Douk T8 Pro PJ Miaolai SA-1000
Why must you be a long run reader of this weblog? It’s quite simple. Aside from the truth that very only a few commerce or e-sites refuse monetization (assume the rubbish advertisements 6 Moons pile on you web page after web page, which is why I hardly learn them and check out by no means to quote them – I despise them, and disgrace on you in case you learn them recurrently at no cost with out serious about your psychological price), only a few audio websites re-visit audio gear recurrently (Stereophile commendably has some periodically and HiFi News has superb referencing to older variations too). Very few websites even point out older gear (Thumbs up for Stereophile to proceed to add their classic contents, and HiFi News to have Tim Jarman’s Column on classic stuff). We do right here, and we generally re-think our opinions. And you shall discover some examples under in case you learn fastidiously. Grant you, we largely "overview" el-cheapo new stuff or re-visit older stuff, however we do it very severely. We inform it like it’s, over a protracted interval. This article is each an replace on some gear beforehand coated, in addition to the introduction of two new Preamps. Not earth shattering issues, however attention-grabbing nonetheless. As for music, at the least for classical aficionados, our protection is concise however superb.
In reality, I believe the perfect factor about our method is to inform you learn how to go about it, or relatively how we go about it, not what is best than what. One can be taught from the simplest experiments. To obtain good sound, one should pay attention rather a lot and skim much less (other than this website, because it will not empty your pockets, LOL).
First, some catching up, or what I’m doing.
2 Loudspeakers (Beydas/Stirling LS3/5a Redux)
I direct you to my article that describes after I simply got here again from the US a number of months in the past. My Beydas "LS3/5A" "11 ohm" (primary data in Chinese right here) sounded lethal boring. And I spent a variety of time to get the "previous sound" again. It got here again ultimately, however I by no means was certain of why. Such are the vagaries of HiFi generally (entire course of described right here).
BUT, I obtained a special approach possibly a month in the past. I swapped within the "15 ohm" Beydas "LS3/5A" (primary data in Chinese right here), and the preliminary sound was not good in any respect both. Yes, extra open within the treble (it has at all times been the case) BUT severely poor in mid-bass and bass ("official spec" has it as 10 db much less extension than the "11 ohm"). Now, this was a nearly new pair, as a result of after I went again to NYC final time, I gave my run-in pair to Andy. As I ran them in over a month, the sound progressively turned fuller and a few helpful bass emerged. Right now? It’s marvelous! I simply listened to Sibelius Symphony No. 4 (Gothenberg SO/Rouvali, Alpha). This is a closely brooding piece. Although this model is distinctive and lighter than typical, the double bass will need to have impression and, when partnered proper, it does. In absolute phrases, with the three/5 it is only a trace, however that’s extra vital than the rest. A touch of deep bass is a tactile and suggestive bass, very worthy (even the actual LS3/5A is like that too, only a trace). Wonderful!
Yes, proper now, regardless of the lighter bass, the "15 ohm" sounds higher than the "11 ohm" nevertheless it had every so often been the other earlier than. One factor I did consider: If you have not used a loudspeaker for some time, it takes some time for it to re-capture its former prowess. YMMV. But, in case you use flea powered amps like I do, it is smart.
2 Amps (BRZ FU-50 and SE 6L6) and Another (APPL 300B) Redux
I had spilled a lot ink on these 2 BRZ amps, they usually stay my each day staple. It’s actually astonishing how a lot enchancment I obtained from "upgrading" the inventory Rifa caps with USD 0.25 "Solen" (right here). Both opened up significantly in soundstage in addition to enhanced in tonal opulence! The FU-50 (primary data right here) stays forward in most respects (although the 6L6 [basic info here] is probably going fuller within the bass). Both are simply tremendous bargains! Now that kits like Elekit (which I’ve lengthy championed earlier than however have reservations now) have gotten over-expensive (and unnecessarily massive) I’d urge starters to contemplate these 2 very low cost amps (that include helpful tubes, not as extras). Mind you, like my favourite Sun Audio, these are easy, pure tube within the sign path (which I normally desire, however not at all times), whereas Elekits now are very a lot solid-state-regulated within the management grids to realize increased energy and higher dynamics. I really don’t have any qualms about issues like solid-state use like fixed present supply (my ICL amps use that); all of it is determined by the resultant sound. I do assume I can hear a hint of ss affect within the Elekit, however not in ICL. As for a budget stuff right here, as you may see from the hyperlinks, apart from swapping in different tubes (nonetheless low cost), IF you may solder and alter only a wire or two and swap an affordable cap in you may achieve rather a lot!
Unlike Aiyima and Douk, with whom I’ve some sort of free relationship (at all times declared) I’ve none with BRZ. In reality, I most likely frown upon BRZ’s voracious replicas of strong state FM Acoustics at super-bargain costs (although I’d not thoughts to listen to one in my very own setup if I get the possibility). Price is their benefit, however I do consider they’ve a sure know-how: to make the perfect sound simply above the technical security purple line (and that’s the reason I’d NOT suggest you to plug in KT66 within the 6L6 amp; I’ve GEC KT66 however I’d not use it – additionally as US 6L6GC sounds simply pleasant on this amp!). Within limits, these amps run in my system hours a day for months with none drawback. That’s good! I’ve QC’ed it for you (and my samples are like yours, simply randomly ordered from the web), supplied you keep on with guidelines.
But hierarchy stays. The Ultralinear 6L6 (or EL34) remains to be not as tactile because the FU50 run as Triode, and the FU50 nonetheless doesn’t have the total sized presence of the APPL 300B amp (right here, as but nonetheless bone inventory!). But switching between them is enjoyable, and it reminds one which Ultralinear shouldn’t be fairly Triode, and operating a Tetrode/Pentode as Triode shouldn’t be the identical factor as a Direct-Heated Triode. This has at all times been my long-term perception and this humble trio really confirms it. There’s no finish to comparisons, and this weblog compares extra stuff than others. My level is you may be taught rather a lot from even cheaper gear (supplied they’re good). If you purchase all 3 of those it is nonetheless approach cheaper than a inventory Elekit with out tubes, however I wager you be taught a lot extra.
New Production Tubes
ALL these sellers on the market say to you, this 300B is best than that one however few of them have actually heard the old-stock WE300B’s. I inform you ANY new one won’t match up in opposition to previous inventory. I refer you to my latest article. That’s not a sound you may get from shopping for an costly reproduction tube in the present day. So a lot nonsense on the market it is actually astonishing! IMHO, one ought to begin with an trustworthy and cheap fashionable 300B tube, just like the inexpensive Linlai that comes with my excellent APPLause 300B amp, or a Russian primary tube. All so-called upgrades, like graphite or mesh plates, or gold pin this and that, sound totally different, however higher? Not to me. YMMV. New "Western Electric"? Takatsuki? No due to all of them. In case you are , this is a 300B Shootout, from greater than 20 years in the past, LOL!
If somebody has the dough, extra energy to him! Spend rather a lot on tubes is OK, however I’d purchase solely old-stock tubes (for 300B, WE earlier than early 80’s). Even if I’ve the dough, I’d NOT purchase any of those boutique reproduction energy tubes (be it 300B, 2A3 no matter). This is to emphasise that it is ridiculous for somebody on a finances to spend extra on tubes than the machine. Put the ridiculously priced present manufacturing "WE" 300B in an Angela amp and it is nonetheless an overpriced mediocrity. Better, put them in an Elekit, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an Elekit. This is true for boutique elements too, be it costly caps or resistors and even transformer swaps. There is simply a lot enchancment one can get from tweaking. Cheap mods are a variety of enjoyable; costly ones nearly at all times find yourself in disappointment. No matter the way you mod a Subaru it won’t be a Ferrari; higher benefit from the Subaru as it’s!
Unlike most reviewers on the market, I’ve been a tube addict for over 30 years, and I’ve an enormous stash of very worthy old-stock tubes (and much more lesser ones, LOL!) In phrases of tubes, I can max out the potential return in nearly any amp. I can inform you what’s a worthy improve and what’s not. Driver tubes are value experimenting with. As one goes down the road, the tubes grow to be extra helpful. It’s at all times good to have a number of 12AX7 and 6SN7 round, for instance, as they’re utilized in so many amps. I sympathize with freshmen on a finances. They learn the whole lot on the web, and find yourself shopping for totally different Russian and Chinese tubes of little import, when they need to take the larger step and bid on some good used old-stock tubes on Ebay and many others. Power tubes are extra problematic however, as I say, I discover fashionable boutique tubes underwhelming. As talked about above, I’d not spend an excessive amount of…Last, by the way, personally I really feel Russian and Chinese 300Bs are superb tubes as a result of 1) they’ve been making these for many years; 2) maybe Triode are simpler to make than Tetrodes/Pentodes with their extra parts; 3) I wager you Chinese 300B components are utilized in many different boutique 300Bs. There is a big quantity of undesirable commerce secrets and techniques on the market. As for different DHT like 2A3 and 45, fashionable ones are simply mainly tweaked out 300Bs.
That’s a variety of digression. Now to the Main Course.
3 Preamps (Eastern Transmission Audio [ETA] 6N3, PJ Miaolai SA-1000, Douk T8 Pro)
This got here by in an uncommon approach. As I tube rolled the BRZ A08 6L6/El34 Amp I employed some higher sounding however lesser achieve tubes, just like the 6SN7/L7 (with adaptor). As detailed within the hyperlink above, I desire the bigger envelope tubes (as typical). Which means there’s a possibility to make use of increased achieve tube preamps. As talked about within the hyperlink additionally, I attempted the ETA 6N3 Preamp, however its faulty quantity pot makes it unattainable to get a correct quantity.
So I dragged in one other two candidates…each are hybrids, tube buffered IC Preamps. Both are debutants right here.
PJ Miaolai SA-1000
I really nonetheless do not know why I purchased this. During a earlier 11.11 it was simply so ridiculously low cost at barely over 200 RMB that curiosity obtained the higher of me. I really obtained it earlier than I obtained the ETA 6N3.SRPP Preamp. Reason? This got here with a pair of Russian 6N3 so I later ordered the ETA with out tubes at a financial savings of fifty RMB. Cheapskate, sure!
This is a Preamp, with 4 Inputs and a couple of Outputs. It’s based mostly on the N5532 Opamp (not simply replaceable). It sports activities twin Tone Controls and Headphone Output. It runs on 12V DC (I used my very own heftier SMPS PS). One Russian 6N3P in every channel serves as buffer (most likely simply paralleled, not like the ETA’s SRPP). More in pic at backside. BTW, there’s a new model with Bluetooth and distant management. Caveats The RCA sockets are of probably the most "primary" high quality, which is true of many Chinese merchandise at this value degree. The outer casing of 1 obtained stripped as I pulled my MIT T3 interconnect out. Yes, this occurred to my 6J4/6P6P preamp too. On each, 1 down, 3 to go. Make certain you do not use connectors that grip too tight.
When the PJM arrived, I fired it up and was assaulted by the loopy excessive achieve and grainy sound and mainly put it apart for a lengthy lengthy time. I by no means thought I’d write about it. I mainly wrote it off!
Fast ahead. I poached the inventory Russian 6N3 for the ETA Preamp. At first, it was not so good, however after some mods and a hiatus, it was abruptly OK (chronicled right here). And so I loved the ETA for some time.
Fast ahead to now. Since I may now use a better achieve preamp with the BRZ 6L6 Amp I made a decision to present this PJM Preamp a strive. I put again within the 6N3 Russian tubes and was shocked. Perhaps because of the truth that I’ve run the tubes in completely within the ETA, it had grow to be a lot smoother. In reality, the run-in Russian 6N3 (and maybe the run-in preamp) appears to be be pretty clean. Too unhealthy I haven’t got any WE396A/2C51 and even 5670 round (not even in HK).
vs ETA Comparison with the ETA (each utilizing the identical set of Russian 6N3) was fascinating. The all-tube circuit ETA (SRPP), which has had its caps and hook up cables modifed (hyperlink above), sounded not fairly as quick because the additionally high-gain PJM. But the essential sonic signature may be very comparable, not surprisingly since they use the identical tube. The midrange is nearly similar. The ETA has a little bit extra top-end air and nuance, however turning up the Treble a little bit on the PJM brings the 2 nearer once more.
Headphone Output I examined it with my Grado SR-80E and it was respectable sufficient!
Douk T8 Pro (7-Band Equalizer Preamp)
This is an enchanting one. It stands out for having a 7-band Equalizer. Also, it has each Balanced (XLR) and RCA Inputs and Outputs (only one set every). My unit is on mortgage from Douk. Again, that is an Opamp based mostly Preamp (JRC2068D and N5532; see high pic for extra element), with Russian 6N1P buffer. Runs on 12V DC.
I haven’t got any balanced stuff right here in SZ to strive it out, however remember that it could possibly function an XLR to RCA convertor and vice versa.
I ran it first with the inventory Russian 6N1P. Sound was surprisingly respectable. Even then, I seen that the sound is quicker in transient than both 6N3P Preamps above. As I exploit my very own SMPS PS with digital show, I seen immediately that this preamp attracts a a lot increased present than the others. At activate, it transiently hits even 1.5A, however very immediately normalizes to simply beneath 1A. Not shocking, as there are a complete of >10 Opamps within the sign path alone. This is double the present of the two preamps above. With all of the Equalizers flat (12 O’clock) sound was a shade plain, even perhaps betraying its opamp origin, if only a shade. So I proceeded to:
Equalizing The Equalizers are centered at 50, 125, 315, 750, 2K 6K, 16K Hz. I’m in no way a pupil of equalizers, so I do not even profess any information about whether or not these are efficient factors, properly chosen or not. I additionally do not know the slopes nor the +/- db supplied. Just like how I dial in subwoofers, I believe these ought to be used judiciously and with nice restraint. As my system is pretty balanced and impartial, I felt no have to equalize at both finish. Instead, I nearly on impulse, and randomly, bumped up the 750, 2K and 6K to round 2 O’Clock. The thought was to boost the (higher) midrange a little bit. Well! It labored higher than I believed! First, the slight paleness crammed out. Any destructive impact of Opamps was diminished. These settings labored for me, however to your system it could be in any other case.
Tube Rolling Unlike 6N2, the place you must use an adaptors to roll tubes, and in contrast to 6N3, the place there are few substitutes, 6N1 has pin appropriate direct substitutes. You can straight plug in 6DJ8 (household) and 6CG7. These are tubes that many individuals who play with fashionable stuff like Schiit have of their arsenal. I simply occurred to have introduced a few of these over for my BRZ amp tube rolling utilizing 6N2 adaptors. 6DJ8 The Amperex Holland brings a couple of a lot higher refinement than the inventory Russian 6N1. 6CG7 But my coronary heart belongs to those. The Matsushita have been a shade dry, however the GE proved nearly excellent. Moist, however dynamic and refined. Now, the place are my RCA Clear tops? Tube rolling impact is bigger than equalizing. Some individuals would say that, although pin-compatible, these will not be actual equivalents. But, why fear? This is all about equalizing, proper? After I rolled within the 6CG7 I felt completely no need to roll others and proceeded to match:
vs 6N3 Preamps The Douk sounded so proper that I completely forgot it has Opamps in it (particularly when equalized). The low strung PJM did not actually sound transistory however as compared was much less three-dimensional, and smeared when it comes to imaging. Even the all-tube ETA fell behind. By a very good margin, with the transient sharpness, airiness and good tonal management, the Douk merely sounds extra current, and involving, and by a very good margin.
vs Douk E6 This article took a very long time to write down. I in contrast the members a number of occasions, each with Russian tubes and with tube rolling. Now, with the whole lot occurring, I have not fired up my Douk E6 in ages. Despite its quirkiness common readers understand how a lot I respect this little gem. Suffice to say, geared up with the GE 6CG7 the Douk T8 Pro didn’t free an excessive amount of floor. Best, it conveys the drama and narrative within the music as properly. The E6 is for certain a little bit airier and luxuriating within the treble however not by as a lot as you assume. That interprets to nice reward for the T8 Pro.
Suffice to say, these days I’ve been largely utilizing the T8 Pro. I periodically rolled within the ETA and the PJM however I at all times revert again to the T8 Pro. That says rather a lot. I believe I’d buy my pattern.
Thoughts
- 6N1P vs 6N3P Based on this restricted experiment, I’d say it is extra enjoyable with the 6N1P, extra rolling previous inventory prospects!
- PJ Miaolai This is a fairly good Preamp, however not within the first tier. For its ridiculously low value, it could possibly function a very good switchboard, with 4 in and a couple of out! AND, Headphone Output!
- Douk T8 Pro This is a wonderful Preamp! Its Equalizers may even out its personal gentle deficiencies, and possibly your system’s! I’m fairly certain I’ve not gotten to the underside of it! For those that run each balanced and RCA, it is much more helpful! Highly advisable! A distinct segment product, however one which I heartily endorse.
PJ Miaolai. Engineer David of UMI mentioned this can be a poor format not designed for the perfect sonic end result. No matter. I ponder if the two Blue Caps are for tube coupling. 1.0uF 100V solely.
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January 31, 2024 at 02:43PM
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