DSK
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Posts posted by DSK
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3 minutes ago, half baked said:
Great amps , can't recommend enough. You'd need to spend a hell of a lot more to better them.
I have the new Kinki P27 pre and B7 monos, bought mine from the dealer here in Aus Dacman
I agree completely. I bought my black Kinki EX-M7 from DacMan about 6 months ago. It sounded pretty good out of the box but surprisingly it really came alive at around the 300 hours mark. So consistently pure, natural, effortless and musical. It has speed and agility but with body and texture. Sounds great with both ss and tube pre-amps and surpassed my Rogue Stereo 100 tube amp (which was Stereophile Class A Recomended 2020 and itself beat out more expensive amps). I've also popped an SR purple fuse into it for a small but worthwhile impovement.
I tried to love my Kinki EX-M1 integrated a couple of years ago but just couldn't get there, even with opamp upgrades. I believe the EX-M7 is much closer to the B7 monos and just lets the music and musicality pass through without imprinting its own character on it. Unless I win the lottery this amp will be with me for a long time.
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Wow! This is great buying.
These is a fantastic performing pre-amp and is often chosen over the better known "big names" in the USA. The ability to choose high/low gain (14dB/8dB) and phase is also quite useful when you are changing components in your system. Every time I have upgraded my system my VTSP-3 has been up to the task and allowed me to hear the changes. Keith Herron runs the tubes quite lightly and there is a soft start at turn on to protect them as well, so they will last for many years. This preamp performs beautifully with both tube and solid state power amps.
GLWTS, it shouldn't take long.
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These are a fantastic performing preamp, I love mine. Like yours, mine has been great with a variety of solid state and tube power amps.
The high/low gain setting and availability of phase inversion on the remote are just a couple of examples of the thought Keith Herron put into this design. I don't think there are many here in Australia but there are many instances on forums where owners bought them after auditioning them against similar or higher priced models from the big names. They are super reliable too.
GLWTS.
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8 hours ago, longgo said:
Is that a typo ... is it meant to be AUD$1,000 (the Edgar Kramer review listed a 2.5m pair as AUD$885)?
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1 hour ago, MattyW said:
I honestly couldn't tell you.... Apart from Spring Level 3. I've never seen the unit.
No worries. Unless bought new this year I'm guessing it was a Spring (series 1 or 2) Level 3 ... still quite an achievement.
If it was a "noticeable step up" from the new series 3 Spring (which is newer than the Holo May and reputedly not far behind it in SQ) it would be truly remarkable.
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3 hours ago, MattyW said:
The chap (nice bloke) bought my Abbas DAC 2.2SE said it was a noticeable step up from his Holo Spring 3 if that’s any help?
Interesting. Was that the Spring (original series) Level 3, or the new Spring Series 3 (Level 1/2/3)?
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Thanks to all those who PM'd me to buy. My baby has now been collected by a friendly SNA member to be enjoyed in her new home.
A donation will be made to SNA.
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10 hours ago, keith gray said:
I just bought a new ST100 & considering changing the fuse to the Synergistic Research purple. Was there a noticeable improvement when you changed out the original fuse?
Thanks.
Congratulations Keith, you are going to love the Stereo 100. It's a pity I didn't advertise sooner, I could have saved you thousands.
Yes, the SR Black fuse had a calming effect. It sounded like the same amp but like it was delivering the power even more effortlessly and with slightly greater finesse. Not night and day but I would definitely do it again (and did so on my other gear after hearing the SR Black on the Rogue).
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Item Condition: UsedShipping Options: Pickup available but audition is not available.,Shipping is available at agreed cost.Suburb or Town: SE MelbourneState: VICPayment Method: Cash on pickup, EFT, Paypal + FeesReason for selling: Spousal pressure (too high for shelves in my low profile hifi cabinet and has to sit on top (which apparently is meant for photos and ornaments). It's also silver but the rest of my gear is black.
Further information:
- Donation to SNA upon sale.
- Preference will be given to local pickup but I have original packaging & boxing and can ship at buyer's expense and risk (Shipping box dimensions are: 55W x 56D x 39H & Weight is 30kgs if you want to figure out what shipping cost would be from VIC 3195)
- Comes with Synergistic Research Black fuse installed, manual, original packing and box
- All new valves recently installed (matched sets Tung Sol KT120’s, Gold Lion 12AU7’s & 12AX7’s) – approx. 50 hours use since new valves installed.
- Cosmetically very good (no marks I can see) and operating perfectly (has never missed a beat)
RRP USD$3695 https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RASTE100
RRP AUD$6490 http://mcleans.info/shop/productDetails.do?productId=264752
Switchable: Ultra-linear mode (100wpc) / Triode mode (60wpc) toggle on back panel
Biasing: Easy biasing in 5 minutes (tool enclosed in chassis, built-in bias meter)
Easy Load: 200K Ohms input impedance and 1.0V RMS input sensitivity makes for an easy load for a valve or solid state pre-amp, or even a DAC.
It is not an old school lush/syrupy sounding valve amp, it is pretty neutral with beautiful body, palpability, dimensionality. I use it with a Herron VTSP-3 valve preamp and even together they are not too much of a good thing.
Features:
- Pure tube stereo power amplifier
- Aluminum/oil Mundorf coupling caps
- Ultra-wide bandwidth output transformers
- Massive fully regulated high voltage supply
- Matched quad output tubes
- Heavy-duty gold plated RCA inputs
- Heavy-duty gold plated binding posts
- User selectable 4 and 8 ohm output taps
- User selectable triode or ultralinear output
- (4) KT120, (2) 12AU7, (2) 12AX7 tube complement
- Built in bias meter
- Integral tube cage
- Machined aluminum faceplate
- Mechanically isolated transformers
- Heavy (2 ounce) copper circuit board
- All precision components
Specs:
- Output power: 100 WPC minimum
- Input impedance: 200K Ohms
- Frequency response: 5Hz - 50KHz ± 1dB
- THD: <0.1% typ., <1.0% at rated power
- Input sensitivity: 1.0V RMS
- Dimensions: 18"W x 17"D x 7"H (45W x 44D x 17H CMS)
- Weight: 60 lbs. (27 kgs)
- Shipping box dimensions are: 55W x 56D x 39H CMS, Weight is 30 KGS
Reviews:
Stereophile Class A "Recommended Component" April 2020
"Remember those McIntosh MC30 tube amps…? The Stereo 100's tank-like build quality, vividly neutral dynamic sound, and timeless styling make it a worthy successor to McIntosh's most adored classic."
"In my view, the Stereo 100 is everything – sonically, mechanically, aesthetically – that we could hope for in a 21st-century tube amp," Everything about it screams 'End-game tube amp, long-term keeper!'"
- Herb Reichert, Stereophile October 16, 2018
"My time with the ST-100 was one of the most musically enjoyable in recent memory… It earns my highest recommendation in regards to sonics and value. It is virtually maintenance free, aside from periodical tube biasing. As with all the other Rogue products I have had in house, it was 100% reliable."
- Andre Marc, positive-feedback.com, Issue 70
"The Rogue Audio Stereo 100 power amplifier is a GREAT product. I have heard no other amp under $15,000 that has comparable levels of control, clarity and consistency of tone. It was a pleasure working with Mark O’Brien and Rogue Audio on this review, and I look forward to listening to music every day with this fine amplifier in my system. Of course I purchased the review sample. It was one of the easiest buying decisions in my seemingly endless quest for great sound."
- 10audio.com, June 6, 2018
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6 hours ago, madfonzy said:
Hello according to these measurements it is 2.9v
https://www.stereophile.com/content/holoaudio-may-level-3-da-processor-measurements
Thanks fonzy.
Oh well, I'll just have to strike them from my "Lust List". At least I'll sleep better not having to worry about where I was going to come up with the cash.
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Anyone know the SE output level of the MAY? I've skimmed the Kitsune and Wildism sites and didn't see it noted.
Unfortunately the Spring 3 is 2.9Vrms SE output which will be too hot for some systems. My current DAC is already 2.5Vrms SE from memory and I wouldn't want to lose any more of the usable volume range of my pre-amp (already on low gain setting). I'd prefer not to have to use inline attenuators such as the Rothwell or Harrison Labs to bring the level back down and I'm not interested in the Spring 3's pre-amp module to replace my seperate pre-amp.
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Hi Joel,
Not quite to your desired budget but may be a good option if you can stretch it a little bit. Handles your digital and analogue inputs, volume control and also the option of room correction and custom curves etc.
https://www.minidsp.com/products/streaming-hd-series/shd
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7 hours ago, Snoopy8 said:
Sorry, but no way the SHD Studio is comparable to a mid level DAC. A DAC's SQ is determined by its power supply, output stages and DAC chip and the SHD Studio falls short with the first 2.
I imagine that it falls even shorter on the third given that it has no DAC chip
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@MattyW It will be interesting to hear your comparison of the Emperor Double Crown and Queen square wave clocks.
After being very pleasantly surprised this week by the scale and range of improvements heard when adding an EtherREGEN/AD Queen/AD LPS to my system, my wallet is REALLY hoping to hear you say that upgrading to an even higher spec clock falls deeply into the realm of diminishing returns ... Ugh, I've really gotta stop reading these forums
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Wow! Great value here on a brand not often seen here in Oz.
Alan makes wonderful speakers with that great LPG dome midrange and nice, heavy and inert boxes. I've been using the big brother Sonata III's for several years and (short of winning tattslotto) have no thoughts of selling them.
GLWTS, someone will be very happy.
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On 13/03/2021 at 12:29 AM, MattyW said:
Nice, my Afterdark Ocxo clock is in Sydney. I should have it some time next week
I think ours must have been in the same batch Matty. My clock & LPS has just been delivered (Melbourne) for use on an etherREGEN that is on the way.
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The amp has been purchased and collected by a fellow SNAer.
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Thank you to those who have made offers and enquiries.
The amp has now been sold pending payment.
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4 hours ago, Bill125812 said:
Thanks for rotating the images Bill, much appreciated.
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Item Condition: Excellent, unmarkedShipping Options: Pickup available but audition is not available.,Shipping is available at agreed cost.Suburb or Town: ParkdaleState: VICPayment Method: EFT, PayPalReason for selling: Sadly I can’t keep the Kinki AND my tube gear
Further information:
- Donation to StereoNet upon sale.
- Lowballers will be politely ignored.
- Having the original packaging I am able to ship the amp within Australia at buyer's expense (with insurance) and risk but would prefer a local pickup.
Bought brand new from DACman last year, it is the later edition with the High/Low Gain switch on the back to allow you to best match it to your system. This unit is unmarked and has only had approx. 100 to 150 hours use, it may not even be fully run in yet. After taking the pictures I have wrapped her back up in the original protective sleeve and double boxing, with the remote control and original printed manual, ready to go to her new owner.
At 25kg it is a heavy and very well built dual mono design integrated amplifier. With output of 215wpc into 8 ohms and 400wpc into 4 ohms it should drive most speakers with ease. Its very low noise floor enables it to provide greater detail, clarity and engagement at low volume levels than any amp I’ve heard previously. Give it a bit of stick and its dynamics, purity, effortlessness and PRaT will have you enjoying wonderful “live” performances in your home. This amp certainly punches WAY above its price tag!
There are many rave reviews available on the net from professionals and owners alike. Here’s a few …
- 6Moons: https://6moons.com/audioreviews2/kinki/1.html
- HiFi Knights: http://hifiknights.com/reviews/amplifiers/kinki-studio-ex-m1/#:~:text=Kinki Studio EX-M1 proved,dial passed the -30dB mark.
- Stereo Times: http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/kinki-studio-exm1-integrated-amplifier-by-michael-wright/
As much as I love this amp, I also love my tube gear and wish I could keep both. I could live happily with either but in the end it came down to the fact that my speakers are an easy 93dB/8R load and don’t really need the power reserves of the Kinki. Plus, selling my significantly older and more expensive tube pre-amp & tube power amp would mean taking a significantly greater hit than selling the Kinki.
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10 hours ago, RankStranger said:
I've had mine for months and it keeps surprising me with what it can do. A spectacular piece of kit
GLWTS, Darren
Thanks Simon. Maybe it won't sell and I'll HAVE to keep it!
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9 hours ago, SPR08Y said:
He has done some tube rolling by the look of it as there are 4 Tesla 6922 red tip gold pin tubes in it and a couple of Phillips 6922 ECGs. No idea why they are where they are, no doubt he found it sounded better that way, he was certainly thoughtful about such things.
From memory, tubes 2 & 5 (the middle one in each row of 3) are only used when polarity is reversed so the owner may not have worried about swapping those 2 out ... or he may have done it deliberately to compare between the two types of tube using the polarity button on the remote control.
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Item Condition: Excellent, unmarkedShipping Options: Pickup available but audition is not available.,Shipping is available at agreed cost.Suburb or Town: ParkdaleState: VICPayment Method: EFT, Cash on PickupReason for selling: Sadly I can’t keep the Kinki AND my tube gear
Further information:
- Donation to StereoNet upon sale.
- Lowballers will be politely ignored.
- Having the original packaging I am able to ship the amp within Australia at buyer's expense (with insurance) and risk but would prefer a local pickup.
Bought brand new from DACman last year, it is the later edition with the High/Low Gain switch on the back to allow you to best match it to your system. This unit is unmarked and has only had approx. 100 to 150 hours use, it may not even be fully run in yet. After taking the pictures I have wrapped her back up in the original protective sleeve and double boxing, with the remote control and original printed manual, ready to go to her new owner.
At 25kg it is a heavy and very well built dual mono design integrated amplifier. With output of 215wpc into 8 ohms and 400wpc into 4 ohms it should drive most speakers with ease. Its very low noise floor enables it to provide greater detail, clarity and engagement at low volume levels than any amp I’ve heard previously. Give it a bit of stick and its dynamics, purity, effortlessness and PRaT will have you enjoying wonderful “live” performances in your home. This amp certainly punches WAY above its price tag!
There are many rave reviews available on the net from professionals and owners alike. Here’s a few …
- 6Moons: https://6moons.com/audioreviews2/kinki/1.html
- HiFi Knights: http://hifiknights.com/reviews/amplifiers/kinki-studio-ex-m1/#:~:text=Kinki Studio EX-M1 proved,dial passed the -30dB mark.
- Stereo Times: http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/kinki-studio-exm1-integrated-amplifier-by-michael-wright/
As much as I love this amp, I also love my tube gear and wish I could keep both. I could live happily with either but in the end it came down to the fact that my speakers are an easy 93dB/8R load and don’t really need the power reserves of the Kinki. Plus, selling my significantly older and more expensive tube pre-amp & tube power amp would mean taking a significantly greater hit than selling the Kinki.
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11 minutes ago, Marc said:
They'll be back this evening. Just working on the State inclusion as well so needed to turn that off temporarily.
No worries, thanks for the quick response Marc.
Denafrips Athena Preamplifier_Black
in Commercial Classifieds
Posted
Some savvy buyer is going to make a killing here. The sound quality and build quality of the Athena is competitive with pre-amps in much higher price brackets. It doesn't sound solid state or tubed, just highly resolving, natural, pure and musical.