Trying to make sense of the Sweet Peach - Page 3

Bicolor · 30th March 2010, 02:49 PM

S. Spielbergo -> If I have understood what you are going to try now, is to raise the plate voltage and use a 6n1p and see how it works at more suitable voltage.

Globulator · 11:06 PM

The FU50 seems like an excellent tube, so how does the Sweet Peach FU50 amplifier sound like?

I can't find a review of the sound (or construction!) anywhere!!
It looks an interesting amp - so I'm wondering if it's worth a listen?
Does it go loud enough (my speakers are 88dB/watt)?
Is the bass any good? Midrange? Treble?
Does it favour a particular type of music?
Does it run hot?

Thanks in advance!!

P.S. There is also a rival "FU50 6AK5" amp that looks unfeasibly compact but the same SE deal - I wonder if anyone has tried that either?

Mazuki · 1st April 2010, 11:54 PM

I think the Sweet Peach is built better. The manufacturer is Xiangsheng, it's a very solid company

S.Spielbergo · 2nd April 2010, 12:40 AM

I also found the compact weight to be a little discouraging too, tube amps are just heavy and the peach is about 3kg heavier. Mine does not run hot in the least but it will have to work a little to power your 88db speakers.

For what its worth the pc boards appear to be double sided but they are not so you can just jab each of the solder joints with a iron and swap components without removing the boards. I replaced the "Wima" coupling caps with Vishay Roederstein MKP's of the same value, also replaced all the series grid resistors with Vishay Beyschlag metal film. Bicolor, I was going to change the plate and cathode resistors for the 6n1p to favor a steeper load line and bias the tube to a higher idle current but after looking at the 6n6p with the stock plate and cathode resistors I figured I could live with what I saw for a while. Its hard to say how the changes have affected the sound as I haven't had the amp playing for probably close to 2 weeks that and the new pieces need at least a handful of hours to break in, so far sounds fine.

Mazuki · 2nd April 2010, 02:54 AM

Quote:

I also found the compact weight to be a little discouraging too, tube amps are just heavy and the peach is about 3kg heavier. Mine does not run hot in the least but it will have to work a little to power your 88db speakers.

For what its worth the pc boards appear to be double sided but they are not so you can just jab each of the solder joints with a iron and swap components without removing the boards. I replaced the "Wima" coupling caps with Vishay Roederstein MKP's of the same value, also replaced all the series grid resistors with Vishay Beyschlag metal film. Bicolor, I was going to change the plate and cathode resistors for the 6n1p to favor a steeper load line and bias the tube to a higher idle current but after looking at the 6n6p with the stock plate and cathode resistors I figured I could live with what I saw for a while. Its hard to say how the changes have affected the sound as I haven't had the amp playing for probably close to 2 weeks that and the new pieces need at least a handful of hours to break in, so far sounds fine.

I totally agree. Go with the heavier amp! My Sweet Peach does not get all that hot, meaning the transformers are hardly breaking a sweat.

That other eBay amp using the 6AK5 might be a tad more linear with the triode strapped pentode, but you don't get nearly the tube rolling options.

Bicolor · 2nd April 2010, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.Spielbergo

....I replaced the "Wima" coupling caps with Vishay Roederstein MKP's of the same value, also replaced all the series grid resistors with Vishay Beyschlag metal film. Bicolor, I was going to change the plate and cathode resistors for the 6n1p to favor a steeper load line and bias the tube to a higher idle current but after looking at the 6n6p with the stock plate and cathode resistors I figured I could live with what I saw for a while. Its hard to say how the changes have affected the sound as I haven't had the amp playing for probably close to 2 weeks that and the new pieces need at least a handful of hours to break in, so far sounds fine.

In a sense I feel the same way about my amp. I have only changed the stock tubes for russian tubes, and that alone made quite a difference.

I will relax for a while and listen some more. If changing the plate and anode resistors of the 6n1p can make it sound better I am all for it, though it's ok as it is. Also I'll try using a 6n23p

Globulator · 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mazuki

That other eBay amp using the 6AK5 might be a tad more linear with the triode strapped pentode, but you don't get nearly the tube rolling options.

How do you know the schematic of the SoundTrack Amp???
All I can find with extensive Googling was one fuzzy picture of the front

Please share if you have them!

It is lighter and more cramped true, but it would (physically) fit into my system more easily and maybe the wife would not even notice it's arrival?

BTW this amp would be replacing an Usher R1.5 (150W class A) amp driving Usher X708 speakers - so an SE tube is quite a different proposition in sound - what do you think the main difference in sound should be?

(Asking (different questions) on the 'any good chinese amps thread too - sorry for any duplication).

S.Spielbergo · 2nd April 2010, 09:51 PM

I honestly know nothing about the 6AK5 except that it is a pentode, I think most would assume it is triod strapped as there is generaly a predjudice against pentodes in the Hi-Fi world, but I agree with Mazuki that the 6n1p and its cousins would probably offer easier/ cheaper tube rolling plus they are already triodes.

I think we are at least a little biased (he he) in our opinions of the Sweet Peach VS XX because we own them. As far as power goes, I too was a little concerned that a pitiful 13watts could compete with my mamoth Onkyo or AMC amps but the GU50's effortlessly power my B200/HI-VI ribbons to painful levels. The amp is brutaly honest so the gentle background hiss from older recordings is exposed, lousy recordings sound lousy, good ones sound spectacular. Movies sound excellent, I never was a surround guy but I find using a tube amp for films is great because of all the midrage content. I researched different Chinese amps for months before pulling the trigger on the Peach so I understange your desire to make a prudent decision. I was also considering the Soundtrack FU50 but at 8kg(?) it was just to chintzy and the form factor followed the trendy "narrow but deep" look, the Peach was more conventional and I find that this pragmatic, tasteful attitude is consistent throughout the design, no stupid wooden cheecks or gaudy blue LEDs hidden beneath the tubes, just an ebarrassing name

Globulator · 10:14 PM

Thanks that's useful info. The FU29 amp you suggested looks interesting too!

Does it really do MM phono? If so have you tried it?
What's the biggest difference in sound between your mammoth Onkyo and the Sweet Peach?

And most importantly - which amp do you prefer to listen to?

BTW I think I found the Soundtrack amp here, made by Guangzhou Zhuo Sheng Electronics Factory, late november last year.

Net weight stated is 9kg in the summary and 8kg in the text!!, so that is either 1kg or 2kg lighter than the Sweet Peach, which is more believable. Only has 8ohm outputs I think too.

So I found it but I'm no wiser

S.Spielbergo · 3rd April 2010, 03:18 AM

The mm phono input of the Sweet peach is nearly useless, the sound quality is horrible so it is best to hack out the phono stage and wire it through as another auxilliary input. My Onkyo is fairly powerful but completely uninvolving, micro details are almost nonexistent. The Sweet Peach is the best amp I have , depending upon the source the weight is between 10 and 12kg. Seems to me you have your heart set on the Soundtrack, give it a shot, it can't be that bad.

1st April 2010, 11:02 PM	#22
Globulator diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cambridge, England.	The FU50 seems like an excellent tube, so how does the Sweet Peach FU50 amplifier sound like? I can't find a review of the sound (or construction!) anywhere!! It looks an interesting amp - so I'm wondering if it's worth a listen? Does it go loud enough (my speakers are 88dB/watt)? Is the bass any good? Midrange? Treble? Does it favour a particular type of music? Does it run hot? Thanks in advance!! P.S. There is also a rival "FU50 6AK5" amp that looks unfeasibly compact but the same SE deal - I wonder if anyone has tried that either? Last edited by Globulator; 1st April 2010 at 11:06 PM. Reason: PS

2nd April 2010, 10:02 PM	#29
Globulator diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cambridge, England.	Thanks that's useful info. The FU29 amp you suggested looks interesting too! Does it really do MM phono? If so have you tried it? What's the biggest difference in sound between your mammoth Onkyo and the Sweet Peach? And most importantly - which amp do you prefer to listen to? BTW I think I found the Soundtrack amp here, made by Guangzhou Zhuo Sheng Electronics Factory, late november last year. Net weight stated is 9kg in the summary and 8kg in the text!!, so that is either 1kg or 2kg lighter than the Sweet Peach, which is more believable. Only has 8ohm outputs I think too. So I found it but I'm no wiser Last edited by Globulator; 2nd April 2010 at 10:14 PM.

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30th March 2010, 02:49 PM	#21
Bicolor diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	S. Spielbergo -> If I have understood what you are going to try now, is to raise the plate voltage and use a 6n1p and see how it works at more suitable voltage.

1st April 2010, 11:54 PM	#23
Mazuki diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	I think the Sweet Peach is built better. The manufacturer is Xiangsheng, it's a very solid company

2nd April 2010, 12:40 AM	#24
S.Spielbergo diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2007	I also found the compact weight to be a little discouraging too, tube amps are just heavy and the peach is about 3kg heavier. Mine does not run hot in the least but it will have to work a little to power your 88db speakers. For what its worth the pc boards appear to be double sided but they are not so you can just jab each of the solder joints with a iron and swap components without removing the boards. I replaced the "Wima" coupling caps with Vishay Roederstein MKP's of the same value, also replaced all the series grid resistors with Vishay Beyschlag metal film. Bicolor, I was going to change the plate and cathode resistors for the 6n1p to favor a steeper load line and bias the tube to a higher idle current but after looking at the 6n6p with the stock plate and cathode resistors I figured I could live with what I saw for a while. Its hard to say how the changes have affected the sound as I haven't had the amp playing for probably close to 2 weeks that and the new pieces need at least a handful of hours to break in, so far sounds fine.

2nd April 2010, 09:51 PM	#28
S.Spielbergo diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2007	I honestly know nothing about the 6AK5 except that it is a pentode, I think most would assume it is triod strapped as there is generaly a predjudice against pentodes in the Hi-Fi world, but I agree with Mazuki that the 6n1p and its cousins would probably offer easier/ cheaper tube rolling plus they are already triodes. I think we are at least a little biased (he he) in our opinions of the Sweet Peach VS XX because we own them. As far as power goes, I too was a little concerned that a pitiful 13watts could compete with my mamoth Onkyo or AMC amps but the GU50's effortlessly power my B200/HI-VI ribbons to painful levels. The amp is brutaly honest so the gentle background hiss from older recordings is exposed, lousy recordings sound lousy, good ones sound spectacular. Movies sound excellent, I never was a surround guy but I find using a tube amp for films is great because of all the midrage content. I researched different Chinese amps for months before pulling the trigger on the Peach so I understange your desire to make a prudent decision. I was also considering the Soundtrack FU50 but at 8kg(?) it was just to chintzy and the form factor followed the trendy "narrow but deep" look, the Peach was more conventional and I find that this pragmatic, tasteful attitude is consistent throughout the design, no stupid wooden cheecks or gaudy blue LEDs hidden beneath the tubes, just an ebarrassing name

3rd April 2010, 03:18 AM	#30
S.Spielbergo diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2007	The mm phono input of the Sweet peach is nearly useless, the sound quality is horrible so it is best to hack out the phono stage and wire it through as another auxilliary input. My Onkyo is fairly powerful but completely uninvolving, micro details are almost nonexistent. The Sweet Peach is the best amp I have , depending upon the source the weight is between 10 and 12kg. Seems to me you have your heart set on the Soundtrack, give it a shot, it can't be that bad.