Just another update on the little tube amp that could.
I've got the CI modified DAC in line with the DTI Pro 32 and am now experiencing cable blues. Not real blues mind you but the insertion of an as-yet unbroken-in Illuminati D-60 has moved the soundstage back together. (Clearly this is not the Amp's doing. Substituting an Onix 0.5 m line between the DTI and the DAC brings it forward (even though there is some discussion that digital cabling should be AT LEAST 1.0 m in length). It's an interesting A/B comparison to have the soundstage compress and expand with the substitution of a cable. Anyway, the D60 will stay in til I get about 100 hours on it and then make a final determination as to its status. I have scheduled to move in an Acoustic Zen MC2 in place of either the Onix or the D60 and this one is already broken in (Thanks Disco) and that should really open things up.
Anyway, the process is now at the cable stage (new PC from Zu Cable coming for the Jolida -- New ICs from the DAC to the amp and Bybee filters to go in-line as well). All of this to see where I can get the amp to become the limiting factor (if I can with the current set-up). Thus far, particularly after rolling in the Mullards for the 12AT7 tubes -- this little jewel of an amp has made wonderful sounds out of a limited system. I am planning on maximizing the situation by getting the cables "out of the way" and seeing if there are limits to the musicality of the amp. That's the most surprising thing is the complete enjoyment obtained in listening to it. No fatigue, just great vocals floating in space on an invisible stage in front of my near-field listening post. At the best arrangement thus far, the imaging of the system was near pinpoint and plenty of air around each vocal and instrument. The cables coming in will make a tremendous difference but I'm letting my patience ride herd in order to incorporate as few changes at one time as possible. Will I find a ceiling on the amp's capabilities? Probably. But by then I should be at the max in my other componentry. I'll continue to post on this thread since those folks who get the Jolida, especially the modded one out of Walter at Underwood HiFi, should know what other components (within budgetary concerns) optimize the presentation. I'm going to look at some different 12AX7 tubes as well. The Sylvanias I have did compress things a bit over the EH's provided by Underwood in the original mod. There are some out there that could really wow the audience -- especially if you are the audience in front of the music generated by this unit.
F7
I've got the CI modified DAC in line with the DTI Pro 32 and am now experiencing cable blues. Not real blues mind you but the insertion of an as-yet unbroken-in Illuminati D-60 has moved the soundstage back together. (Clearly this is not the Amp's doing. Substituting an Onix 0.5 m line between the DTI and the DAC brings it forward (even though there is some discussion that digital cabling should be AT LEAST 1.0 m in length). It's an interesting A/B comparison to have the soundstage compress and expand with the substitution of a cable. Anyway, the D60 will stay in til I get about 100 hours on it and then make a final determination as to its status. I have scheduled to move in an Acoustic Zen MC2 in place of either the Onix or the D60 and this one is already broken in (Thanks Disco) and that should really open things up.
Anyway, the process is now at the cable stage (new PC from Zu Cable coming for the Jolida -- New ICs from the DAC to the amp and Bybee filters to go in-line as well). All of this to see where I can get the amp to become the limiting factor (if I can with the current set-up). Thus far, particularly after rolling in the Mullards for the 12AT7 tubes -- this little jewel of an amp has made wonderful sounds out of a limited system. I am planning on maximizing the situation by getting the cables "out of the way" and seeing if there are limits to the musicality of the amp. That's the most surprising thing is the complete enjoyment obtained in listening to it. No fatigue, just great vocals floating in space on an invisible stage in front of my near-field listening post. At the best arrangement thus far, the imaging of the system was near pinpoint and plenty of air around each vocal and instrument. The cables coming in will make a tremendous difference but I'm letting my patience ride herd in order to incorporate as few changes at one time as possible. Will I find a ceiling on the amp's capabilities? Probably. But by then I should be at the max in my other componentry. I'll continue to post on this thread since those folks who get the Jolida, especially the modded one out of Walter at Underwood HiFi, should know what other components (within budgetary concerns) optimize the presentation. I'm going to look at some different 12AX7 tubes as well. The Sylvanias I have did compress things a bit over the EH's provided by Underwood in the original mod. There are some out there that could really wow the audience -- especially if you are the audience in front of the music generated by this unit.
F7