The Trouble with Preamps.
What’s wrong with the following conversation:
“Hello, Pacific Valve?”
“Yes”
“Which one of your CD players has a volume control?”
“Currently its our modified Sheng Ya”
“That’s it?”
“Yes, Can I ask why?”
“Well, I want to go straight into my amp and I do not want any lousy preamp mucking up my sound”
“But sir, not that I am trying to sell you a preamp, but going straight into your amp without a buffer can seriously affect the sound”
“You heard me, no preamp”
--Click—
What’s wrong with people? They got this idea in their heads of a straight wire with gain, going directly into an amp. Sarah Vaughn’s voice, on some mythical path to the speakers, is going to bypass the evil preamp and make its way to mother amplifier who is waiting for the electronic reception. I can see it now, its Mrs. Field herself - chocolate chip cookies and milk on hand waiting for the signal like a kindergartners first day of school. So happy to see it, mother amp is going to amplify, ever so delicately and yet forcefully that the san preamp guy will have the best sound on the blog. He has out smarted every one else – what a genius. This, for some reason, is their idea of audio nirvana. I can hear him now, “…a straight wire with gain, you see and since there is a volume control on my CD player, why, no other volume control is necessary, you see… “
Like all things in audio, sometimes true, mostly not true.
If it were true, then why have preamps at all, right? Are preamps just over done, glorified switchers? So, it cannot be always true.
You can do the math and look for the impedance mismatches and see how the CD player is going to effect the sound or you can do as I do, perform the ear test. First you will need a preamp of some sort – either your own or borrow a friends.
Here is what an impedance mismatch generally sounds like, and I mean generally:
The midrange congests. It sounds like someone is placing their hand over the midrange. Then all of a sudden, without any warning, the congestion goes away and comes back. I cannot explain this electronically, but it seems to happen every time.
The bass thins out. Listen for the lower registers not being there. This could be deceptive, since it will have juice and punch, but nothing to punch through.
Try to find an Instrument in space. How easily can you isolate it? What does it sound like? On a mismatch, it will be hard to locate the instrument and then once you do, it will smear back and forth and eventually, get on your nerves.
Now, plug your preamp in. Does this go away? Is the image stable? Has the bass returned? Be sure that the volume is set for the same level, and you should easily tell if a preamp purchase is in the offing.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Maytag Repairman
You know this guy? He is the loneliest guy out there, so they say. The deal is that Maytags are supposed to be lonely due to the reliability of the Maytag products. Which is a good thing if you are a consumer and a bad thing, well, if you repair Maytags for a living. But this guy has a some new company: the high end audio shop retailer. He is lonely not because he repairs audio components, but because it looks like no one give a rat’s ass anymore.
But its not the consumer I am talking about, it’s the high-end retailer. I tell you, I go into their shops and it looks like the raid on Entebbe; cables strewn about, equipment scatter (cannot tell whether its used or new, and if its used, put the prices on there, for gosh sakes), speakers that are so helter-skelter that it looks like they have minds of their own and have started a hejira out the door. The store merchandising looks like a rogue designer had a grotesque Feng Shui session with the owner. It is not only some Chicago stores (where I live), I have been to Arizona, New York, Florida et.al. and have seen the same.
Now they have to economy to blame. And just like cabin pressure suck-out, folks that do not want to spend (or have them $$ to spend) and arm and a leg on equipment are even more disenfranchised – keeping them away from the high end retailer and spurring the retailer’s depression. This mess, of course, was started by none other that the Darth Sideous triorca of audiophile magazines, high end manufacturers and the retailers themselves who, on a grand mall brain fart, thought that it was a good idea to charge 50K for speakers, 18K for a preamp (well, you get the drill). Such a dumb move was this, that if they think that the audiophile market is shrinking, then the ultra high end of the market is shrinking even faster. Consumers that were willing to pay 50K for speakers and 18K for a preamp have now been 201K’d from their 401K and are holding back.
Since Pacific Valve does not compete at this high, high end, these frees me up to help the high end retailer, whose new market is the cornucopia of income disposable mucho.
High end audio salon, do not despair. I have put together some simple guidelines:
Ironically, a recent article in the Absolute Sound was of interest. Called, Audiophile 101 this article spoke of the importance of the high end retailer. If the high end retailer wishes to have a value proposition to folks not willing to spend 6K for a CD player, then the retailer must encourage the industry to start producing great equipment at great prices. So in all, I do not think that the high end retailer is going away, just re-directed. But criminy, don’t make look like, or don’t sound like, your going away ‘cause with that attitude, you will.
You know this guy? He is the loneliest guy out there, so they say. The deal is that Maytags are supposed to be lonely due to the reliability of the Maytag products. Which is a good thing if you are a consumer and a bad thing, well, if you repair Maytags for a living. But this guy has a some new company: the high end audio shop retailer. He is lonely not because he repairs audio components, but because it looks like no one give a rat’s ass anymore.
But its not the consumer I am talking about, it’s the high-end retailer. I tell you, I go into their shops and it looks like the raid on Entebbe; cables strewn about, equipment scatter (cannot tell whether its used or new, and if its used, put the prices on there, for gosh sakes), speakers that are so helter-skelter that it looks like they have minds of their own and have started a hejira out the door. The store merchandising looks like a rogue designer had a grotesque Feng Shui session with the owner. It is not only some Chicago stores (where I live), I have been to Arizona, New York, Florida et.al. and have seen the same.
Now they have to economy to blame. And just like cabin pressure suck-out, folks that do not want to spend (or have them $$ to spend) and arm and a leg on equipment are even more disenfranchised – keeping them away from the high end retailer and spurring the retailer’s depression. This mess, of course, was started by none other that the Darth Sideous triorca of audiophile magazines, high end manufacturers and the retailers themselves who, on a grand mall brain fart, thought that it was a good idea to charge 50K for speakers, 18K for a preamp (well, you get the drill). Such a dumb move was this, that if they think that the audiophile market is shrinking, then the ultra high end of the market is shrinking even faster. Consumers that were willing to pay 50K for speakers and 18K for a preamp have now been 201K’d from their 401K and are holding back.
Since Pacific Valve does not compete at this high, high end, these frees me up to help the high end retailer, whose new market is the cornucopia of income disposable mucho.
High end audio salon, do not despair. I have put together some simple guidelines:
- Stop Whining. That’s right, you heard me. Look, you and the rest of the folks who run this industry got yourselves into this mess. Embrace it. And face it, that due to these things called China and the internet, you are forced to sell your ridiculously priced components to the few who are willing to pay for it. And they soon will come back, cash in hand and permission from their spouses who, on an act of exemplary mercy, freely gave up a room in the house for speakers the size of UPS trucks.
- Instead of having your shop look like it a designer come in for a grotesque Feng Shui experiment, clean up your act. Put those cables away, move speakers that do not belong in the listening room out of there. Get a rack for cables and let me choose which ones I would like when I listen. Turn the components on for warm up. And, for the love of mite, you all have good music in your shop – why not turn it on and have it playing softly when I get in there to spur my interest? Dust off the equipment – what is this, the Adam’s Family attic make over?
- Re-negotiate your real estate. Practical folks like me who come into your shop to browse will never spend the money for this stuff. Find a cheaper location off the beaten path. Most of your serious customers will be by appointment anyway, with no place to dump their cash, they will easily find you.
Ironically, a recent article in the Absolute Sound was of interest. Called, Audiophile 101 this article spoke of the importance of the high end retailer. If the high end retailer wishes to have a value proposition to folks not willing to spend 6K for a CD player, then the retailer must encourage the industry to start producing great equipment at great prices. So in all, I do not think that the high end retailer is going away, just re-directed. But criminy, don’t make look like, or don’t sound like, your going away ‘cause with that attitude, you will.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Those Shuguang Tubes
There are some great things to be had in Chinese tubes these days since we are, ah, all cutting corners. Some of them, knock the ball out of the park. Some of them, violate the infield fly rule. Here is my guide to help you.
Shuguang 12AX7, 12AT7, 12AU7, 7025, 6922(derivatives)
Fa-gyet-a-bout-it. Really. I have tried. They are either very bad or average. Use the 7025 for 12AX7 replacements for listening to background music. Theses tubes are in the realm of extremes: either very dull or very bright. No matter what I try them in, the Classic Preamp, the Ming DA 7R preamp or the excellent Doge 6130, they are remarkable by their sheer lack of remark-ability.
Shuguang 6SN7GT
The Shoo 6SN7GT are worth looking into, and for the price, cannot be beat. Now pay close attention, brothers and sisters of the halo getter, as I am referring to the 6SN7GT models with the white lettering and the brown base. I am not referring to the Shoo 6SN7s the have the silver base and I am not referring to the tubes that have 6N8P labeled on them. So hey, be careful out there.
The Shoo 6SN7GTs are a delight and are far from the listless bland sound coming out of EH these days. After listening to some EHs in the ever critical Bada PH-12 head amp, I was actually getting fatigued by the Bada trying to pull detail out of these tubes and the tubes fighting it every step out of the way. When I placed the Shoos back in, the window opened up and I was hearing things with detail and a sense of firm instrument placement that I have never heard before. This is a consensus view of the Shoos, as most folks that I respect (Response Audio, for example) is fond of them as well.
Shuguang 2A3C
Please have a spare of these, you RCA lovers, ‘cause you are in for a treat. These are the white label and (current) white base that have “Shuguang 2A3C” in white letters (hence white label) stamped on them. I am not referring to the 2A3Bs that you should remove the insides of, fill with wax and use them as Yuletide candles for the holidays.
The 2A3s are just going to be tough to beat for the price as nothing comes close, sans for the EH 2A3s. The JJ Teslas are just two, well JJ Tesla-ish. Viz., the bass goes mush and the dynamics are missing. The sound is a kin to the JJ KT88s – they just need some guts behind them to get them to sound right. Alas, the confusion is, the Teslas sound correct tonally, at first install, after a while, you will know what I am talking about.
The Shoo 2A3s bring a SET listening to a whole new level and those 300B folks, so endeared to a lucid detailed, vocalist lip-smacking midrange may want to give these a try. The EHs are correct tonally, but are missing the last bit of detailed that the Shoo 2A3s reproduce.
I use the Shoo 2A3 tubes in the famous MC2A3 preamp and they are just dynamite.
Shuguang 300B
Again, these are the 300BC white label and white base (sometimes they have a brown base) 300B tubes.
The Shuguang 300BC is probably one of the most reliable, industrial 300BC these paws have ever handled. I use them in a variety of ways: to bias the 3008 Mono blocks and for general purpose listening. I do not like them as much as the Shuguang mesh plate varities (or any other mesh plate variety for that matter). I also do not like them as much as the bargain-of –the century Sovtek 300BC (which you can no longer obtain, and I have not heard the EH 300Bs). I am currently comparing them to the JJ Teslas. Compared to other 300B tubes, the Shoo white label sounds a little too dark for me and in doing so, tends to suck out the midrange ever so slightly. This tube also needs a war-and-peace level break in time as it could take as much as 100 hours before the tube open up. And then, if that were not enough, it needs another 2 hours of turn on time before it even begins to show you what it is capable of. It is as quiet as a mounse and sans its “dark” attributes, is one heck of a tube. Use it if your amp has a hot high end and upper mid as you may find this tube endearing.
The Shuguang KT88-98
These are the KT88-98s and not the KT88 and not the KT100. The KT88-98 comes in two varieties: the white label and the hand picked red label that you can only get when you purchase the Shuguang Blue S8 amplifier.
The Shoo KT88-98 is one of the punchier KT88 tubes. I like it a lot and prefer it over all new tubes, sans the Cadillac Genlex, which surpasses a KT88 tube in just about every category. The Genelex has it over the KT88-98 in the mids to highs, where it parts a 300B sound to the highs and a 2A3 sound to the mids. Punch for punch, bass for bass, dynamic for dynamic, it is on par the with the Shoo KT88-98, which is why it is worth having a pair on hand.
The Shuguang 6550
These are supposed to be replicas of the GE 6550. Well, they are not. And for that matter, none of the replica tubes are “replicas”, IMO. Take the Mullard New Sensor re-issues. Nice tube, no replica. Same thing for the Shoo 6550, nice tube, no replica. My favorite 6550 tube remains the EH and SED, where I place the EH, SED and Shoo 6550 in that order. The Shoo 6550 needs a tremendous break in time and sounds like the 300BC tube, a little dark and withdrawn – but it has the punch bass of its kinkless trioide. cousin. I like in amps that sound a little bright and forceful, where it paints a scene of delicate subtleness with these amps. The 6550 shoos are standard in the Ming Da MC 368B90 amp.
Shuguang tubes have come a long way since there inception in the early 1990s. They seem to get better year by year. Even as the dollar rises against the Chinese Yuan, the Shuguang tubes represent a great bargain. Enjoy these tubes and enjoy their price point.
There are some great things to be had in Chinese tubes these days since we are, ah, all cutting corners. Some of them, knock the ball out of the park. Some of them, violate the infield fly rule. Here is my guide to help you.
Shuguang 12AX7, 12AT7, 12AU7, 7025, 6922(derivatives)
Fa-gyet-a-bout-it. Really. I have tried. They are either very bad or average. Use the 7025 for 12AX7 replacements for listening to background music. Theses tubes are in the realm of extremes: either very dull or very bright. No matter what I try them in, the Classic Preamp, the Ming DA 7R preamp or the excellent Doge 6130, they are remarkable by their sheer lack of remark-ability.
Shuguang 6SN7GT
The Shoo 6SN7GT are worth looking into, and for the price, cannot be beat. Now pay close attention, brothers and sisters of the halo getter, as I am referring to the 6SN7GT models with the white lettering and the brown base. I am not referring to the Shoo 6SN7s the have the silver base and I am not referring to the tubes that have 6N8P labeled on them. So hey, be careful out there.
The Shoo 6SN7GTs are a delight and are far from the listless bland sound coming out of EH these days. After listening to some EHs in the ever critical Bada PH-12 head amp, I was actually getting fatigued by the Bada trying to pull detail out of these tubes and the tubes fighting it every step out of the way. When I placed the Shoos back in, the window opened up and I was hearing things with detail and a sense of firm instrument placement that I have never heard before. This is a consensus view of the Shoos, as most folks that I respect (Response Audio, for example) is fond of them as well.
Shuguang 2A3C
Please have a spare of these, you RCA lovers, ‘cause you are in for a treat. These are the white label and (current) white base that have “Shuguang 2A3C” in white letters (hence white label) stamped on them. I am not referring to the 2A3Bs that you should remove the insides of, fill with wax and use them as Yuletide candles for the holidays.
The 2A3s are just going to be tough to beat for the price as nothing comes close, sans for the EH 2A3s. The JJ Teslas are just two, well JJ Tesla-ish. Viz., the bass goes mush and the dynamics are missing. The sound is a kin to the JJ KT88s – they just need some guts behind them to get them to sound right. Alas, the confusion is, the Teslas sound correct tonally, at first install, after a while, you will know what I am talking about.
The Shoo 2A3s bring a SET listening to a whole new level and those 300B folks, so endeared to a lucid detailed, vocalist lip-smacking midrange may want to give these a try. The EHs are correct tonally, but are missing the last bit of detailed that the Shoo 2A3s reproduce.
I use the Shoo 2A3 tubes in the famous MC2A3 preamp and they are just dynamite.
Shuguang 300B
Again, these are the 300BC white label and white base (sometimes they have a brown base) 300B tubes.
The Shuguang 300BC is probably one of the most reliable, industrial 300BC these paws have ever handled. I use them in a variety of ways: to bias the 3008 Mono blocks and for general purpose listening. I do not like them as much as the Shuguang mesh plate varities (or any other mesh plate variety for that matter). I also do not like them as much as the bargain-of –the century Sovtek 300BC (which you can no longer obtain, and I have not heard the EH 300Bs). I am currently comparing them to the JJ Teslas. Compared to other 300B tubes, the Shoo white label sounds a little too dark for me and in doing so, tends to suck out the midrange ever so slightly. This tube also needs a war-and-peace level break in time as it could take as much as 100 hours before the tube open up. And then, if that were not enough, it needs another 2 hours of turn on time before it even begins to show you what it is capable of. It is as quiet as a mounse and sans its “dark” attributes, is one heck of a tube. Use it if your amp has a hot high end and upper mid as you may find this tube endearing.
The Shuguang KT88-98
These are the KT88-98s and not the KT88 and not the KT100. The KT88-98 comes in two varieties: the white label and the hand picked red label that you can only get when you purchase the Shuguang Blue S8 amplifier.
The Shoo KT88-98 is one of the punchier KT88 tubes. I like it a lot and prefer it over all new tubes, sans the Cadillac Genlex, which surpasses a KT88 tube in just about every category. The Genelex has it over the KT88-98 in the mids to highs, where it parts a 300B sound to the highs and a 2A3 sound to the mids. Punch for punch, bass for bass, dynamic for dynamic, it is on par the with the Shoo KT88-98, which is why it is worth having a pair on hand.
The Shuguang 6550
These are supposed to be replicas of the GE 6550. Well, they are not. And for that matter, none of the replica tubes are “replicas”, IMO. Take the Mullard New Sensor re-issues. Nice tube, no replica. Same thing for the Shoo 6550, nice tube, no replica. My favorite 6550 tube remains the EH and SED, where I place the EH, SED and Shoo 6550 in that order. The Shoo 6550 needs a tremendous break in time and sounds like the 300BC tube, a little dark and withdrawn – but it has the punch bass of its kinkless trioide. cousin. I like in amps that sound a little bright and forceful, where it paints a scene of delicate subtleness with these amps. The 6550 shoos are standard in the Ming Da MC 368B90 amp.
Shuguang tubes have come a long way since there inception in the early 1990s. They seem to get better year by year. Even as the dollar rises against the Chinese Yuan, the Shuguang tubes represent a great bargain. Enjoy these tubes and enjoy their price point.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
When Reviewers Buy
Like Chicago politics, the audio reviewer industry has a well known protocol of d'une part, un autre lave (one hand washes another). And like the best Rezko-ish deals of Chicago, some of the reviewers are better than others at executing this art form.
Not all are in this club. Some are very well salted, well read and have good ears. They opine in the strictest and fairest sense.
But, when they buy, then that is your buying signal. So far, these are reviewers who have bought.
Affordable Audio – The Bada HD-22
The HD-22, now in its HD-22SE version, has the unique ability to be dynamic and yet provide a warm, tube sound. The inside is built like a tank and for this price point, you get an advanced Phillips servo found in 5K CD players, dual trannies and an advanced AC filter network. We suspect that the reviewer feels like we do, for the price point it cannot be beat. To consider your other audio outlet rice-a-roni CD players is well, a joke.
Stereo Mojo – The DAC AM Modified
Incredibly tube like, the DAC AM Modified maybe the steal of the century in the < $500 DAC brigade. The harsh midrange of low end DACs is toned down and replace with a see through window that only the best tube DACs aspire to. The reviewer states that the DAC AM Modified embarrassed the LINN Classik. The reviewer was fooled by its low price point and therefore placed the DAC AM in his “den” system; only later to find that the DAC AM has enough body and clarity, to be placed in his main system. The DAC AM Modified is the solid state counter part to the tube DAC 68. Try it in your “den” system; it will soon be moved up to your “high end” system.
Positive Feedback –The Ming Da MC 34AB
Another great audio deal is the MC 34AB 07. The Ming Da MC 34AB 07 with its 8 EL34 tubes and power humpty and 75 watts of power, opens up speakers like no other amp. It is no wonder, that the Dr. Sardonicus of Positive Feedback bought one of these. Like so many reviewers, the price point sways them toward a “second” or “den” system, only to find that the amp makes its way up to the main system and rules to roost. This versatile amp can also be used as an integrated and basic amp. It also has a switch for triode and ultra linear modes. The MC 34AB 07 makes quite the impression right out of the box, then it slowly warms as well as providing a deep tight bass. We have also had, may folks sell their Primas and Cays on Audiogon, take to proceeds and buy the amp a new. What a deal.
Stereo Mojo – The Shenda Music Van (Review Pending)
Lets call it the poor man’s Doge 6. Why? Consider the Doge 6, which is able to substantially define a musical object (vocalist, symbol, bass drum et.al) in space, put weight around it and then calculate the distance between the musical object and other musical objects. The difference between the Doge 6 and the Shenda Music Van is the fact that the Doge 6 is better at calculating this distances and the Shenda sometimes misses. Depending upon your systems resolution, this may or may not affect you. When the Shenda places an instrument musically. Therefore, it tends to make poor recordings a little more musical and the transitions between wide dynamics a little more bold. Over all, if its dynamics you want, then choose the Shenda. If it is imaging you want, then choose the Doge.
Affordable Audio – Shuguang Blue S8
Hope they like blue as the LED shoot across and up and down the amp. It really is a tale of three amps: the Shuguang, the Ming Da MC 368B90, and the Doge 6130. Lets take the two sonic extremes: the Ming Da MC 368B90 and the Doge 6130. The Ming Da is Audio Research Dual 76A / Conrad Johnson MV75 sweet, as it plays to the best qualities of those amps. It is surprisingly musical and defines what tubes are all about: a slightly rolled off high end, lush midrange and a deep fat bass. Some like this, other do not. For those that do not, enter in the Doge 6130, where it has the detail and articulation of a solid state amp with the warmth of tubes. It has a deep low end that is not fat or rolled off. The midrange is pronounced, yet still has some musicality. Lovers of the MC 368B90 will be looking for the tubes in this amp. The Shuguang then falls in somewhere between. It extracts details from the source, yet provides tube warmth and a bump in the lower registers. All that being said, it is the most musical of the bunch. You can change the sound dramatically by substituting quality 6SN7 or 6SLT tubes.
Read the reviews, read between the lines. But when they buy, you can read into their actions.
Like Chicago politics, the audio reviewer industry has a well known protocol of d'une part, un autre lave (one hand washes another). And like the best Rezko-ish deals of Chicago, some of the reviewers are better than others at executing this art form.
Not all are in this club. Some are very well salted, well read and have good ears. They opine in the strictest and fairest sense.
But, when they buy, then that is your buying signal. So far, these are reviewers who have bought.
Affordable Audio – The Bada HD-22
The HD-22, now in its HD-22SE version, has the unique ability to be dynamic and yet provide a warm, tube sound. The inside is built like a tank and for this price point, you get an advanced Phillips servo found in 5K CD players, dual trannies and an advanced AC filter network. We suspect that the reviewer feels like we do, for the price point it cannot be beat. To consider your other audio outlet rice-a-roni CD players is well, a joke.
Stereo Mojo – The DAC AM Modified
Incredibly tube like, the DAC AM Modified maybe the steal of the century in the < $500 DAC brigade. The harsh midrange of low end DACs is toned down and replace with a see through window that only the best tube DACs aspire to. The reviewer states that the DAC AM Modified embarrassed the LINN Classik. The reviewer was fooled by its low price point and therefore placed the DAC AM in his “den” system; only later to find that the DAC AM has enough body and clarity, to be placed in his main system. The DAC AM Modified is the solid state counter part to the tube DAC 68. Try it in your “den” system; it will soon be moved up to your “high end” system.
Positive Feedback –The Ming Da MC 34AB
Another great audio deal is the MC 34AB 07. The Ming Da MC 34AB 07 with its 8 EL34 tubes and power humpty and 75 watts of power, opens up speakers like no other amp. It is no wonder, that the Dr. Sardonicus of Positive Feedback bought one of these. Like so many reviewers, the price point sways them toward a “second” or “den” system, only to find that the amp makes its way up to the main system and rules to roost. This versatile amp can also be used as an integrated and basic amp. It also has a switch for triode and ultra linear modes. The MC 34AB 07 makes quite the impression right out of the box, then it slowly warms as well as providing a deep tight bass. We have also had, may folks sell their Primas and Cays on Audiogon, take to proceeds and buy the amp a new. What a deal.
Stereo Mojo – The Shenda Music Van (Review Pending)
Lets call it the poor man’s Doge 6. Why? Consider the Doge 6, which is able to substantially define a musical object (vocalist, symbol, bass drum et.al) in space, put weight around it and then calculate the distance between the musical object and other musical objects. The difference between the Doge 6 and the Shenda Music Van is the fact that the Doge 6 is better at calculating this distances and the Shenda sometimes misses. Depending upon your systems resolution, this may or may not affect you. When the Shenda places an instrument musically. Therefore, it tends to make poor recordings a little more musical and the transitions between wide dynamics a little more bold. Over all, if its dynamics you want, then choose the Shenda. If it is imaging you want, then choose the Doge.
Affordable Audio – Shuguang Blue S8
Hope they like blue as the LED shoot across and up and down the amp. It really is a tale of three amps: the Shuguang, the Ming Da MC 368B90, and the Doge 6130. Lets take the two sonic extremes: the Ming Da MC 368B90 and the Doge 6130. The Ming Da is Audio Research Dual 76A / Conrad Johnson MV75 sweet, as it plays to the best qualities of those amps. It is surprisingly musical and defines what tubes are all about: a slightly rolled off high end, lush midrange and a deep fat bass. Some like this, other do not. For those that do not, enter in the Doge 6130, where it has the detail and articulation of a solid state amp with the warmth of tubes. It has a deep low end that is not fat or rolled off. The midrange is pronounced, yet still has some musicality. Lovers of the MC 368B90 will be looking for the tubes in this amp. The Shuguang then falls in somewhere between. It extracts details from the source, yet provides tube warmth and a bump in the lower registers. All that being said, it is the most musical of the bunch. You can change the sound dramatically by substituting quality 6SN7 or 6SLT tubes.
Read the reviews, read between the lines. But when they buy, you can read into their actions.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
A New Economy
Unable to adjust to the onslaught of value added high end components coming from the e-tailers, mainstream audio pubs will be vomiting all over themselves trying to come up with value added reviews from their cadre of mediocre products. After all, they have to cope with our new miserly outlooks given what has happened to our economy. And alas, while a bail out of the audio industry in not in the offing, we will have to digest the rice-a-roni of audio seeping into the mainstream publications and audiophile bulletin boards: "What do you think of the Azur"?, "What about this Rotel amp?" , "Which NAD to buy'? These ever- present philosophical questions, while making my eyes roll so far back into my head that my contacts are now stuck in my brain, run deep into the hearts of many as they look contemplate their purchases of the run-of-the-mill.
Like I said in my previous blog, this new economy will make over priced audio die even faster than it has been. But, look no further than Google, to find out about great products and services coming from Pacific Valve, GR Research, McAlister Audio, the Horn Shoppe,Morrow Audio, Brent Jessie and Jim McShane to name a few. Lets take a look at these (since no one else is)
The Horn Shoppe
Much has been written about the horns, but we shall not stop. As they have been and continue to remain one of the greatest values in high end audio today. I drive mine with the Classic 16.2 integrated amp using the new Shuguang mesh plate 300B-S. I use a Raytheon 6SN7 as the regulator and Sylvania Chrome Domes as the drivers. I hope to try the new Ming Da “Globe Trotter” 6SN7s as they seem to have real promise. I will let you know. The Horns do what few speakers do: When they receive the instruments / vocals from the amp in the form of current, they ere-assemble it bit by bit on the sound stage and present it to you. This, ladies and gents, is no small feet. Given their $850.00 per pair price tag, they remain a great buy.
GR Research
Danny Ritchie runs GR Research who supplies these baffle-less spekeakers in kits to be re-assembled. For those of you, pitching pennies, this may be the way to go. If you are handy, this will be relaxing. If not, it’s a minor hassle to get a friend to help you and a great way to kill an afternoon with a couple of beers. I plan on purchasing these soon. I did hear the OB-7s and OB-5s driven by the Ming Da MC34AB amps – and let me tell you – these speakers have a way of cementing an image in the sound stage and providing the body and weight of a speaker costing 3 times as much. I plan a purchase soon.
McAlister Audio
Take off, eh – to the Great White North of Google and you will find McAlister audio. Some very reasonably priced products that compete with, yours truly. I have not heard these, but some of these are worth looking into. The NOS VT DAC for example, has caught my eye.
Morrow Audio
Scroll past the Bada-look-a-like Tonewin and move to some great looking single cone speakers and most of all the cables. We purchased a pair of interconnects and were duly impressed. As you probably already know, the mark up on cables is well, USA Congress bail out extreme. So do not be dismayed by the price of these as you are really getting a lot for the money.
Vacuum Tube Services
Need tubes? Your mainstream pubs do not have the brain cells and bandwidth to discuss them, probably because dead tube companies do not pay for advertising fees. Turn no further than the web, where Brent Jessie and Jim McShane will answer your emails with care and explain to you the ins, outs and sounds of each tube. Their sites are chocked full of information and are used by yours truly before contemplating a tube purchase.
Explore, explore. There is a great wide world of audio out there, beyond the mediocrity of the current “Recommended Components”
Unable to adjust to the onslaught of value added high end components coming from the e-tailers, mainstream audio pubs will be vomiting all over themselves trying to come up with value added reviews from their cadre of mediocre products. After all, they have to cope with our new miserly outlooks given what has happened to our economy. And alas, while a bail out of the audio industry in not in the offing, we will have to digest the rice-a-roni of audio seeping into the mainstream publications and audiophile bulletin boards: "What do you think of the Azur"?, "What about this Rotel amp?" , "Which NAD to buy'? These ever- present philosophical questions, while making my eyes roll so far back into my head that my contacts are now stuck in my brain, run deep into the hearts of many as they look contemplate their purchases of the run-of-the-mill.
Like I said in my previous blog, this new economy will make over priced audio die even faster than it has been. But, look no further than Google, to find out about great products and services coming from Pacific Valve, GR Research, McAlister Audio, the Horn Shoppe,Morrow Audio, Brent Jessie and Jim McShane to name a few. Lets take a look at these (since no one else is)
The Horn Shoppe
Much has been written about the horns, but we shall not stop. As they have been and continue to remain one of the greatest values in high end audio today. I drive mine with the Classic 16.2 integrated amp using the new Shuguang mesh plate 300B-S. I use a Raytheon 6SN7 as the regulator and Sylvania Chrome Domes as the drivers. I hope to try the new Ming Da “Globe Trotter” 6SN7s as they seem to have real promise. I will let you know. The Horns do what few speakers do: When they receive the instruments / vocals from the amp in the form of current, they ere-assemble it bit by bit on the sound stage and present it to you. This, ladies and gents, is no small feet. Given their $850.00 per pair price tag, they remain a great buy.
GR Research
Danny Ritchie runs GR Research who supplies these baffle-less spekeakers in kits to be re-assembled. For those of you, pitching pennies, this may be the way to go. If you are handy, this will be relaxing. If not, it’s a minor hassle to get a friend to help you and a great way to kill an afternoon with a couple of beers. I plan on purchasing these soon. I did hear the OB-7s and OB-5s driven by the Ming Da MC34AB amps – and let me tell you – these speakers have a way of cementing an image in the sound stage and providing the body and weight of a speaker costing 3 times as much. I plan a purchase soon.
McAlister Audio
Take off, eh – to the Great White North of Google and you will find McAlister audio. Some very reasonably priced products that compete with, yours truly. I have not heard these, but some of these are worth looking into. The NOS VT DAC for example, has caught my eye.
Morrow Audio
Scroll past the Bada-look-a-like Tonewin and move to some great looking single cone speakers and most of all the cables. We purchased a pair of interconnects and were duly impressed. As you probably already know, the mark up on cables is well, USA Congress bail out extreme. So do not be dismayed by the price of these as you are really getting a lot for the money.
Vacuum Tube Services
Need tubes? Your mainstream pubs do not have the brain cells and bandwidth to discuss them, probably because dead tube companies do not pay for advertising fees. Turn no further than the web, where Brent Jessie and Jim McShane will answer your emails with care and explain to you the ins, outs and sounds of each tube. Their sites are chocked full of information and are used by yours truly before contemplating a tube purchase.
Explore, explore. There is a great wide world of audio out there, beyond the mediocrity of the current “Recommended Components”
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Systems From the Uninvited
I am still going blog ga-ga with the September issue of Stereo Rev…, I mean Absolute Sound. Every year they poll their gold pocket advertisers and come up with the best systems under $2000, or for $3000 or whatever. This of course, makes great fodder for your truly because 1) it is not the best you can buy for the money and 2) it is at best, mid fi sound.
How I wish these systems were truly the best you can buy for a price point. But alas, the writers are never allowed to venture past their advertisers, so a good portion of audio nirvana is missing.
Do not despair, brothers and sisters in sound, I am here to help. And although my bias is well known, the fun will be if their systems will ever beat my systems sonically.
System $1180
- Bada HD-19 CD Player with Jan 5670 Tube $1180
- Yulong Amp4780 amplifier
- Gini LS3/5A speakers
There – I dare you, I just dare you to throw me you NADs, Oppo, PSB etc. for a bake off. This system is capable of some stunning achievements and forays into detail, tonal balance and frequency response when compared to grain grit and rough ride you will get from the usual suspects. The Bada HD-19 yields the sound stage that one would expect from a CD player costing 3 times as much. The Yulong has the headroom of a tube amp with the bass response of a great solid state amp. It is surprisingly musical for its price point. All of this goes into the GR Research A/V 3 that kicks the canard out of any speaker less than $1500. I took the sonic caps upgrade because I know that these electronics can really deliver. A truly wonderful speaker.
System $2447
- Ming Da MC 84C with JJ EL84s and Sovtek LPS 12AX7s
- The Shenda SD100s with Tung Sol 12AX7s, GE 6189 tubes
- Horne Shoppe Horns
- Xindak AC01 interconnects
- Bada SP100 power Cables
- Choseal YF-218U 2.5 M Speaker Cable
The EL84 is truly one of the most remarkable tubes as it is capable of some incredible power and bass response for such a low wattage tube. I picked the JJs for their transparency and clean sound and the Sovteks for their bass. The dual chassis Ming Da has plenty of power in them their caps to power my speakers.
With no op amps and beefy power supply, the Shenda SD100s is the one to beat. For a less then 1K CD player, it is capable or removing every last detail from the disk. With its Jolida roots, the Shenda has the build quality and sound characteristics of player costing 3 times as much.
For its price, very few audiophiles will ever experience the detail, coherency and sound stage presence of the Horn Shoppe Horns. A truly remarkable speaker, when properly broken in (which could take up to 40 days) and placed, is capable of great bass response and lower midrange neutrality. And maybe, just maybe, the Magneplanars that the Sound suggested , is capable of more detail. A truly remarkable speaker.
System Sky’s the limit. $7460
- Doge 6 CD Player with 12AX7 Tung Sols, Sylvania 12AT7s
- Ming Da MC 2A3 Preamp, with upgraded tubes
- Ming Da 3008-A 805 Mono Blocks with upgraded tubes
- Bada Sp-300 Power cables
- Bada HL-3 Interconnects
- Xindak FS-1 Foil Speaker Cables
- GR Research OB-7 Plus
Much has been written about the Doge 6 CD player. This 6-tube design primary strength in a nutshell, is the tube filtering which allows tremendous transparency during the conversion process. Because of this, it does not sound like your average CD player. To think that an Azur is, well, roughly the same price, is one of the great jokes of Audio today.
Truly a straight wire with gain, the MC 2A3 is one of the more remarkable preamps ever built. Its transparency and its ability to amplify low level signals into amplifiers is truly remarkable. It is honest and true to the sound stage and remarkable at rendering music. Check our customer testimonials for enthusiasm, where real audiophiles make their claims. I modified mine with RCA clear top 6SN7s, Amperex 6DJ8s and Sylvania “Fat Boy” 6CA7.
Fitted with Cetron 805 and Shuguang mesh plate 300B tubes, the MC 3008-A will give our selected speakers the power it needs, yet provide a SET midrange with a warm 6550 low end. The amp can be driven hard and does not mind complex speaker loads at all.
For our speakers, the GR research OB-7 with its open baffle design and powered sub really works. The first time I heard this speaker, I was awe struck on how lively and dynamic it sounds. With the 3008-A 805, it really shows what it is capable of detail in the midrange and the lower registers. The OB-7 gives you the sense of immediacy of a planar speaker, with the imaging and spatial relationships of a fine cone speaker. I do not personally own this speaker, but my pal down the street does. And when I go over there, I cannot wait for the show.
Well, there you have it. Systems from the uninvited. Search hard before you buy.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
First the pride, then the fall
I really like the newest version of the Absolute Sound. Not necessarily because of its insightful reviews or salient comments, but because, this latest copy makes great blog topics for yours truly. If you read between the lines like I do, you can get a really good glimpse on why high end audio is in the state that it is in today - a state of high inventory and declining sales.
The interview with Lyric is especially revealing. Of the elucidating and braggadocio, the article tell us how the Levinson ML-2 achieved the price of $1600 and later $6000. Apparently, Mark came up with a pricing of $700 and, while not throwing folks out of the store (from which I got from the article, is legendary for Lyric) , Lyric convinced Mark that $1600 is the price to go for. Mark took the bait, and high end snobbery was borne.
This is how high end pricing gets done; sell a little to the elite few at astronomical prices, and completely disenfranchise the middle.
Somewhere in the article, HP asked if "High End" was dead. While some say that the patient is on life support, I say that we are in a correction a la the personal computer style.
You better be careful who you throw out of the store though, and be especially careful about it when your market is in a price correction.
I really like the newest version of the Absolute Sound. Not necessarily because of its insightful reviews or salient comments, but because, this latest copy makes great blog topics for yours truly. If you read between the lines like I do, you can get a really good glimpse on why high end audio is in the state that it is in today - a state of high inventory and declining sales.
The interview with Lyric is especially revealing. Of the elucidating and braggadocio, the article tell us how the Levinson ML-2 achieved the price of $1600 and later $6000. Apparently, Mark came up with a pricing of $700 and, while not throwing folks out of the store (from which I got from the article, is legendary for Lyric) , Lyric convinced Mark that $1600 is the price to go for. Mark took the bait, and high end snobbery was borne.
This is how high end pricing gets done; sell a little to the elite few at astronomical prices, and completely disenfranchise the middle.
Somewhere in the article, HP asked if "High End" was dead. While some say that the patient is on life support, I say that we are in a correction a la the personal computer style.
You better be careful who you throw out of the store though, and be especially careful about it when your market is in a price correction.
Friday, August 22, 2008
They are not coming back.....
As you all know, we have a 30 day money back guarantee. And, as you can imagine, there are some products that have higher return rates than others. Its inevitable. We may get returns on certain products(for a variety of reasons) , while others, never come back.
One that does not seem to want to make its way back here is the $99 Musiland LILO DSP Soundcard.
$99.00, which includes the LILO and software down load from our site, gives your lap top the closes thing it is going to see to a sound card. For your desk top, install the card via the USB port on the front panel - you do not have to rip into the guts of your PC.
On certain audiophile boards, they throw the LILO into the same boat as a USB DAC, of which it is and of which it is not. The hand shaking between windows (XP and Vista are supported, sorry , no Mac, *Highly Discriminatory *) is accomplished through the installation of DSP software. This DSP software gives one recording engineer control over the music. In addition to all this, there is an optical out on the LILO for conversion from USB to SPDIF. Don't have a USB DAC? Take the LILO, adjust the sound, and pipe it into your favorite DAC via the optical out. As a special bonus, the LILO will do 24/96 conversion, sweet. The Brigatta uses the LILO capabilities, but short changes the process, for higher rez, by using I2S, very sweet.
The master control on the LILO software is plum. Basic control includes "foobar" functionality and the DSP control is (star) treky. Control includes:
How does it sound? I listened through mu AKG headphones. The amount of detail was actually stunning and comes close to my favorite Bada PH12. This is not just average listening from you lap top on the train ride home, this is, high end on the trade ride home (although, I recommend using some high end buds, as you will look quite dorky with AKG 701s on public transportation)
CDs ripped with EAC are enlightening, internet music or streaming audio, for some reason, breath taking.
All this for $99.00
As you all know, we have a 30 day money back guarantee. And, as you can imagine, there are some products that have higher return rates than others. Its inevitable. We may get returns on certain products(for a variety of reasons) , while others, never come back.
One that does not seem to want to make its way back here is the $99 Musiland LILO DSP Soundcard.
$99.00, which includes the LILO and software down load from our site, gives your lap top the closes thing it is going to see to a sound card. For your desk top, install the card via the USB port on the front panel - you do not have to rip into the guts of your PC.
On certain audiophile boards, they throw the LILO into the same boat as a USB DAC, of which it is and of which it is not. The hand shaking between windows (XP and Vista are supported, sorry , no Mac, *Highly Discriminatory *) is accomplished through the installation of DSP software. This DSP software gives one recording engineer control over the music. In addition to all this, there is an optical out on the LILO for conversion from USB to SPDIF. Don't have a USB DAC? Take the LILO, adjust the sound, and pipe it into your favorite DAC via the optical out. As a special bonus, the LILO will do 24/96 conversion, sweet. The Brigatta uses the LILO capabilities, but short changes the process, for higher rez, by using I2S, very sweet.
The master control on the LILO software is plum. Basic control includes "foobar" functionality and the DSP control is (star) treky. Control includes:
- Bass, treble, loudness
- Dynamic Bass
- Sharp, medium and soft filters
- Corner/ center frequencies
- Amplitude adjust
- an equalizer
How does it sound? I listened through mu AKG headphones. The amount of detail was actually stunning and comes close to my favorite Bada PH12. This is not just average listening from you lap top on the train ride home, this is, high end on the trade ride home (although, I recommend using some high end buds, as you will look quite dorky with AKG 701s on public transportation)
CDs ripped with EAC are enlightening, internet music or streaming audio, for some reason, breath taking.
All this for $99.00
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Dirty Little Secret
Somewhere out there, in the blogo-sphere, folks are muttering something about the CD is dead or about to die, because the computer is taking over. The disrupter (computer) claims ease of storage, ease of use, quick retrieval, etc Sounds inviting....Selling CD players, DACs and USB DACs, yours truly feels qualified to opine.
The dirty little secret is that sonically, the computer paradigm is not flushed out yet. While there is no doubt to their convenience, loading a CD or downloading music while it seems simple, can sonically be a nightmare.
There are so many aspects of this that can make a difference. USB or sound card? FLAC, loss less or none? EAC or copy? Replace ASIO driver or not? Or the uninformed, "Let me upsample these puppies to 3 Mega hertz".... "This uses a newer chip" ......I could go on....
What we have here, in cool hand Luke terms, is a failure to communicate. If you thought that cartridge alignment, tone arm, turn table, cartridge cable, phono preamp et. al. was a lot to swallow and understand, sister/brother, you ain't seen nothing yet.
Ripping music to a computer; simple. Watching someone spend all that time just to get frustrated during play back; priceless.
Stay tuned to my blog as start a foray into computer playback..... right now, its the dirty little secret of high end audio.
Somewhere out there, in the blogo-sphere, folks are muttering something about the CD is dead or about to die, because the computer is taking over. The disrupter (computer) claims ease of storage, ease of use, quick retrieval, etc Sounds inviting....Selling CD players, DACs and USB DACs, yours truly feels qualified to opine.
The dirty little secret is that sonically, the computer paradigm is not flushed out yet. While there is no doubt to their convenience, loading a CD or downloading music while it seems simple, can sonically be a nightmare.
There are so many aspects of this that can make a difference. USB or sound card? FLAC, loss less or none? EAC or copy? Replace ASIO driver or not? Or the uninformed, "Let me upsample these puppies to 3 Mega hertz".... "This uses a newer chip" ......I could go on....
What we have here, in cool hand Luke terms, is a failure to communicate. If you thought that cartridge alignment, tone arm, turn table, cartridge cable, phono preamp et. al. was a lot to swallow and understand, sister/brother, you ain't seen nothing yet.
Ripping music to a computer; simple. Watching someone spend all that time just to get frustrated during play back; priceless.
Stay tuned to my blog as start a foray into computer playback..... right now, its the dirty little secret of high end audio.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The High End Press
I just received my latest and greatest copies of Absolute Sound and Stereophile. *SIGH*
They are not really high end magazines anymore. They are more like the "Audio" and "Stereo Review" magazines of yester year. The only thing missing is Julian Hirsch.
When Harry Pearson ran The Absolute Sound, you really got to peer in to what intelligent and outstanding designers in high end audio were up to. And, except for an article in Electronics Magazine (the debut the Ampzilla amps) you probably would have never heard of Audio Research, GAS, Magnepan, Dayton Wright etc...
If you want to know the next reviews in our popular high end magazines, just look at their advertisements, you can bet there is a favorable review in the offing. If you really want to know what is going on in high end audio, try another high end medium, a google search.
All the best,
VIc
I just received my latest and greatest copies of Absolute Sound and Stereophile. *SIGH*
They are not really high end magazines anymore. They are more like the "Audio" and "Stereo Review" magazines of yester year. The only thing missing is Julian Hirsch.
When Harry Pearson ran The Absolute Sound, you really got to peer in to what intelligent and outstanding designers in high end audio were up to. And, except for an article in Electronics Magazine (the debut the Ampzilla amps) you probably would have never heard of Audio Research, GAS, Magnepan, Dayton Wright etc...
If you want to know the next reviews in our popular high end magazines, just look at their advertisements, you can bet there is a favorable review in the offing. If you really want to know what is going on in high end audio, try another high end medium, a google search.
All the best,
VIc
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The MHZS CD 88
I would love to talk to you about the MHZS CD 88. How transparent it is. How it is one of the few tube CD players out there with tube rectification that smooths the transients, and once properly broken in, (could take several weeks folks) ,it is capable, for the money, of some great CD sound. We have been selling the MHZS line since 2005. We have sold many, many units. They are hard to pick up on the used market. Everything was going so well, then suddenly......
Lamp - blasted.
You know who he is, just Google MHZS CD 88 and you will find him. When we were first Lampblasted (and I invented the word and coined phenomenon - right here, just now, see I did it) several of you sent us emails encouraging us to respond to rants going on via Head Fi or Audio Asylum. We opted not to, because there are several Fi'ers and inmates who have purchased the MHZS CD 88 and they will speak up - and sure enough they did.
But what about the phenomena a vendor experiences by being Lamp-blasted. Someone, sitting in a small room at a remote part of the world, can, without ever having purchased the product or had it shake the dust off a woofer cone, suddenly convince a few of us that, well ,it a piece of roach do-do.
Your emails were great, "He Sounds angry", "He has a bone to pick" etc. etc.
You can use boards to exchange information and give courteous detailed reviews or you can use it to "get even". When someone is using it to "get even" we should all perk your ears up and consider the source and most importantly, the motivation. Now, I obviously am biased, and I state this ad-nauseas. I am not going to defend the MHZS CD 88 or counter the rant. What I would like you to do, is to consider the following Lamp-blast that if were posted, would have kept me out of high end audio.
"Its some company out of, guess where, Minneapolis. Some small shop that I never heard of. The darn thing is a throw back to the 1950s, and guess what, it still uses tone controls!! The piece of Sh#$t thing even uses a loudness contour. Now, I ask you , how 'High End' can this thing be? Written on the front are the words, "High Definition Stereo Control" - with tone controls? Ha! do not make me laugh. Then I opened the thing up, it still uses those cheap 12AX7 tubes. What is worse, I saw a transistor in the power supply from 'Delco' - the car parts people. Well I bet it makes noise and hisses just like an old steam engine. .. and what about those people from Minneapolis? - nothing good can come out Minneapolis you know what Sinclair Lewis said"
And that my friends, is the canard that says its all. The MHZS CD 88 requires no defending and nor does the Audio Research SP3 or for that matter, the hard working ethical people of Minnesota.
All the best,
Vic
I would love to talk to you about the MHZS CD 88. How transparent it is. How it is one of the few tube CD players out there with tube rectification that smooths the transients, and once properly broken in, (could take several weeks folks) ,it is capable, for the money, of some great CD sound. We have been selling the MHZS line since 2005. We have sold many, many units. They are hard to pick up on the used market. Everything was going so well, then suddenly......
Lamp - blasted.
You know who he is, just Google MHZS CD 88 and you will find him. When we were first Lampblasted (and I invented the word and coined phenomenon - right here, just now, see I did it) several of you sent us emails encouraging us to respond to rants going on via Head Fi or Audio Asylum. We opted not to, because there are several Fi'ers and inmates who have purchased the MHZS CD 88 and they will speak up - and sure enough they did.
But what about the phenomena a vendor experiences by being Lamp-blasted. Someone, sitting in a small room at a remote part of the world, can, without ever having purchased the product or had it shake the dust off a woofer cone, suddenly convince a few of us that, well ,it a piece of roach do-do.
Your emails were great, "He Sounds angry", "He has a bone to pick" etc. etc.
You can use boards to exchange information and give courteous detailed reviews or you can use it to "get even". When someone is using it to "get even" we should all perk your ears up and consider the source and most importantly, the motivation. Now, I obviously am biased, and I state this ad-nauseas. I am not going to defend the MHZS CD 88 or counter the rant. What I would like you to do, is to consider the following Lamp-blast that if were posted, would have kept me out of high end audio.
"Its some company out of, guess where, Minneapolis. Some small shop that I never heard of. The darn thing is a throw back to the 1950s, and guess what, it still uses tone controls!! The piece of Sh#$t thing even uses a loudness contour. Now, I ask you , how 'High End' can this thing be? Written on the front are the words, "High Definition Stereo Control" - with tone controls? Ha! do not make me laugh. Then I opened the thing up, it still uses those cheap 12AX7 tubes. What is worse, I saw a transistor in the power supply from 'Delco' - the car parts people. Well I bet it makes noise and hisses just like an old steam engine. .. and what about those people from Minneapolis? - nothing good can come out Minneapolis you know what Sinclair Lewis said"
And that my friends, is the canard that says its all. The MHZS CD 88 requires no defending and nor does the Audio Research SP3 or for that matter, the hard working ethical people of Minnesota.
All the best,
Vic
Friday, June 13, 2008
12AU7 -a-go-go
Trying to find some good NOS 12AX7s these days is the proverbial needle-in-the-haystack, try as I might, they are all too expensive for NOS or they are used at premium prices. *SIGH*
Brtheren in glass plugs, do not despair for there are some great deals in 12AU7 and 12AT7 NOS tubes. My attention turned to the 12AU7 'cause I had to do the "Tube Righteousness" section for the bargain basement - great performing Classic 9.0 Preamp. The 12AU7 and its derivatives (6189, 5963, 5814 et.al), can still be had at great prices that even a Jack Benny devote will be proud of.
The Classic 9.0 is a great preamp for the money. Solid construction and an external power supply make it one of the quietest preamps ever. Although it is not as detailed, clear or concise and the Doge 8 or the Ming Da MC 2A3, in its price class - it cannot be beat. And, because it took just two tubes, it is a great test bed for tube sound quality. On hand I had a GE 6189, a GE 5963, an RCA 5963, German RFT and a JJ Tesla 12AU7. Here we go, a-go-go......
GE 6189 / Sylvania 6189
These are essentially the same. The 6189 produce a big bold sound. The bass was big and fat and turned the Classic 9.0 into a Dynaco PAS 3X. If you like this kind of sound, then this is the tube for you. Maybe that is why it sounds so good in the Bada DC-222 - as it slightly colors and uplifts the midrange in the preamp section so it does not sound so sterile in the amplifier section.
German RFT 12AU7
The German RFT was the complete opposite. It was polite, smooth and accurate. In a sense, it made the Classic 9.0 slightly boring and uninteresting. While it did not veil the midrange, it brought out the Classic 9's short comings and the sound stage was very flat and the bass anemic. This tube is probably a great bet for the Ming Da MC-7R, where toning down some of the tubey-ness of that preamp would be a plus. It would be terrible in the Bada DC-222, my guess, and it would make it too sterile, well, too German.
JJ Tesla 12AU7
The Teslas were an over-all, well rounded performer. They did not excite nor dull. They did make the sound a little velvety and greasy in the midrange. Use these in a system where it sounds a little harsh and tranistory to you. They perform well in the Bada DC-222. They may make the Ming Da MC 7 a little too smooth - so unless you like that sound consider other choices.
GE 5963
As far as the Classic 9.0 goes, this tube is one that I can live with. It is smooth and detailed throughout the midrange and delicate in the highs. It has a slight bass hump, and while it is not fat in the bass, it is a little pudgy. It had one of the best instruments and space placements and really let orchestras play through. All in all, it turned the Classic 9.0 into a different preamp. Use it in the Bada DC-222 if you want a more accurate sound with tube warmth and detail. It matches well in the 7R as it lets the rectifying tube perform its magic without too much interference.
RCA 5963
The RCA one ups the GE in terms of spacial acuity, high end articulation and detail. The bass is tighter and firmer, but not lean. Use this in the same way you would the GE. In the Classic 9.0, it was my favorite and the one I recommend (while they last).
All the best,
Vic
P.S Look for the Launch of my social network, "The Halo Getter", where we will discuss Audio, tubes, the high end industry and other fun-sense.
Trying to find some good NOS 12AX7s these days is the proverbial needle-in-the-haystack, try as I might, they are all too expensive for NOS or they are used at premium prices. *SIGH*
Brtheren in glass plugs, do not despair for there are some great deals in 12AU7 and 12AT7 NOS tubes. My attention turned to the 12AU7 'cause I had to do the "Tube Righteousness" section for the bargain basement - great performing Classic 9.0 Preamp. The 12AU7 and its derivatives (6189, 5963, 5814 et.al), can still be had at great prices that even a Jack Benny devote will be proud of.
The Classic 9.0 is a great preamp for the money. Solid construction and an external power supply make it one of the quietest preamps ever. Although it is not as detailed, clear or concise and the Doge 8 or the Ming Da MC 2A3, in its price class - it cannot be beat. And, because it took just two tubes, it is a great test bed for tube sound quality. On hand I had a GE 6189, a GE 5963, an RCA 5963, German RFT and a JJ Tesla 12AU7. Here we go, a-go-go......
GE 6189 / Sylvania 6189
These are essentially the same. The 6189 produce a big bold sound. The bass was big and fat and turned the Classic 9.0 into a Dynaco PAS 3X. If you like this kind of sound, then this is the tube for you. Maybe that is why it sounds so good in the Bada DC-222 - as it slightly colors and uplifts the midrange in the preamp section so it does not sound so sterile in the amplifier section.
German RFT 12AU7
The German RFT was the complete opposite. It was polite, smooth and accurate. In a sense, it made the Classic 9.0 slightly boring and uninteresting. While it did not veil the midrange, it brought out the Classic 9's short comings and the sound stage was very flat and the bass anemic. This tube is probably a great bet for the Ming Da MC-7R, where toning down some of the tubey-ness of that preamp would be a plus. It would be terrible in the Bada DC-222, my guess, and it would make it too sterile, well, too German.
JJ Tesla 12AU7
The Teslas were an over-all, well rounded performer. They did not excite nor dull. They did make the sound a little velvety and greasy in the midrange. Use these in a system where it sounds a little harsh and tranistory to you. They perform well in the Bada DC-222. They may make the Ming Da MC 7 a little too smooth - so unless you like that sound consider other choices.
GE 5963
As far as the Classic 9.0 goes, this tube is one that I can live with. It is smooth and detailed throughout the midrange and delicate in the highs. It has a slight bass hump, and while it is not fat in the bass, it is a little pudgy. It had one of the best instruments and space placements and really let orchestras play through. All in all, it turned the Classic 9.0 into a different preamp. Use it in the Bada DC-222 if you want a more accurate sound with tube warmth and detail. It matches well in the 7R as it lets the rectifying tube perform its magic without too much interference.
RCA 5963
The RCA one ups the GE in terms of spacial acuity, high end articulation and detail. The bass is tighter and firmer, but not lean. Use this in the same way you would the GE. In the Classic 9.0, it was my favorite and the one I recommend (while they last).
All the best,
Vic
P.S Look for the Launch of my social network, "The Halo Getter", where we will discuss Audio, tubes, the high end industry and other fun-sense.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The Velvet Underground
If it weren't for Stephen Mejias' Stereophile Blog, I would never know about the Vacuum State of the Art Conference & Show in Vancouver, WA. You can reach their site: http://www.vsac2008.com/index.html
Now I bet you thought I was going to talk about a New York band - so sorry to disappoint. I am talking about the underground of audio that exists and few seem to venture into it. Let me encourage you, there are some real gems here.
Looking for Citation tube amps? Look no further than Jim Mcshane, who has come to be sort of a legend here at Pacific Valve. How about some great cables? Consider Jena Labs, known for great cables and now some cool looking loud speakers.
We also partner with some under ground folks: Response Audio and APL Hi Fi. Since we are part of the "underground" our best bet is to partner with them, where they can mod our products and offer you, the consumer, an upgrade path for your investment.
What else makes the underground so cool is that you can get great products, upgrades and personal support at rock bottom prices. Theses craftsmen (and woman) put all their rubles into making great products and not advertising in main stream audio magazines. These craftspeople are here and making the hobby great. What a gift they are.
There are many, many underground folks, some compete with us. Please Google them: Morrow Audio, Vacuum Tube Valley, the Tube Store (great, just great), tube depot (answers all your questions), Brent Jessies Vacuum tubes - and many more.
All th best,
Vic
If it weren't for Stephen Mejias' Stereophile Blog, I would never know about the Vacuum State of the Art Conference & Show in Vancouver, WA. You can reach their site: http://www.vsac2008.com/index.html
Now I bet you thought I was going to talk about a New York band - so sorry to disappoint. I am talking about the underground of audio that exists and few seem to venture into it. Let me encourage you, there are some real gems here.
Looking for Citation tube amps? Look no further than Jim Mcshane, who has come to be sort of a legend here at Pacific Valve. How about some great cables? Consider Jena Labs, known for great cables and now some cool looking loud speakers.
We also partner with some under ground folks: Response Audio and APL Hi Fi. Since we are part of the "underground" our best bet is to partner with them, where they can mod our products and offer you, the consumer, an upgrade path for your investment.
What else makes the underground so cool is that you can get great products, upgrades and personal support at rock bottom prices. Theses craftsmen (and woman) put all their rubles into making great products and not advertising in main stream audio magazines. These craftspeople are here and making the hobby great. What a gift they are.
There are many, many underground folks, some compete with us. Please Google them: Morrow Audio, Vacuum Tube Valley, the Tube Store (great, just great), tube depot (answers all your questions), Brent Jessies Vacuum tubes - and many more.
All th best,
Vic
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Old Tubes, New Tubes
There are certainly some tube purists out there. Some folks will only entertain NOS - New Old Stock tubes. These tubes go by the now defunct brands of: Telefunken, Siemens, GE, Sylvania, RCA etc... Others will entertain the mix, adding in the makers of new tubes: Electro Harmonix, JJ Tesla, Tung Sol, Sovtek etc.
Why the divide? Why do some purists "poo poo" the new makers of tubes. Over all, I am sot sure, but I would like to take the time to open the eyes.
12ax7s
We have a con-num-drum here is that I am very little of the 12AX7 derivatives out there. Tung Sols seem to be the best all-around performers. Forget ELectro Harmonix and Sovteks sans the excellent Sovtek LPS, which is an exception to the Sovtek grainy rule. If you are looking for NOS tubes, Telefunkens are the ones to get. I would not pass by any 12AX7 NOS at this point including GEs, Sylvanias etc. Some of these NOS brands are either too expensive or not readily available. I undestand that Tung Sol makes an excellent gold standard 12AX7. This new tube is readily available and may fit the bill. Cannot comment, have not heard it.
12AT7s
Cannot find a new tube that I say that I like. Especially when the GE 12AT7s and Sylvanias are so readily available. If you are going new, forget EH or Sovteks. Try the JJs
12AU7s
The JJ Tesla 12AU7s are not bad. But, they do not provide the low noise, see through depth and coherence that a GE 6189, Ge 5963 or RCA 5963 provide. Nor are they as stately as the German RFT 12AU7. Again, some of these NOS brands are readily available. If you are going new, I like the JJs
6922/6DJ8
Here we have another tube-num-drum. The new JJs are quiet and liguid. The JAN GEs are NOS and they are on par if not slightly better in some applications. But none of these have the transparency of the Amperex or RCA 6DJ8s. Those are the ones to buy if you can get them.
There are also some honorable mentions here for new tubes:
All the best,
Vic
There are certainly some tube purists out there. Some folks will only entertain NOS - New Old Stock tubes. These tubes go by the now defunct brands of: Telefunken, Siemens, GE, Sylvania, RCA etc... Others will entertain the mix, adding in the makers of new tubes: Electro Harmonix, JJ Tesla, Tung Sol, Sovtek etc.
Why the divide? Why do some purists "poo poo" the new makers of tubes. Over all, I am sot sure, but I would like to take the time to open the eyes.
12ax7s
We have a con-num-drum here is that I am very little of the 12AX7 derivatives out there. Tung Sols seem to be the best all-around performers. Forget ELectro Harmonix and Sovteks sans the excellent Sovtek LPS, which is an exception to the Sovtek grainy rule. If you are looking for NOS tubes, Telefunkens are the ones to get. I would not pass by any 12AX7 NOS at this point including GEs, Sylvanias etc. Some of these NOS brands are either too expensive or not readily available. I undestand that Tung Sol makes an excellent gold standard 12AX7. This new tube is readily available and may fit the bill. Cannot comment, have not heard it.
12AT7s
Cannot find a new tube that I say that I like. Especially when the GE 12AT7s and Sylvanias are so readily available. If you are going new, forget EH or Sovteks. Try the JJs
12AU7s
The JJ Tesla 12AU7s are not bad. But, they do not provide the low noise, see through depth and coherence that a GE 6189, Ge 5963 or RCA 5963 provide. Nor are they as stately as the German RFT 12AU7. Again, some of these NOS brands are readily available. If you are going new, I like the JJs
6922/6DJ8
Here we have another tube-num-drum. The new JJs are quiet and liguid. The JAN GEs are NOS and they are on par if not slightly better in some applications. But none of these have the transparency of the Amperex or RCA 6DJ8s. Those are the ones to buy if you can get them.
There are also some honorable mentions here for new tubes:
- The Shuguang 2A3 (highly underestimated, white label)
- Shuguang 300BC (white label)
- Shuguang KT88-98 (not the KT88)
- Shuguang 6550
- Electro Harmonix KT88
- ELectro Harmonix 6550
All the best,
Vic
Friday, April 04, 2008
Game, SET, Match
I amazed and then not surprised. Contradiction? Perhaps. I am amazed at how many audiophiles do not embrace SETs (Single Ended Triode) amps. I first thought it was because of their low wattage. Take the Classic 16.2. For $2000 you get 9 watts, that is, in Phase Linear 400 terms, $223 bucks a watt. Hardly a bargain. Moreover, how many of us have speakers that could drive large rooms with just 9 watts. So I am not surprised at its small customer base.
If 9 watts won't work for you, there is the Ming Da MC 3008-A, which I have blogged about ad nauseum. Now that is 40 watts per channel. So why has this not caught on? Its $54 bucks a watt. But what's with the weird sci fi tube? So, I am not surprised it has a small customer base.
How about the Ming Da MC 84C - that is $40 a watt - but a great entry point - less than $600. But at only 13 watts per channel, it may be great for my den, but not for my system. So, I am not surprised at its small customer base.
What a shame. Single Ended Triodes offer just spectacular sound: deep wide bass, wide open west midrange and seductive highs. If you have never experienced one, its time you pony up and at least give one a try. You will not be disappointed and watt for watt, you will be competing against some amps costing over $20,000.
There I go again, talking about over-priced audio. I just could not help myself. The $20,000 amp is $375 bucks a watt.
I amazed and then not surprised. Contradiction? Perhaps. I am amazed at how many audiophiles do not embrace SETs (Single Ended Triode) amps. I first thought it was because of their low wattage. Take the Classic 16.2. For $2000 you get 9 watts, that is, in Phase Linear 400 terms, $223 bucks a watt. Hardly a bargain. Moreover, how many of us have speakers that could drive large rooms with just 9 watts. So I am not surprised at its small customer base.
If 9 watts won't work for you, there is the Ming Da MC 3008-A, which I have blogged about ad nauseum. Now that is 40 watts per channel. So why has this not caught on? Its $54 bucks a watt. But what's with the weird sci fi tube? So, I am not surprised it has a small customer base.
How about the Ming Da MC 84C - that is $40 a watt - but a great entry point - less than $600. But at only 13 watts per channel, it may be great for my den, but not for my system. So, I am not surprised at its small customer base.
What a shame. Single Ended Triodes offer just spectacular sound: deep wide bass, wide open west midrange and seductive highs. If you have never experienced one, its time you pony up and at least give one a try. You will not be disappointed and watt for watt, you will be competing against some amps costing over $20,000.
There I go again, talking about over-priced audio. I just could not help myself. The $20,000 amp is $375 bucks a watt.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Whats up with OP AMPS??
We have CD players that use OP AMPS and CD players that do not. Then again, there are CD players that use tubes and those that do not. SACD players and HDCD players, top loaders and front loaders - I've got a headache.
So, you are thinking OP AMPS are artificial and solid state sounding - they reek of what solid state grunge does to music - right? Not so fast. I am here to tell you that it really depends upon the sound you are after and not the notion of whether it uses op amps or not.
Take for example, the Lite 15 CD player that we use to carry. A fine CD player that was still better than an NAD or Rotel. It did not use op amps - it was solid state discrete. But, it never did sound better than the MHZS CD 33 or the Bada HD-22SE with the solid state output. The MHZS and the Bada uses op amps.
Then there is the Jolida player - a fine player that I like. But, I do not know if it is as delicate or detailed as an MHZS CD 88. The Jolida does not use op amps, the MHZS does.
You convinced?
Modders swap op amps and interchange them with other op amps and improve the sound - its just like tube rolling. So before you make your selection on op amps or no, use our sound guide and recommendation to help you in purchasing decision,
All the best,
Vic
We have CD players that use OP AMPS and CD players that do not. Then again, there are CD players that use tubes and those that do not. SACD players and HDCD players, top loaders and front loaders - I've got a headache.
So, you are thinking OP AMPS are artificial and solid state sounding - they reek of what solid state grunge does to music - right? Not so fast. I am here to tell you that it really depends upon the sound you are after and not the notion of whether it uses op amps or not.
Take for example, the Lite 15 CD player that we use to carry. A fine CD player that was still better than an NAD or Rotel. It did not use op amps - it was solid state discrete. But, it never did sound better than the MHZS CD 33 or the Bada HD-22SE with the solid state output. The MHZS and the Bada uses op amps.
Then there is the Jolida player - a fine player that I like. But, I do not know if it is as delicate or detailed as an MHZS CD 88. The Jolida does not use op amps, the MHZS does.
You convinced?
Modders swap op amps and interchange them with other op amps and improve the sound - its just like tube rolling. So before you make your selection on op amps or no, use our sound guide and recommendation to help you in purchasing decision,
All the best,
Vic
Saturday, March 01, 2008
In the media spotlights
The news squawk boxes are really pushing out a lot these days. A recent and very sad event at Northern Illinois University near our warehouse has got a hold of my sorrows. And then, there is the socio politico: we have two candidates struggling to find out who will be the Jimmy Carter heir-apparent, and on the other side, a cacophony of upset folks are upset that their candidate did not learn economics from "Bed time for Bonzo." Whew!! Its time to turn my attention to some quality music!
But we certainly have some products that are not in the main stream and you will not find out about on any squawk box, unless you are a frequent traveler to Head fi or Audio Asylum. Three products come to mind: the Shuguang S8 amp, the Image 650 and the Image M12 mono blocks.
Truth be told, we sell very few of these - only because they have not caught on. (we sold very few MHZS products in the beginning and now we can't keep them in stock) They are some excellent amps in every respect: build quality, features and sound quality. Enough said!
The Shuguang amp is made by the same company as the the fine Shugang KT88-98, 2A3C and 300BC tubes. The solder joints and components are all top notch and expertly crafted. (There is a review of the Shuguang S8 from Affordable Audio). There is a bias adjustment for switching out the power tubes to your favorite KT88 or 6550. The sound is the best part as it not as sweet or euphonic as the Mind MC 368B90 (which is our best selling integrated, BTW) . This is one of the "newer" sounding Chinese amps; it more neutral throughout the range, warm - yet real in its presentation. The bass is more controlled and not overly ripe - I am not sure if it beats my favorite integrated, the Doge 6130 - but it comes close enough if that I have to get these two together.
Then there is the obscure Image 650 basic amplifier. This is truly wonderful and detailed. I have to match it with a best preamp (Doge 8 or Ming Da MC 2A3) to get my full satisfaction. My "full satisfaction" is an amp that pushes music into the room; its bloom gives me a sense of excitement. When I listen to this amp, I cannot believe that it is just 50 watts as it sounds as powerful as the Ming Da MC 368B90 or the Ming Da MC 34AB. I must say that I really, really like the EH6550 tubes a la Jim McShane (my tube mentor) recommends. Its low end is not as tightly controlled as the Shuguang or the Doge, but it rocks, what can I say?
Likewise for the Image M12. Which sounds like a powerful Shuguang S8 or Doge 6130. It is a tightly controlled low end, has a tube midrange but no syrup. I powered up my 1977 ARC D150 next to it and could not believe that i had a D-150 that was not over ripe or "dated" in it sound. The image presentation is spectacular as the sound stage of the Chicago symphony widens and deepens with no "fuzz" around the pluck of the violin string.
Dollar for dollar, these three "no brand" did not disappoint. Granted, they do not have the cache of a full page Stereophile ad - but they are truly special, well made and made for tube lovers.
The news squawk boxes are really pushing out a lot these days. A recent and very sad event at Northern Illinois University near our warehouse has got a hold of my sorrows. And then, there is the socio politico: we have two candidates struggling to find out who will be the Jimmy Carter heir-apparent, and on the other side, a cacophony of upset folks are upset that their candidate did not learn economics from "Bed time for Bonzo." Whew!! Its time to turn my attention to some quality music!
But we certainly have some products that are not in the main stream and you will not find out about on any squawk box, unless you are a frequent traveler to Head fi or Audio Asylum. Three products come to mind: the Shuguang S8 amp, the Image 650 and the Image M12 mono blocks.
Truth be told, we sell very few of these - only because they have not caught on. (we sold very few MHZS products in the beginning and now we can't keep them in stock) They are some excellent amps in every respect: build quality, features and sound quality. Enough said!
The Shuguang amp is made by the same company as the the fine Shugang KT88-98, 2A3C and 300BC tubes. The solder joints and components are all top notch and expertly crafted. (There is a review of the Shuguang S8 from Affordable Audio). There is a bias adjustment for switching out the power tubes to your favorite KT88 or 6550. The sound is the best part as it not as sweet or euphonic as the Mind MC 368B90 (which is our best selling integrated, BTW) . This is one of the "newer" sounding Chinese amps; it more neutral throughout the range, warm - yet real in its presentation. The bass is more controlled and not overly ripe - I am not sure if it beats my favorite integrated, the Doge 6130 - but it comes close enough if that I have to get these two together.
Then there is the obscure Image 650 basic amplifier. This is truly wonderful and detailed. I have to match it with a best preamp (Doge 8 or Ming Da MC 2A3) to get my full satisfaction. My "full satisfaction" is an amp that pushes music into the room; its bloom gives me a sense of excitement. When I listen to this amp, I cannot believe that it is just 50 watts as it sounds as powerful as the Ming Da MC 368B90 or the Ming Da MC 34AB. I must say that I really, really like the EH6550 tubes a la Jim McShane (my tube mentor) recommends. Its low end is not as tightly controlled as the Shuguang or the Doge, but it rocks, what can I say?
Likewise for the Image M12. Which sounds like a powerful Shuguang S8 or Doge 6130. It is a tightly controlled low end, has a tube midrange but no syrup. I powered up my 1977 ARC D150 next to it and could not believe that i had a D-150 that was not over ripe or "dated" in it sound. The image presentation is spectacular as the sound stage of the Chicago symphony widens and deepens with no "fuzz" around the pluck of the violin string.
Dollar for dollar, these three "no brand" did not disappoint. Granted, they do not have the cache of a full page Stereophile ad - but they are truly special, well made and made for tube lovers.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sitting
I am in a Cat Stevens kind of mood - " Sitting on my own not by myself, everybody's here with me" and that is how I find myself when folks call in and ask me to compare one of our products to re-branded Chinese brand (NAD, Cambridge) or for that matter, a Chinese brand (Cayin, Prima Luna, Vincent) to one of our brands
And it is not really true that our brands are sooooo superior that they are not even worth the discussion - that is not it all. In fact, the brands, mentioned above a really excellent brands. They are just, well, priced liked the real estate market in 2003-2004.
And this is the part that everyone misses. A new paradigm has emerged in high end audio and I hope you do not miss it. Pacific Valve aside, there is now and there will be for the foreseeable future, a chance to purchase some excellent high end products at rock bottom prices. Pacific Valve aside, companies like Morrow audio and Vacuum tube valley are re-branding the Yaqin products and selling them to you at a reasonable price. They, in effect, are imitating our "Insurance" model of giving you the best from China, but with warranty, repair and support. And although we do not carry the Yaqin products, (sans for an excellent tube buffer), we applaud these folks.
But you may miss it. I still see prejudice on the audiophile boards. And just like the folks that believed in the spontaneous generation during the 18th century, we have folks on the boards that still believe in the combustion generation; Chinese audio equipment self-destructs like the mission impossible tape, and given the chance, a KT88 amp will take the high-road to pyrotechnics. If they are not tooting the fire extinguisher horn, they insists that the efforts of a Pacific Valve, Morrow or VTV result in a slave labor camps that makes the tomfoolery on the "Lord of flies" seems conservative.
But you may miss it - because this nonsense goes unchallenged. Someone asks a question, these ridiculous statements are made, and then the thread ends. The truth of the matter, is that if any of this were true, the gang of 3 (Pacific, Morrow, VTV) would surely be out of business by now. The truth of the matter is, when you buy a Ming Da, Yaqin, Jolida or for that matter a Cayin amp, you are helping a family business grow and prosper in a country where persecution and lack of freedom are to the culture what 12AX7s are to phono preamps. Helping, not hurting a family business in a country like this, well folks, this, is a nice sound.
The folks that import Chinese products and triple the cost they are missing it - not Mr. Morrow or the folks at VTV- they are getting it.
So I am sitting answering these emails asking to compare equipment at a reasonable price with equipment that is triple the price of what you can get it for at a local cafe on Heifei. But why? Don't miss it
All the best,
Vic
I am in a Cat Stevens kind of mood - " Sitting on my own not by myself, everybody's here with me" and that is how I find myself when folks call in and ask me to compare one of our products to re-branded Chinese brand (NAD, Cambridge) or for that matter, a Chinese brand (Cayin, Prima Luna, Vincent) to one of our brands
And it is not really true that our brands are sooooo superior that they are not even worth the discussion - that is not it all. In fact, the brands, mentioned above a really excellent brands. They are just, well, priced liked the real estate market in 2003-2004.
And this is the part that everyone misses. A new paradigm has emerged in high end audio and I hope you do not miss it. Pacific Valve aside, there is now and there will be for the foreseeable future, a chance to purchase some excellent high end products at rock bottom prices. Pacific Valve aside, companies like Morrow audio and Vacuum tube valley are re-branding the Yaqin products and selling them to you at a reasonable price. They, in effect, are imitating our "Insurance" model of giving you the best from China, but with warranty, repair and support. And although we do not carry the Yaqin products, (sans for an excellent tube buffer), we applaud these folks.
But you may miss it. I still see prejudice on the audiophile boards. And just like the folks that believed in the spontaneous generation during the 18th century, we have folks on the boards that still believe in the combustion generation; Chinese audio equipment self-destructs like the mission impossible tape, and given the chance, a KT88 amp will take the high-road to pyrotechnics. If they are not tooting the fire extinguisher horn, they insists that the efforts of a Pacific Valve, Morrow or VTV result in a slave labor camps that makes the tomfoolery on the "Lord of flies" seems conservative.
But you may miss it - because this nonsense goes unchallenged. Someone asks a question, these ridiculous statements are made, and then the thread ends. The truth of the matter, is that if any of this were true, the gang of 3 (Pacific, Morrow, VTV) would surely be out of business by now. The truth of the matter is, when you buy a Ming Da, Yaqin, Jolida or for that matter a Cayin amp, you are helping a family business grow and prosper in a country where persecution and lack of freedom are to the culture what 12AX7s are to phono preamps. Helping, not hurting a family business in a country like this, well folks, this, is a nice sound.
The folks that import Chinese products and triple the cost they are missing it - not Mr. Morrow or the folks at VTV- they are getting it.
So I am sitting answering these emails asking to compare equipment at a reasonable price with equipment that is triple the price of what you can get it for at a local cafe on Heifei. But why? Don't miss it
All the best,
Vic
Monday, January 14, 2008
A New Pair of Phones
I am the first to admit that I am not a head phone guy. I just don't get it - why listen to a pair of speaker cans when you can tap your toe to some gut thumping bass.
Alas, we now carry quite a few headphone amplifiers and someone has to comment on them and that someone is me. Oh yes, my new phones are AKG 701s which replace my Grado SRS 225s
Let me say that the AKGs are a world of difference on some of these amps. And let me go so far as to say that the art of headphone - amp matching is a much more arduous art than the art of amplifier-speaker matching. This art's refinement is so much so that your phones can sound thin, tinnny and our of sorts with the wrong amp. Its more than just a roll-off of highs or a softening of the bass.
Friends of the low impedance Grado are not friends of the high impedance AKG - except for one Doge 6120 head amp, who seems to be friendly to all.
The BL Audio is no friend of the Grado, but endears itself, to the AKG - except for the fact that the volume control must be adjusted to the 1:00 position. The BL Audio is delicate, light and pretty darn quite. So unique is the little guy that I dare use it as a passive preamp for a CD player and will be comparing it to my Ming Da MC 2A3
The Bada sound stage is a delicate dance with the AKGs it throws a sound stage wide and deep and yet gives me just wonderful details and warmth.
The Doge 6 is the best all around. It has a slightly warm bass that is needed with phoned (MHO) and silky smooth highs. I equipped mine with Phillips 6BQ5s and 5751s - ah...
The new Ming Da is in a class by itself and it shines above the Doge in just about every aspect except the high end where me thinks the Ming Da is slightly rough around the edges.
And that's the way they sound........
With AKG 701s, at least....
I am the first to admit that I am not a head phone guy. I just don't get it - why listen to a pair of speaker cans when you can tap your toe to some gut thumping bass.
Alas, we now carry quite a few headphone amplifiers and someone has to comment on them and that someone is me. Oh yes, my new phones are AKG 701s which replace my Grado SRS 225s
Let me say that the AKGs are a world of difference on some of these amps. And let me go so far as to say that the art of headphone - amp matching is a much more arduous art than the art of amplifier-speaker matching. This art's refinement is so much so that your phones can sound thin, tinnny and our of sorts with the wrong amp. Its more than just a roll-off of highs or a softening of the bass.
Friends of the low impedance Grado are not friends of the high impedance AKG - except for one Doge 6120 head amp, who seems to be friendly to all.
The BL Audio is no friend of the Grado, but endears itself, to the AKG - except for the fact that the volume control must be adjusted to the 1:00 position. The BL Audio is delicate, light and pretty darn quite. So unique is the little guy that I dare use it as a passive preamp for a CD player and will be comparing it to my Ming Da MC 2A3
The Bada sound stage is a delicate dance with the AKGs it throws a sound stage wide and deep and yet gives me just wonderful details and warmth.
The Doge 6 is the best all around. It has a slightly warm bass that is needed with phoned (MHO) and silky smooth highs. I equipped mine with Phillips 6BQ5s and 5751s - ah...
The new Ming Da is in a class by itself and it shines above the Doge in just about every aspect except the high end where me thinks the Ming Da is slightly rough around the edges.
And that's the way they sound........
With AKG 701s, at least....
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