|
|
Post by Dave on Sept 19, 2020 0:02:35 GMT
I bought this from China-HiFi-Audio.com after the site was recommended to me by several people, including Steve Guttenberg. For those who are counting pennies but want a taste of that high end sound then this amp is hard to ignore. The chassis is made from thick, polished stainless steel sheet, the four corner pillars are turned aluminium and I believe the valve sockets are ceramic. There's an Alps pot and a rotary ON/OFF switch on the front panel, both of which are fitted with quality turned aluminium knobs. There are dual inputs marked AUX & CD on the rear panel, the selector switch for which is a push button type that is located adjacent to the inputs. The build quality is superb and it is a heavy old lump too. It took a week to arrive and the unit was very well packaged within a substantial double skinned box. The full model name is a bit of a mouthful, REISONG A10 EL34B TUBE AMP SINGLE-END CLASS A HIFI AUDIO AMPLIFIER BOYUURANGE which I have linked to the page, if anyone is interested.  |
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Sept 19, 2020 4:04:31 GMT
Very nice, Dave.
What type are the input (small) valves?
Ime, if you fancy doing some valve rolling, input valve changes can often have the most effect (and they tend to be cheaper for good examples than power valves).
Edit >
Ok, answering my own question via the link you gave.
6n2j input valves.
Quite obscure. For some reason the Chinese just love to use unusual valve types in their amps.
They may or may not be equivalent to 6n2p which is said to be close to a 5751,which is a more standard valve type with many upgrade possibilities.
Go carefully, valve type compatability / swapability can be a tricky subject.
Get expert advice, I'd suggest Alan Firebottle.
|
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Sept 19, 2020 4:29:33 GMT
For power valve rolling, which is much less ambiguous, there are about a zillion possibilities.
From my own experience I'd suggest TAD EL34, very reasonably priced and sound excellent imo, bringing out clarity and definition, rather than warmth and immersiveness.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave on Sept 19, 2020 19:24:44 GMT
Thanks for the advice Jerry, I'll look into it.  |
|
|
|
Post by Dave on Sept 25, 2020 11:30:16 GMT
I am having a little bit of an epiphany. Have you ever installed a component into your system which has totally transformed the way you listen to music? This is what is happening to me right now. To be frank, up until I purchased the Reisong I spent most of my time listening to music in the background, any critical listening would happen via my headphone rig, usually late in the evening. Not any more...
I now have two systems set up in the same room, the main system which sports the Reisong A10, and a smaller system driven by an FX Audio class D amp (it is this system that I am currently using for background music duties). Since I installed the Reisong into the main system I have spent hours just sitting and listening, which may be a normal thing for most of you, but it has been an absolute revelation for me because this is the first time I have owned a system which so thoroughly draws me into a performance, and I am loving it...
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Sept 25, 2020 12:53:38 GMT
Yes, but it was a while ago.
I do find, like you, that playing music on my system demands my attention. I have my tablet on my lap to control the music and if I should just have a peek at TAS, for instance, it doesn't last long before I have to stop and listen. As it should be!
|
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Sept 25, 2020 15:46:33 GMT
Hi Dave, can I ask what speakers the A10 is powering? The amp very much intrigues me...how is hum, is there any? I ask as my speakers are around 100db sensitivity so any hum gets noticed.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave on Sept 25, 2020 22:06:55 GMT
Hi Clive, I am currently using Mission M72's(89db) and there is not a whisper from them, even with my ear right next to the drivers. I haven't anything more sensitive I can test it with, unfortunately.
|
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Sept 26, 2020 11:59:56 GMT
Thanks Dave, I suspect hum should be fine, none of the reviews I’ve read have mentioned any. I’m guessing what the amp does is add that sprinkle of EL34 sound. I’ve always loved that sound with jazz in particular. Not especially neutral but who cares, it’s about enjoyment!
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave on Sept 26, 2020 15:34:45 GMT
The only other valve amp I've owned, which was quite some time ago, was 6L6 based (x4) and I remember liking the sound of that too, although it has been far too long for me to make any relevant comparisons with the A10. The best testimony I can give for this amplifier is that I 'trust' its presentation, and that is a first for me because there has always been a 'BUT...' before. For example, the Quad 306 can be a wee bit analytical with some material/recordings, which can become fatiguing after a while. I sat and listened to Eric Clapton 'Unplugged' this morning and got sucked into the performance. It's an over-used cliché to be sure, but it really did feel like I was there at the venue; the ambience is palpable.
|
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Sept 26, 2020 17:32:31 GMT
The only other valve amp I've owned, which was quite some time ago, was 6L6 based (x4) and I remember liking the sound of that too, although it has been far too long for me to make any relevant comparisons with the A10. The best testimony I can give for this amplifier is that I 'trust' its presentation, and that is a first for me because there has always been a 'BUT...' before. For example, the Quad 306 can be a wee bit analytical with some material/recordings, which can become fatiguing after a while. I sat and listened to Eric Clapton 'Unplugged' this morning and got sucked into the performance. It's an over-used cliché to be sure, but it really did feel like I was there at the venue; the ambience is palpable. This is what SE and valves such as the EL34 often deliver. It’s a slightly larger than life presentation but it feels so “I’m there” which on material such as EC Unplugged or jazz sax etc can be incredibly seductive. Some will carp on about a lack of accuracy or “it’s not high fidelity”. Bollocks to them...rather than analyse just enjoy the sound. I rotate my power amps according to mood and music, class d, valve se 300B & EL84 and yes I have a 306 too. |
|
|
|
Post by Dave on Dec 12, 2020 15:12:53 GMT
I bought a Raspberry Pi4 in a FLIRC case which is running Volumio, I need to pluck up the courage to figure out how it all works. The plan is to set it up as a NAS, if my rusty neurons will play ball. Technical knowledge is lacking somewhat...
|
|
|
|
Post by wannarock2 on Dec 12, 2020 15:36:14 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Slinger on Dec 12, 2020 15:40:35 GMT
I bought a Raspberry Pi4 in a FLIRC case which is running Volumio, I need to pluck up the courage to figure out how it all works. The plan is to set it up as a NAS, if my rusty neurons will play ball. Technical knowledge is lacking somewhat... You'll get all the help you need, here, Dave, A few of us have built then and are running them. First tip = don't stint on the cables. Better cables DO actually make a difference to digital signal paths. I only ever sort of half believed it, but I've since discovered for myself that it's true. |
|
|
|
Post by Dave on Dec 12, 2020 16:04:41 GMT
Cheers guys...
I'll be using existing cables for the moment, which are okay quality wise but are far from hi-end.
Question: I've never been enamored with the sound of the Rega DAC through its USB input, there's no room (or budget) for a hat inside the FLIRC case, however I have a Topping D10 DAC going spare which I could use to convert USB into spdif to drive the Rega, thoughts? Possible pitfalls: The D10 would be powered via the Pi through its USB input.
|
|
|
|
Post by Slinger on Dec 12, 2020 16:45:21 GMT
I think most of us are agreed that a Hat is too limiting, there's no upgrade path, or at least, only a very narrow one. Using an external DAC gives far more flexibility.
For what it's worth, the way I'd attack it is first things first. Get it set up with the bits available, i.e. Pi USB to the USB on the Rega. Nine times out of ten the shorter the signal chain the better. Get some music coming out of it, and if it's not actually making your ears bleed, listen to it for a few days, or even a week, and then decide what you think needs improving, or experimenting on.
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Dec 12, 2020 17:05:17 GMT
Good luck with it, Dave. Paul speaks sense - get some music out of it first so that you have a baseline, then focus on power, then cables etc. Use the Rega DAC USB input to start with.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave on Jan 1, 2021 13:42:22 GMT
More changes: I just pulled the trigger on a pair of Frugal 3's fitted with Alpair 11ms drivers from an ebay seller, I hope to have them here and setup by Tuesday evening. They look very nice and should be far happier being driven by the little Reisong el34 amp than the Missions are...
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jan 1, 2021 14:50:17 GMT
I only know the Frugals driven by a Mark Audio driver, which steveeb brought around. Had them in my system for a day. Mighty impressive for their size and they imaged very well. |
|
|
|
Post by John on Jan 1, 2021 15:24:30 GMT
Nice speakers Dave I am sure you will enjoy
|
|
📶NAS > Gustard x26p DAC > Benchmark LA4 Pre-Amp > NAD M22-V2 Amplifier > Revel F228Be Speakers
