AccuTidal Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 thanks Tasso and 24Bits. so CJ CT6 is better? To my ears: It's sound very good! May be Tasso can give you his 3rd party neutral view? Chances are I will flog it back to the market if I found Bobs VTA 180M with the upgraded goldpin volume pots sound as good.
tuyen Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 Hi Chanh, you are welcome to borrow my passive AVC to play with as well, if you are interested. It may give you a sort of baseline reference point to determine the flavour that the CT6 brings to the sound (not to say that the AVC does not impart a flavor already, just that one would assume it would be less pronounced then other active tube gain devices). 1
Gordon Macfarlane Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 Tasso is very kindly dropping the Ming Da pre off here once you have finished with it 24. Looking forward to comparing it to my modified (Lundahl output transformers and Deuland Alexander caps, Obligatto Oil psu caps)Supratek Chardonnay.
henry218 Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 im interested to know , please keep us posted.
TP1 Posted November 6, 2013 Author Posted November 6, 2013 (edited) Like all decisions we make , much depends upon taste , budget and what we are trying to achieve. All of the preamps we have discussed are excellent. The trouble is, you can't get a really good feel for something like a preamp unless you can have it in your own system that you are very familiar with. Some preamps like the Mingda and CJ sound sweet from the every first note played and never fail to impress at GTG's. Neither should they, they are very fine preamps indeed. But if you know your system well and insert something like the CSLS into it, you are then met with the overriding impact of that massive sound stage, 3D imaging and transparent sound. To me it feels a bit like walking from outside through a doorway into the room where the music is actually playing. The sonic effect of transparency is difficult to describe because it is not about how it shapes the sound but more about how it impedes it less. I personally find the natural timbre of music to be more uplifting. Edited November 6, 2013 by Tasso 2
AccuTidal Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 (edited) Tasso, I wonder how CSLS will improve Bobs VTA 180M on a pair of Wilson Bensch ACT? Furthermore, How will this combo benifit from your Accuphase DP-700 as frontend? I guess a gtg at my shed will find out? Edit: photos added. Edited November 6, 2013 by 24Bits 2
tuyen Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 (edited) Hi Chanh, Welcome to borrow my CSLS while I'm away on holidays in a week and a bit. Hopefully the replacement Shuguang 101D tubes will have arrived by then. You can burn them in for me Else you may have to either use Tasso's Psvanes or my old set of Shuguangs (with the faulty crackling tube). Edited November 6, 2013 by tuyen
AccuTidal Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 Hi Chanh, Welcome to borrow my CSLS while I'm away on holidays in a week and a bit. Hopefully the replacement Shuguang 101D tubes will have arrived by then. You can burn them in for me Else you may have to either use Tasso's Psvanes or my old set of Shuguangs (with the faulty crackling tube). Hi Tuyen & Tasso - I feel blessed for knowing you All. I will take on that offer along with your diy DAC, PLEASE! 1
TP1 Posted November 6, 2013 Author Posted November 6, 2013 Tasso, I wonder how CSLS will improve Bobs VTA 180M on a pair of Wilson Bensch ACT? Furthermore, How will this combo benifit from your Accuphase DP-700 as frontend? I guess a gtg at my shed will find out? Edit: photos added. With an invitation like that , who could refuse?!! 1
tuyen Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 No problems. Sharing is caring. Yes, you are welcome to borrow the DDDAC1794 as well. Hopefully the 2w Shinkoh resistors for the IV stage will arrive by then too. Thanking you in advance for running them in for me! hehehe 3
AccuTidal Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 (edited) With an invitation like that , who could refuse?!! I have new taste of Red! Can't wait sharing with you, Tasso! :hiccup Teagle was killed by my red from last gtg. Fortunately, Kajak12 was (just) able to drive him home. :lol: Edited November 6, 2013 by 24Bits
Gordon Macfarlane Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 (edited) T have you tried the Deuland resistors for I/V .Have a pair in my 'Not the Killer' dac and they sound v.good. Edited November 6, 2013 by Ozcall 1
tuyen Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 Haven't oz. Wouldn't mind trying a pair out when I get the rest of the DAC completed. Thanks for the tip!
AccuTidal Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 T have you tried the Deuland resistors for I/V .Have a pair in my 'Not the Killer' dac and they sound v.good. I see a pairs on ebay at good price $20 but not sure if they fit T's DAC. No problems. Sharing is caring. Yes, you are welcome to borrow the DDDAC1794 as well. Hopefully the 2w Shinkoh resistors for the IV stage will arrive by then too. Thanking you in advance for running them in for me! hehehe I thought you were going to use Audio Note type resistors?
Gordon Macfarlane Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 (edited) I see a pairs on ebay at good price $20 but not sure if they fit T's DAC. I thought you were going to use Audio Note type resistors? I have used the Shinkoh/AN tants and they were pretty good , the Deulands perhaps sound a bit more neutral overall with a bit of a hf lift in my system. More natural sound with the Deulands perhaps Edited November 6, 2013 by Ozcall
Gordon Macfarlane Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 Haven't oz. Wouldn't mind trying a pair out when I get the rest of the DAC completed. Thanks for the tip! Hi T , got mine from HFC , pretty well priced so defo worth a punt.
lbk Posted November 6, 2013 Posted November 6, 2013 Hi Tasso & Tuyen, thanks for help & sharing! Understand it depends alot on system synergy/matching, both CSLS and Dual are good pre-amp. If I get the Frankenstein 300B amp, I will be better off with CSLS. Then DIY a passive attenuator (resistor or transformer type) for the SS amp
AccuTidal Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 Tasso is very kindly dropping the Ming Da pre off here once you have finished with it 24. Looking forward to comparing it to my modified (Lundahl output transformers and Deuland Alexander caps, Obligatto Oil psu caps)Supratek Chardonnay. OZ - Chances are you will like Tasso's Mingda. I have numerous times asking him if I could have it off him, with a payment ofcourse, just name it! He has declined the offers every time. LoL!!! Must be those Duelunds Caps and Black Streasure Tube upgraded. Then again, I may like CSLS once I have the listening opportunity under my system for few days. Right now, CSLS has not yet win me over. Btw, you should make some effort listen to Tuyen's DDDAC. Tasso & I both agreed that it should have called "The Terminator DAC" if the so called 'Killer DAC' sounded so good to others' ears!
tuyen Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 (edited) LoL Chanh. So violent sounding names. Like it is a war! This hobby meant to be just for fun! Anyway, wait til you hear the one of the killerDAC systems. You may like it a lot. Especially since you really like the sound of the MingDa 300B pre. I have a mate who still has one + a modified CEC TL1 cd transport. I'll grab it and bring it over to next gtg. Edited November 7, 2013 by tuyen
THOMO Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 (edited) Interesting topic. When I was auditioning Supratek preamps I found I preferred the 300B Cabernet to the 101D version.It was actually a tougher call to decide between the cheaper 6SN7 Sauvignon and the Cabernet 300B. On balance I prefered the 300B version because it sounded more valvey and had a really big soundstage and I was wanting these traits to be transmitted to the SS power amps I was using.If I was using valve power amps I probably would have gone for the 6SN7 preamp.I still suspect the 101D preamps might be a bit too brightly lit and lean for my room and tastes but can also see that in some systems it would be the best choice. I have also used the Ming Da MC2A3 preamp running TJ meshplates and that preamp has a massive soundstage and lovely tone.The bass was a bit loose however. If you could get the bass bloom under control [maybe some modification]it would be a brilliant preamp.It sounded really good when used with Gale 401s because they have very tight bass but would be less convincing with a lot of ported speakers. We also need to bear in mind that preamp/poweramp synergy is a very real variable and that what might be the best preamp for one system might not sound good in another and that DHT preamps are really at the fringe of preamp design.For many people a preamp which uses a true preamp valve like the 6SN7 rather than a power amp valve might be a safer way to go. Edited November 7, 2013 by THOMO 2
TP1 Posted November 8, 2013 Author Posted November 8, 2013 Interesting topic. When I was auditioning Supratek preamps I found I preferred the 300B Cabernet to the 101D version.It was actually a tougher call to decide between the cheaper 6SN7 Sauvignon and the Cabernet 300B. On balance I prefered the 300B version because it sounded more valvey and had a really big soundstage and I was wanting these traits to be transmitted to the SS power amps I was using.If I was using valve power amps I probably would have gone for the 6SN7 preamp.I still suspect the 101D preamps might be a bit too brightly lit and lean for my room and tastes but can also see that in some systems it would be the best choice. I have also used the Ming Da MC2A3 preamp running TJ meshplates and that preamp has a massive soundstage and lovely tone.The bass was a bit loose however. If you could get the bass bloom under control [maybe some modification]it would be a brilliant preamp.It sounded really good when used with Gale 401s because they have very tight bass but would be less convincing with a lot of ported speakers. We also need to bear in mind that preamp/poweramp synergy is a very real variable and that what might be the best preamp for one system might not sound good in another and that DHT preamps are really at the fringe of preamp design.For many people a preamp which uses a true preamp valve like the 6SN7 rather than a power amp valve might be a safer way to go. No arguments from me about system synergy but I think many people will be pleasantly surprised to see how synergistic a transparent preamp like the CSLS can be to a variety of systems. I have of course compared this to the sweetest sounding 300B's and there there is not the slightest hint of brightness in its sound. In fact I think the music actually sounds sweeter and more organic in its purest form without the coloration that other valves and components can add. The 101D implementation is a significant step forward in design. The 101D is the most neutral of valves and being a DHT it is, as we know, the most linear device available. There are no non-DHT valves such as 6SN7 nor are there any capacitors, resistors or carbon based resistive volume controls in the signal path which are all known to interfere with the purity of the music. As I said in the review, Coincident have set the standard very high indeed and it will take quite a breakthrough for other manufacturers to be able to match it at its price point. I think the Ming Da MC2A3 is excellent value as I do the Mc-300 . I have owned the MC-2A3 and still own the MC-300 but I would like to stay on topic about the CSLS review. I actually avoided making direct comparisons between the CSLS and other preamps in the review but I responded when I was asked direct questions about the Supratek. I didn't think it would ruffle any feathers because it is an old design and Supratek went out of commercial production years ago.
AudioGeek Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 Out of interest, have any of you guys had any experience with the AMR DP777 - the preamp function? I had a Ming Da preamp for a short while, was faulty and had lots of issues. I ended up sending it back and it turned me off valves for a while. When it did work it was very good. Compared to my SS preamp it had a narrower soundstage but increased depth and much better imaging/localisation. Voices were divine! However, the dynamic range was significantly reduced - made it sound less detailed.
tuyen Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 Hi AudioGeek, No experience with the AMR DP777 sorry. Which model MingDa preamp did you have, if you don't mind me asking?
AudioGeek Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 It was 8 years ago, cant remember the model number. It was bssed on the msrantz 7 and used 12AX7 output tubes. Would not compare to the modern preamps you are discussing.
tuyen Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 Cool! I briefly had a genuine Marantz 7 and I know what you mean in your desc. Very beautiful sweet mids. Not as big and open soundstaging (while still being clear/precise) as these DHT based preamps we are talking about though. I'm still quite amazed how much they sell for! Iconic piece I guess. Check this immaculate unit out: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MARANTZ-7-REISSUE-tube-pre-amplifier-used-100-all-functions-operate-230v-/390684065297?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item5af695be11&_uhb=1
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