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

I tried the unplug suggestion in hopes something would reset.  Left it unplugged over night and no dice.  I sent an email to Roy if he has any suggestions while I wait for Don to reply to my remote and upgrade questions. 
 

Fingers crossed this could be resolved by getting a new remote and not send in to Don. 

I hope that you are able to get it working. One other thing to try would be contact cleaner. 

Just want to say that both Don and Roy provide wonderful customer service with their helpfulness and insight.

I shouldn't have left it there. Roy designed Don's preamp, but he was content with it. He's a genius to be sure, and certainly quite knowledgeable. Don is as well, but his genius is perfecting things, and you have to be unbelievable knowledgeable to do so. They are similar, yet different.

Now that I think about it, I haven't contacted Roy in years, his outlook may have changed. I may be talking about a Roy from a different era.