my new G&W tw-2006x integrated amplifier!

robert1325 · « **on:** 21 Oct 2006, 10:15 am »

Hi, I recently got my new integrated amp from ornec ( in china) ...

So far it's amazing, it cost me less then my cambridge 640A amp but it's a night and day difference between the two!

I drive my B&W dm603s3's with it, and my source is a bolder modified squeezebox. With the cambridge I had very boomy bass, nothing of that now! Everything has improved , soundstaging, depth, details, dynamics... It's unbelievable!

I like the look to... So , if you're looking for a cheap integrated amp, this one is great :blink:

http://www.ornec.com/product/US/G&W_TW-2006X_integrated_amplifier/

Shipping costs are rather high

JLM · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 Oct 2006, 10:18 am »

Please provide links, specs, etc.

Thanks

robert1325 · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Oct 2006, 10:45 am »

I put a link down, I bought it in that shop and it was there in a week...

bprice2 · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 Oct 2006, 03:27 pm »

Hi Robert,

The link you supplied states, "Supply voltage: 220~240V." May I assume you are not in the US, or does G&W do a 110-120V?

Thanks.

robert1325 · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Oct 2006, 03:35 pm »

You are right, I'm not in the US, good you noticed... this means people in the US need a step-down transformer, I'm so stupid

well: http://www.ornec.com/product/US/Voltage_Convertor/

Still a good amp anyway... aa

This amp caused quite a stir on a dutch forum, it's suposed to be better as the dussun ds99... The designer of this amp also designed the famous G&W tw 2.6 F tube headphone amp...

Jampot · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 Oct 2006, 03:56 pm »

Hi Robert,

Glad you are enjoying the new amp

Did you have to pay the delivery guy import duty or VAT / TVA (whatever you call it in Netherlands)?

I have always been put off buying from the far east because the extra we have to pay on delivery here in UK makes it so much more 'expensive'.

Nina Simone and TRex is an eclectic mix of music for a young guy - I hope you didn't set those selections up on your squeeze box just for the photos

robert1325 · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 Oct 2006, 04:35 pm »

haha no, I like all kinds of music ... some people are so narrow minded concerning music, they think :I like rock, I don't like anything else

But I mainly listen to indie-rock/pop and jazz.... I'm using the random mix function a lot on the SB , it's great

I think I was very lucky , no duty's or VAT ... I used TNT express instead of the more expensive DHL.

I got it for 300 euro 's

( 180 pounds )

Just ordered the anti-cables, hope they are an upgrade

Jampot · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 Oct 2006, 08:22 pm »

Quote

I think I was very lucky , no duty's or VAT

Blimey!

You could get a nice little business going there - once the goods are in EU we have free circulation.

Start building stocks my man - I will bring a truck over on the ferry

Enjoy the music

Jim

robert1325 · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 Oct 2006, 09:27 pm »

not a bad idea, but they'll probably notice big shipments

Carlman · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Oct 2006, 12:14 am »

This amp reminds me a lot of the Dussun DS99 and the Jolida 301. I was looking for a good integrated and these all came up... and here's another one. They look similar to one another and was wondering if they all made on the same line and just getting different faceplates? Just curious if anyone knows.

I ended up finding a used Musical Fidelity X-150 that had a phono input, preamp outs, and a high-current design that sealed the deal for me. I needed good current for the Piega's I'm using and I must say I'm very pleased with the sound right now...

Anyway, these amps all look nice and from what I've heard the Dussun is a force to be reckoned with... if this new G&W amp sounds a 'lot' better I'd be very surprised.

BTW, I think it's pretty cute to have G&W powering B&W...

-C

robert1325 · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 Oct 2006, 09:19 am »

This thing is a beast indeed, it looks small, but it's very heavy and keeps my speakers under rock-solid control! It is different from the Dussun, other parts where used... ( I dug deep into the dungeons of google to find info) I listened to the dussun , It's good but a bit clinical sounding, this one is very neutral but not clinical at all ( with my speakers) ... Ofcourse, my speakers are on the warm side of neutral , that could explain it.

G&W is getting more and more famous in china, Dussun is not selling very well because people don't like the sound signature ( as described by several sources: very powerfull but a bit clinical and uninvolving) Some people do like this however.... (I don''t want to offend anyone with the above)

Very happy with this thing, I can hear my speakers limitations now, that's to bad

as for Jolida, I heard great things about them, but they are a bit expensive when you get it directly from china ( but some nice Second hand deals )
And Jolida is cheaper in america to.

(excuse me for my english , I'm dutch)

shep · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Oct 2006, 07:01 pm »

you know what? If the Chinese really get it together, everybody else can close up shop. I'm in two minds about this: as an impoverished audiophile I welcome the chance to purchase good gear cheap. On the otherhand we should all be aware that the C's are totally ruthless in business (and not only) and the reason their products are cheap is very cheap labor. They have one business ethic: UNDER PRICE AND TAKE OVER. Should we encourage this? It will be the death of all but the most specialized Hi-fi products.
At the moment people are wary but if the word gets about that their products are well made and good sounding, it will not be long before a lot of American and European manufacturers put the key under the door. Much the same was said of the Japanese early on but it seems to me that they played the game fairly. I doubt very much if the Chinese have the same scruples. Food for thought anyone?

robert1325 · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 Oct 2006, 07:11 pm »

I agree completly with you, ( I'm guilty) but you should not forget the fact that the chinese are passionate about Hi-Fi to and there are chinese company's that are fighting the straight import ( like shanling and cayin) by saying the products on those sites (like ornec) are not of the same quality as the ones you get at a dealer.

G&W however was a company looking for someone who wanted to sell their product, knoxed ( ornec) bought it.

( If I said anything wrong, I don't want to offend anyone)

shep · « **Reply #13 on:** 22 Oct 2006, 07:30 pm »

Point taken. I'm sure there are small companies over there fighting to stay alive and having the most honorable intentions. I get a little judgemental about this subject, having seen what the Chinese are capable of in Africa (Senegal). I'm less sure about the tactics and the intentions of Ornec however.
Enjoy! (wish I could here it) Have you noticed how "they" appear to copy what they think we want/like?
clever bastards. I don't think they will come knocking at my door at night. First you have to find it and even the local french can't! remember however that we are considered barbarians, first last and always. It they can't conquer us by force they will by guile. You read about it HERE! (je déconne)

Jampot · « **Reply #14 on:** 22 Oct 2006, 07:49 pm »

Shep, Robert

Do we have the makings of a European Circle

Lot of travelling for a listening session but hey, it doesn't always rain in Lot does it

On the 'serious' subject - I don't think it will make a lot of difference whether we buy Chinese direct or our 'native' brands (I'm thinking Quad, Wharfedale et al here) out source manufacture to the far east. I don't see Wayne at Bolder (Roberts SB) or Shep's mate with the tweaked T amp going out of business because someone in a Chinese Province we never heard of could / would like to do the same.

Do you actually know where your Cambridge was made Robert? I'd love to think it was UK but somehow I doubt it....

Market forces will prevail

Jim

shep · « **Reply #15 on:** 22 Oct 2006, 08:10 pm »

humble pie...yuck. The Lot is gorgious (even raining) Bye the bye, my Modded Marantz 67 has stopped giving me nose bleeds and started to make music. Hurray! BUT it refuses to play some cd's that it aught to. ANy thoughts on this would be appreciated. I've never had this happen before. I loved vinyl but it drove me crazy. If anyone wants to drive thousands of miles I have a great collection for sale (to help pay
my habit) Just joking of course...there are probably some out there who would<;

mcgsxr · « **Reply #16 on:** 22 Oct 2006, 10:40 pm »

I wonder if the SB2 would sound better, on the other side of the amp chassis - from what I can tell, it is presently situated above that Burger sized toroid, I wonder if you would notice anything, if you slid the book and SB2 over to the right?

Jampot · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 Oct 2006, 10:46 pm »

Shep,

couple of things spring immediately to mind wrt the cds that won't play -

Cds with 'video' or interactive extras for the pc can give problems, try copying audio tracks only onto a cdr

copy protection can screw things up too. Sorry I don't have a fix for that

Hardly 'thousands' of miles but I agree, too far for a weekend

Jim

ORNEC · « **Reply #18 on:** 22 Oct 2006, 11:03 pm »

Shep,
Let us know your address and we will send you a G&W TW2006X for free

marvda1 · « **Reply #19 on:** 22 Oct 2006, 11:06 pm »

hey onec, what about me, i know you need one in the us to get the word out

let me know and i'll send you my address aa
marvin