. Being in such a high concentration of women for a long time is unbearable, harmful to mental health, and I decided to do something useful.

So, the restoration of the winding machine.

This is how I bought the winding machine.



Her condition was similar to that of a homeless person living in a coal cellar.

Dirty electronics



Broken wires



And everywhere is dirt, dirt, dirt







We start the restoration from the table.

Before



After



Cleaning of mechanisms and replacement of old lubricants.







Restoration of electronics








Start of the build



Result





So that during the tedious work I did not fall into a rage i was helped and carried out psychological relaxation

1. Radio Station NonStopOldies and Colombia Bohemia
2. Old romances. This is when the rabies has reached a boiling point.

 

Very impressed @Zampotech! Very nice restoration work. I hope to own one of your amps in the future.

 

So @Zampotech will have assembled the necessary secret sauces for great tube amplifier design. Minimalist circuit path, power supply designed for low residual hum & noise, linear tube operation and personally constructed transformers. Transformers are one of the essential influences on how an amplifier sounds. Well done @Zampotech !