Donald North Audio — Owners Thread

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

  1. Donald North

    Donald North Friend

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    Yes, I plan to attend and will bring some things for people to listen

    I have not forgotten about your HD800 and plan to have an output impedance setting specifically for it.
     
  2. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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    Ha ha, I think there's some truth to that. :D The thing about the original Sonett and (presumably) Sonett 2 is that both amps are incredibly strong performers with traditional dynamic cans. For below $1.5k new, I tend to think that's it hard to do much better. There's a reason that @Marvey routinely throws "used Sonett" into the mix when he's recommending headphone amps to for use with the Senns. Properly driving the HD 6X0/800 goes a long way, especially 'round these discriminating parts.

    One of those days, I'd love to hear how the classic Sonett stacks up against the "stock" TIII. Might be that they're strikingly close to one another. But that's just unfounded/gushing speculation on my part. :oops:
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2016
  3. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    Glad to know we'll finally have an opportunity to meet there then. :)
     
  4. No_One411

    No_One411 Fired by Jude

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    [​IMG]

    Currently using stock tube configuration. Had 2 bad batches of EML mesh so got tired of shipping it back again.

    Got a tested pair of KR 2A3s coming in on Thursday, so we'll see how that goes.

    @Donald North Thank you for making such a kick ass amp!
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2016
  5. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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  6. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    Proud owner of the last Sonett 2 from Donald, #0018 :pirate07:

    DSC_8817.JPG
     
  7. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    congrats @thegunner100 that is one fine looking amp! let us know how it goes, what you plan to plug into it, etc! given that some smurfs were undoubtedly injured in the creation of the amp, you've now got blue on your hands.

    b24d6b3593502f6854034bf104bcbfec.jpg
     
  8. Huxleigh

    Huxleigh Almost "Made"

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    [​IMG]
     
  9. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    Thank you! I'm using my modded hd650s with them right now, and I don't plan on getting any other full sized headphones. I have a iFi IEMatch coming tomorrow or wed, so I will try my UERMs with the S2. With the upcoming NYC meet in 2 weeks, I'll get to try some other headphones and compare the S2 with some other amps as well.
     
  10. Cradon

    Cradon Acquaintance

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    @thegunner100 Congrat on the Sonett. Sure is beautiful. Can't wait to hear it.
     
  11. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

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    Donald's amps are my favorite looking ones of all time pretty much. And they sound pretty darn good too.
     
  12. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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  13. WNovizar

    WNovizar Facebook Friend

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    I am jelly of those blue amps. I wonder whether Mr. North still taking orders. Just asked about Stratus or Sonett availability a few days ago, haven't got replies yet....
     
  14. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    Orders are open for his Stratus and his Stellaris. Not for the Sonett. DNA is not Donald's main job so be patient :)
     
  15. WNovizar

    WNovizar Facebook Friend

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    Yeah I am patient. After crack, I decided "Ok no longer SS crap again for my amp" and decided to give my old Magni + Modi 2 Uber to my brother. I've been flip flopping between Stratus, GOTL, or ZDS, and decided to get Stratus or GOTL (whichever faster).
     
  16. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    @sorrodje can you write some impressions of Stellaris here?
     
  17. No_One411

    No_One411 Fired by Jude

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    From @sorrodje's SBAF !CanJam meet impressions:

    "DNA Stellaris + HD800SD. THks to @CEE TEE who let me borrowed his HD800 newly SD modded by myself, i have been able to give a serious listen to @Donald North 's last amp. I'm a long time customer of DNA's product. I had the Sonett 2 (@thegunner100 bought the last one ! at the show) and now the Stratus and I am already a DNA fanboy. Milos , Donald and I had a dinner a few days ago and we listened to the Stellaris with my Utopia ( the one that was on Donald's table at the show) and the K1000 but it was not my source nor my music nor headphones I was really accustomed to. HD800SD is another story and I brought my Laptop with my GOv2 to Donald's table to listen to some music.... worst idea ever... worst for my poor wallet at least. Now, i want one. I went to Craig's table before and listened to the Studio. It was a great experience but I found it maybe a bit lean for me and my HD800SD with a tiny bit too much sharpness in the sound. I own the Stratus and it's definitely on the opposite side. Kind of slightly bloomy tubey sound. Masterfully done but still not a technical beast, right ? So , In my opinion , the Stellaris is THE sweet spot for my HD800SD. Perfect balance of liquidity AND clarity, texture. Think to this magic DNA slightly euphonic sound with forward mids, push all buttons up for technical points and you get the picture. Stellar(is) pairing with the HD800SD."


    I got a chance to listen to the Stellaris with Focal Utopia, HD800 and @Bill-P's modded HD580.

    Let's just say I forced myself not to listen too long out of fear of wanting the amp. The Stratus is already a very good amp, but the Stellaris adds that extra bit of refinement in technicalities, without giving up the musicality that Donald is so famous for.
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2016
  18. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    Yea and @HitmanFluffy added in his review another point I forgot to mention: bass slam, tightness and authority are significantly improved compared to the Stratus ;)
     
  19. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    This is definitely my favorite Donald North amp.
    What impressed me was the balance- not the biggest headstage, the fastest, the thickest, the brightest or the bassiest...just everything so well balanced and in place.
    What surprised me is how well such different headphones sounded great with the amp- HD650, Focal Utopia, & even the Elear (which I didn't think I liked).
    And, it sounded great with two different sets of tubes. One had a bit more space in the presentation and one was a little more intimate with very connected stage. Each was eminently listenable.

    Donald said that this was the amp he had been wanting to make. That the custom-specified Audio Note transformers he ordered had finally arrived after 7 years and everything went well from there. Very well, indeed...
     
  20. Griffon

    Griffon 2nd biggest asshole on SBAF

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    New Sonett ver 1 owner checking in... Preliminary conclusion is this is warmfag done with sophistication. Lots of zomg factors...
     

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