[Glady86]

After the Odyssey amps warmed up, they have way more impact, dynamics, huge soundstage they just kick ass for rock and pop music compared to the tube amps. I’m thinking none of those Chinese clones would be better except maybe the Goldmund 29m mono blocks.

[mjosef]

"Tube preamps have a very high output impedance generally. "
Really? My tube pre, CAT SL1, output impedance is 90 ohms. Most tube preamps output impedance I've seen/heard were all under 200.

[Glady86]

I just received a Transaudio D5pro Dartzeel based amplifier. Sounded good right from the start, after two hours of playing it’s so smooth yet detailed, not as dynamic as the Odyssey, less separation of instruments within the slightly narrower soundstage but it could get better with more time. It’s really a good value and mates well with NX Otica. I also might try a pair of amps that are based on the Symphonic Line RG4. Sorry Klaus if you see this, I can’t afford the real deal. 

Soon I guess I need to start selling the “losers” in my amp collection.

[Glady86]

Just in case anyone is thinking of trying the Transaudio D5pro, get the 2026 master edition from AliExpress better amp and cheaper price compared to ebay.

[Glady86]

After about 30 hours on Transaudio D5 Pro master edition.

 I put some good isolation footers under it, the small cabinet picks up vibrations, the big heavy Odyssey amps aren’t affected by vibration. I’m shocked at how good this thing is. This may well be the best sounding amp I tried with and NX Otica. And the specs are incredible, dead silent  background, extremely low distortion and tons of power, actually overkill for 93db sensitive speakers. There’s no coloring of the sound like tube amps.

They say it takes 400 hours to completely burn in, but from what I’m hearing most of the improvements must happen early on.

And to the original subject of this thread, I highly doubt I’ll ever be trying a bi-amp set up. I’m discovering you can get that excellent midrange and smoothness without any of negatives of low power tube amps.

[Glady86]

Not sure of the correct technical or audiophile term to use, but this amplifiers ability to portray impressive dynamic contrast is what really caught my attention. Also the bass punch and smooth, detailed dynamic highs are the best I heard out of the NX Oticas to date. I can’t find any fault in the overall sound quality.   For a little less than $900.00 total cost, I think you would need to spend a whole lot more to match it.

I also have a pair of the RG4 MK4 clone amps on order, supposedly better than this amp. Those cost me $1560 for the pair for early buyers, now the cost is $2550 plus whatever the tariff adds to it. I wouldn’t have bought them at that price, but they could well be worth it compared to similar priced alternatives.

 Lots of audio gear is made in China, Japan etc. these days, even some big name USA brands have their gear built overseas, also the patent protection is expired on these amp models that are being cloned.

[Glady86]

Well the Transaudio D5 pro runs hot, since it’s so hot here lately I put back in the Odyssey amps, they run quite cool. After using the D5 pro long enough for complete break and get used to the sound its not a better amp than the Odyssey mono Extreme. I guess  the overbuilt huge capacity power supply and being mono blocks makes the difference. Plus the Symphonic Line based circuit. I’m still waiting for the SP-Audio Levinston RG-4 MK-4 mono amps, supposedly within the next week they will be ready to ship. I think these could de throne the Odyssey amps since they are based on a higher end Symphonic Line amp circuit.

[nlitworld]

Lol, tis the season for thermally induced amplifier changes. I have been flipping between my EL84 amp and my Douk A5 if temps get well into the 80s.

[Early B.]

Lol, tis the season for thermally induced amplifier changes. I have been flipping between my EL84 amp and my Douk A5 if temps get well into the 80s.

Never understood that. I have a tube amp, tube preamp, and tube DAC, and the temperature will be 97 degrees tomorrow. It doesn't matter. The heat generated from tube gear is irrelevant, especially if you have central AC or a fan. Is it psychosomatic?

[nlitworld]

Not psychosomatic. I wish. Small spare bedroom in center of house + no ac + all tube gear turns it into a sauna real fast. And while the PNW doesn't get as hot and muggy as the deep south, it's still no picnic in the afternoons. That Douk runs ice cold so it's a welcome addition for summer time listening.

[uncola]

I suffer from the same heat issues in my non air conditioned bedroom.  I gave up on my firstwatt f7 and other 25 watt class A amps.  my dac and khozmo preamp run cool.. using class D speaker amp right now.  lol but i do have a 7W class A tube amp on the way.. I hope it's not a space heater

[Glady86]

I have AC in my basement room but usually don’t need to run it. But when it’s  near 100 degrees outside for 4 days straight the heat makes its way in. A hot amp just speeds up the process. I had a pair of class A 805 tube amps that acted as space heaters in the winter.

[Early B.]

I get it -- no AC in the room. A small electric fan or ceiling fan that runs quietly resolves this issue. You audiophiles aren't fooling anyone -- you're just coming up with reasons to buy more gear.