It is seriously good. Recently got my TDA Miro DAC going with a JLSounds board (thanks to Cody and Vunce). The new DAC and USB card have kicked it up several notches. They are so transparent and perfect, and they show the qualities of other components quite easily. Now the TDV shines even more brightly and is at the top of the heap amongst all the amps I have.
Always a tough one, and I think I've written about it somewhere before. There's a certain clarity/lucidity/? you get with CD followers that is really addictive. The TDV has that in spades, plus I really like what the choke does for the lower frequencies. Kinda sounds like a warm blanket feels. Scryer (DEF) has that unique combo of follower clarity and grunt, which I also like. Since Scryer has voltage gain, its difficult to compare. For TDV I typically use a Broskie Aikido pre; for Scryer, a buffered AVC.
Both great amps – horses for courses, and all that.
Both great amps – horses for courses, and all that.
codyt, thank you for saying it as it is and as best as you could. Combining Scryer and SCG Front End is what's on my mind. I've got all, I mean all the parts. I am in the process of designing my own separate PCBs for each.
I continue to be completely satisfied with my TDV-51s. Satisfaction is wonderful.
I have found that the noise I was hearing from the speakers after the amps were turned off does go away after about an hour.
I have never heard power supplies take this long to be depleted of voltage. Or conversely, an amplifier that can continue to make noises with so little left in the power supply. An interesting phenomenon.
I keep thinking I should be driving them with something other than a DAC output stage but they can get lots louder than I would want to listen. The one thing that leaves me wondering is whether the DSP box can overdrive the DACs? One would think if a DAC was being given more signal than it can handle it would make this sonically obvious and I do not hear anything like that. My DSP box is digital in and out and I can control the volume with it.. I have not tried to find the upper limits but I listen as loud as I would want to and know it can go much louder than that without any problems.
Yet, one is always wondering if they are doing something wrong.
I have found that the noise I was hearing from the speakers after the amps were turned off does go away after about an hour.
I have never heard power supplies take this long to be depleted of voltage. Or conversely, an amplifier that can continue to make noises with so little left in the power supply. An interesting phenomenon.
I keep thinking I should be driving them with something other than a DAC output stage but they can get lots louder than I would want to listen. The one thing that leaves me wondering is whether the DSP box can overdrive the DACs? One would think if a DAC was being given more signal than it can handle it would make this sonically obvious and I do not hear anything like that. My DSP box is digital in and out and I can control the volume with it.. I have not tried to find the upper limits but I listen as loud as I would want to and know it can go much louder than that without any problems.
Yet, one is always wondering if they are doing something wrong.
TDV vs. Scryer, you ask? 
I have both running daily, lately — Scryer in the main system and TDV in a secondary system. These are each with 2087Cs.
Just plopped the TDV on top of my Scryer in the main system to compare. No preamp. My DAC has to run full-out to get to the level at which I was just using the Scryer.
I agree with Cody’s assessment. The differences are subtle. I’d say the Scryer has more precise edges around the instruments as I listen, which I enjoy very much. The TDV has an undeniable smoothness to the whole spectrum, in a good way — an effortless reproduction of the signal. For sound quality, flip a coin to choose between them. Toe-tapping fuel in spades for both. In this particular setup, I would choose the Scryer, just barely, based on my own preferences.
Build both, @Samuel Jayaraj.
I have both running daily, lately — Scryer in the main system and TDV in a secondary system. These are each with 2087Cs.
Just plopped the TDV on top of my Scryer in the main system to compare. No preamp. My DAC has to run full-out to get to the level at which I was just using the Scryer.
I agree with Cody’s assessment. The differences are subtle. I’d say the Scryer has more precise edges around the instruments as I listen, which I enjoy very much. The TDV has an undeniable smoothness to the whole spectrum, in a good way — an effortless reproduction of the signal. For sound quality, flip a coin to choose between them. Toe-tapping fuel in spades for both. In this particular setup, I would choose the Scryer, just barely, based on my own preferences.
Build both, @Samuel Jayaraj.
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Hi Marc
When comparing the TDV vs Scryer, do they have similar power supplies?
I’m hoping to finish my TDV monobloc shortly.
Thanks to Samuel and yourself for the comparison.
Eric
When comparing the TDV vs Scryer, do they have similar power supplies?
I’m hoping to finish my TDV monobloc shortly.
Thanks to Samuel and yourself for the comparison.
Eric
Eric, the power supplies are quite different. The Scryer has an outboard dual mono linear differential supply with CLCRC after the two toroids (+/-24 VDC). The TDV has dual mono SMPS single supplies with CRC after the SMPS (+28VDC). I couldn’t power the TDV with a differential supply, so that direct comparison isn’t available.
I think I have toroid(s) that would work for the TDV, but sacre bleu the weight of such an amp would be terrifying.
I think I have toroid(s) that would work for the TDV, but sacre bleu the weight of such an amp would be terrifying.
Perfect summary! On another note, I love your TDV faceplate 😀
Thank you. I love the TDV identifier, too. I‘ve been meaning to order some ‘vonAhdio’ decals for the Scryer and TDV, but that spare red PCB is cool. 
Incidentally, I just heard something new in a familiar song with the TDV, so clarity and detail are by no means lacking there.
Incidentally, I just heard something new in a familiar song with the TDV, so clarity and detail are by no means lacking there.
Very descriptive and helpful comparo's Fellas.
Scryer is at the top of my Class A amp stable.
I recently picked up a pair Hammond 195T5 chokes for the TDV-51S build, but have put a self imposed moratorium on Class A builds until Autumn. I'll have to "get by" with AB's through summer 🤣
Scryer is at the top of my Class A amp stable.
I recently picked up a pair Hammond 195T5 chokes for the TDV-51S build, but have put a self imposed moratorium on Class A builds until Autumn. I'll have to "get by" with AB's through summer 🤣
I use Manzanita open baffle speakers (expertly built by @Dkalsi). My TDV is usually paired with @planet10-designed microTower speakers with MarkAudio Pluvia 7HD full range drivers (cabinets beautifully built by @evanc).
Scott specified the line. We worked within the original size parameters of the original EPI, just adding the mass loaded vent, the holey braces, and the castle configuration. I did do a bunch of drawings.
Like the FH another versatile one (just choose the right vent)
dave
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I have an idea to revive the EL70s with a microTower build of my own, with tweeters, to have a second set. 
Please tell me more, I have 4 x EL70 sitting on a shelf. 2 of them are enabled by Dave. Tried them a few times and never understood what the big fuss with EL70 was all about 😂
Eric, use the microtower plans in the big microtower thread and add a tweeter with this crossover: EL70 MTM. Good start from which to experiment. For many years I used the EL70 microtowers with a tweeter stuck to the back of the cabinet using just a single cap crossover. No tweeter Needed with the P7HDs. But now we’re getting way off topic.
I have an idea to revive the EL70s with a microTower build of my own, with tweeters, to have a second set.
Chris built a set of 2-way CSS based Castle microTower, i have a set downstairs that emulate the microTower II with CHBW70eN on 2 faces and ERT-26eN on the other sides.
And i have a set of EL70eN Castles i’d like to figure out how to keep.
dave
Dave (the 200% Norwegian), did a number of nice XOs for CHBW/EL70/ERT26. Add a set of CHBW70eN+ERT-26eN going into a set of appropriate rectangular miniOnkens (and a set of the stock drivers if someone wants to do a nice little 2-way.
From user reports, either the EL70 has a variable top-end or the HF hearing of the listeners was quite variable.
I did not have issues with any of the EnABLed ones. It is not the best driver in the world but represents really good value (sonics/dollar)
dave