[WEEZ]

Hi guys,

I'm aware that most of the 'Gateway' group are tube guys; but other than sturgus (whom I exchanged an e-mail or two with quite a while back) I don't hear much mention of John Hillig and his creations- and I'm curious as to why?

For the record, I've been using the Signature version of his little D-75B now for a while and it's an amazing piece. Rather 'awesome', in fact. 

Maybe Scott F should do a review of the hometown stuff and give John a little exposure. I'm not really qualified to do so, 'cause I've not heard nearly as much stuff....but I can certainly agree with John Hillig's description of his gear; which he describes as 'natural' sounding.

 

WEEZ

ps. (I use tubes in my pre-amp, so don't flame me too hard...)

[Scott F.]

Hi guys,

I'm aware that most of the 'Gateway' group are tube guys; but other than sturgus (whom I exchanged an e-mail or two with quite a while back) I don't hear much mention of John Hillig and his creations- and I'm curious as to why?

For the record, I've been using the Signature version of his little D-75B now for a while and it's an amazing piece. Rather 'awesome', in fact. 

Maybe Scott F should do a review of the hometown stuff and give John a little exposure. I'm not really qualified to do so, 'cause I've not heard nearly as much stuff....but I can certainly agree with John Hillig's description of his gear; which he describes as 'natural' sounding.

 

WEEZ

ps. (I use tubes in my pre-amp, so don't flame me too hard...)

Hiya Weez,

Actually there are several guys that either use Johns gear or have taken their pieces over to him for mods or repairs. When it comes to a review of his gear, I've been talking to him about doing his new preamp kit. Once he gets things finalized he said he'd give me one to put together and write about. I'm looking forward to it.

I've wanted to review some of Johns stuff in the past but when I was writing for Lucio over at TNT-Audio we had a policy that forbid writing about local manufacturers (I did sneak in the Disc Doctor cleaning fluid though).

We've got some pretty notable guys here in town. John at Mucisal Concepts and Designs, Keith Herron of Herron Audio, Sam Kennard of VibraPod, H. Duane Goldman of the Disc Doctor, Mike Pranka of Toffco (the US importer of Dynavector and Neat Acoustics) and Wilson Chen of Clayton Audio (amplifiers). There is somebody else too but for the life of me they have slipped my mind.

Now that I'm writing for EnjoyTheMusic, I'm sure big Steve wouldn't mind me going after those guys for reviews (I've already done the Dynavector arm). I'm not sure I want to put one of Keiths pre amps in my system. That one could get me in some serious trouble with my wife when I tell her I just have to have it.

As for flames, no worries. If it makes music, its all good. 

[WEEZ]

Scott,

...well, I guess John doesn't call his designs 'Musical Design' for nothing....the little D-75 is indeed 'musical'.

Of the amplifiers I've used over the 35+ years I've been at this...the D-75 is by far the best I've tried. A really simple curcuit without excessive feedback seems to allow natural musical dynamics (micro and macro) and I just don't seem to hear any typical 'solid-state' sound. Don't get me wrong...it doesn't sound like a typical tubed push-pull, but it comes close in the mids and highs. The bass is definately solid state sounding (i.e., tight, but still not dry like some).

My Signature version uses Blackgates...along with soft recovery diodes; and nice Cardas jacks for in's and out's. A rather plain black box that seems to 'disappear' rather nicely. I'm impressed.

Yeah, I think it would be cool if a review of a simple amp like the D-75B appeared with some real scrutiny. Hell, the base model sells for $800 bucks. A steal, IMHO.

WEEZ

btw: my guess is that a Herron pre-amp would not be overkill for John's amps. I use a Wyetech Coral, and it retails for 3x the price of a base D-75. Match a Herron with John's Platinum Ultra D-75B, and I can only imagine the music.....

[opnly bafld]

Scott,
Is Clayton Audio the one you could not think of?
Lin

[Scott F.]

Scott,
Is Clayton Audio the one you could not think of?
Lin

Sort of.....

Unfortunately I had a memory lapse and called Wilson Chen's Clayton Audio something different I fixed it above.

[Blackmore]

I think the one Scott is missing is Balanced Power Technology (BPT)  made in Defiance, MO.  John Hillig at Musical Concepts modded my conrad johnson PV-12 with a huge Blackgate power supply cap, platinum resistors, new power supply diodes and a TKD volume pot. Love his work and am eager to hear his new "chameleon" preamp.

[WEEZ]

Blackmore,

If I have any regrets...it would be that I didn't go for the Platinum version. I guess I could always send it for the upgrade. In the meantime, I don't know what I'm missing, so I'm a very happy camper with the Signature model.

And yes, the 'chameleon' pre-amp sounds interesting, indeed. Do you know if the design is finalized yet?

WEEZ

[sturgus]

Weez, Glad to know you are enjoying the D-75. It is a great sounding amp, sounds like it should cost a lot more. I use a Musical Design SP1 that was upgraded by John with outboard P/S and other goodies. It has taken the place of my heavly moded ARC. Most of the stuff I have has had something tweaked by John. He has a very good ear and knows what he's doing. I have heard the Chameleon pre that will be coming out in the kit. It sound very, very good.
Chris B. is waiting on one right now for John to complete. I know he's getting giddy in hopes it will be done soon. If you ever get up this way just let us know and we can show you a good time if you don't mind all the tubes.
Sturgus

[Levi]

John Hillig is still around.  I still have my Musical Concept modified Adcom amplifier.  I am keeping this one as a backup.

Hi guys,

I'm aware that most of the 'Gateway' group are tube guys; but other than sturgus (whom I exchanged an e-mail or two with quite a while back) I don't hear much mention of John Hillig and his creations- and I'm curious as to why?

For the record, I've been using the Signature version of his little D-75B now for a while and it's an amazing piece. Rather 'awesome', in fact. 

Maybe Scott F should do a review of the hometown stuff and give John a little exposure. I'm not really qualified to do so, 'cause I've not heard nearly as much stuff....but I can certainly agree with John Hillig's description of his gear; which he describes as 'natural' sounding.

 

WEEZ

ps. (I use tubes in my pre-amp, so don't flame me too hard...)

[WEEZ]

sturgus,

thanks for the invitation (and for your comments previously re: the D-75B)!

The amplifier seems to do everything right- in a subtle sort of way. It took a long time to come on song (due to the Blackgates, I presume). At first it sounded good but just a bit edgy. Now after several weeks and a couple hundred hours of play, it has relaxed profoundly, and is neither forward or 'solid-state' sounding. John would say, "natural". I concur.

When I say 'subtle'... what I mean is that there is nothing thrust upon the sound. No hyped frequency quirks; no boom; no splash; no grit; no glare. If I had to describe the D-75's attributes in audiophile terms; I would use words like ambiant; smooth; neutral; and dimensional. It's the dimensional part that makes me not miss using vacuum tubes in my power section. Pretty amazing feat for any solid state amplifier- much less one at this price level.

I've spent approx. (2) years shopping for amplifiers to use with my little Merlins- both glass and sand- and the D-75 stays. It's that good. You're right, John has a good ear.

(btw, if anyone out there in St. Louie gets a chance to hear that new pre-amp- please post here at AC about it. I'm not shopping for pre-amps- but one never knows.... )

WEEZ 

[zeke]

I have been using the Musical Design DAC 1A20 for some time -- sounds very good.