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
barto OP
52 posts
 
Thanks for the quick responses.

I do not think underpowering is the problem here, the Liuto monitor is much easier to drive than older Sonus Faber models.
I've owned the Guaneri Memento and Auditor M in the past, the GM was very difficult, the Auditor was quite easy on amps, and I think the Liuto even more so.
The Vincent seems te be in control.

Newbee, the LPS version of tthis tube is indeed not warm, but a lot more balanced than most Sovteks. And I chose these because my mids and lows are already somewhat on the warm side because of the cumulative efect of the Rega/Sonus combo.
I think the control in that region is now almost ideal, and more warmth would make it more fussy I am afraid.

Any other ideas?
Post removed 
barto OP
52 posts
 
Hmm...the more I think about your statement Czarivey I am starting to doubt.

It would explain some other things I have experienced and blamed because of the sometimes light or dry balance.

Maybe I need to experiment some more to know for sure.
newbee
4,751 posts
 
I hate to recommend NOS tubes but FWIW, if you can find them, you might like the EI 12AX7E (Not the EG) with long grey plates and steel pins. Sounds much like a NOS Tele, but cheaper. I like this tube a lot and when I can I use it.

FWIW, 2 other things that you might consider re changing your highs, 1)speaker cable & 2) speaker toe in. Oft times just changing your toe in (substantially) can solve the problem. Try crossing the axis of your speakers until your speaker's axis and your listening seat are at a 22 degree angle. This is comparable to facing the speakers straight ahead but with minimum side wall reflections and a change of the reflection pattern off of the ceiling. For speaker cable on the cheap, but very effective try some Belden 5000 series 10 gauge. FWIW. So much for generic fixes. :-)
zd542
5,339 posts
 
If you bought it new, then it may not be fully broken in yet. Put at least 200-300 hours on it before making any decisions.

If it is broken in and you want the amp to work for you, it may require you to make several small changes in order to get the bigger change you need. IC's, speaker cables, power cords, line conditioners can all make a difference. Personally, I don't like to tune a system this way. I feel its much easier to choose the main components in a system to get results that I want, than it is to get close and try tweaks. But in your situation, it looks like you're close enough where tweaks may work.

If it was my system, I would sell the amp and get something else. Going by reviews is very risky. Quite often, components don't sound like they say they do. In the end you'll end up saving money and getting better sound. But that's just my opinion.

I almost for got to ask, but what are you using as a transport? If its a computer, you may be able to do a lot to improve sound quality.
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