[Steve]

I just found out, through his email, that Martin DeWulf is purchasing the new 11A Linestage Preamplifier.

In his words: "I think it is superb." Sometime back, in issue #174, Martin stated:

"the 11A struck me during our day of listening as superbly true to its input, fully capable of capturing the beauty, power and subtlety of a performance.... And even though the unit I heard in the Big Rig was a prototype, I have full confidence in the newest 11A being a benchmark tube product"

Of 7 people who have auditioned the 11A, at various times using various systems, none could tell any sonic difference when the 11A was in the system and when it was out. I even suggested they would hear a difference but none could.

Martin's formal review isn't out yet, but I will keep all informed. Can't wait.

[Bemopti123]

Steve, do you happen to know what did Martin have has his standard before his purchase of the 11A?  I wonder.  In any regards, congratulations!  The preamp is classy, with its golden facade and at that price, there is not much out there that can measure up in terms of value.  For 2.5K, that buys nothing these days.    <7 thumbs for good luck. 

[maxwalrath]

I thought the 10A was very close to the Modwright, and might even have had more PRAT, with a near-identical sonic signature for $1k less.  The 11A sounds like another huge bargain.

[Steve]

Hi Bemop,

Do you mean his preamplifer or whole system? That day or now?

For preamplifiers, he has had many in previous reviews. I can look them up for you if you wish or you can look them up in the "list of merit" issue. As far as what was in his system right now, he lists them in his "Big Rig" page which I have listed below, but he changes ICs, speaker cables etc regularly while auditioning to get the max from a setup. He usually lists them in his review.

If you mean that day we listened, he had the Daedulus dynamic audio 1s or 2s, Monarchy 250-SE hybrid monoblocks, and had a Modwright 9SE preamplifier. All were being auditioned/reviewed.

Currently in the "Big Rig" right now


Equipment rack: Arcici Suspence Rack and two Michael Green Clamp Racks.
  
Isolation bases: Butcher blocks
 
Turntable and Digital Transport stand:  Michael Green Clamp Racks
 
Digital Transport: Rega Planet modified by LessLoss
 
Digital Processor: LessLoss    (I don't know what he was using that day.)
 
CD Player: none
 
DSP Unit: none
 
Turntable: Clearaudio Champion Level 2/Origin DC drive motor
 
Cartridge: Red Rose Rose Petal
  
Tonearm:  Origin Live Illustrious
 
Phono Stage:  Eastern Electric Mini Max

As one can see, Martin uses both digital and analog for testing.

Cheers.


 

 

 

[Steve]

I thought the 10A was very close to the Modwright, and might even have had more PRAT, with a near-identical sonic signature for $1k less.  The 11A sounds like another huge bargain.

Thanks Max. Yes, the 10A is quite a piece of equipment. But the 11A brings one closer to realism, and a little better bass (which can be adjusted to suit one's taste). It is so invisible, no one could tell the difference, so far, and I tried to trick them. As a fellow music lover, I want to feel like I could start a conversation with Diane Krall or Nora Jones. 

My philosophy is to design a superior product so as to minimize the complexity of the system as a whole; keep things simple. A superior product should be able to stand alone, on its own merits.

Like the 10A, the 11A will mate with as low as 10k amp input Z, although I recommend 20k minimum Z.

I am taking off now as we had about 4-5" of snow and it is starting to drift.

Cheers.

[nature boy]

Steve,

What is the difference between the 11A and B11A units?

NB

[Russell Dawkins]

The  (basic) B11A has 3 inputs and no monitor section, the 11A has 5 inputs and a monitor section:

<http://www.sasaudiolabs.com/pream11a.htm>

[Steve]

Thanks Russell; that is correct.

The 11A also does something else many, if not most, tube preamplifiers are weak in, and that is in the bass arena. Yet, the midrange remains magical, and dynamics are simply outstanding. Cymbals and triangles sound lifelike; with no glassiness or harshness whatsoever. 

Soundstaging is not artificial, but open with the speakers performing a disappearing act. If not for the visual cue, I doubt one would know the speakers even exist.

One of the nice features of the 11A is its ability to match up with just about any amp with an input Z of 20k or more (Martin checks down to approx 10k in his last review of the 10A.). So no worries when connecting to SS amps with low input impedances.

One last note. Martin has a pretty impressive list of preamplifiers he has heard (listed in the "components of merit issue", and chose to purchase the 11A. He does not often purchase a product.

Cheers for now.