[mhconley]

OK, I've settled and I am now looking for a new or gently used YS Audio A2 preamplifier.  I prefer used to save a few dollars.  I prefer a silver faced unit.  Let me know what you have and what you want for it...

Martin

[mhconley]

bump with edits

[sunnydaze]

I know nothing about the Doge, but the A2 is an excellent choice.  A highly underrated piece, in my estimation.  It was the missing piece that brought my system to life, the rig just absolutely sings with it in place.  Gears meshing, things clicking into place, and synergy out the wazoo!     

Good luck in your search.   

[poseidonsvoice]

If this unit is truly balanced and with remote, that is an incredibly low price, imho. The 5687 is a nice tube.





http://www.ys-audio.com/a2.htm

Good luck in your search. A new one sets you back about $1100 including shipping to U.S.

Anand.

[sunnydaze]

Yep, true balanced design and with a remote that is very precise in controlling volume.  I run mine via balanced IC into my Alchemist Forsetti APD20A "Signature".  It is dead quiet, natural, and immediate, with a stage that is huge and holographic.  Transparency and presence in the midband is exceptional -- best I have ever had in any of my systems.  Adjustable gain makes amp matching easy.  Very flexible unit with multiple ins and outs, both SE and balanced.

The 5687's are used as output buffers, I believe.  Line stage uses 2 pair of 12at7, although I notice the website now says 12au7, so that is a recent change.

Cheaper than that used, obviously.  Great value even at new price.

[mhconley]

Nice to see some good comments with my choice.  The unit seems amazing for the price.  I will probably end up just buying new.  I have a couple of weeks before I do, so I'll just let this and my Audiogon wanted ads run their course.

Thanks,

Martin 

[jtwrace]

A new one sets you back about $1100 including shipping to U.S.

Anand.

Order from the USA dist here: http://www.pacificvalve.us/YSAudioBalancedA2.html

It sure does look intriguing.

[poseidonsvoice]

Order from the USA dist here: http://www.pacificvalve.us/YSAudioBalancedA2.html

It sure does look intriguing.

Thanks for link jtwrace.

However, it does leave something to be desired, that sure is a lot of solder for some of those connections, and they could've cleaned up some of the crud with some CAIG Pro Gold:




Certainly a great unit to modify, tweak!


Anand.

[mhconley]

Order from the USA dist here: http://www.pacificvalve.us/YSAudioBalancedA2.html

It sure does look intriguing.

Black ones in stock and silver with about a 3 week lead.

However, it does leave something to be desired, that sure is a lot of solder for some of those connections, and they could've cleaned up some of the crud with some CAIG Pro Gold...

Certainly a great unit to modify, tweak!


Anand.

I plan on buying the A2 and doing the caps on my own - and a little clean-up too.

Martin

[poseidonsvoice]

I plan on buying the A2 and doing the caps on my own - and a little clean-up too.

Martin

Good on you. Yes, save some money and do the cap mod on your own, looks simple enough. I realize they also add Cardas RCA's which you certainly don't need in *all* input connections. That way you can modify as you like. The price jump from the regular A2 to the A2SE is pretty steep when you think about what they changed isn't that major!

I'm sure Bill Baker of Response Audio knows all about the soldering quality from Chinese made components on an assembly line. Cleaning it up yourself is the best thing, along with some CAIG ProGold, you're in business!

Enjoy!

Anand.