2. amps-preamps
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Vincent SV236MK Dry and bright?

I have read so much positives about this hybrid amplifier that I am kind of surprised when I heard it.

I am in the process of creating an affordable system that serves music well and is at least acceptable in audiophile terms. (Just sold my quite more expensive system)

I just added this Vincent amplifier and am surprised by its sound.
It definitely does some things very well for its price point, good detail, quite crisp, and nice flow and pace.

But I find it to sound so damn dry at times, and although it does have some tubelike warmth it also sounds quite bright.
Shifting a lot of music into not enjoyable for me.
I already replaced the stock tubes with Sovtek 12ax7lps, which helped some but not enough.

Does anyone have the same experience with this model?

At the moment I am experimenting with Sonus Faber Liuto monitor and Rega Dac.

I must add the new tubes have only about 20 hours on them and the Rega DAC about 60 hours.
But although I do believe in some break in effects, I have never experienced a system transforming to enjoyable from the other side.
(Not that I can't completely enjoy this system, but you get my point)

I can tame at least the brightness with speaker positioning in this setup, tilting etc.
But only when part of the brilliance of the airiness and stage is gone I succeed. A trait I am not willing to make.
And even than the highs continue to sound dry.

Any experience with this amp would be appreciated!
Thanks in advance.
barto

Showing 1 response by chrshanl37

chrshanl37
841 posts
 
I have the sv 237 with rca black plate 5751's and Morrow cables. I have to
say your description of the bright and dry sound is not at all what I have
experienced. I had originally purchased it for my wife to use in our small
living room with some Soundfield m1's and was shocked at how good it
sounded. So much so that I sold off my seperate amp/tube preamp and
tube dac as well as the m1's and now just have the Vincent driving my
Speaker Art Super Clefs (88db) and I absolutley love the sound of this
system as well as the simplicity.

The room I have it set up in is not ideal it's untreated and has hardwood
floors probably about 12 x 12. I have never felt the sound was bright on any
recording. In fact most of the time my wife just streams music via sonos (no
seperate dac) and still no hint of brightness.

I realize our amps are not exactly the same but a guy I know in Minneapolis
has had several high end amps from Mac to Esoteric and still prefers the
Vincent 236 mkll to anything he has owned. Perhaps there is a
mismatch within your system.

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