Vfet / SIT Amplifiers


Are there Vfet amplifier owners on this forum?

If yes, what do you own and what are your impressions?

sonetduo

It's been a while since I've posted something here. I've got my TA-N7 restored and the results are quite interesting.

I'm going to compare the Sony with my two B-3s in BTL. Of course, it may be just my lying ears but it's something like this:

1. Sony resolves more detail

2. Sony's got a bit more air

Otherwise they are rather similar in every way.

When I pitted the B-3s against the Accuphase A-75, the B-3s were clearly better and I reckoned that the B-3 is a pinnacle of sound design. However, the TA-N7 just proved that it can always get better.

just to ground on reality a bit,

If you have not fully restored these units, you are really hearing the impact of aging on these units and comparing that is really subjective. Simply getting the ~45 years old amplifiers stable enough to power on and play music might not equate to an accurate representation.

Speaking of the TA-N7 alone, N7 is a superb amplifier, but there are noticeable differences even between N7 units with different degrees of restoration, leave alone comparing them to other units. Speakers you pair them with is also a critical factor as N7s will not do as well on hungrier loads.

The N-7 fully and properly restored with bulk caps replaced and a critical set of ill fated semiconductors will fare well against most amps, including its vfet rivals from Yamaha and others. To the same token, a properly restored Yamaha such as a B-2, will give the N-7 a full run for the money.

After many hours of listening and tweaking these machines, both on the bench and the listening room, I find the N7 is very precise with a tight bass and airy highs.  On the same token, the B-2 goes deep in the lows and has a clear advantage here, especially when pushing anything lower than 8ohms, yet keeping comparable on the highs and separation / depth, but with a wider soundstage. I can't say that I would trade one over the other so for this reason I will keep both..as a matter of fact I will be keeping two of each. If you liked the dual B3s in BTL, you need to hear 2xB2s or 2xN7s bi-amped. My hypothesis is that 2XB3 bi-amped do better than 2xB3s BTL, which is something I am yet to find time for setting up.

 

 

 

Sony and Yamaha Vfet's are still my favorite amplifiers after all of these years. Trying to keep my B-2 running for the next generations! Just wondering if anyone has compared any other V-fet amps to the B-2x?

Well, both B-3s and the TA-N7 are fully restored, so I reckon they're in their prime. If I was to rate all V-FETs I've tested so far, it would be like this:

1. Sony TA-N7

2. 2x Yamaha B-3 in BTL

3. Yamaha B-2

4. Yamaha B-3

5. Victor JM-S7

6. Hitachi HA-500F