AVA Vision Set 400 v Belles SA-100


What amp would you recommend of these two, AVA Vision Set 400 or the Belles SA-100 amp, to be used with either a Don Sachs pre amp or a Supratek Cabernet pre, my speakers are Graham Audio LS 5/9.

Would very much appreciate your input on the two amps, especially how they fair with tube pre amps.
What is the sound difference between them and is there a quality difference?
I know that the Belles is much more expensive, but I can maybe make a deal on a demo unit, that puts it into the same price bracket as a new Set 400.

I don’t like clinical sound, or thin upper mid/treble, I prefer rich and organic sound with clarity, but never harsh,
also it is very important for me to be able to listen for many hours without any fatigue.

Hope to hear from some members that have or have heard either amp.
Thanks.
gryphongryph

Didn't realize you have bought the Dual, some of those quirks plus my stash of 6SN7's is why it didn't interest me.  I just bought the 6SN7 version where turning the gain down does work and same with my Chardonnay.  

@gryphongryph 

 

If your back toggle switch is flipped to the rear and the gain control turned all the way to the left your gain should be practically zero with whichever of the two outputs it controls.  If you have decided you prefer the 6SN7 output and have no control over it you might want to consider selling the Dual and buying the standard model or a Chardonnay.  

I like to be able to change between them, the 6SN7 is more detailed, but the 300B can sound very nice with small assemble jazz.

It is useable, but could be interesting trying an amp better suited to the gain of Supratek. Accuphase has some class A power amps that one can change gain in 3 levels I think, but unfortunately they are out of my price range.

@gryphongryph 

 

So you can adjust the gain to a correct level with the 300B output?  For the fixed 6SN7 output have you thought about trying a pair of Rothwell attenuators or something similar.  They will let you take 10db off of the maxed out gain for the 6SN7 outputs. There are also other makers but I have used the Rothwell's and they work.  Their company specializes in MC phono preamps in the UK.

I use two Rothwell’s at my power amp inputs which helps a little bit, no the 300B is still too high, I asked Mick if the power amp would work with the Cabernet and he said no problem!!!

I didn’t think I would have this problem, so never looked for it, after doing some research it seams this is getting to be a common problem with high gain pre amps, as most power amps today can be driven with passive pre amps!