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Allnic OTL/OCL Phono vs Allnic DHT

I’ve owned both the Allnic DHT phono stage and now the newer OTL/OCL phono, and to my ears, the OTL is simply on another level.

The DHT was impressive—open, natural, and full of that classic tube warmth. But the OTL not only brings greater transparency, speed, and clarity—it somehow retains the same warmth and richness of the DHT, but does it better. It feels more refined, more coherent, and more emotionally engaging without sacrificing any of that organic beauty.

I’m curious—has anyone else here made the comparison? Did you find the OTL to be a clear step forward, or did you prefer the DHT’s character?

Would love to hear your impressions.

phantom_av
lewm
13,785 posts
 

No transformer ought to be better than even a very good transformer or a very good capacitor, so your observations don’t surprise me. I’d like to find out more about the OTL unit.

lewm
13,785 posts
 

The idea of an OTL/OCL phono stage intrigued me, so I looked up this Allnic product.  At $45,000 retail, you are not apt to find too many, except dealers, who have compared it to their DHT phono stage, which also costs well into the 5-figure range.  Anyway, to do away with both a transformer and capacitor for coupling, the unit must use some sort of servo mechanism to cancel DC offset at its output.  This has been done before, a few times, with OTL tube amplifiers. The servo itself then can become an issue, either for coloring the sound or for developing faults in its operation.  However, I have faith that Mr Park can get around such problems.

osiris369
28 posts
 

I've always wanted to try Allnic products based purely on aesthetics.   laugh

 

If they sound nearly as good as they look... JACKPOT!! 

joeycastillo
93 posts
 

I am interested too. never heard the sound of OTL phono amps. 

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