[Oly84]

Looking for opinions on the following combination.
Supratek Cabernet DHT/6SN7 preamp to a Wells Audio Innamorata amp. Looking for full, organic, three dimensional sound without sacrificing speed, timing and pace. Old bass player here so I favor gear that is voiced a little lower. Comments?

[Big Red Machine]

Usually this combo is very magical - tubed front end and SS amp.

Had the Wells. Decent, smooth, not magical on its own. The Supra is very well regarded and should be great and takes the pressure off which SS amp to use.

Once I get my gear back in the rack the Don Sachs model 2 pre and VTV class D is absolutely the best combo I have ever had. Beats the TRL Dude and many other high end preamps I have had. I am so glad I got to this combo (by chance actually). Fantastic pairing, and by that I mean the preamp is sensational and the amp gets out of the way.

You should be on the right track.

[JakeJ]

Agreed.  The better sounding systems I have assembled over the years have al been tubed pre feeding a SS amp.  Gee, that's what I'm running right now!

Sources are feeding an ARC LS-25 MkII to a pair of Threshold SA/1's which in turn ends at the Acoustats.  Smooth, warm, accurate, and neutral. 

[genjamon]

Which model of VTV do you have, BRM?  And what's its input impedance, and what size output caps do you have on your Sachs?  I have a Don Sachs pre as well and have previously paired with some Class D, although am currently using an Odyssey Kismet stereo amp.  So am just curious regarding the synergy.

[FullRangeMan]

Agreed.  The better sounding systems I have assembled over the years have al been tubed pre feeding a SS amp.  Gee, that's what I'm running right now!

Sources are feeding an ARC LS-25 MkII to a pair of Threshold SA/1's which in turn ends at the Acoustats.  Smooth, warm, accurate, and neutral.

Do you could say us something about tube buffer + Class D amp ?

[Big Red Machine]

Which model of VTV do you have, BRM?  And what's its input impedance, and what size output caps do you have on your Sachs?  I have a Don Sachs pre as well and have previously paired with some Class D, although am currently using an Odyssey Kismet stereo amp.  So am just curious regarding the synergy.

VTV AMPLIFIER Stereo Purifi Audio 1ET400A Amplifier
Input Buffer:
VTV Amplifier Custom Input Buffer w/ PR Sonic Imagery Labs 995FET Pro Opamp

12V Trigger:
No Trigger (Default)

Binding Post Option:
WBT-0702.01 TopLine

[JackD]

genjamon

The Van Alstine Vision SET 400 is an excellent match with the Sachs Model 2 sound wise plus it's higher input sensitivity helps with the higher fixed gain of the current version. 

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Pass Labs amps and Integrated amps are organic sounding.  I own an X250 amp paired with a BAT tube preamp.   You can't go wrong with an AVA SET amp either.  I did a review on them for AVA.

[genjamon]

Thanks, JackD. I auditioned the SET 120 for a couple weeks. Liked the Odyssey better. Odyssey also bested the Mivera SE ice power based amp here. But I remain tantalized by the prospect of a Class D amp that will do it for me. I have Folsom’s latest kit amp here read for build-out when I eventually have any time for hobbies again. And my Don Sachs has adjustable gain, so no worries on that front.

[JackD]

I still have a Mivera too that I keep as emergency back up.  If I was going to buy a Purifi based amp like the VTV is I would buy again from Collin at Nord.  Has been around a lot longer than the guys at VTV and easy to deal with and get in touch with if you have an issue.  Like most of the amps of this type they are basically a collection of fit together boards so are very easy to work on yourself if you need to swap out a bad part.  Also based on my experience with the Nord NC-500 based amp using the buffer boards if you like the sound of the Kismet amp you will be more likely to like the Sparkos op amp over the Sonic Imagery.

[genjamon]

Thanks, Jack. I was wondering about the different flavors of op amps. So the Sparkos are smoother than the SI? FYI, I have all Furutech fuses in the Odyssey, which increases resolution over standard fuses, but also a touch thinner sound. Have been meaning to re-bias the Odyssey to make it a touch warmer.

[JackD]

I sold my Kismet about a year ago so never got to try it with either my Model 2 or my Supratek Chardonnay but I'm sure it would have done great with either.  As to the op amps the Sparkos is warmer fuller sound than the SI's which are more detail oriented.  I started with the Sparkos and then just had to try the SI's but never get them to sound right in either system so I took them out and went back to the Sparkos.  At the time the Nord was fronted by the Modwright LS-100 also 6SN7 based with tube rectification so in a similar ballpark as the Sachs sound wise.  Also found the Odyssey amps to be the perfect amp with Vandersteen speakers.