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Don Sachs Owners Thread

A place to discuss amps, preamps, and phono stages from Don Sachs. 

 

I just purchased a like new D2 linestage. It has 2 gain controls, 64 step volume control, and digital volume readout. It is set up for the new rectifier. This is my first 6sn7 based linestage. It came with Ken-Rad Vt 231and gray RCA tubes. There are 3 rectifier tubes. A huge Philco 6BY5G, a Tung-Sol 6BY5G, and a Bendix 5852. There is also an Ice Age Audio power cord. With 2 different sounding outputs there are a lot of options. I need to find out what value the output caps are. I have the D2 connected at the moment to a VTL ST150. Input impedance is 125K and 2v in for maximum gain. 

I placed the RCA tubes in left front and rear and Ken-Rad in the right. Used Philco rectifier. Plugged VTL amp into output 1. The brightest sounding preamp I've ever heard. It was comical, bass drums sounded more like cymbals. Output 2 sounds like normal music. This surprises me. With 125K input, I thought there would be no problem getting bass response. 

Some questions.

1. Are the 6Sn7's in the right locations? I guessed by looking at the sellers photograph.

2. Is the Ice Age Audio the AC cord the brand Don offers as an option? 

3. I'll audition all 3 but which rectifier would be considered tops?

The linestage sounds amazing. 

Thanks,

aldnorab

aldnorab
lous's avatar
lous
200 posts
 

Well, unless we’re talking Nelson Pass, most circuits are based upon other designs. Cascade amplification, according to Stan Warren, was designed by Nelson who never patented it, and the vast majority of solid state amplifiers reportedly use it. In tubes, I believe that most refer to an old RCA publication as a start. So sure, Roy may have used an existing design to start with, most do, but he blew it up into a fantastic design, Don made further refinements and turned into a state of the art preamp. Bless them all, IMO.

rbautista
91 posts
 

Input tube question. What I want is a more middle to front presentation. Currently, I feel like I’m standing right up against the stage in a concert.

The Shuguangs sounds really good paired with the 6201 Sylvania GOld Brand in my Lector DAC. I tried RCA’s in the dac. It gave the middle-front presentation I’m looking for but timbre for instruments don’t sound the same as the 6201 and the hoghs are rolled off a bit.

I’m thinking of rolling the input tubes as a starting point. 2 recommendations to me are

 

Ken Rad vt-231 clear glass

RCA 6sn7GTB 1950’s short bottle

 

Looking for other recommendations to get the same timbre and realism as the Shuguang but more middle-front hall presentation.  Also thoughts on the 2 current recommendations 

rbautista
91 posts
 

I was able to purchase a replacement remote from Roy.  I am thankful for his outstanding customer service.  I may have a Don Sachs pre but he was willing to help out on diagnose.  I also purchases one of his power cords which helped tame the slight forwardness (not brightness’s)I was experiencing. 


I may still get the KR tubes but no urgency now.  Will sit back and enjoy for now. 
 

hope the rest are having great holiday.  

rbautista
91 posts
 

Anyone rolled the rectifier?

 

My version uses the 6x5gt and came with JAN Sylvania 6x5gt/vt-126b.

I know newer versions use a different rectifier but Mr. Sachs doesn’t do upgrades anymore due to being semi-retired. He explained to me he will fix my pre if it’s broken but will not do upgrades.

any recommendations if it’s worth upgrading the Sylvania. I was thinking RCA vt126 or Mullazrd ez35.

lous's avatar
lous
200 posts
 

The only true upgrade, other than a modification allowing the use of a 6BY5 would be the Bendex 6X5 compatible rectifier. I believe that they run about 100 or 200 dollars.

 

Lou

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