Any experience with Audio Experience A2 preamp ?


Hi,
I am interested to know about your edperience with Audio Experience (YS Audio, a hong Kong based company) A2 tube preamp. Where does it stand in comparison with Asthetix Calypso, Emotive Audio Syra, CAT SL1 mk-III, Audio Research Ref 3, or Ayre K1xe (though it is a solid state unit) ? I know these preamps have wide range of prices. Any other comparison will be also helpful.
Thanks,
topmostaudio
to Ys I bought the older model it is still pooly made the rectifier section blew out on mine as well as a few other people I have spoke with my uncle is a master technician
over 40 years in the field and he stated there are
elementary principles that were overlooked such as 10x the needed voltage should be min for a rectifier ,you put in the smallest cheap ones .My uncle has a phd in audio and electrical engineering from Worcster polytech in Mass if that doesnot quality than nothing does. Get back to basics
then your units would be bullit proof !!
TO Audioman58, you have not answer me:
"The BALANCED A2 preamp start produced at December 2007 , How you bougth it 2 years age at Februaty 2009"

Also, the A2 not have older model .

We produced tube amplifier and preampliifer over 20 years age. My all preamplifier and amplifier never have rectifier section problem !

------------------------------------
Other Audiogon member

Please see the Balanced A2-SE 's Review by Enjoy the Music.com.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0910/ys_audio_audio_experience_a2_se.htm

Thank you
Nelson.
While I do realize that this thread is about 10 years old, I would like to add something should anyone still be interested in one of Nelson's older preamps, and they should be for these preamps are a true high end bargain. Having owned over 20 different preamps from many different companies (Rogue, deHavilland, VTL, Cary, Allnic, ARC and others) the Audio Experience can certainly compete unless one is an audio snob. My Audio Experience throws one of the largest soundstages I have ever experienced, great recordings sound great, and garbage sounds like...garbage. This preamp does not color but it does require good tubes. One does not have to go NOS as recent manufactured tubes (TungSol re-issues come to mind) work well but there is one thing I would highly recommend and it this: swap out the 5687 tube for an Amperex or similar 7119 tube and be prepared to be stunned to the hilt! For a mere $80 or so, this "upgrade" makes the preamp perform like you added another $1000 to it in some way. I have never experienced such a drastic performance change in a piece of equipment with just a change of two tubes.
Hi. I know this thread is old, but may be someone is reading )))
I've heard an A2 Plus recently in my system, used, but very low hrs, and thinking of buying it, because I think it sound really great. Especially I was struck by razor-sharp delineation of everything, dead background, retrieval of low level detail, etc. In my system though it sounds a bit dark. I wonder what can be done to make it sound a bit brighter, more open? Not like Audio Research, but a little? I'm pretty handy with soldering iron, so can replace parts no problem. Thank you.