Solid-State Power Amp Adventures

Discussion in 'Power Amps' started by purr1n, Jan 24, 2017.

  1. uncola

    uncola Friend

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  2. pechelman

    pechelman Acquaintance

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    Finally have what I feel is enough time listening to the aleph j (AJ) to give any meaningful opinion about it, at least as compared to a 45 tube amp around 2wpc and a couple of headphone amps.

    Initial impressions were that both highs and lows definitely reached further into their range. This is definitely the biggest long-term difference for me. This could be insufficient power of a 45 tube to produce low end on my 98dB speakers or an artifact of some rolloff in its circuit, I dont know.

    The overall impression of the AJ, based on my limited hi-fi experience, is an amp that gives a somewhat relaxed presentation with good impact\speed and clear, well defined highs, ones that aren't at all fatiguing. Cymbals/tamborines are not in anyway splashy all the way from the beginning of the note through sustain. Vocals are somewhat less present in the room for me compared to the 45, the AJ stage is definitely wider and deeper. The 45 stage for me was narrower, but rounder, almost with depth to the vocals, fleshy? This is the one area that the AJ definitely is not as engaging, but it has other strengths. What I wasn't expecting with the AJ was something that seemed to need to break-in over the first week, was has now become an amazing amount of air and space in the music. At first it sounded like I had a bit of water in the ears, though in a much less extreme manner. This has stabilized to add the depth to the music and separation between sounds on stage, or noises off stage, like in Jazz at the Pawnshop recording. At first this made things sound distant or attenuated now it feels like what I imagine listening inside a treated studio room from "that couch over against he wall" might be like (based on time inside an anechoic chamber for school/work). It gives everything room.

    For me, overall, the 45 amp is a bit liking painting with a waterbush in at times with a sharper focus on center stage/midrange. It gives a lovely ambiance around the main instrument/voice. This description is maybe a bit extreme to say I'm talking in absolutes, but this is in comparison to the AJ where it's presenting the music how a ~1960s leica lens draws for those familiar. Sharp but with a bit of gentleness and soul. The AJ is definitely much cleaner and straight-forward, less-emotional?, but with a relaxed presentation that maybe isnt un-tube-like. The background is blacker, bass has impact and drive, air&space in the wider deeper stage, and clear non-fatiguing highs. I've heard fatiguing, shrill, bright, head-ache-inducing solid state, and this is anything but that.

    For me, in combination with the things it does better, the fact that I built this thing and have some personal investment, I'm definitely going to keep the AJ and sell the 45. The wife so far hasnt complained about the big giant box that's sitting on the shelf with the backpanel facing forward because that's the only way it fits, so maybe it's ok.
     
  3. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Interesting quote from Jason the other day on Head-Fi:
    Wonder if they’re looking at class G or H perhaps, or something more novel that Jason is cooking up.
     
  4. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    @Vtory noticed the DarTZeel clone in the "Pictures" thread - would be curious on your impressions of this amp

    upload_2020-5-21_11-52-36.png

    perhaps you have already but I couldn't find it

    ..dB
     
  5. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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  6. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    @dBel84 Yeah, like @fraggler pointed out, that's Accuphase clone -- and mutated a lot since it copied the original design lol. Please take a look at my impressions in that thread. Later in that year, I got a chance to hear authentic old gen accuphase, they're meaningfully different but I could confirm important virtues (to me) cloned correctly. While all these done via sr1a, with the current elac vela speakers, I'd still stand by every sentence in the original impression. Some metrics got slightly better though.
     
  7. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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  8. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Anyone have experience with the new integrateds from the likes of Yamaha vs. Luxman vs. Pass Labs?

    Window shopping quality Class A integrateds, and the front meters of the Yam/Lux have a sexy aesthetic appeal...
     
  9. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Haven’t looked in depth, but which Yammys are class A? Thought they were all class A/B?
     
  10. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Crap, you are correct. I guess that changes the question...oops!
     
  11. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Well at least that narrows down the choices! Lol. The thing is, they 1200, 2200 and 3200 are all similar power output, which is a rather odd thing when the price escalates between models a fair bit. The build quality looks very high though.
     
  12. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Yeah the differences aren't huge. There is a balanced vs. SE element, as well as toroid power supply upgrade in the 3000 model.

    Still, you're right in that they lack the Class A secret sauce. I guess that's one reason for the cost difference between Luxman and Pass. I'd throw Accuphase in there but it's stupid expensive in NA and I don't know how to change voltages on the transformers.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  13. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

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    So this isn't a "new " model, but my buddy has been using a Luxman Class A integrated (model unknown) for the last couple of years on Klipsch LaScala/Cornwall and home brew horns. It was a Japanese model Luxman. It has plankton but is still very smooth and has balls on horns. Has pretty meters, and a phono stage that doesn't suck. I'd say it's at least as good as an Aegir/Freya S, I would hope the more recent models have maintained the tradition.
     
  14. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Bit of a shift but changing gears here and instead looking for a fully all in one unit. Changes in budget and a new requirement for tidiness in the living room means the least boxes the better.

    So I'm looking at things like Yamaha AS801, Marantz PM7005/7000n. Open to others. Haven't heard either so no idea how tonally warm that still has detail without being a total smear fest/Bose bass boost these are. Or ear gouging digititus...
     
  15. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Are you looking for just a basic integrated pre/power, or do you need anything else (DAC, phono, Balanced inputs, etc)?

    Edit: sorry you said “all in one” unit but could you qualify that a bit? Also what speakers are you looking to drive?
     
  16. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    No problem. AIO I mean power/pre/dac (with a coax input at minimum) -- ethernet/wifi would be nice because then I don't need to buy another Pi device and my better half can use her iPhone to stream.

    Speakers are custom floorstanders ~90db and 4 ohm nominal. Low-level listening 95% of the time.

    Seems most of the units I've been considering have tone control which is really nice because I can trim the lowest bass frequencies. Advantageous from a noise-transmission standpoint in the condo, and also I could theoretically place the speakers closer to the wall without massive bass bloat.

    Looking at this amp as a bandadge solution and intend on selling in a couple years once we're outta here so don't feel like spending more than ~ $1,500 CAD. Used is certainly an option.
     
  17. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    If it has Ethernet/Wifi, does it need to be a Roon endpoint?
     
  18. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    That would be ideal but not mandatory. Again eliminates the need for a Pi device if possible.
     
  19. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Was thinking about this. Not much else I can come up over Yamaha and Marantz if tone controls are required - although if you get one with Roon you can use the parametric EQ.

    Other potential options - Hegel, NAD, Simaudio Moon. Should have asked though, how much are you looking to spend, and are you only looking new or consider used?

    Edit: Actually the Denon PMA xxxxNE stuff has tone controls and DAC I believe.
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2020
  20. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    I know it doesn't have an integrated DAC, but I had about a week and a half audition of a Marantz PM-14s1 several years ago. My guess is that there isn't a lot of difference between mid-level Marantz gear house sound, so take this for what it is. Going on memory, the PM-14 had a good mildly relaxed treble presentation without missing out on detail, and good soundstage breadth and cohesiveness, but not great depth. Macrodynamics were okay, but I was driving less efficient B&W bookshelfs. Microdynamics were pretty good but overall it wasn't as compelling a presentation as what I owned at the time (Cayin-Spark TA-30, very, very similar to PrimaLuna's current EVO line). The tube integrated had more "there" there. Just trying to help triangulate.

    Also, what about Rag2, fully loaded?
     

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