MattyW Posted June 16, 2022 Author Posted June 16, 2022 (edited) Fantastic detail with the Litz wire in place. Just the usual cable rolling that takes place whenever there’s a component change to get the best from it. Plenty of burn in needed also so may even swap back by the end. Edited June 22, 2022 by MattyW 2
MattyW Posted June 17, 2022 Author Posted June 17, 2022 (edited) Yes, with Litz used through the entire sound chain this is rather mind blowing actually. I just don't know how to describe what I'm hearing. It goes beyond my usual experience. Why is it that whenever I get to a certain level with a component I just can't write about it. I make a terrible reviewer. Edited June 17, 2022 by MattyW 2
Gryffles Posted June 17, 2022 Posted June 17, 2022 Glad it’s doing the business for you! How much does this amp cost? 1
MattyW Posted June 17, 2022 Author Posted June 17, 2022 (edited) 37 minutes ago, Gryffles said: Glad it’s doing the business for you! How much does this amp cost? Fully landed with all upgrades $3,700 AUD. The amp is very revealing of source material. Great recordings bring on a physical response be it chills, tears…. Real involvement. Poorer material sounds more average. Would love to have you over for a listen sometime. Preferably once Roon fixes the bugs causing Roon Ready end points to not show. Edited June 17, 2022 by MattyW
Gryffles Posted June 17, 2022 Posted June 17, 2022 @MattyW thanks and yeah I'd like to have a listen one day : ) I'll wait until you've burnt that baby in haha 1 1
MattyW Posted June 17, 2022 Author Posted June 17, 2022 @Gryffles getting the D300REF working again is also important as it makes a rather large improvement when used as a streamer rather than a USB interface
Gryffles Posted June 18, 2022 Posted June 18, 2022 13 hours ago, MattyW said: @Gryffles getting the D300REF working again is also important as it makes a rather large improvement when used as a streamer rather than a USB interface Cool get that going first. I’ll bring my tricked out diy F6 mono amps too if you’re interested in a comparison
MattyW Posted June 18, 2022 Author Posted June 18, 2022 1 hour ago, Gryffles said: Cool get that going first. I’ll bring my tricked out diy F6 mono amps too if you’re interested in a comparison That could be interesting. The D300REF will just be down to a Roon fixing what they broke in their last update. I think I’m going to turn off updates once working.
MattyW Posted June 18, 2022 Author Posted June 18, 2022 (edited) Well I Changed the Cardas RCA’s for WBT-0210 Cu Nextgen and I swear more is coming through. Tonight I changed the ETI Copper binding posts in my Lii Song Fieke S6 speakers for EIZZ EZ-301 gold plated copper binding posts and within minutes of use they sound more energetic and I seem to have more percieved volume at a lower setting on my pre so it seems low mass designs really do translate to more of the signal getting through. Then again it may actually just be less distortion caused by "eddy current" with the low mass binding posts. Either way there's more useable volume low down now. Once the new heat sink arrives to replace the damaged ones I'll have the Cardas binding posts replaced with EIZZ EZ-301 also This is the design of the EZ-301: Anyway, here’s some pics of my amp from tonight: Yeah I know, I cleverly had my left speaker wired out of phase in this pic: Edited June 22, 2022 by MattyW 2
MattyW Posted June 19, 2022 Author Posted June 19, 2022 (edited) This morning had music on very low while getting ready for work (didn't want to wake my wife or toddler up) and have been blown away by how incredible it sounds at even lower listening levels than have been available to me before..... I'm talking levels so low that just walking barefoot on my wood floor drowns out the sound but stop moving and it's all there..... Not even the bass is missing. Pretty incredible for sure. That is after the binding post change so it allows the amp to do it's thing. I'll most certainly change the power amp to the EIZZ EZ-301 as well now. The WBT-0210 Cu Nextgen RCA sockets making their difference felt here also. I've been having a chat with Watchara about preamps and may or may not have an interesting development come of that. I won't let on more as yet as things might not eventuate. Very exciting if possible though. Edited June 20, 2022 by MattyW 1
MattyW Posted June 20, 2022 Author Posted June 20, 2022 (edited) Ok, I've ordered another 7 pair of WBT-210 Cu RCA sockets. I'll replace the sockets in my icOn 4PRO and DAC so I've the cleanest possible signal path. It will be interesting to see just how much things can improve. In my current listening space I don't think there's anything further I can do now If or when we build a new home though there will be a Doepke circuit breaker dedicated to audio gear, audio grade AU wall sockets (if I can find a vendor makes them), full CAT8 wiring throughout the home, and finally a new pair of speakers Lii Audio are currently in the process of developing which use neodymium magnets. Their initial testing for the 10" drivers show 102-103db efficiency and useable frequency response of 25Hz to 50k. Very special indeed. Edited June 22, 2022 by MattyW
STlN Posted June 22, 2022 Posted June 22, 2022 From the emotional engagement to low level performance, it's interesting how your experiences align with my own. Given the differences in circuits, maybe there's magic in these Tokin SITs. The way they engage and immerse you in the music... It really is like taking the best of tubes and solid state and merging them into one device. Glad to hear it was money well spent. 1
MattyW Posted June 22, 2022 Author Posted June 22, 2022 (edited) 17 minutes ago, STlN said: From the emotional engagement to low level performance, it's interesting how your experiences align with my own. Given the differences in circuits, maybe there's magic in these Tokin SITs. The way they engage and immerse you in the music... It really is like taking the best of tubes and solid state and merging them into one device. Glad to hear it was money well spent. It certainly is..... My final upgrades while in my current home are all binding posts and RCA sockets for low mass. I'm shocked by what a difference it makes. This amp is just so revealing that the improvement is easily heard. It'll be at least 4 weeks for my new RCA sockets to arrive and a few weeks for the replacement heatsink for the amp. Performance is already mind blowing. For some reason I've started thinking about field coil speakers now too..... Not sure if there's anything can complete with the Lii Audio drivers at a price I'd be willing to pay though. Mmmmm. @Gryffles my D300REF is working correctly once more so we could do a listening sesh whenever suits you. Ideally if at all possible on a Thursday or Friday when I'm "working" from home or maybe every second weekend when my wife is at work. Edited June 22, 2022 by MattyW
Niktech Posted June 27, 2022 Posted June 27, 2022 Are you using any cable lifters for your Audiolund cables, @MattyW? I was thinking of getting an extreme series hdmi i2s. However, my DAC and DDC are on different shelves of the Solid Steel s3-5 Hifi rack, so was wondering if the weight of the cable would be an issue. Cheers
MattyW Posted June 27, 2022 Author Posted June 27, 2022 (edited) 48 minutes ago, Niktech said: Are you using any cable lifters for your Audiolund cables, @MattyW? I was thinking of getting an extreme series hdmi i2s. However, my DAC and DDC are on different shelves of the Solid Steel s3-5 Hifi rack, so was wondering if the weight of the cable would be an issue. Cheers Nah, I just push the DAC back so the cable is supported by the wall behind. It’s not exactly a flexible cable Edited June 27, 2022 by MattyW
Niktech Posted June 27, 2022 Posted June 27, 2022 (edited) 35 minutes ago, MattyW said: Nah, I just push the DAC back so the cable is supported by the wall behind. It’s not exactly a flexible cable Hehe lol, that’s what I’ve been doing with WW Starlight 7 and a piece of gaffa tape…. Edited June 27, 2022 by Niktech 1
MattyW Posted June 27, 2022 Author Posted June 27, 2022 (edited) Lol, the Red WW Starlight 7 is my backup cable….. It’s actually slightly more flexible. Sounds better than the WW Silver Starlight 5^2 cable I think but the Audiolund is more to my personal preference. Just more real sounding voices. Edited June 27, 2022 by MattyW
BLAH BLAH Posted June 27, 2022 Posted June 27, 2022 WOW...looks magnificent, green with envy!...kudos to you @MattyW...always on hi-fi's cutting edge to be blunt! 1
MattyW Posted June 28, 2022 Author Posted June 28, 2022 (edited) 10 hours ago, BLAH BLAH said: WOW...looks magnificent, green with envy!...kudos to you @MattyW...always on hi-fi's cutting edge to be blunt! I’m in discussion with one of the guys at Lii Audio now regarding a 10” FR they have in development. Basically a statement cost no object piece where the only thing in common with the Silver-10 is the cone. 102-103db efficient and useable frequency range of 25Hz-50k….. I won’t have a use for it for a few years though when I’ve a bigger room I think they’ll be nice in Lii Origin-10 cabinets. In conversation with them they’re noticeably better than the Silver-10 in their sense of presence and realism. Kind of to be expected as that has always been my experience in terms of going to higher efficiency crossoverless speakers. Even so to really feel the bass a sub is still required So apart from RCA socket and binding post upgrades I’m done for a few years. Not a bad place to be Edited June 28, 2022 by MattyW 1
MattyW Posted June 30, 2022 Author Posted June 30, 2022 (edited) Crikey, this amp just continues to improve. It’s taking on the truly holographic sound stage I associate with tubes as when as the rich tonality and body of tubes yet with even finer detail and texture to the sound. Then at the same time it has really deep, rhymical textured and nuanced bass yet with real slam and impact. It’s weird…… Like listening to a DHT SET tube amp, but better. Frankly I’ve just never experienced anything like this before. There is quite literally no sonic trade off. Edited July 1, 2022 by MattyW
MattyW Posted July 1, 2022 Author Posted July 1, 2022 A little video demo. Of limited value I know but still, here it is: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e8kzKC9h-iRZqXsdfnior3pXpMPHmDkJ/view?usp=sharing
ICUToo Posted July 1, 2022 Posted July 1, 2022 1 hour ago, MattyW said: A little video demo. Of limited value I know but still, here it is: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e8kzKC9h-iRZqXsdfnior3pXpMPHmDkJ/view?usp=sharing Track details, MattyW? Sounds good. 1
MattyW Posted July 1, 2022 Author Posted July 1, 2022 33 minutes ago, ICUToo said: Track details, MattyW? Sounds good. Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters - In the Wee Hours Dave Brubeck - The City Is Crying (1964) 1
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