2. amps-preamps
  3. 175230-171111

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
rbautista
91 posts
 

@lous what soviet tubes do you have or recommend? Did a quick search and they are on the lower end which could be a fun tweak. VivaTubes has some for $13/tube. Are those the ones or do you have the Melz?

lous's avatar
lous
200 posts
 

rbautista, I believe that those are 1965 or newer, I have some but haven't listened to them. I believe that all of the ones I bought came from Europe, mostly from the Ukraine. I bought a lot of them in December I believe that they all arrived safely, at most there could be one shipment out there, but the late date was February, so I haven't bothered to check yet. They have the square/rectangular plate at the bottom. The ones with the disk at the bottom are newer. 1964 or before seems to be the division. With the square getter being the proof.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

rbautista
91 posts
 

I’m back to using the Shuguang in the output buffer

lous's avatar
lous
200 posts
 

The Shuguang tubes Don was using prior to the Linlai tubes are pretty good, IME. I just did a better/worse between the Linlai and Soviet tubes and the Soviet tubes were fuller where the Linlai tubes tapered off sooner. The Soviet tubes just sound a little more life-like. That said, until I heard the Soviet tubes I was smitten with the Linlais.

rbautista
91 posts
 

Just ordered some ‘54 CBS/Hytron 6sn7gt (black base, white lettering).  Hoping they will pull a bit more detail than the Shuguang like the 7n7 did but not be too in your face.  Maybe a some top end “sparkle”.  I’ll find out next week when I get them. 

More to discover