Donald North Audio — Owners Thread

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Huxleigh, Aug 12, 2016.

  1. YtseJammer

    YtseJammer Almost "Made"

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  2. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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    The buyer doesn't state that it will ship in the original box and foam packaging, that would be my concern.

    I dont know about the price.
     
  3. YtseJammer

    YtseJammer Almost "Made"

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    It's $470 in USD.

    The guy never replied to my email, and he doesn't have any feedback on Canuckaudiomart.
     
  4. uncola

    uncola Friend

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    as long as he puts the tubes in a little box with foam inside the main box the amp ships in, I think it would be fine.. at that price I'd snatch it up
     
  5. YtseJammer

    YtseJammer Almost "Made"

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    Ok thanks ;)

    Still no reply to my email.
     
  6. perogie

    perogie Facebook Friend

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    CAM sellers can take up to 24 hours to respond, as has been my experience.
     
  7. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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  8. YtseJammer

    YtseJammer Almost "Made"

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    Yes it's too risky. Anyway the guy never replied to my email.
     
  9. uncola

    uncola Friend

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    It's a busy week for many. Lol I'd definitely give it a shot. Just don't do paypal friends and family and remind him about good shipping practices
     
  10. pure5152

    pure5152 Friend

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    Keep in mind that's sonnet 1, not sonnet 2. From word-of-mouth, what I've heard is that sonett 2 was a big step up; in other words, sonett 1 may not be as up to snuff. I think at $470 USD it's still worth a shot, but just a warning?

    Anyways, if you do get it would love to hear some impressions! It looks like it got marked as "Sold" so hopefully you got it :)
     
  11. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    $500 is about the going rate of the Sonett 1. Well worth it at that price too. Sonett 2 your stepping up to around $1-1.2k (also worth it).
     
  12. YtseJammer

    YtseJammer Almost "Made"

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    Just saw that as well. It's not me.
     
  13. elnero

    elnero New

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    I saw that yesterday when we were emailing back and forth. I was tempted to contact him as well but have too many other things on the go right now.
     
  14. YtseJammer

    YtseJammer Almost "Made"

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    I will probably go back to my initial plan which was to order the SW51+.
     
  15. Melvillian

    Melvillian Friend

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    Do this and don’t look back
     
  16. dematted

    dematted Friend

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    Just got in a cable, so I can now listen to the Sonett 2 @pure5152 sold me!

    Comparing it mentally to the SW51+ with Auteur and JAR HD600, which I have out for repair. Some (very) initial impressions: this is some of the best treble I've ever heard. Somehow extremely present while simultaneously being completely non-fatiguing. This is some kind of magic trick. On the other hand, the bass, while possessing nice texture and definition, really doesn't have a great sense of heft or kick at all, which is somewhat disappointing.

    The overall sound, compared to the SW51+, is certainly a step up in refinement - notes are more clearly defined and notably less grainy, and the sense of staging and separation blows the SW51+ out of the water. Timbre also smoother, though not necessarily better to my ears. Notably more air, too - upper treble notes seem in particular seem to float above the soundstage in a very pleasing way. Finally, this amp seems to have somewhat better overall "texture" to the sound than the SW51+: listening to the plucking of strings on some of Andrew Bird's music, the instruments sound more tactile when one listens closely to them.

    However, the SW51+ isn't a slouch: in its favor, it has a more exciting overall presentation, with faster transients and more "in-your-face" dynamic contrast, which makes music seem to pop more. Bass on the SW51+ feels less extended but punchier, and the midrange has a slightly more forward, focused character, which, along with its tendency to highlight dynamic and tonal contrasts, makes the SW51+ a more gripping but also a less enchanting and cohesive listen. Indeed, though instruments don't have the same sense of textural depth on the SW51+, they often feel more "present" simply because the SW51+ presents itself with more bluster and forwardness when compared to the more laidback Sonett 2.

    In short, verdict is still out. This is a really nice amp, but not (to my ears) obviously superior to SW51+. If I was to put things succinctly, I'd say so far the Sonett 2 has a more flowing, organic presentation, while the SW51+ instead tends to be more choppy but as a result more raw and visceral sounding. Once I've listened to this wonderful amp enough to really be able to understand what I'm hearing I'll write out a much more detailed shoot-out between it and the SW51+. Should be good fun!
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2020
  17. Melvillian

    Melvillian Friend

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  18. dematted

    dematted Friend

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    A Bifrost 2 fed with Unison USB. I probably should have mentioned that, and I was actually thinking that the Bifrost 2 probably doesn't have the best synergy with DNA amps - too much of a good thing and all that. I recall @ColtMrFire saying something similar in the Starlett thread. On the plus side, this is the first time any audio system I've owned has passed my "Sibilance test" with neutral-ish headphones: Joni Mitchell's California.
     
  19. HotRatSalad

    HotRatSalad Friend

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    When I had Starlett I loved what I heard with Bifrost 2. The impact and grip on the low end with HD650 was amazing. Along with all the other traits described. Best treble ever heard to boot. I guess it's laid back but that's preference for me. SW51+ is a bit more forward, interesting you feel sonett 2 lacks heft and weight, I kind of felt that way about SW51+.
     
  20. Melvillian

    Melvillian Friend

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    @dematted I think the SW51+ is more "special" sounding with sources with clean and fast transients. I noticed this with the PrismSound Callia which I think pairs incredibly well with the SW51+ and Sennheiser HD6xx, whereas I feel the multibit sound although good, just isn't as good with it. I think the SW51+ really highlights the strengths of sources that are also crisp and fast.

    This is not to say it doesn't pair well with the bifrost or the Soekris 2541. Since I have several dacs with me atm, that's my observation.

    Having owned the Sonett 2 in the past, I agree with your review altogether.
     

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