Search the Community

Despite being ancient, my ears are still irritated by any form of audible distortion because I have heard so much of it over the years. My hunt for perfection started in the 1950’s. Forums weren’t around so it was trial and error with my own DIY valve projects. In a new search for inexpensive accurate sound, I examined hundreds of user reviews for more than 12 months and ended up with a system of extraordinally compatible components, none of which I had auditioned. Because I had a small budget I opted for DIY where possible. DIY also allows you tweak to your heart’s content without having to replace full systems. My final ‘unauditioned’ system consists of a pair of VAF-DX Generation 4 towers built from a VAF kit for $1900. A 15 watt Son of Beast OTL valve amp and GG preamp for $2500, Rega Apollo-R CD player under $1000 and Thorens TD160 for $10 plus a Rega RB250 arm for $150 and a reasonable Ortofon 2M Blue MM cartridge. I have always enjoyed the sound of valves but I was looking for a valve DIY kit with high end performance, not warm sound. By chance I saw an article on ‘output transformerless’ amplifiers and tracked down the Transcendent Sound kits designed by Bruce Rozenblit in the USA. Reviewers around the world were raving about the silky, 3D transparency and separation plus complete lack of background noise in Bruce’s kits. The audio signature was explained as being cross between valve and solid state with enormous tight bass. But being a bit cynical I was expecting to be underwhelmed but willing to take a chance because this would be my LAST project. I ended up building a Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid 3 valve preamp and a 12 valve 15 watt Son of Beast power ’output transformerless’ power amplifier for under $2500 the pair inc. freight from the USA. The performance of this combination was a revelation. Despite expecting something special, the GG and SOB far exceeded anything I had ever heard before. Sure, I have heard louder amps, clinical sounding amps and ‘look at me’ amps but never one with so much resolution that was so involving, effortless never tiring and exciting. Forget about warm, fluffy valve sound. It has gone …vanished and replaced by real live performances! After upgrading some caps, rotary switch and pot in the preamp I kept all the cheap but adequate components that Bruce supplies with the kit to keep costs down. I no longer have the urge to improve the sound because I can’t detect any of those niggling little audible annoyances that MUST be fixed at any cost. I also researched and bought a few sets of the very inexpensive Bright Star isonode anti vibration feet, which work a treat under the valve preamp and my solid Rega Apollo-R CD player which I reckon is a bargain at under $1000. The reproduction from the Rega Apollo has put my Thorens/Ortophon turntable to shame on many occasions. Before getting the Rega, I was so disillusioned with CD’s that I was about to dump my whole collection and only play LP’s. Now I get enormous pleasure from both. Win Win! No longer do I care about ‘sound’ when Pink Floyd, Santana, Keb Mo and dozens of others perform live in my own living room. Absolutely no sound other than pure music …joy at last! I’ll just sit back and listen …until my next…maybe…nope, forget it, I’m cured. Despite being cured I MUST build another project. Not for better sound but to see if it is possible to achieve the same satisfaction with a valve preamp and solid state power amp. I am starting a Holton Precision Audio kit and have great expectations because of it's reviews plus it’s an Aussie product. As long as I just compare the musical performances I guess I can forgive myself, can't I?

We are just about to renovate which means pretty much starting from scratch again for our audio. What would be a good, EASY, wireless system with internet capability?