[tonyptony]

Start here and then come back...

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=81923.msg788540#msg788540

Okay, I'm violating my own rules by posting initial impressions without my system being in its normal state. Having said that, I know what the analog outs on my music server sound like through my Pass X1 (which is about as neutral and clear as a preamp can get). So I think what I'm hearing is mostly the amp change.

So this is with my music server running its analog outs directly into the Double+. I used the same ICs going to the amp as I'd normally use from the server to the preamp.

I didn't pay attention to the playback for the first few hours. Once I sat down I was struck almost immediately with one thought - clarity which I was not getting with the Ultra. Those who know the Ultra know that lack of clarity is not one of its faults. It's a great amp that presents a natural, open sound. But if it is the upgrade, what I'm hearing now is what I'd call improved micro-clarity. I can hear more clearly tiny little things that I knew were there before the upgrade and just sort of acknowledged. Now I'm surprised when I hear the same tunes and it seems like a slight layer of mist has been wiped away from the lens.

The next thing I noticed, and it may be related to the first, is the soundstage appears to be wider than before. I can hear more stuff on either side of the speakers. Front to back resolution is also improved.

Low end improvement... I'm not sure about yet. I say this because my server's analog out is not the best in this area. I normally use its digital out through my D/A converter, where there is no issue with low end articulation or control. I'm going to hold off on commenting in this area.

Sonic character? Pure AVA. As close to real music as you can get for the money and then some. That part is still there in spades, and if anything is better. Wasn't sure that was possible.

My Pass X1 should be back this week. Then I'll be able to play music for real and hear everything this new beast can do.

[aln]

Keep reporting as I am saving up for the upgrade.  By the way, what tubes are you using in the amp?

[tonyptony]

I will. My Pass X1 should be back in place by Friday, so thing will be back to normal soon.

Telefunken ECC801S.

[avahifi]

We have noted that the Telefunken tubes bias almost identically as the stock JJ ECC81/12AT7 tubes we supply with the Ultra amplifiers.  Thus if you are into expensive tube rolling, we do not expect you will need to make any bias current adjustments between these two brands of 12AT7 tubes.

Roll away and enjoy, although the Ultra+ amps are great as they come out of the box with the JJ ECC81 tubes installed.

Me, I would use the money saved on expensive tubes to buy more CDs or save for an AVA preamp and or DAC.

Best regards,

Frank Van Alstine

[tonyptony]

Spoil sport!

[aln]

Thank you!

[tonyptony]

I got my Pass X1 back today. Hooked everything back up. My updated first impression was that the SB analog out which I was using to this point really is pretty poor. My next impression was... mixed.

The boys at Pass said I need a good 24 hours on the preamp so I'm going to hold my thoughts for a bit. If I turn the amp off but run music at volume through the preamp will it exercise the output of the pre even a little bit, or does the amp have to be on?

[OldCoder]

Tony,

If you want to improve the SB, get a DAC.  Let the SB be a transport.

Frank has great DACs, but even the cheapies elsewhere are an improvement on the Squeezebox.
Just nowhere near as much so as Frank's toys.

[tonyptony]

Tony,

If you want to improve the SB, get a DAC.  Let the SB be a transport.

Frank has great DACs, but even the cheapies elsewhere are an improvement on the Squeezebox.
Just nowhere near as much so as Frank's toys.

OC, that's how I normally use it. But with my preamp at Pass for a bit I had to use the variable analog outs directly into the amp (yuck). It is now hooked back up via digital to my DAC... and even so isn't my primary source. That's a Proceed PDT3 transport into the DAC over ST glass.

[BikeWNC]

550 Double +?  What is the +?  Is this a new version of the Double? 

[tonyptony]

It's a smaller improvement to the amp circuitry that was slipstreamed in a little while ago. If you do a search for Frank's posts over the last month or so you should find it.

[tonyptony]

Update - I've been in contact with both Frank and Kent English at Pass Labs (thanks to both). I have a bit of a non-standard setup which needs a bit of additional evaluation while I try to understand what I'm hearing. Stay tuned.