And another variable is what one define as ”transparent highs”.
1. Some would say that is: A silky smooth, somewhat warm treble that does not call for any attention.
2. Others would say that it is: A little cold, glass clear, squeaky clean and somewhat shimmering treble.
I think both treble characters can have its place, and can sound wonderful. In the right room, right playback system and right recording.
So i simply music roll, speaker roll, and amplifier roll. Now and then. That keeps things fun, musical, head bobbing, toe tapping and fully awesome!
🎺🙂🎸
1. Some would say that is: A silky smooth, somewhat warm treble that does not call for any attention.
2. Others would say that it is: A little cold, glass clear, squeaky clean and somewhat shimmering treble.
I think both treble characters can have its place, and can sound wonderful. In the right room, right playback system and right recording.
So i simply music roll, speaker roll, and amplifier roll. Now and then. That keeps things fun, musical, head bobbing, toe tapping and fully awesome!
🎺🙂🎸
Do you know about the BAF 2015 Schade-Enabled amp?
Milipitas seems to garner a lot of enthusiastic recommendations. I haven't heard it myself, having not built the M2X. I had a distant cousin for awhile with a "composite amplifier" style front end driving an autoformer, like the M2X, and I do recall the upper range being particularly good with that configuration.
Milpitas manages to give it “detail” without being fatiguing. Hours of listening never make you want to turn it off….or down 😁
It’s a rare combination.
It’s a rare combination.
F5 is not that airy. My friend built F5 with boutique parts and compare with may design (typical blameless with TMC compensation) with ordinary parts. F5 is better in low frequency quality but my design better in high frequency and imaging according to him. Then he sell his F5.
My friend's F5 to which I added inductors and caps and got the ripple to 2mV got so ICEY clear that my friend couldn't stand it, and sold it. He didn't like hearing his front end I guess?
F5 demands careful THD Spectra setting
that's why Pa introduced P3 in later revision, to cover broader range (Idss) of JFets
that's why Pa introduced P3 in later revision, to cover broader range (Idss) of JFets
You could choose the design first. Here's how I arrived at Aleph J:
I did not want capacitors/transformers sound coupling (but I invested a lot in a good-quality source; a transformer might be perfect for some setups, though).
Differential input was very important to me, and single-ended output was as well.
So... the decision was quite easy - Aleph J.
However, I knew that I had to spend some time and get the sound right. This proved true when I built the Aleph J kit in its standard form.
So, I suggest that you build Aleph J in its original form, and then make sure the basics work okay. Listen to it for a month or 2. Once this is done, you can start with:
- adding bypass caps to the power supply. Try, listen, try again different values/placements..., and see what works best with the way you wired your amp...
- bypass C1 with a copper link and remove the short circuit protection
- get the offset and bias set to what you want, and then remove the trimpots and replace them with discrete resistors - this is simply a must with Aleph J.
The original Aleph J thread covers the above mods in great detail. Look for my posts there. You'll have an end-game amplifier. But... remember... the source must be of great quality.
Ok, I'll be honest with you guys, I want it to be a little bit warm or a lot warm and non offensive, BUT at the same time have bite and be so energetic that you can't believe it's even real. Romantic, RICH, but also relentlessly energetic, so I dare not say the word smooth. Sparkling, shimmering. I don't know if I am making myself clear or only confusing you guys further.
The best word I have to describe it is "magical", but no, I reckon not cold. Even though I prefer silver cables everywhere where possible. To me best highs are definitely not sterile or cold 😌
This sounds a bit like it. On the other hand, I have the impression that F5n is a relatively easier project to get me started, but if it's beyond anything I've ever had or heard, I may settle for it without trying others which would be a shame.
My source is pretty great for what it is. The next closest rival which would be a sidegrade is twice as expensive DAC from Czech Republic called Okto DAC and the next after that is 4x more expensive and the sound quality of all three is very similar, they even use the same chips (top of the line ESS), so the next stop in sources would be a minimum of 2k eur and likely in 2-5k range and I'm not even really familiar with DACs in that range, but it would be 2 or 3 exact same DACs working on the same clock in parallel.
For the meager 600 euros my DAC (Topping DM7) is absolute killer for my purpose, even compared to 2ch DACs it easily competes with most things under 1k AND I'm a big fan of ESS chips (I do crave Burr Brown from ifi sometimes , it has something magical that Chinese sabre don't have), but I know that once I set everything up the way that I want, it's going to be my biggest bottle neck, I'm not at that point yet.
And before I change my DAC I'm more likely to buy used speakers to replace my Frankensteins, which would be a relatively big expense for me. Don't hate me for it, but I want B&W 702 (S2 for the lower price and the fact I'd be throwing away the crossover anyway) which I would be multi amping. Then invest in better room treatment etc, oh and I'd be building subs and buying class D for them... So source is not on the top of priorities right now especially given the insane prices for great products. I hope AI is coming to change that - sources should not cost that much to manufacture or design.
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F5M from the store is probably the easiest to get going. Has that nice negative phase 2nd harmonic that's popular now. I don't know about "sparkly" or "tingly", but builders have been pleased with the performance. There is even a dual power supply option there (not required for fantastic sound). But it's still nice that they offer it.
It almost sounds like you enjoy a clean tube amp type of sound. Maybe the Aleph will get you the closest to that. The F5m is less sparkly and more airy.
There may be a few comparisons between the F5m and the Aleph.
There may be a few comparisons between the F5m and the Aleph.
I am still enjoying my own take on the F5m. High transconductance Mosfets, high bias current, special gate stopper resistors. I voiced the amp for my preferred balance between an airy and sparkley treble.
The takeaway here is to try some tweaks to your amp of choice (or expediance). There is a surprising amount of room for adjustments.
The takeaway here is to try some tweaks to your amp of choice (or expediance). There is a surprising amount of room for adjustments.
