|
Post by brian2957 on Nov 26, 2020 9:51:21 GMT
Have you ever had a Meitner Jerry? Yes, although I can't recall the model. It was a very easy listen, I wish I'd had it to listen to longer. I swapped it out for a while when something new came along, and when I put it back in I forgot it was a 110V model. Whoops. Hahaha ...as you know , I did that with a Chinese preamp recently
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Nov 26, 2020 17:35:58 GMT
After a couple of months of near continuous use, the Temple Audio Monos are having a bit of a rest. PrimaLuna Prologue 5 comes on stream, but after the TAs I found the KT120 power valves to be a bit "full throttle", so looking around for alternatives all I could find were a pair of TAD 6L6 and a pair of TAD 5881. So, trusting to the PrimaLuna's much vaunted auto-bias capability in they went! And the TAD 12au7 and 12ax7 swapped out for Brimars. Sounding fabulous. ... but looking a bit grainy! - must be the dim light and no flash.
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Nov 30, 2020 20:35:41 GMT
Black Friday deal - 4 months of TIDAL Hirez for £1.99. Couldn't really say No to that. New power amp bought today, and a pair of planar magnetic headphones. And a preamp also purchased last Saturday, on its way today. Busy busy.
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Nov 30, 2020 21:43:49 GMT
But... Tidal? I thought you were done with that.
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Nov 30, 2020 22:07:10 GMT
For 50p a month I'll have another play.
|
|
|
Post by tarzan on Dec 1, 2020 20:39:05 GMT
How did/are you getting along with The Bantams Jerry- they look interesting.
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Dec 1, 2020 20:57:48 GMT
How did/are you getting along with The Bantams Jerry- they look interesting. Umm....you mean the Temple Audio Monoblocks? If so, yup, excellent sounding amps. Resting at the moment as I'm playing with Primaluna valves. But the monos are very detailed and dynamic without being forward sounding. Big spacious soundstage. Not too smooth. Very enjoyable.
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Dec 6, 2020 12:03:07 GMT
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Dec 6, 2020 12:11:40 GMT
Never heard of them. Look nice, could be interesting, seem cheap?
Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Dec 6, 2020 12:36:49 GMT
|
|
|
Post by brian2957 on Dec 6, 2020 13:10:58 GMT
Never heard of them either but they look really interesting . Look forward to your thoughts on these Jerry
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Dec 6, 2020 13:43:17 GMT
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Dec 6, 2020 14:13:00 GMT
But back in the here and now, an XTZ EDGE A2-300 ICE amp has just been installed. 300wpc into my speakers' 4 ohm load. It's book size and easily holdable in one hand. Bit of a change from Primaluna valves! Definite high frequency edge to the sound for the first few minutes, maybe that's where they got the name from. Settling in nicely now, a very lucid and controlled sound. Quite different to the Hypex module amp that is currently with Alan Firebottle for repair. The Hypex amp is definitely more relaxed and laidback, at least so far. The XTZ has still got some warming up to do, I'd imagine, after several days in cold storage. theaudiophileman.com/edge-a2-300-amplifier-review-xtz/
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Dec 6, 2020 15:20:11 GMT
The Hypex amp is definitely more relaxed and laidback I evaluated a Hypex-based stereo amp recently, which has now come to market. I found the sound quality very even-keeled and not at all hot in the treble as I had expected. It also had surprisingly strong bass tightness and power and was overall a very pleasant experience.
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Dec 6, 2020 15:41:26 GMT
We seem to be hearing similar things from Hypex module amps. I hope Alan can fix mine, it's proving to be a bit problematic tracing the fault at the moment.
The XTZ ICE amp is a touch more forward. Whereas I had been slowly retreating a few rows back in the stalls the XTZ has brought me back front-centre! Not sure I want this these days. I've a new preamp arriving soon, I'll see what happens with that. And now I come to think of it I'll try my Vincent pre, that's rather more laid back than the 'wide open' Nobsound pre I'm using now.
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Dec 6, 2020 19:34:58 GMT
I've not been much of a fan of planar magnetic 'phones, having owned a couple and heard lots more. I found them too slow and smooth, and often irritantigly coloured. But, ever hopeful and eternally optimistic, I thought I'd have another bash at them. Success this time, I think. Hifiman 400S open backs. With silver connecting cable rather than the standard. I've no idea if that makes a difference. Mine must be an early version, as they have non-standard screw-on connector sockets rather than the later standard 3.5mm socket. Which is a bit of a pain as cables seem hard to source cheaply if a new set is needed. But I'm impressed by the sound - open and detailed, not as fast or finely resolved as a decent electrostatic - but then nothing I've heard is. My Stax SR3 outshine anything else I've heard in that regard. The planars have got a lot more balls though and go waaaaay deeper and stronger in the bass. A very immersive and open sound - thanks, I suspect, to the open back design. An unexaggerated frequency response, not for bass heads and they aren't too excitable at the top end. A really easy sound to listen to and just get involved in the music. Very easy to drive as well - they do sound best from an amp, but remarkable good just from my phone! Very pleased with these so far. Will see how I get on with them longer term.
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Dec 8, 2020 4:22:43 GMT
The XTZ power amp was just too much. Just a no holds barred POW sort of sound. Someone will undoubtedly love it, it's superb in its way. Sold now.
I rather suspect those Danish mirror finish 1kwpc monoblocks won't last long here either, they're class D ICE like the XTZ. But who knows, the world is full of surprises.
It was fabulous going back to my Primaluna valve amps! Before I did that I tried the Temple Audio Monos, I think they'll be up for sale shortly as well. Although I might keep them as a backup to the Primaluna for now. I never quite trust valve amps!
I might look out for a Primaluna preamp but they don't come along very often on the used market. Although there's a solid state pre on its way to me that's been on my Want List for a while.
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Dec 8, 2020 6:16:09 GMT
Are you anywhere near settling on an amp, Jerry, as you have with speakers?
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Dec 8, 2020 6:30:54 GMT
Are you anywhere near settling on an amp, Jerry, as you have with speakers? Nope. I don't think I want to, either. I really do enjoy the boxswap game, and it was a tough decision spending the big wonga on the MBLs knowing that would be the end of speaker swapping for me. I still play around a bit with speakers in secondary systems, but it's not the same! So I enjoy my ongoing investigation of non-ultimate amps. And DACs. Although I am eyeing my little MyST R2R DAC with some concern - it's disconcertingly better than any other I have tried. It may be difficult to swap out! And headphones, I am having fun trying out different cans atm. I do seem to have settled on cables now, though. Although I am happy to try different ones, I always seem to go back to my established favourites now. My box swapping is getting increasingly constrained. But I still have gearswap fun, and I hope and intend to carry on doing so.
|
|
|
Post by John on Dec 8, 2020 7:20:46 GMT
Long may that continue Jerry
|
|