Don Sachs Owners Thread


A place to discuss amps, preamps, and phono stages from Don Sachs. 

 

I just purchased a like new D2 linestage. It has 2 gain controls, 64 step volume control, and digital volume readout. It is set up for the new rectifier. This is my first 6sn7 based linestage. It came with Ken-Rad Vt 231and gray RCA tubes. There are 3 rectifier tubes. A huge Philco 6BY5G, a Tung-Sol 6BY5G, and a Bendix 5852. There is also an Ice Age Audio power cord. With 2 different sounding outputs there are a lot of options. I need to find out what value the output caps are. I have the D2 connected at the moment to a VTL ST150. Input impedance is 125K and 2v in for maximum gain. 

I placed the RCA tubes in left front and rear and Ken-Rad in the right. Used Philco rectifier. Plugged VTL amp into output 1. The brightest sounding preamp I've ever heard. It was comical, bass drums sounded more like cymbals. Output 2 sounds like normal music. This surprises me. With 125K input, I thought there would be no problem getting bass response. 

Some questions.

1. Are the 6Sn7's in the right locations? I guessed by looking at the sellers photograph.

2. Is the Ice Age Audio the AC cord the brand Don offers as an option? 

3. I'll audition all 3 but which rectifier would be considered tops?

The linestage sounds amazing. 

Thanks,

aldnorab

aldnorab

Anyone with experience changing the 6sn7 tubes on the kootenay amp? Are they as important for sound as the input tubes on the DS pre? Toob Noob here, happy to get any input on the question. 

In my experience, yes.  The center/input tube seemed to impact the sound as much as the gain tubes on the pre.  I would run the nicest tubes you have in these positions.  

Hi,

New member here so go easy please!

I live in the UK and have just bought a pre-owned Don Sachs line stage 2.

Looking through this thread there seems to be conflicting info on if the 6SN7's are paired front/back or left/right.

 

Can anyone confirm please?

Many thanks

Andy

 

Here is the note that came with mine, from Don:

"The left side pair is the main tube with all the gain, and the pair in the middle of the deck are the buffers, which are unity gain. Front tube in each pair is left ch, and rear tube is right channel. Just think right = rear."