DK Design VS.1 Reference mkII - Optimization


I would like to know what tuning, customizing, hot rodding, tweaking, what ever.. that you owners of DK Design VS-1 MK2 are using to bring out the best in this amp. It seems to be responsive to changes in interconnects, tubes, power & speaker cables, speaker dynamics, etc. most probably to both the positive and negative.

Please share your work. I would like to know what improved it's performance, what caused no real change and what made it sound worse. Thanks in advance!
jomoinc
Sundance1,
I also am interested in what the Parts Connexion upgrade path could do for my unit and would love to hear about the options, process & timeframes, and of course, the results during and after break in.... I would highly encourage you to post your thoughts and progress for us other owners interested in what is possible. Thanks in advance and best of luck in your quest! It would be great to be able to bump up to higher level of performance keeping in mind the "Fun per dollar ratio" we all love about this model.
Best regards,
Jon
Jomionc, I have come upon a tube that just seems to synergize with the DK beautifully and this is it:
http://www.tube-classics.de/TC/Tubes/Valvo%20E88CC/E88CC12.htm
It is designated a Valvo, sold to me as a Mullard, but evidently is a Phillips/Amperex according to Tube Classics. All of a sudden there is this deep structured, detailed bass response with neutral and transparent mids and highs. Look for it as a Valvo E188CC.
Here is a German site that features it:
http://www.jogis-roehrenbude.de/Roehren-Geschichtliches/ECC88-Familie/Valvo-E188CC/Val-E188.htm

The difference this tube made in my VS-1 was nothing short of amazing.
I wanted to ask, how do I change the gain of the amp? I'm asking because I listen to it at no more than 9-10 o'clock and it's pretty load, or is it b/c it's so called 'class A' amp? Anyone noticed this?
Jimtyrro,
I read that the input level is ajustable from the preamp pots but that is all I know at this time. It was in relation to dropping the gain to allow for a "hot" phono preamp input voltage. If you find out anything, please post and I will do the same. I noted the same thing on an earlier post on this thread.
Jon
Jon,

I was coressponding with Daniel some time ago, and in one of his emails he wrote the following:

The line-stage has variable gain. There are small potentiometers on the pre-amp board next to each tube. The potentiometer is adjustable with a screw driver and you can set the optimal gain for your system if needed.

I've tried this yesterday without any luck, the volume is still at 9-10 for notmal listening level. So, I guess I'll have to contact DK Design and see what they will advise....I let you know.