2. amps-preamps
  3. 148390-18781

AVA Vision Set 400 v Belles SA-100

What amp would you recommend of these two, AVA Vision Set 400 or the Belles SA-100 amp, to be used with either a Don Sachs pre amp or a Supratek Cabernet pre, my speakers are Graham Audio LS 5/9.

Would very much appreciate your input on the two amps, especially how they fair with tube pre amps.
What is the sound difference between them and is there a quality difference?
I know that the Belles is much more expensive, but I can maybe make a deal on a demo unit, that puts it into the same price bracket as a new Set 400.

I don’t like clinical sound, or thin upper mid/treble, I prefer rich and organic sound with clarity, but never harsh,
also it is very important for me to be able to listen for many hours without any fatigue.

Hope to hear from some members that have or have heard either amp.
Thanks.
gryphongryph

Showing 5 responses by jackd

jackd
1,078 posts
 

@gryphongryph 

 

If your back toggle switch is flipped to the rear and the gain control turned all the way to the left your gain should be practically zero with whichever of the two outputs it controls.  If you have decided you prefer the 6SN7 output and have no control over it you might want to consider selling the Dual and buying the standard model or a Chardonnay.  

jackd
1,078 posts
 

Turn the gain down on the Cabernet to about 11 o'clock and you won't have any issues with volume.  I am running the .60 volt Nuforce STA-200 at 10 o'clock with no issues.  That's why the gain adjustment is there.

jackd
1,078 posts
 

Didn't realize you have bought the Dual, some of those quirks plus my stash of 6SN7's is why it didn't interest me.  I just bought the 6SN7 version where turning the gain down does work and same with my Chardonnay.  

jackd
1,078 posts
 

@gryphongryph 

 

So you can adjust the gain to a correct level with the 300B output?  For the fixed 6SN7 output have you thought about trying a pair of Rothwell attenuators or something similar.  They will let you take 10db off of the maxed out gain for the 6SN7 outputs. There are also other makers but I have used the Rothwell's and they work.  Their company specializes in MC phono preamps in the UK.

jackd
1,078 posts
 

@gryphongryph 

If you cannot turn one of the outputs down to zero (back toggle flipped toward the rear) then your preamp is not functioning as it should and you need to contact Mick.  If the adjustment is on the 300B output and you are trying to use the full 26db gain output on the 6SN7  output with the Belles then even with the Rothwell's you are still getting 16db gain which is to much for that amp.  There are plenty of amps on the market that will work with your preamp/speaker combo but if the Cabernet Dual is not operating as advertised then you need to contact Mick or at least reach out to Johnny @jslateiv and see if he has any suggestions. 

 

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