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
Just chiming in on the Linlai tubes. I run four of these in my DS2 and they are very quiet. They sound absolutely fantastic. To my taste they are better than the recent offerings from Shuguang and Psvane. With LinLais in place, I have no desire to explore further. @whitestix - How is that KT88 power amp? I have enjoyed the DS2 for a few months and given how nice it sounds, I have been wondering if the matching amp should be on my wish list. Cheers, Soren |
@whitestix Thanks for the description of the Kootenay. It sounds like a wonderful amp and great complement to the DS2. You got me looking up Wells Audio. Their amps seem very well reviewed. Which model 'matches' the Kootenay in your setup? I have been thinking of replacing my trusty old Pass Labs, which also spits out a lot of heat. Cheers, Soren |
@danmar123 Yes - I have 4 LinLai tubes in my DS2. I prefer two pairs of these to using Psvane 181-Tii, globes or Shuguang WE61n7 in the buffer position.
Cheers, Soren |
Hi ptrck887, I am surprised you find the Linlai tubes hazy and unfocused. They are very transparent in my DS2 and throw a large soundstage/image well. I have only tried recent and current production tubes from Psvane, Shuguang and Linlai, and prefer four of the Linlai's to any combination involving these other brands. I use a Sylvania 6BY5GA rectifier and prefer this to a few other modestly priced rectifier tubes. Given how sweet the Linlai's sound, I have no interest in exploring the NOS rabbit hole :) Cheers, Soren |
