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
Thursday, March 20, 2008
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.
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