Don Sachs Owners Thread

Tubes go bad, Brent Jesse does through testing, as do Kevin Deals' people. I haven't heard of a DS2 going up in flames, but anyone who deals with tubes should tell you in no uncertain terms that they can, and not to leave them on and unattended. That said, there is little dboutvof 2 things. 1. Highly reputable dealers tubes are rigorously tester. 2. That will cost you more money as they have to purchase more tubes, and sell less than they buy as a result. Even if you were to buy a top of the line tube tester, you likely won't know how to dial it in to get them best results.

@rbaughman welcome to the Don Sachs component thread. You have a great sounding linestage. I have a Bendix rectifier. It is punchy and kind of forward sounding. Exciting, but not very subtle. I find it a little fatiguing. 

Don't think you have to worry about starting a fire with tubes. Though it is possible for a tube to take out other parts. This seems less likely with a linestage. I have had the problem with amp power tubes. Even that didn't start a fire.

Thanks,

aldnorab

So who's got a Don Sachs preamp in the Los Angeles area who'd be nice enought to let me hear it.  I've got the itch to swap out my Cary SLP98 F1.  

I am in Santa Clarita, Ca.  Current system is Cary SLP98 F1, fully modded SMC Audio DNA1 amp, Usher Dancer Mini2 floor standers, Denafrips Pontus2 DAC,  full Acoustic Zen interconnects and Goertz silver speaker cables.   

I don't know if I should one of Don's pre or send my Cary in for upgrades.  I love/hate this hobby.  

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

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