AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Audio by Van Alstine => Topic started by: I.Greyhound Fan on 9 Aug 2018, 04:28 pm
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Here is a review of the new Vision SET 120. Frank asked me to review the new amp which is the baby brother of the SET 400. It puts out 60 wpc at 8 ohms and Frank says it is about double that at 4 ohms. It is biased to Class A for the first few watts. It's price is $899.
My 27 year old budding Audiophile son and I reviewed it. We had it in a secondary system for 2 weeks. It consists of-
Parasound A21 amp, Pass B1 preamp-buffer which has zero gain (built with high end parts- Mundorf and Clarity caps, TI Z-foil, Shinkoh Tantalum and Audio Note non metallic resistors), Emotiva Big Ego DAC with an AQ Jitterbug and Uptone Regen, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, AQ Golden Gate mini RCA to RCA IC. Speakers were Wharfedale Diamond 10.2 monitors with a sensitivity of 86dB at 6 ohms, PSB B6 monitors, Velodyne subwoofer crossed over at 50hz. Music player is Bug Head. Music was played at native resolution or upsampled 2x. The sonic character of this system was built to have a slightly warm, musical and smooth sound.
Some of the music used-
London Grammar, Pat Metheny, Eva Cassidy, George Winston and many other artists that I can't remember off hand.
First off, let me say that we enjoyed our time with this amp. It is very musical. It has the same sonic character of the more powerful SET 400. It's strong points are a deep, rich toned mid range, powerful bass and clear highs. The sound stage was wide and had good depth. Similar to the SET 400, vocals were just slightly pushed back from midpoint and cymbals were in the foreground with good air. Bass was controlled and powerful but not overwhelming. There was just the right amount of bloom. Piano sounded natural and had good decay. Overall the sound was natural, smooth and organic sounding. Female vocals like Eva Cassidy had good texture without sounding sharp. Horns were also very smooth without glare. Imaging was very good, the speakers disappeared.
So how does the amp compare to the $2300 Parasound A21 rated at 250 wpc at 8 oms and 400 at 4 ohms and 60 peak amps of current? Very favorably. It has more musicality and it is more pleasing to listen to. The SET 120 sounded great with the difficult to drive Wharfedales at medium to medium loud volumes but at high levels it became a little edgy where the A21 did not break a sweat. Most people would not be listening at these levels though. However, when we swapped the WD's for a pair of PSB B6 monitors rated at 89dB at 6 ohms we were able to play louder without issues. Part of the problem is that the Pass B1 has zero gain and I suspect that with another preamp that the 120 would not have any issues with the Wharfdales and loud volumes. Dynamics were excellent and transients were handled with out strain.
The 120's bass was more natural but not as tight as the A21 which has a dampening factor of >1000. The 120 was more musical however. The A21 sounded just a little smoother and had a wider sound stage with more air and transparency. There was more depth as well. There was more space between instruments which gave a sense of better resolution and detail.
My son and I enjoyed our time with the amp and were sorry to see it go. It held its own with the A21 in many respects. It's strong points are-
Musicality
deep, textured and rich mid range
Smooth and Organic sound
Excellent dynamics and transients
Natural powerful bass and airy cymbals
Good texture
Con's-
Nothing to complain about at this price. It is a well rounded amp and performs way above its price point that offers a smooth, organic and musical sound found on more expensive amps.
Compared to the SET 400, the 120 sounded similar although we had them in different systems. The 120 has the same musicality and fabulous midrange of the SET 400. I think that if we had the added power of the 400 that it would have bettered the A21 as it held its own against my Pass X250 amp.
Best Regards,
Larry
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Thank You, to both you & your son for the review. As always good insight into Frank's latest offerings. It is appreciated. :thumb:
JD
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Thank You, to both you & your son for the review. As always good insight into Frank's latest offerings. It is appreciated. :thumb:
JD
The amp is a real bargain performing way above its price point. It is an SET 400, just with less power.
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Thanks Larry for this excellent review!
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Thanks Larry for this excellent review!
Thank you Nightfall. It is always fun reviewing Frank's gear because I am always astounded at how good his gear sounds.
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Good review, thanks. I have an A21 and agree with your description of its sonics, which adds to my confidence in your review.
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Curious whether this would be a step up from my First Watt J2... Source is NAD M51, speakers are Revel M106 monitors. Would probably look to pair it with an AVA preamp, though not certain which would work best with the SET 120.
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Curious whether this would be a step up from my First Watt J2... Source is NAD M51, speakers are Revel M106 monitors. Would probably look to pair it with an AVA preamp, though not certain which would work best with the SET 120.
I can't say whether it would be a step up or not as I have not heard the J2, only my Pass X250 and the XA100.5 monoblocks.
It will have a lot more power and a very sweet sounding mid range. It has punchy bass with authority behind it. It is very musical and has good texture and a smooth sound. It will have no problems driving those Revels and it will play louder than the J2's.
I would pair it with Franks FET Valve preamp but he does make an excellent SS preamp. AVA gear has a lot of synergy within itself.
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Audio by Van Alstine Transcendence 10 RB Preamplifier and Vision SET 120 Stereo Power Amplifier by Drew Kalbach
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/audio-by-van-alstine-transcendence-10-rb-preamplifier-and-vision-set-120-stereo-power-amplifier/
The AVA duo is possibly the best bargain I’ve reviewed so far, and more than worth a listen. The preamp in particular really wowed me, especially the quiet but breezy tubes and the fantastic phono section. All in all, both the Vision SET 120 power amp and the Transcendence 10 RB tube preamp are easy recommendations.
The weak point of the reviews is the subjectivity of the listener and its credibility. If they came with measurements, they would be much more interesting for everyone.
If I lived in NA and had speakers with a sensitivity of 88 dB/W/m or higher and not very difficult impedance, the SET 120 amplifier would be a very attractive purchase. With silver front option (with a plus) better. And a more audiophile power button too. :D
https://www.doctorproaudio.com/doctor/calculadores_en.htm#calc_spl
Calculators/Audio/Acoustics/SPL
88 dB/W/m, 30 watts, 2 speakers, random phase:
* 3 m / 9.8 ft -> 96.2 dB
* 4 m / 13.12 ft -> 93.7 dB
https://avahifi.com/collections/solid-state-power-amplifiers/products/vision-set-120-power-amplifier
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I'm considering a SET 120, based solely on reviews, favorable opinions , and Van Alstines' reputation.
Who buys an amp without listening ????
Me, I do.
(except, I do heavily audition speakers before I buy).
This may be the first AVA product I buy.
(BTW, any company that actually sells an ABX switch comparator, must be confident in their product....lol)
https://avahifi.com/collections/accessories/products/abx-switch-comparator
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Love mine.
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I don't know if I just missed it somewhere, but what is the power at 4ohms?
I am assuming double? 120x2 or right around there.
Would this amp have a problem powering some Maggie LRS's rated at 4ohms and I think 86db?
I know a great match an amp I will "eventually" have is the SET400, but I can't afford $2000 right now, I can however afford $899. So at moderate volumes in a small room, do you think the 120 can handle it? And once I do get the 400, I am moving the 120 to the theater room to power some VERY efficient easy to drive ZU Audio Omens. So it won't be a waste either.
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I'm very interested in AVA products to power my Salk's, but am I reading this right, that "vocals were just slightly pushed back from midpoint and cymbals were in the foreground", in other words drums in front of the vocalists?
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I'm very interested in AVA products to power my Salk's, but am I reading this right, that "vocals were just slightly pushed back from midpoint and cymbals were in the foreground", in other words drums in front of the vocalists?
In our system it was but with different electronics and speakers your experience may be different.
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I'm very interested in AVA products to power my Salk's, but am I reading this right, that "vocals were just slightly pushed back from midpoint and cymbals were in the foreground", in other words drums in front of the vocalists?
I too would assume it would have a little more to do with speakers and speaker placement. But amps do throw a sound stage too. I'd be interested to know more about this. Because I want the drums to be behind the vocals, not the other way around.
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I too would assume it would have a little more to do with speakers and speaker placement. But amps do throw a sound stage too. I'd be interested to know more about this. Because I want the drums to be behind the vocals, not the other way around.
Let me say that the sound of the SET was not pushed back and it was not forward in your face either. You have to remember that I was comparing it to my gear. Amps definitely have their own sound. My Pass amp sound completely different than my Parasound A21. Cymbals were a little more forward with the SET than my Pass. I can't remember where the drums were in space but they had plenty of kick.
And when I say that vocals were pushed back, it was just a hint. In my personal system vocals are forward.
The SET amps are great amps and have a to die for midrange.
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Love mine as well. Thanks, Frank, for making such a great amp at such a great price.
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I really am at a crossroads where I am going to make a decision soon. It’s narrowed down to the SET120 and a very nice Class D amp, the Digital Amplifier Company Stereo Maraschino. Decisions, decisions.
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The Stereo Maraschino is usually $1200, but they have a demo unit for $790! So the value is with the Maraschino. Both are rated around the 125 watts per channel range. So it’s a tough decision. I am SURE that either route I take, I won’t be disappointed.
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My experience with class D amps has not been good, except when powering sub woofers. If you have a very hard load to run they tend to stay more linear, but still aren't as involving. I have not heard one that lets the emotion through like AVA products and the SET amp does it in spades.
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My experience with class D amps has not been good, except when powering sub woofers. If you have a very hard load to run they tend to stay more linear, but still aren't as involving. I have not heard one that lets the emotion through like AVA products and the SET amp does it in spades.
Have you heard the Cherry amps? I ask as your comment mirrored my comments previous to getting a pair of ILMs. After owning close to 10 different class D amps, I finally found one I can live with. It's only been a few weeks so we'll see if the irritation I got from every other class D amp sets in. So far they sound fantastic...color me surprised.
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To me, Class D Amps play all of the notes but none if the music. You might like one if you have heard nothing better, such as one if our Vision SET amplifiers. There is really no comparison.
Frank
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I was looking for an amp to pair with the 93db, 12ohm Spatial Audio M3 Triode Master open baffle speakers. I looked at all sorts of Class A, A/B, and D amps. I looked at tube and solid state amps. I remembered the sweet sound I got from an AVA Delta 120 amp years and years ago. I wanted to hear the Van Alstine sound of today. The SET 120 and the Spatials are a tremendous pairing. I listen to favorite old record after favorite old record, and they are all sounding like I've dreamed of having them sound all my life. It's a beautiful thing.
I'm as curious as the next guy, and I wonder what my speakers would sound like with an Ultravalve, but hey, the SET 120 sounds awesome, is $700 cheaper, and will never need replacement tubes.
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I was looking for an amp to pair with the 93db, 12ohm Spatial Audio M3 Triode Master open baffle speakers. I looked at all sorts of Class A, A/B, and D amps. I looked at tube and solid state amps. I remembered the sweet sound I got from an AVA Delta 120 amp years and years ago. I wanted to hear the Van Alstine sound of today. The SET 120 and the Spatials are a tremendous pairing. I listen to favorite old record after favorite old record, and they are all sounding like I've dreamed of having them sound all my life. It's a beautiful thing.
I'm as curious as the next guy, and I wonder what my speakers would sound like with an Ultravalve, but hey, the SET 120 sounds awesome, is $700 cheaper, and will never need replacement tubes.
That's VERY comforting to hear, because I am leaning more towards the SET 120. I have already decided that my end game amp for my Maggie's WILL be the SET 400.
But I am trying to get something a lot more affordable now and save my pennies for the SET 400. Then when I get the SET 400, move the 120 to my ZU Audio room and be DONE! It will be a piece of cake for the 120 to run the 97db efficient ZU's.
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Hi Frank, or anyone, do you know how many wpc the 120 puts out into 6 ohm speakers?
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The SET 120 should make about 75W per channel into 6 ohms.
I have one long term Stereophile reviewer (now retired) owning a SET 120 and he keeps reporting back to me how outstanding it is with his highly rated bookshelf size speakers.
The SET 120 is much better than you can imagine.
Frank
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I am actually getting a new SET 120 back from a client under our 30 day satisfaction guarantee.
He claims the reason for the return is that "it is too good for the rest of his system". Says now he needs to improve his speakers, preamp, and phono cartridge first and can't do all at once.
Anyway it will be available in a few days at 10% off with our new warranty and satisfaction guarantee.
Frank
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That demo unit has a new home :green: My 1st AVA product !
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=204318)
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That demo unit has a new home :green: My 1st AVA product !
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=204318)
Is that a Vidar or Aegir?
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aegir
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aegir
And now you have a SET120?!?!?!
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aegir
You seriously have the 2 main amps I am considering for my very easy to drive super efficient 97.5 dB Omega HO’s. When you get a chance, really give me a breakdown and comparison between the two amps. I am VERY interested in your opinion on the differences between the two.
What are the other 3 components on the left hand side?
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He claims the reason for the return is that "it is too good for the rest of his system". Says now he needs to improve his speakers, preamp, and phono cartridge first and can't do all at once.
Frank
my bs meter is going haywire - how do i stop it?
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No BS, at least on my part. This was actually the reason we were told when it was returned. We have never heard that reason (too good for my system) before either.
Of course it checked out fine when it came back.
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AvsFan,
The 120 is a capable amp. Using the 120 to drive a pair Electric Studio FSX’s. The Aegir is moving to a new home 😉. Looks like the front panel has been updated compared to the website. Not a big fan of the speaker terminals. AVA has a return policy. YMMV.
Dwight
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=204410)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=204412)
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The 120 is a capable amp. Using the 120 to drive a pair Electric Studio FSX’s...
http://www.studio-electric.com/FSX.html
LF: SE HighXt™6.5" / 170mm /copolymer + 8" passive radiator
MF: SE HighXs™6.5" / 170mm /copolymer
HF: 1" / 25mm soft dome
Frequency Response: 34Hz-22kHz
Sensitivity: 91dB @ 1W / 1 meter
Recommended Amplifier Power: 75 to 450 Watts
Impedance: 4 Ohms
Crossover Frequencies: 80Hz / 3kHz
Construction: HDF and MDF with harwood veneers.
Cabinet Dimensions: (HxWxD): 45.5”x8.625"x22.125" (sans grill)
Weight: 94 lbs. / 42.6kg (shipping weight: 104 lbs. / 47.2kg)
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To estimate the watts to listen to very good recordings with high DR (15 dB), 91 dB and 4 Ohms is like 88 dB at 8 Ohms, aka 3 dB less.
https://www.doctorproaudio.com/content.php?2273-calculators-proaudio-sound-dmx&langid=1#calc_spl
88 dB (at 8 Ohms), 30 watts, 3 m -> 96.2 dBSPL > 95 dB :D. I know, max power > 60 watts at 8 Ohms -> 99.2 dBSPL.
More interesting:
The first 10 watts are class A. 10 watts, 3 m -> 91.5 dBSPL -> 76.6 dBSPL continuous, usually is OK.
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Thanks Maty ! It’s not a large room..
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=204414)
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Thanks Maty ! It’s not a large room..
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=204414)
I will most likely end up with a SET 120 for my new Omega Super 3 HO's. What do you think about the SET 120 with these?
https://omegaloudspeakers.com/collections/monitor-speakers/products/super-3-high-output-monitor?variant=34755858700
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I owned a similar speaker from omega.
http://omegaspeakers.com/omegaoutlawopenb.html
I would hunt down a tube preamp if you don’t already own one.
Dwight
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Hello I can chime in,. I have a pair of those omega speakers and i just got a ava set 120 amp. I use my marantz reciever as the preamp and these speakers sound fantastic with this amp, soundstage big and nuances in the music clearly heard, no glare or harsh sounding. I have also used my decware 2 watt tube amp with these speakers and they sound great too a little more romantic with the tubes and the set amp has more punch and bite to it.
The set amp is dead quiet and built like a tank. Its got amazing mids and with the amp the bass from the speakers have more authority, not sure about how to describe it as i stick at writing. With the decware tube amp the bass is a little less strong but has the feeling like you are floating in the music a little more. If i had to pick on or the other it would be a tough call to be honest its that close.
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A TRANSCENDENCE 10 RB preamp pairs really well with the SET 120. I’ve got a Marantz AV7703 for video sources and added a transcendence 10 RB and quickly moved all audio only sources over to it, highly recommend.
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I'm using a Supratek Chardonnay 6SN7 based preamp with the SET 400 and it is a great combination.
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AvsFan,
The 120 is a capable amp. Using the 120 to drive a pair Electric Studio FSX’s. The Aegir is moving to a new home 😉. Looks like the front panel has been updated compared to the website. Not a big fan of the speaker terminals. AVA has a return policy. YMMV.
Dwight
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=204410[/im
[img]https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=204412)
I remember that Schiit says that the Aegir isn't stable at 4 Ohms, it doesn't seem like a good match for your speakers. The 120 is a better fit.
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Aegir is just fine at 4 ohms in stereo mode. At 4 ohms in mono mode, when driven too hard (loud) it could trigger the over current protection circuit. At sane volumes it should be fine as well.
-Ron
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AvsFan,
The 120 is a capable amp. Using the 120 to drive a pair Electric Studio FSX’s. The Aegir is moving to a new home 😉. Looks like the front panel has been updated compared to the website. Not a big fan of the speaker terminals. AVA has a return policy. YMMV.
Dwight
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=204410)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=204412)
The SET 120 amp on the AVA website looks different - power on button, logo, blue light - did they change as the one in your pic looks a lot better than 120 on website pic.
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We have been slowly trying to upgrade the appearance of our equipment.
The photo of the SET 120 at our web site is obsolete. Have not had time to display new photo.
The current model uses the faceplate shown above with pushbutton switch and small blue led.
Same surprisingly awesome sound.
Frank
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Aegir is just fine at 4 ohms in stereo mode. At 4 ohms in mono mode, when driven too hard (loud) it could trigger the over current protection circuit. At sane volumes it should be fine as well.
-Ron
That's good to know, I remember now that it was monoblock mode they were discussing.
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Anybody have a photo of the SET 120 with the hood off?
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Here you go..
Larry
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=204669)
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(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=205167)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=205168)
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Hey SET 120 Owners,
I'm genuinely interested in this amp to power my PSB Imagine X2T towers. Even from the limited professional reviews and forum impressions of this amp, it seems readily apparent that this amp will offer some outstanding performance, especially in terms of transparency, tonal accuracy, soundstaging, and nuance/detail retrieval. However, it's been hard to get a sense of what the low-end is like on this amp. Something like the Schiit Vidar gets a lot of praise for having a vice-grip and guttural bass response. Can the same be said for the SET 120, even with the 60W@8ohm rating? My PSBs are rated at 90dB efficiency, nominal 8ohms / min 4ohms.
I listen to a lot of prog metal and rock (i.e. Tool, Opeth, Porcupine Tree, etc.) - and while timbre and tonal accuracy are paramount, I often worry with sub-$1K amps being "soft" our "round" in the bass. Any insights you can share?
Thanks!
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Our SET 120 Power amp has a very solid and defined bass response with excellent tonality. It’s easy to follow all the deep notes of a stringed bass bowed or plucked.
Your 90 dB speakers will be an easy load for it.
See the review of our SET 120 control amplifier just posted here today.
Frank
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Hey SET 120 Owners,
I'm genuinely interested in this amp to power my PSB Imagine X2T towers. Even from the limited professional reviews and forum impressions of this amp, it seems readily apparent that this amp will offer some outstanding performance, especially in terms of transparency, tonal accuracy, soundstaging, and nuance/detail retrieval. However, it's been hard to get a sense of what the low-end is like on this amp. Something like the Schiit Vidar gets a lot of praise for having a vice-grip and guttural bass response. Can the same be said for the SET 120, even with the 60W@8ohm rating? My PSBs are rated at 90dB efficiency, nominal 8ohms / min 4ohms.
I listen to a lot of prog metal and rock (i.e. Tool, Opeth, Porcupine Tree, etc.) - and while timbre and tonal accuracy are paramount, I often worry with sub-$1K amps being "soft" our "round" in the bass. Any insights you can share?
Thanks!
I've never run out of power or headroom on my AVA amps in all the decades I've owned various ones. I'm usually more worried about my woofers bottoming out - I'm not a fan of watching those woofers going so far back and forth. Those efficient speakers (if that's an accurate rating) will get stupid loud.
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I'm looking at using the SET120 amp with a Don Sachs preamp. Does anyone know the input impedance of the SET120? Thanks.
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I'm looking at using the SET120 amp with a Don Sachs preamp. Does anyone know the input impedance of the SET120? Thanks.
I think Frank has said elsewhere that the input impedance of the SET series of amps is around 60K ohms.
Cornelis
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I'm looking at using the SET120 amp with a Don Sachs preamp. Does anyone know the input impedance of the SET120? Thanks.
Call Frank at AVAHIFI. He always answers his phone and is great to talk to.
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Damping factor on the 120?
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The SET 120 should make about 75W per channel into 6 ohms.
I have one long term Stereophile reviewer (now retired) owning a SET 120 and he keeps reporting back to me how outstanding it is with his highly rated bookshelf size speakers.
The SET 120 is much better than you can imagine.
Frank
I was just going to ask this same question. Glad I read through the thread again. :D
6ohm Omega's should be super easy to drive with this.
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To me, Class D Amps play all of the notes but none if the music. You might like one if you have heard nothing better, such as one if our Vision SET amplifiers. There is really no comparison.
Frank
You haven't heard the right implementation on Class D amps yet Frank. :D Talk to Tommy over at DAC and have him send you one of his just to hear. It will change your view on Class D.
But back to the 120. I am VERY interested and am leaning towards this route for my super efficient and crossoverless Omega Super3 HO's. The only concern I have is people are telling me to find an amp with low damping.
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Wanted to resurrect this thread. So my two channel system has taken many different turns. It's really taught me some valuable lessons though and it has made me realize what's super important to me when it comes to enjoying music. That being said, I have sold off my Omega HO's. I tried multiple times to get myself to like these speakers. I didn't like them no matter what amplifier I tried with them. I tried the beloved tube amps some suggested and found out that low powered tube amps were not for me either. So back to the hunt for an amp that will power both my ZU Audio Omen's and my new speakers on their way as I type this. Some Quad S-2 speakers. Read nothing but GREAT things on these. https://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/s-2/
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=216651)
I am assuming the SET 120 will be more than enough but............I am a FIRM believer that there is NO such thing as too much power. I'll get the SET 400 if need be. Heck I am using Golden Cherry Monoblocks rated at 250 watts per channel on my ZU's right now and love them!
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I really think you should be looking for something with bigger drivers and a larger enclosure.
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Can someone tell me (even if only by comparison to other amps) how much gain the vision set 120 has? In my current setup I would be using it with a passive pre and buffer... right now I have way more than enough gain but I may move to about 5db less efficient speakers down the road. Thanks!
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Hi,
I would have thought the Zu Audio Omen speakers would be a far superior speaker than the Quad S2 speakers. Have you thought about Salk Sound speakers which Frank has used to demo his speakers on many occasions. :popcorn:
I've only read good things about the Omega speakers although I've never heard a pair.
Cheers Rod
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The gain of the SET120 is about 22 (27 db). This yields full power out (60w into 8 ohms) with a 1v input.
The gain of the SET120 control amp, with the volume all the way up, is about 40 (32 db).
Dan
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danielgk, thanks, that is all I need!
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Hi,
I would have thought the Zu Audio Omen speakers would be a far superior speaker than the Quad S2 speakers. Have you thought about Salk Sound speakers which Frank has used to demo his speakers on many occasions. :popcorn:
I've only read good things about the Omega speakers although I've never heard a pair.
Cheers Rod
I have had the Quads for 4 days. The ZU's are by far my most favorite all around speaker. If I could only own one speaker, it would be the ZU's. Why I have another pair on order and should hopefully be finished in the next month or so. But the Quads are VERY nice and offer a completely different listening experience compared to the ZU's. Different flavors. Which is what I was shooting for with the Omega/Eaton combo, it just never panned out for me.
And yes, Omega has a great following but it just wasn't for me. They never sounded right to my ears. And I gave them plenty of time to open up.
I have listened to the Quads for 4 days and LOVE the sound. With time they will sound even better. There is gold at the end of the rainbow! :D
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AvsFan, there is a used SET 400 for sale here on AC if you have not seen it.
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Larry
It's a great match with the latest Don Sachs Model 2 preamp and even a better pairing than with the Supratek Chardonnay. Knowing how Jeff is with his gear it looks just like it did when Frank put it in the box and barely broken in.
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AvsFan, there is a used SET 400 for sale here on AC if you have not seen it.
I DID see that. I actually PM,d him! I have been waiting for one to hit the Trading Post, too bad I just spent all my audio funds on a Bel Canto e.one 2.7 DAC just two days ago or I would have bought it! Damn!
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I ordered a Vision SET 120 late yesterday afternoon. Really looking forward to it.
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I ordered a Vision SET 120 late yesterday afternoon. Really looking forward to it.
Nice. Of course post impressions once received!
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I've had my SET 120 since April 2019. My speakers are Spatial Audio M3 Triode Masters, an open baffle design with two 15" woofers and a compression driver per side. I'm a retired widower living in the boondocks, so I can and do listen to a lot of music, often at volume levels that would be unacceptable in most households. My SET 120 has had quite a workout since I got it.
I know at some point I'm supposed to get curious about one of AVA's more advanced offerings, or the latest and greatest breakthroughs in Class D or single ended triode technology, and move on from the entry level SET 120. I just don't see that happening. It has all the power I need and makes music sound the way I want it to sound. I don't want to deter anyone from buying a larger AVA amp. I do think the SET 120 is all the amp most will ever need, and the savings would be better spent somewhere else in your system.
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I don't feel the SET 120 is any sort of entry level amp. It may be low power int the greater scheme of things, but the sound quality is as good as anything I have heard. I had a U70 for many years. I upgraded the tube sockets, jacks and some of the wiring. I drove Infinity Intermezzo 4.1s to great effect. I loved that amp. The SET 120 betters it in all aspects. I have kind of a whacky set-up. A pair of VMPS RM2 that were a real project. The woofers didn't match and the passive radiators were trashed. I replaced the woofers with higher efficiency ones that didn't go so low. I have a pair of VMPS smaller subs with 500 watt BASH amps.i use a Marantz AVP8802A and the room correction. Crossover is set to 250 hz and goes to the plate amp. Plate amp also has a crossover, 60 hz, and it goes to a 100 watt Adcom amp which drives the woofers in the RM2s. The woofers in the RM2 basically see 60 to 250hz. The SET 120 drives the Neo panels and Aurum Cactus ribbons from 250hz on up.
It's a true tri-amp set up.
Inner detail, dynamics, wall to wall Soundstage. I never thought I would say "good enough" but here I am, living the dream. I listen to a lot of live Grateful Dead, prog rock, rock, jazz and some classical including choral works. The transparency, detail and 3-D Soundstage are stunning at times. Bass isn't too shabby either.
I had an Odyssey Kismet amp as well. I couldn't tell much difference between them. I would leave one in the system for a month, and then the other. Made sense to sell the Kismet and keep the SET120.
SET 120 is hardly and entry level amp.
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I ordered a Vision SET 120 late yesterday afternoon. Really looking forward to it.
Anything yet?
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Still patiently waiting. :)
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The amp arrived today. First impressions are very good. I only was able to listen for an hour, but I am liking what I am hearing. This amp is replacing a pair of Monarchy SE-100 Monoblocks. The SET 120 sounds like a "cleaner" amp. The bass is deeper and heavier. Mids and highs are both smooth. Hopefully, I can get a lot of quality listening in over the next few days. I will post further impressions after I have had some more time with the amp, but I am very happy right now.
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... The SET 120 sounds like a "cleaner" amp...
Will be interested later on what you mean by more bass and cleaner, after its been played for 50-100+hrs.
Perhaps the mids and highs will open up and all frequencies will balance out a bit more once you have some time on it.
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The amp arrived today. First impressions are very good. I only was able to listen for an hour, but I am liking what I am hearing. This amp is replacing a pair of Monarchy SE-100 Monoblocks. The SET 120 sounds like a "cleaner" amp. The bass is deeper and heavier. Mids and highs are both smooth. Hopefully, I can get a lot of quality listening in over the next few days. I will post further impressions after I have had some more time with the amp, but I am very happy right now.
Yeah, there were a few things going on yesterday, glad to know you got a good listening hour in there somewhere!
I was interested in the Monarchy monoblocks back in the day, but I never got a chance to listen to them before I got one of Frank's amps. I hope you'll get a chance to post some more impressions.