Some remarks after two days of intense listening.
This is a great amp. Okay, I wrote it earlier 🙂 The main point is: altough it seems like he's holding back, playing with distinction, not that involved - that's just the neutral playing style that characterizes this amp. It's unbelievable detailed and never gets tiring. He plays complex music with incredible ease. In contrast, my other preamplifier acts as if a loudness control was turned up, is a bit forward and very present. It's just a matter of taste which one you like more. I haven't been able to try solid state yet because - as I wrote - the switch broke after 5 switching operations during the technical testing. The new switch is coming tomorrow.
This is a great amp. Okay, I wrote it earlier 🙂 The main point is: altough it seems like he's holding back, playing with distinction, not that involved - that's just the neutral playing style that characterizes this amp. It's unbelievable detailed and never gets tiring. He plays complex music with incredible ease. In contrast, my other preamplifier acts as if a loudness control was turned up, is a bit forward and very present. It's just a matter of taste which one you like more. I haven't been able to try solid state yet because - as I wrote - the switch broke after 5 switching operations during the technical testing. The new switch is coming tomorrow.
Ah, OK... I see ! Thank you so much @xrk971 ! 🙂😉
Well, I also downloaded REW some times ago, but... I never took the time to test it, nor tried to open it ! I even have an ARTA complete license, but... Same lazyness ! That's a shame... 🙄
Actually, I have to calibrate and configurate those softwares accordingly. I already have a good external souncard (ESI Maya 22 USB) and a polyvalent DIY interface box, that eased automated measurement setup with my previous softwares :
But I think that I probably need to rebuilt it, and... It takes time and yes, I admit it : I am lazy ! 😕
T
Anyone with a neat bench and a test rig like that cannot possibly be lazy! 😂
I’m so happy you found the HyperSET sounds incredible. Thanks for sharing.
Few words on the s.s. only output.
Contrary to my expectations, when using s.s. only, I miss something.
It's a subtle but for me audible difference. No tube in the signal path causes - for me - somewhat less openness, less liveliness, less room; with tube the sound is - tubelike - warmer, fuller. As I wrote, the effect is subtle but is there.
And of course, it's again a matter of taste, and I think it depends on your power amp. I use a class D one and I think the combination of class D and tube results in a gorgeous sound. With class A however, I think the s.s. only mode can be the "better" one. It's great to have the possibility to choose what I like.
Contrary to my expectations, when using s.s. only, I miss something.
It's a subtle but for me audible difference. No tube in the signal path causes - for me - somewhat less openness, less liveliness, less room; with tube the sound is - tubelike - warmer, fuller. As I wrote, the effect is subtle but is there.
And of course, it's again a matter of taste, and I think it depends on your power amp. I use a class D one and I think the combination of class D and tube results in a gorgeous sound. With class A however, I think the s.s. only mode can be the "better" one. It's great to have the possibility to choose what I like.
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I listen to many kinds of music. With orchestral mass I prefer a sound without added harmonics. With jazz, vocal, folk... if I notice that something is missing then I add them. So, with a single amplifier in my second system (computer) I deal with everything.
Of course, my hybrid integrated device (930€ at home) has very few harmonics at 4 Ohms, being a good base for the above. More than a year after its purchase, I started to play with it -> three weeks ago the sound improved -> I had to modify my optimization of the W10 for multimedia (reduction of the jitter generated in the CPU: ALU <--> registers) because it sounded strident. After fixing it, the sound is better than before
Measurements at 1/3 max power (about 40 watts/8 Ohms and 60 watts/4 Ohms)
🙂
Of course, my hybrid integrated device (930€ at home) has very few harmonics at 4 Ohms, being a good base for the above. More than a year after its purchase, I started to play with it -> three weeks ago the sound improved -> I had to modify my optimization of the W10 for multimedia (reduction of the jitter generated in the CPU: ALU <--> registers) because it sounded strident. After fixing it, the sound is better than before
Measurements at 1/3 max power (about 40 watts/8 Ohms and 60 watts/4 Ohms)
🙂
Attachments
Magnat MA 900
I have a long thread at X / Twitter. Mine, December 2022. Silver. 935 € at home from Amazon.de
[Greek] https://www.avmentor.gr/reviews/2022/magnat_ma_900_2.htm (click images -> Big)
To English: https://www-avmentor-gr.translate.g...0_2.htm?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en
I have a long thread at X / Twitter. Mine, December 2022. Silver. 935 € at home from Amazon.de
[Greek] https://www.avmentor.gr/reviews/2022/magnat_ma_900_2.htm (click images -> Big)
To English: https://www-avmentor-gr.translate.g...0_2.htm?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en
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Cool. What is hybrid in that amp? I see discrete solid state output devices on a heatsink. Is there Class D or tubes anywhere?
Ok, I see. Thanks. Looks like JJ E88CC?
Edit: ok ECC81 by JJ.
My hybrid amp is 600wpc courtesy IcePower 1200AS2 module. HyperSET tube buffer with JJ ECC88.
Edit: ok ECC81 by JJ.
My hybrid amp is 600wpc courtesy IcePower 1200AS2 module. HyperSET tube buffer with JJ ECC88.
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I investigated to change them with other matched pair. Genalex Gold Lion ECC81 / B739 / 12AT7 (very good opinions) and the new Psvane 12AT7-S (hardly any comments) were the ones I selected but first I decided to investigate if I could improve the sound.
https://www.tubedepot.com/pages/tube-comparison-tool
https://www.tubedepot.com/pages/tube-comparison-tool
Attachments
Hi,
based on X's idea of using an ICE Edge module, I thought it would be cool to build two monoblocks. So two 1200AS1 modules came into the house, which I wired on the test bed today - now comes the first switching on. In the next step I will design a tube input stage... I dug up my old school and university books and the knowledge I thought was lost is coming back 🙂
based on X's idea of using an ICE Edge module, I thought it would be cool to build two monoblocks. So two 1200AS1 modules came into the house, which I wired on the test bed today - now comes the first switching on. In the next step I will design a tube input stage... I dug up my old school and university books and the knowledge I thought was lost is coming back 🙂