Initial thoughts on D-200's

zybar · « **Reply #20 on:** 14 May 2006, 08:49 pm »

Quote from: tvad4

Quote
But I do have very full range speakers and I can say that the Dodd bass performance is very good.

The fact that your speakers go down to 30hz, and mine go down to 16hz may account for differences in bass response delivered by tube amplification in our respective systems. In any case, I'm sure you will agree that an apples to apples comparison cannot be made.

But how much music is there below 30Hz?

George

gme109 · « **Reply #21 on:** 14 May 2006, 09:14 pm »

Quote from: zybar

The amps have been pretty much playing music non-stop for almost a week so I think that I am getting a fair representation of what they can do. ...

My D200's were a CES demo pair that had a week on them. I can tell you this, they continued to improve quite a bit, up to about 250 to 300 hrs. So you got a little ways to go. You should be totally blown away by then.

Keep us posted.

Thanks

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #22 on:** 14 May 2006, 10:33 pm »

Quote from tvad4:
My D200's were af CES demo pair that had a week on them. I can tell you this, they continued to improve quite a bit, up to about 250 to 300 hrs. So you got a little ways to go. You should be totally blown away by then.

tvad4:
I have probably have in excess of 1800 hours on mine. Better hurry up and do some serious listening.

Cheers
Charlie

toobluvr · « **Reply #23 on:** 14 May 2006, 11:57 pm »

Quote from: zybar

John is using Blue Heron i loudspeakers. ......

Wish it were true, George!

I own the Heron-i.
It is one step down from the Blue Heron.

The 2 speakers are similar in size, and in other ways, but the Heron-i
definitely do not have the gas piezo tweeter.

Would need to check my owners manual to see if the other specs are the same.

toobluvr · « **Reply #24 on:** 15 May 2006, 12:35 am »

Quote from: tvad4

The fact that your speakers go down to 30hz, and mine go down to 16hz may account for differences in bass response delivered by tube amplification in our respective systems. In any case, I'm sure you will agree that an apples to apples comparison cannot be made.

OK....
One of the fellas I referred to earlier, who chose Dodds over some hefty "A list" SS amps, owns these speakers:

http://www.egglestonworks.com/andra2.htm

Is that low enough for ya?

He doesn't feel the bass is compromised at all by switching to the Dodd tubes.
Matter of fact, he told me they drove the Andras better than all his previous arc welders.
If you wanna see all the SS he's owned, refer to the link in one of my earlier posts.
Admittedly, one man's opinion. But there you have it....I'm just passing along the info.

BTW....in my previous post I was not making a bass comparison, your system vs mine.....
or SS vs. tube bass in general.
I simply stated that I'm getting what I consider to be VG bass performance in my system.

I also readily admit that SS bass might be better.
But that is not my priority, and I usually can't listen to SS long enough to find out.
So I don't care if it is.

Hope noone thinks I am arguing or shilling.
That is not my intent.
Just discussing and sharing my experience and some of the tid-bits I've picked up along the way.

Hey tvad4!
If you find that dream SS amp, be sure to let us know!
Personally, I'm not interested in the one that has killer bass, or the one that has bass that beats tubes.
When you find the one that beats your VAC in the areas where tubes typically excel....now that's the one I wanna know about!

Mozarthoven · « **Reply #25 on:** 15 May 2006, 03:26 am »

First Post here. I went to www.archive.org to find a Meadowlark page from the past, and it is shown below.

http://web.archive.org/web/20020206073117/www.meadowlarkaudio.com/products.htm

CIAudio · « **Reply #26 on:** 15 May 2006, 04:19 am »

Quote

Will it replace the DNA-500? Too soon to tell, but the fact that I can even consider it is quite a statement.

George, Thanks for the update on your comparison. We've had others compare our D series to other DNA models, but I think you're the first to put them up against the 500. The DNA-500 is highly regarded as being one of the best SS amps at any price. D-200's being competitive in performance for around 1/3 the cost is a big compliment!

Rocket · « **Reply #27 on:** 15 May 2006, 10:06 am »

Hi Guys,

One of the best pieces of advice i've read on audiocircle.

Quote

Everyone knows that no one amp will do everything superbly, and that tradeoffs are always involved.

The ideal amp for any one person is the one that delivers his priorities the "best", and offers minimal compromises in the other areas. We all have different tastes and priorities, and even perceptions of which gear actually delivers those priorites. Hence the whole process is highly subjective, and we see a wide array of opinions and preferences when it comes to gear.

George's recommendation of a product is one of the few that i would consider when purchasing new gear.

Regards

Rod

gme109 · « **Reply #28 on:** 15 May 2006, 04:00 pm »

Quote from: Rocket

Hi Guys,

One of the best pieces of advice i've read on audiocircle.

"Everyone knows that no one amp will do everything superbly, and that tradeoffs are always involved.

The ideal amp for any one person is the one that delivers his priorities the "best", and offers minimal compromises in the other areas. We all have different tastes and priorities, and even perceptions of which gear actually delivers those priorites. Hence the whole process is highly subjective, and we see a wide array of opinions and preferences when it comes to gear."

George's recommendation of a product is one of the few that i would consider when purchasing new gear.

Regards

Rod

That being said, the D200's are the least compromised amplifiers to ever reside in my system. I can't imagine anyone not being totally satisfied with these amplifiers, especially when considering their price. They are extremely musical, yet they satisfy the obsessive and overly analytical audiophile in me. I haven't heard everything out there, and I'm sure there's amplifiers that will surpass the D200 's in one area or another, but I'm willing to bet, that only a small number will offer this level of performance across the board. And I betcha they will all cost substantially more than the D200's.

toobluvr · « **Reply #29 on:** 15 May 2006, 05:33 pm »

Quote from: Mozarthoven

First Post here. I went to www.archive.org to find a Meadowlark page from the past, and it is shown below.

http://web.archive.org/web/20020206073117/www.meadowlarkaudio.com/products.htm

Great post!

Even though defunct as a company, the Meadowlark website has been up and running.
Until recently...that is.

I clicked on my bookmark for it yesterday, and it was gone.
Thanks for providing that archive site!
Very helpful.....I didn't know such a thing existed.

zybar · « **Reply #30 on:** 15 May 2006, 05:39 pm »

Quote from: Rocket

Hi Guys,

One of the best pieces of advice i've read on audiocircle.

George's recommendation of a product is one of the few that i would consider when purchasing new gear.

Regards

Rod

Thank you very much for the compliment Rod.

George

toobluvr · « **Reply #31 on:** 15 May 2006, 06:23 pm »

Quote from: zybar

Quote from: Rocket
Hi Guys,

One of the best pieces of advice i've read on audiocircle........

Rod

Thank you very much for the compliment Rod.

George

Hey!
Shove over!
That's my advise that he's complimenting!

zybar · « **Reply #32 on:** 15 May 2006, 06:28 pm »

It was actually for both of us...sort of like the old days.

George

toobluvr · « **Reply #33 on:** 15 May 2006, 06:41 pm »

Quote from: zybar

It was actually for both of us...sort of like the old days.

George

I give advise....you recommend product.

Sounds like a good business plan!

Rocket · « **Reply #34 on:** 16 May 2006, 02:11 am »

Hi Guys,

Quote

That being said, the D200's are the least compromised amplifiers to ever reside in my system. I can't imagine anyone not being totally satisfied with these amplifiers, especially when considering their price. They are extremely musical, yet they satisfy the obsessive and overly analytical audiophile in me. I haven't heard everything out there, and I'm sure there's amplifiers that will surpass the D200 's in one area or another, but I'm willing to bet, that only a small number will offer this level of performance across the board. And I betcha they will all cost substantially more than the D200's.

The compliment was to both of you.

Gme109, I can only imagine how the d200's sound. I've spent a fortune on a ps audio hca - 2 and had it repaired and modded a couple of times and it may not even be as good as the d200's. In general though the statement is fairly accurate and the best thing to do is find an amplifier which has the least amount of compromises.

Well done Dusty on a great product.

Regards

Rod

ludavico · « **Reply #35 on:** 16 May 2006, 02:06 pm »

George, great write-up. Thanks very much for taking the time to post your opinions.

I have been waiting anxiously for another viewpoint after the nit-twit review of the D-200 in TAS (man that really knocked my opinion of the mag down a notch...)

Just curious, are you using balanced I/Cs with the amps?

Happy motoring.

zybar · « **Reply #36 on:** 16 May 2006, 02:30 pm »

Quote from: ludavico

George, great write-up. Thanks very much for taking the time to post your opinions.

I have been waiting anxiously for another viewpoint after the nit-twit review of the D-200 in TAS (man that really knocked my opinion of the mag down a notch...)

Just curious, are you using balanced I/Cs with the amps?

Happy motoring.

I am using VH Audio Symmetry balanced ic's between the D-200's and a modified TacT 2.2x preamp/dac.

George

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #37 on:** 22 May 2006, 08:44 am »

George,

Chris[/list:u]

denjo · « **Reply #38 on:** 22 May 2006, 09:28 am »

George is in the midst of selling his DNA-500 on Audiogon.
Wonder if he is buying the D200 or is it some other amplifier that he has in mind?
We shall just have to wait until George is ready to share!

zybar · « **Reply #39 on:** 23 May 2006, 12:57 am »

I am buying the D-200's and as Chris said, another amp will be arriving this week as well.

I promise to post more thoughts on the D-200's when compared to the DNA-500 later this week.

George