Tekton Double Impacts

It was certainly disappointing that my lower priced backup DAC (PS Audio Stellar) was a better match with my current gear. 

@david_ten 

Well, I certainly hope so! I don't normally buy products like a Don Sachs preamp without a proper listen. Especially when each one is custom made and essentially non-returnable. I bought the Double Impact speakers based on what I read here. I scoured the 'net looking for feedback on Don's preamp. I could nothing negative!

The lead time appears to be 12 weeks right now. I guess this will be a Christmas present to myself.

I received my Aric Audio custom built 2a3 Set amp last Friday and I've been able to listen too it in my main system with the MZ2S and DI speakers for a couple of days.
Aric built this amp with a oversized pwr supply and I wanted the low Imd single secondary 15 watt Electra Print output transformers.
I also wanted one 6sn7 a side as the driver for one 2a3 tube but when I got the amp I quickly realized that a 6sl7 was going to be a better match.

This amp was built in a standard Hammond case with a cage covering the tubes and the case was painted sapphire blue with a black case.Looking in the inside I could tell instantly of the quality in parts that were used and the very neat,tidy and attention to every detail workmanship that Aric put into this all point to point hand wired amplifier.

Most 2a3 amps generally make only 3.5 watts and Aric made this amp to be able to switch between regular 2a3 tubes and also use the new production JJ 2a3-40 tube which is capable of 8 watts a channel.

I beat you are wandering how this amp sounds by now so here you go.

I've been a big fan of 2a3 tube amps for a long time and I have owned a few when I had speakers that would match up.
This amp has just a incredible engaging sound that to my ears is just so natural in Tone,Texture,Harmonics,Liquidity,Meat on the bones midrange with outstanding clarity that gives me all the details I could ever want but they are presented in such a nature way with the ebb and flow of the music.

With 8 watts a channel I'm able to play 95% of the music that I listen too,Acoustic Jazz,Vocal Jazz,Pop,Classic Rock,to the low 90 db range at my listening position 10 ft away and still be in the "Sweet Spot" of output with this amp with no signs of strain or soft clipping.

I generally listen in the mid 80 Db range and I have found this amp to have plenty of headroom at these kind of volume levels.

This amp puts out a very satisfying bass response that would amaze most people,I'm not a big bass hound anyway and with most recordings I'm quite satisfied.If I play classic rock and want some extra slam I have 2 subs dialed in that I can turn on.
Now remember my woofers are'nt stock and I changed to different Eminence woofers several months ago.

All in all this amp represents a tremendous value for the high quality of sound that it gives me and if someone is looking for a tube preamp or tube amp I would definitely recommend that you give Aric Audio a call or Email.

This amp really shines with my "Benchmark" recordings of piano music of several types and acoustic guitar but other instruments and vocals sound mighty good also.😃

Kenny.

@kdude66 - Congrats Kenny! Seems like a very nice amp.
Why was the 6sl7 a better driver tube than a 6sn7? Does it have something to do with using the 2A3-40?

I'm trying to picture "This amp was built in a standard Hammond case with a cage covering the tubes and the case was painted sapphire blue with a black case" So it's a black Hammond case painted sapphire blue? Can you post some pictures of your overall system? 

Hey Kenny, I really appreciate the kind words on my build and am glad that you’re happy with your amp! Perhaps I can shed some light on the driver tube: My test preamplifier has up to 35 db of available gain (using 12AT7’s), and in my testing I found the 6SN7 would drive the 2A3 easily- with lots of headroom from my preamp’s volume control. In Kenny’s system, his preamp is configured for a lower gain structure that needed to be pushed higher for the same drive from the 6SN7. By substituting the 6SL7 (raising the gain of the driver), it allowed his lower gain preamp to reach the same overall drive available to the 2A3. Both the standard 2A3 and JJ 2A3-40 have the same input requirements. Aric