Fit and Finish-
First impression as I was unpacking it and finally holding it in my hand was...
This thing is 850 dollars !!....It had better sound good.
Just a quick thought really ,and I am a function before formality kind of guy anyway. In all seriousness the brushed finish is very well done.
The common trend these days when it comes to Phono Stages is small and unobtrusive and this is exactly what the TTVJ/Millet is. It takes up very little space at all. It could be tucked away if need be as long as some ventilation is allowed.
The LED on the front is VERY bright, and may be bothersome to some if it happens to sit directly on axis with you and at eye level. If it sits off axis from you it is not a problem at all. This was my case as it is sitting on an equipment rack off to my right and below eye level. Not a big deal really.
The front toggle switch would be a worry for me on the long term, as it seems a bit dainty. I personally wouldn't mind seeing a small rocker switch instead. Again not really that big of deal though.
Build Quality-
Peering inside the case through the "tube holes" the internal build quality looks absolutely first rate. It appears to have a very clean layout on the board. It looks fairly simple and that can be a good thing when it come to phono stages. (The low parts count short ,short signal path deal reigns supreme IMO when dealing with the tiny signals from a phono cartridge)
The porcelain tube sockets are very nice!
My biggest complaint would be a lack of a ground lug on the unit. Yes in this day and age with many modern TTs you can get away running a groundless setup, BUT there are ALOT of vintage table out in this world and you NEED a ground lug on the phono stage for them.
I have added a ground wire by simply attaching one to a case screw and have installed a alligator clip at the end so the next reviewer can simply clip it on the existing lug on his personal phono stage. It is simple and works perfectly.
Overall though the unit is built well and this leads to the most important part....
The Sound-
I'm finding it hard to come up with anything to fault here. Seriously.....
Ok ...In comparison to my Consonance PM-1 the noise floor is ever so slightly higher.
But when it comes to utter sound quality It is VERY very good. With NO problem areas that stick out.
The first thing I noticed is the extremely transparent midrange. It is sooo smooth and yet lays out everything bare. Small vocal details are brought out. The lip smacks, lip licks and short breathes are brought forward. I really tend to get drawn into the music when small details are laid out like that. (infact as i'm typing this I keep finding myself "spacing off " so to speak and not typing.
This thing is a PRAT monster. The music just keeps grooving and coming at you with drive and authority.
Bass guitar is particularly articulate sounding and easy to follow. I find that very often it gets lost in the mix. Something I think that has a big influence on the "PRAT" of a component is this very problem or lack of it. Donald Fagens "The Nightfly "sounds simply awesome through this.
The highs are detailed and yet unobtrusive. No fatigue here at all. Cymbals sound correct and not splashy. High hats are distinct and not sizzly sounding.(something that can bug the heck out of me)
Just very non obtrusive and in the correct amount....Nice !!
Drums in particular sound magnificent. Very impactful and quick sounding.
Very "percussive"
(sorry I had too)
Everything drum wise stays seperate and coherent as it should. It never lags or gets behind.
The soundstage is very wide with decent depth. Instrument seperation is a definate strong point of this little beast. EVERYTHING is locked in place and kept seperate from one another.(it's own space) It make listening easy and enjoyable.
At this point I have only rolled in the Amperex tubes ,but will try the JJ's and the Mullards later this week. I am generally a BIG fan of amperex tubes and that is why I chose to use those first. Nothing more ,nothing less.
A list of some of the albums used at this point-
Tracy Chapman-self titled
Jethro Tull -Songs From the Wood
Steely Dan-Aja
-Gaucho
Donald Fagen-The NightFly
Yes-90125
Supertramp-Crime of The Century
-Even In The Quitest Moments...
-Famous Last Words
Chicago-17
Plus a few others.
Will spin some Floyd and some Joni Mitchell later today.
Will keep updating as I get a chance to.
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