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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

Showing 2 responses by ptrck887

ptrck887
80 posts
 

Hello all,

Took delivery of a DS II about 6 weeks ago.  First off, Don is a great guy.  Love the pre, replaced a Modwright LS100 which is also great.  Don's has more detail and more punch.   As a dedicated tube roller I have most 6sn7's in house as well as a variety of rectifiers.  Don built mine for 5V or 5U4G types.  I am a bit surprised, not alot of tube rolling info out there......burned mine in with the supplied Linlai tubes and to my ears sort of hazy and unfocused.  Not a fan.  My favorite is the Melz 1578 but as Don predicted,  a bit hot.  95% of my playlist they are outstanding but on some get a bit edgy.   RCA VT-231 nice but lose come punch.  Raytheon VT-231 kind oh lifeless.  Have some Ken Rad Blackglass in coming.   Anyone have experience with the Ken Rad clear glass?  Never been a Sylvania 6sn7  fan but haven't tried them yet in Don's.  Any input from other tube rollers out there?  BTW, rectifier I'm running is the Mullard GZ37 fat bottle.  Wonderful.

Thanks

ptrck887
80 posts
 

Hello All!

Curious....any DS II owners experimenting with footers?  Don's cases are all wood, including the bottom cover.  On my pre's I have always used 3" maple platforms and Symposium Acoustics Svelte Shelf Plus.  Typically footers have been Stillpoint Ultras but pretty sure the wood to Stillpoint interface isn't very good so switched to Symposium Rollerblock Jrs.  Seems to work better but I seem to be running into a rash of microphonic tubes, both in the 6SN7 positions and the rectifier, which in my model is 5U4G, 5AR4 or the NOS Winged C 5C3S that Don supplied....a very good rectifier BTW.  Just wondering if the footers are actually amplifying the vibrations rather than dampening them.  Any other owners experimenting with footers?  

Another subject.....I just replaced a McIntosh MC275VI Tube amp which worked very well with the DS II, with a Pass Labs XA25....another stellar match.  Speakers are modded Cornwall IV's.

Thanks All!

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