@kdude66 : the Vidar amp is not released yet...probably early next week. The power specs were given out by the designer so I am confident they are accurate. The designer did say the amp is rated conservatively.
@david_ten : I race an air-cooled 911. It’s an 87 Turbo chassis with wide 993 bodywork with a normally aspirated 3.6L engine.
I can’t wait to get the Vidar amps and DI speakers. I ordered the speakers over a week ago and have heard nothing since then. That concerns me a bit. I guess getting the internal upgrade and holes for the speaker grills added complicates the process. |
@porscheracer :
Have to ask, which Porsche? Or is it Porsches :)
I've had the Schiit Yggdrasil for nearly two years now, serving as the front end of three different systems. It has performed brilliantly and this holds true with the DIs as well.
Congratulations on your purchase of the DIs. Looking forward to hearing how they work out for you.
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Pr,
I hope you enjoy your DI's when you get them,I really like mine.
Very good sounding speaker especially for the money.
I haven't heard anything about the Vidar amps,I quess they are finally available to buy.
I do have a Yggdrasil with more than 500 hrs on it and It's a nice dac almost as good overall as my direct stream jr.
Wiil the vidars be safe to use as a bridged mono block into 4 ohms if you choose that configuration.
Best of luck to you,
Kenny. |
First post here....
I ordered a pair of the Double Impacts (4 Ω) last week. I went with the standard black soft gloss finish and the $300 internal upgrade.
My plan is to drive them with either one Schiit Audio Vidar amp in stereo mode or two Vidar amps in monoblock mode. These amps are rated at 100 watts per channel at 8 Ω and 200 watts per channel at 4 Ω. In monoblock mode, it is 400 watts at 8 Ω. Vidar will not be rated at 4 Ω in monoblock mode.
I am using a Schiit Audio Freya preamp using the tube mode. My DAC is the Schiit Audio Yggdrasil. |
Whacky: Am using the standard size on a very hard wood tile surface. If it was carpet, would probably have gone with the pointed feet -- but they come loose with vibration and would not provide the kind of stable security the the gliders do. Share your assessment of the cost of the larger gliders -- this seems high to me as well. |
For clarity my gliders are on hard wood, not carpet. They are also the threaded type that screw into your speakers....important!
Hope this helps.
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I tried the giant gliders on my floor standers but I liked the sound better when spiking through the carpet to the floor. The bass was tighter with spikes...go figure. |
I use the standard on my 125 pound Acoustic Zen Crescendo speakers. Works great and all you need. I use the studded/threaded gliders. Perfect. |
whacky,
I use the standard gliders with great results.I have the 1 inch thread length,I can't see needing any longer when installed.
If the DI's where even bigger and heavier I probably would have bought the giant version.
I can't comment on the difference between the 2.
I've seen folks rtv "Hockey Pucks" to the bottoms of their speakers with good results also.Might be a option for you till you decide which one you want.Just a thought.
Best,
Kenny. |
@whacky :
I have the Giant Threaded Stud Gliders. They extend an 8th of an inch or less past the speaker cabinet.
I cannot speak to the difference in isolation or performance vs the standard sized gliders.
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@
craigl5945 or anyone else with the Herbie threaded stud gliders
Did people buy the standard sized Herbies Stud glider, or did you buy the Giant stud glider??
If the answer is giant, does the dimension of the stud glider extend past the dimensions of the speaker base due to the size?
I'm trying to sort out how large these gliders appear once installed considering my DIs currently are right next to, and are abutting hard wood molding on the floor
Also, the Giant Stud glider is twice as expensive for a set of 8 feet. Just trying to gauge if its worth the ugprade to the giant size. |
Thank you, Kenny: Here is all the info I have about the Placette linestage preamp. It seems to give me enough clean volume to fill the room with the music I enjoy. I'm just looking for the next improvement after I've settled on my omptimal speaker as I said, mine does not have the controls in the more expensive model: Placette Active Linestage preamplifier Specifications
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: unity-gain, line-stage
preamplifier. Input impedance: 18k ohms.
Output impedance: 10 ohms.
Manufacturer: Placette Audio, 682 Granite Way, Boise, ID 83712. Tel: (888) 765-3330, (208) 342-6141. Fax: (208) 333-0138. Web:
Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/placette-active-linestage-preamplifier-specifications#1sc2rrLzkj...
Thank you so very much for your expertise and willingness to share.
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LP,
Glad to hear the surgery went well. Sometimes out of adversity comes goodness. That is my wish for you and your family.
Corelli
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Just a quick follow-up.
Apparently successful surgery Wednesday, and now a long difficult rehab with much to do.
A heart felt thank you to all the special people who participate on this forum for all their sincere blessings.
Now back to improving our music.
LP |
LP,
I'm sorry to hear about any health issues in your family.
I totally agree with Charles,
I never take health and my hobby of music for granted I feel like every day that I can that I'm truly blessed also.
On the plus side,I'm almost positive that Eric can make you a 8ohm version of the Electron if that is what you want.
I wish you and your family nothing but the best,
Kenny.
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LP,
Also wishing you, and your family only the best, happy listening when you finally get clear of the current family health issues. Best, mikirob
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LP I hope it all works out well for you and your family. I never take good health and enjoying listening to music for granted. Both are a blessing. Charles |
LP, Really sorry to hear that. Wishing you and your family the best and the calm seas you seek. |
Kdude, Corelli, Mikirob, and Charles,
Thanks to all for your opinions and experiences with the Dynamo.
Based on this information, along with the fact that I haven't joined the world of parts upgrade, I don't feel that the Dynamo would be the right direction for me to go.
Also I hope I did not give the impression that at this time I have already purchased the DI's. I haven't yet for 2 reasons. 1st and foremost now because of a major family illness that occurred this past Monday will be eliminating almost all of my hobby time for something like 3 to 6 months I'm estimating. Prior to that I have been weighing the give and take between the DI's and the Electrons for my application. There are many factors that keep me from choosing which model is best suited for me. Except for my model decision I would have ordered before this past Monday. I really need to talk to Eric for his opinion and also to see things like can he make the Electrons in 8 Ohm? Stuff like that. But listening now is going to be difficult for the time being.
Anyway, we all have extreme challenges in life especially if we live long enough.
Again thanks to all for the great advice to help navigate to calm seas.
LP |
Kdude66,
Well, "slightly" to "very nice improvement" I suppose is going to mean different things to different ears. Changing the MZ2S to pair with the Dynamo today required a room change from another system where I last listened to the Dynamo with the DeVores. Perhaps the room made the difference. I was doing this experiment on the fly. Nothing scientific or apples to apples. Best, mikirob
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Mikirob, Thanks for inserting the Micro ZOTL and listening again. I only raised the question based on teajay's very positive impressions. I respect his reviewing skills/experience. If he says something sounds exceptionally good I take him at his word. With rare exceptions I find that high quality active line stages do in fact improve the sound quality in most audio systems. Charles |
Craig59,
Craig, the Dialogue Premium and Dialogue Premium HP power amps operate in class AB 1 configuration and have no pure class Output even at lwr pwr.They are configured to operate in triode or ultra linear modes but the output pwr ratings with different tubes all make sense to me that they are ab output.
But like you said your large room needs much more pwr.
Mikirob,
Very interesting to hear that you like the MZ2S paired with the dynamo made that much a difference.
I just love my MZ2S and have paired it with several different amps just to try it.I will be getting a Zotl 40 next Tuesday and I will use Mullard XF2's that I already have in my collection,should be a very nice pairing from what I'm reading.
Best,
Kenny.
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Charles1dad,
You are right; your comment prompted me to remove the Micro ZOTL from another system and connect it to the Dynamo. Better than slight improvement. Very nice improvement. Like Lancelock stated, "heavens opened up, angels sang." I really can't explain why I though otherwise. Probably not listened to the Micro ZOTL with Dynamo in too long a time; still, the Dynamo is very good on its own. And yes, the Dynamo responds extremely well to tube rolling.
I should also mention that my Dynamo has upgraded caps and resistors /power supply based on suggestions by Yazaki-san, the designer/mod-maven from Jeff Day's blog.
Charles, you are favorite poster along with grannyring and some others, such as Almarg. Always respect your opinion and what you value in music. Best, mikirob
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In my experience the vast majority of tube push pull amplifiers are class AB circuits. There are a handful that are pure class A.
Lancelock, Synergy is definitely a factor in many circumstances. In my case using the same brand line stage and power amplifier I'm convinced makes a difference for the better. Charles |
Thanks, Al. Have a very large room open to 3 other rooms and do not believe that a tube amp is realistic in this scenario. |
Craigl59 7-8-2017
Am thinking of giving a tube amp a try and have been looking at the
primaluna dialogue premium -- because it has substantially better specs
than other units. Could not find out from them the class of their amp
although it is push-pull. Would not consider anything other than class
A.
Craig, the Dialogue Premium and Dialogue Premium HP power amps operate in class AB, aside perhaps for when they are putting out low power levels. That can be inferred from the relation between their rated maximum output power capabilities and the specified current ratings of their mains fuses (as indicated in their manuals), assuming a reasonable margin (e.g., 2:1) between the fuse ratings and the actual AC current draw that is anticipated. Given the maximum output power ratings of those amps, their mains fuses would have to have considerably higher current ratings than specified to support pure class A operation. Regards, -- Al |
@charles1dad - I used my LTA preamp with my old Decware ZMA and didn't hear much difference from using the ZMA alone. It seemed the Micro ZOTL was so transparent it really didn't have much effect but when I brought home the ZOTL40 and then paired it with the Micro ZOTL then the heavens opened up and angels sang. In other words - good synergy.
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Hi Mikirob,
I always have appreciated your listening impressions and insight. It seems we listen to music in the same manner and with very similar priorities. I'm not at all surprised that the Dynamo responds so noticeably to tube rolling. The very good amplifiers always seem to do so.
I am surprised that you say the LTA preamp offers only "slightly" better improvement vs the Dynamo's volume control. I guess I assumed a wider performance gap between them. It appears that the Dynamo is especially good for a 1500.00 amplifier.
If you ever hear the Double Impacts I'd love to know your opinion of them. Charles |
Question for the amp experts: would a Pass Labs 100.8 be sonically superior to the BHK 300's that I am using now? I like the BHK's very much, but am open to other amps. Thanks.
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Whacky: Got 1 and 1/2 inch lengths for my threaded gliders and am glad for the extra length.
When you put them on, you have to tilt the box a little to remove one set of the older feet and add the new ones. The Herbie feet will not accept too much tension on the outer portion of the circle; so its best to screw them all the way in, then tilt the box for the other set. Once that second set is installed at its final height, you can retilt the box yet one more time and raise the first set a second time to match. Doing it this way removes the chance of breaking the outer edge of the rim. |
mikirob:
Thanks so much; your response is why these threads work. Am thinking of giving a tube amp a try and have been looking at the primaluna dialogue premium -- because it has substantially better specs than other units. Could not find out from them the class of their amp although it is push-pull. Would not consider anything other than class A. Have been listening to the Bernstein set for over 2 weeks now and revisiting the favorites I heard when they were released in the 60s and 70s. All of these performances are "good," a surprisingly-high number are "great," and another number are the best of all time (e.g., the Hindemith). It was a confluence of fortunate events: a great conductor, a great orchestra in the preeminent city of its day, AND Columbia records. Columbia was being supported by its Dylan recordings and took the opportunity with the NYP and Bernstein to invent close miking techniques for the orchestra with mixing principles closely tied to the musical content and major themes. The result was spectacular in its day and presaged all later recording techniques. WHEN YOU REMOVE the tape hiss, these recordings sound better to my ears than any 21st century recording. SO, don't miss the "Intermezzo" from the Bizet suite. The flutist should have been knighted after that performance... |
Craig,
By-the-way, Danzon Cubano, CD72 sounds even better than the Hindemith, more dynamic, piano, near perfect, this is a Wow! Nice deep bass/drums/percussion. Best, mikirob
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Craigl59,
First, let me say what I value most in music reproduction is tone, timbral accuracy, texture, density, weight of the orchestra, and less the musical artifacts of a recording.
Second, while listening I turned my volume up from 10 to 12 o'clock. Too loud for my wife, she left the room, 18x20x9.
No matter the volume I had a well defined stage, wall to wall, with good depth. I could clearly/easily place the various instruments within that stage. I believe to my ears I heard the total orchestral texture, correct timbre, tone, weight of that orchestra. I think my Cary 280, 50 triode PP watts would slightly put a little more meat on the bones, my Primaluna Dialogue One less (sold both of those units). I must say I enjoyed this piece by Hindemith immensely. I want to let you know top to bottom my combo got it all, very satisfied. Best, mikirob
p.s. I did not hook up my LTA preamp, just used the built-in volume control on the Dynamo. The Preamp would improve everything slightly from my experience. Also, as good as the DeVore's are I have a real burn to obtain the Double Impacts. I have too much good stuff right now including Harbeth HL5s, plus the older Tektons. |
Craigl59,
I am listening now, will report as soon as this piece is finished. Best, mikirob
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mikirob:
Am confused about how a very small wattage can accurately portray a dense orchestral texture -- especially since the damping factors are much lower than with SS.
Could you try out Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphoses on your set (CD 49) and tell me how much of the total orchestral texture can be heard at, say, a dynamic range of peaks around 90 db?
All of the Copland recordings in this set are superb -- Bernstein had a real feel for Aaron's music. Suspect you have already discovered Copland's Danzon Cubano on CD 72 -- it is a total gas. |
As an owner of the Coincident Dynamo l'd like to echo charles1dad thoughts above. Right now I am listening to Aaron Copeland's "Music for Theatre in five parts for small orchestra" CD 42 in the wonderful 80 CD set of Leonard Bernstein works recommended above. Fabulous recording.
The Coincident Dynamo, with Gold Lion KT77s, RCA Red base 5691 (6SL7) and 5U4G sounds stunningly good with my DeVore Orangutan 0/96. The Coincident Dynamo also sounds quite good with my Tekton Lores and Mini-Lore; but, as Charles stated, the DHT, properly executed 300B will give you much more. If you can afford the Triode Labs or Coincident 300B amps is a great way to go. Best, mikirob
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Hello Ipretiring, Thank you for your kind comments. I understand your dilemma, budget, value and high sound quality being the variables. I’m a big believer/advocate for opting for good output transformers (OPT) as they’re so vital a factor toward high level sound quality.
If you don’t want to get an upgrade OPT I suspect the base OPT in the Triode Labs is a very decent part. I can’t imagine they use an inferior one given its importance. You have chosen excellent speakers so I’d urge you to get the best amplifier you can "comfortably" afford. In the long run this always works out best IMHO.
I place such value
on OPT and power supplies that I’d wait and save more money if needed to get the better quality choices, obviously we’re all different in our approaches. Good luck to you. Charles |
Hi Charles,
From following along with this thread I am considering the Triode Labs as has been referenced by you and along with other posters who I also respect. However, at this stage of my life I find it difficult to spend too freely. Quite the contrary to when I was younger.
With the Triode Labs I'm unsure if I would even go with the upgraded transformer. The Frankensteins I recognize as a very top tier product, but 6K for new I would have to say no. How about we talk about your pair used?
But seriously, I believe I will get a SET amp and to be candid I did not even realize that the Dynamo was a SEP. I will need to learn of other performance/value options before I can make this move.
Part of the magnetism of this hobby appears to me to also be in the pursuit.
BTW, thank you for all the excellent insight you provide to this and other informative threads on this forum.
LP |
There is a review on line of the Mark II unit that I read 1-2 mo ago. Seems that vs. the original, it is may lean a bit more in the solid state direction. It sounds like a very nice amp for the money. Just not sure if it offers the qualities of an SET amp as Kenny noted above. Encourage you to check out that review.
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ipretiring,
Now I agree with what Charles has said.
I considered the dynamo MK2 version myself and I know without question that coincident offers a very good build quality but I did'nt get one and decided to try a Zotl40 from LTA.I'm already using their preamp the MZ2S and might have better system synergy.
I have owned and heard several different brands of a Sep el-34 tube amp and really didn't like any of them including a Dennis Had model.
I much prefer the El-34 tube in a push pull topology,I found the Sep to be lean in the mids and lack extension on both ends.
The dynamo might be better in these attributes,I don't know for sure I have never heard one.I'm not big fan of chrome on my electronics either much prefer good ole Henry Ford black.
One thing I do know for sure is that no Sep amp is ever going to have the magic that a true DHT set amp has but the dynamo might get very close and for 1500.00 you probably can't go wrong either way.
If you do get one let us know how you like it.
Best of luck to you,
Kenny. |
Hi Ipretiring, Is there a particular SET amplifier you have in mind? I haven’t heard the Dynamo MK II but sources I trust say that it is a "very" good sounding amplifier. It uses the el 34 output tube in a SEP (SINGLE ENDED PENTODE) as opposed to a SET (which uses directly heated triodes, 2A3, 300b, 45, 845 etc.). I do have a bias toward DHT and believe they offer the musicality is its purest and most natural presentation.
However non DHT pentode/tetrode tubes in the hands of talented builders with good ears can and will sound terrific! A good quality DHT SET is going to cost more money with rare exception. It depends on your budget limits. The DIs certainly seem to be a true conduit and reveal what comes before them in the signal chain. If you are after the upmost in terms of transparency, tone and nuance and have the budget I believe that you’d be very pleased with DHT SET. For example the Triode Labs 2A3 SET mentioned here several times by teajay would be an excellent option to consider. I use the Coincident Frankenstein MK II 300b SET which has served me exceedingly well x 8 years. You have many fine choices with the DIs. Charles |
Has anyone had any experience driving any of the Tektons with a Coincident Dynamo? New they are a huge value at $1500.
I'm wondering what level of performance they offer before I wrap my mind around possibly dropping 5K on a SET amp.
LP |
@whacky
+1 on what Kenny has shared.
I went with Herbie’s Giant Threaded Stud Gliders based on recommendations from folks on the thread. To very good results.
Like Kenny, I also went with a 1-inch length but you can go to the 1.5 inch length if you would like to adjust / tilt the speakers slightly. I am also using two sets of 4 Herbie’s Giant Gliders under isolation shelves; the DIs with the screwed in Gliders rest/stand on top of the isolation shelf with gliders. To my ears, this really brought ’more’ out of the isolation efforts. I also believe raising the DIs a bit off the floor will result in gains. My floors are bare hardwood (oak).
There are other brand approaches to consider as well. Soundocity has products that folks here are also using to good effect. They are also reasonably priced.
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whacky,
You will need 1/4 x20 thread size and 1 inch length.
Lots of folks are using the threaded stud gliders on hardwood floors and or carpet with good results.I agree spikes are just to cumbersome.
I use the gliders and they rest on small hardwood bases that are basically the same dimensions of the speaker.You will hear better defined bass to raise the speaker off the floor and the gliders will give good isolation and make it easy to move the speaker around for positioning.
Best of luck,
Kenny.
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Can anyone tell me the type of type/# thread required for aftermarket feet of gliders on the DIs??
Standard/Metric , and what length I should to order??
In particular, I'm currently looking to order up some Herbie's threaded stud gliders to fill those holes and help with noise isolation.
That is, unless someone has a better, equally reasonably priced option for hardwood floors. Spikes are OUT. and Spikes in shoes/spike gliders are just too cumbersome for my tastes.
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mazikrav,
I use the soundsmith mcp2 phono pre with a low output zyx airy 3 Mc cart.I'm not a big vinyl listener anymore,I only play recordings that I don't have on digital primarily.The mcp2 provides 62 db of gain which is plenty for my system.
It would be nice to know the actual voltage gain in db that your preamp has then it would be easier to make amp recommendations.
I forgot to mention the new pass labs Xa-25,I don't know anything about it but there is a couple of reviews online.
Best,
Kenny.
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Lance,
It's hard to believe one watt can drive the DI's so well, but I'm a big believer in the MZ2/DI combo. I'm still going to add a SET amp down the road to add that "more meat on the bones" Teajay describes, but I'm in no rush to do so as the MZ2 with the NOS TungSol round plates and 40's Mullard 12at7's is sounding so sweet right now. NOS Brimar yellow T label 12at7's on the way.......thanks to Teajay's suggestion.
Glad you're enjoying the DI's. Once they fully open up they are something to behold. The MZ2 with the DI's is a match made in heaven. |
Wow, the DI's have opened up and are sounding spectacular this evening. Still driving with Modwright Oppo 205 to 1 watt Micro ZOTL but now with NOS Tung Sol 6F8G VT99 tubes there is leap in performance from the Sylvania bad boys 6SN7's. I can't believe I'm hearing all of this with 1 watt. Very happy.
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P.S, Kenny: My phono stage is Sound-Smith MM3 built only for MM cartridges. ( I saved a little money by excluding the low output MC option. Peter Lederman was so nice.
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