[NIGHTFALL1970]

Robwn,
The Bully’s are very revealing so good recordings sound good, but bad ones are very noticeable. When I listened to Eagles “One of these nights” it sounded fantastic. The second song however, “too many hands”
(A great song) sounds very bright and boosted. I took out my old record and that song is very low in volume compared to the rest of the album. I think when it was mastered for CD the volume was boosted on it. I decided to get a different DAC. I purchased a Topping Centarus which is an R2R DAC. Everything sounds so much smoother and more natural. I can now enjoy songs that I couldn’t before. It’s expensive at $1000 but it’s 1.5 times cheaper than my other DAC. Definitely worth it.

[robwm]

It's a nice looking piece of equipment for sure. I wouldn't mind trying it out.

[NIGHTFALL1970]

Looks like it’s on sale right now at Apos.audio.

[robwm]

I'm still enjoying bypassing the Wiim Pro DAC and using the Outlaw RR2160 DAC instead.

Last night I was listening to Juno Reactor - Bible of Dreams. It has a lot of effects going on where music feels like it is literally floating all around the room. The one thing I noticed is that this music has a really sustained soundstage. I started kicking my speakers around a bit to see if I could dial in the soundstage a bit better. The left speaker is closer to the side wall than the right one. I moved my left speaker toward the right about 2 inches. After that, I was aware that there was more soundstage than before and I could hear more detail in my left ear.

Needless to say, this has completely changed the way they sound. I will have to start over with my evaluation. 

I posted my Bully review on the GR Research website if you're interested.

-Rob

[robwm]

I ordered the Fosi Audio ZD3 fully balanced desktop DAC. The DAC in my Outlaw receiver sounds alright but it has a low-end DAC installed but better than the Wiim DAC. The ZD3 has the ability to roll the op amps, and the Outlaw cannot do this.

The main reason for the DAC purchase is that I have a plan to buy a Galion TS P75 preamp and it has no DAC installed. https://www.galion-audio.com/pages/ts-p75-preamp

I have to admit that I am not sure I could hear these speakers changing as they break in. I would say they do sound better than the first hour I played them, but they have always sounded great from that point on. I'm not even sure how many hours I have used them, but I might still be under 200 hours at this point. The only thing I notice is that the subwoofers "seem" to be more sensitive than in the beginning.

Unfortunately, the Outlaw receiver is having issues where no audio is present. If I cycle power on the Outlaw, it resolves the issue for the rest of the listening session, as near as I can tell. It has never repeated after a power cycle. I guess I shouldn't be playing Galion youtube videos through the Outlaw. It is rebelling! 

[corndog71]

Another DAC to consider is the Schiit Mimir.  It also has balanced outputs and sounds very good for $300!  It has a very clean and dynamic sound and good soundstaging. 

Schiit is also coming out with their best DAC yet, Yggdrasil “Byggy”. 

[robwm]

I hooked up my new Fosi Audio ZD3 dac and it sounds pretty good to me, but it is not drastically different than it sounded before.

I did hear an enhanced sound stage that was nearly like wearing headphones. I'm not sure if this is done by the dac or the speakers are breaking in more. Before connecting the Fosi, the band sounded like it was playing 4 feet away from me. Now that I added this dac, the band sounds like they are in my lap. I feel like the music is too much in my face and I'm considering moving the speakers away from me some. They are 52" from the back wall so there is room to move the away a bit.

I still notice that there are still some harsh highs, but it is improving with each change I have made.

It seems like the experience with the Bullies is ever changing. I have years of discoveries ahead of me!

By the way, I'm planning to purchase a Galion TS P75 in a couple of weeks to hook up to my Outlaw. I hope this further improves my experience.

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

Misunderstanding on topic therefore, thread taken down.

[nlitworld]

Yep, Rob you should check the A5 thread. I built a custom case to house an Antek LPS 44V6.8A, and lots of other mods. Clear, snappy,  and lots of three dimensionality, especially with running my tube preamp. I run my Rythmik subs up a little higher and let them bring some oomph instead of my Studios, but your bullys know how to handle that.  Once I get plenty of hours on this new configuration, I may be up to loaning it out for a few of us here.

-Lloyd

[NIGHTFALL1970]

Robwm,
I also have an A5 that I have used with the bully’s. Definitely get the 10 amp power supply. It sounds really good with the bully’s. I would say that it was about 95% as good as my mono blocks for $100.00. I swap it in and out of my system occasionally.

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

Robwm,
I also have an A5 that I have used with the bully’s. Definitely get the 10 amp power supply. It sounds really good with the bully’s. I would say that it was about 95% as good as my mono blocks for $100.00. I swap it in and out of my system occasionally.

Robwm,

 "95% as good as my mono blocks,"

Keep in mind, this is NIGHTFALL1970 using the Douk A5 Class D amp with a GaN power supply! By adding a regulated linear power supply /tube preamp, it takes it to another level of performance. Linear power supplies provide a higher fidelity expereience, versus GaN supplies, and keep the A5 operating much cooler too. GaN supplies really heat up a A5 amp big time.

Not sure where you live, or I would let you hear my set up, or perhaps even Danny might let you listen to his A5 combination. My LPS is a bit heavy and impractical to ship, since it weighs near 30lbs.

[robwm]

While this does sound interesting, I am getting the Galion TS P75 as a gift. I don't have to spend anything.

Should I turn it down? You guys make it sound like Galion is not a good move.

I live near Seattle.

[tremrej65]

Galion TS P75

I would keep it for sure! Your call.

[robwm]

I do have another use case that the Douk A5 might work out best. I may end up trying it out anyway. I have some small bookshelf speakers that I could hook up to it.

I just bought a Sparkos Dual Discrete Op Amp SS3602 to try on the RCA jacks of the Fosi Audio ZD3. We'll see how that works out.

[Tyson]

I've never heard a class D amp I could live with long term.  If it were me, I'd stick with the Galion.

[robwm]

Since that Galion preamp is a gift, I'd be a fool to turn down that opportunity. If you read the description of the Galion TS P75, it is nearly the same way I would describe the Bullies. I feel like they might be an awesome match.

I reached out to Thomas Tan, the Galion designer, and he said the preamp now comes with upgraded tubes. I'm not sure why I feel more excited about this preamp than I was with my speakers. It's going to be great!

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

I just realized you were interested in a Galion preamp. I didn't see the "P" lol  P75!
Sounds like a nice gift! I really enjoy my Galion, I'm very pleased with it. I'm sure you'll enjoy the P75.

Otherwise I wouldn't have provided a dissertation on the A5!

All the best!   
 

[robwm]

It's all good! I did learn something which is awesome. Like I said, I could use the Douk A5 in my garage with bookshelf speakers. Use bluetooth to stream from my phone. I have 3 pairs of speakers just hanging out right now.

Strangely, my wife won't allow me to sell any of them.

[NIGHTFALL1970]

Robwm,
One big improvement for my A5 was to replace both opamps with SX52Bs. It brought it to a whole new level and increased my volume.

[nlitworld]

Strangely, my wife won't allow me to sell any of them.

That sounds like a keeper to me!