DNA Sonett Review - Page 9

The Sonett, the amount of performance vs. price ratio, can't be under-estimated. I have had mine a while (s/n 4), and it's a bit of Magic with any conventional phone you plug in (Ortho's need not apply). Built to last, I love it!

The Sonett is a an absolute delight and continues to please. This is a sleeper of an amp that is often passed over for more glitz. But perhaps the best compliment that can be said about it is that I keep buying more music. I think I can honestly say that since owning the amp, that I have spent as much money on music as I have on the amp (plus upgrades ) .

 

And it scales well with source, cables, power cords and conditioning, and most headphone types--excepting those much coveted and lauded ortho's (especially the Audez'e LCD-2).  

 

EDIT: I have s/n 0007. 

Edited by Rdr. Seraphim - 6/9/10 at 8:23am

 

Why is the Audez'e LCD-2 an exception for the Sonett? Just asking because I'm planning on buying a pair.
 

Perhaps other's with direct experience with the Audez'e can chime in, but in reading the experiences from the good folks in several of the threads started for the LCD-2 (do a search and look for DNA Sonett), a SS solution might be best for now. I was hopeful that it might work, but alas, it's probably not the best match. Just not enough grunt (i.e. current) to push a planar like the Audez'e.

 

I heard a rumor that Donald North might be working on a new amp. I wonder... Donald?  

 

 

 

Hmm, achristilaw said the following regarding the Sonett: "I liked it! Some observations, I couldn't push it hard, but at "normal" levels for me it was quite good. The HE-5 burbled when I tried it! When pushed hard (with the LCD-2) the sound congested and lost focus...BUT that's to be expected! Solid-State (or a hybrid derivative) is the most solid of performers here. But a quality Tube unit will get your feet wet with this phone...neat..."

 

Since I listen at very low volumes I'm hoping that the Sonett will be good enough, though I'm not wanting to buy another amp at this point. The Sonett with my GS1000 (for jazz/acoustic/classical) and HF-2 (for pop/rock/electronic) are good enough.

 

 

i listened to the LCD-2 with the sonett at the neko table at canjam, and it just didnt quite have the current to drive them nearly as well as the cavalli amp did. the bass suffered the most. the rest of it sounded pretty good though, but i could max the volume completely and still not be overly loud

Quote:

Yes, I have been working on a 2A3-based dedicated K1000 amp, having shown the prototype at a meet in a January. I'm still refining it and hope to have ready by winter.

Thanks for your impressions, looks like I should start considering another amp... It never ends.

I received a NOS Mullard GZ34 couple days ago from fleabay for a very reasonable price. I rolled it last night and notice the details and separation increased a lot, it tames the slight brightest on my HD800 with the stock JJ tube. Along with the 6H30DR, this is probably the best tube combo for this amp. Not sure about the metal base Mullard GZ34, hopefully I can find one affordable for me to try.



As Sophia Princess, EML 274B and 5U4G mesh, all three have a bigger soundstage than the GZ34 but clearly Donald did not develop this amp with them in mind. It lack of dynamics and they are direct heated so I'm afraid they will decrease the life of my 6H30DR.
Edited by jc9394 - 6/12/10 at 6:19pm

The combination of the Mullard and the DR makes for a much more refined sonic signature. What a sleeper of an amp! 

I heard the Audeze cans about a year ago at RMAF.  They were being driven by a ZDT, which is a transformer-coupled SE amp.  But has a "bigger" output tube than the Sonnet.  I haven't compared the specs, but i am pretty sure the ZDT puts out a lot more power, although the more important issue might be current vs. voltage, but I have not enough knowledge of the two amps to know.  Both are OPT coupled.

The ZDT 6C33C-B's should have more grunt (v/r) for the Audez'e based on their higher drive capabilities. 

And it was a very nice sounding amp!  It really brought the K1000 to life and gave it a full-bodied tone.

 

I personally find the K1000 a bit lacking in bass for my tastes, but out of the tube amps I have heard it with yours definitely was the most impressive.

I agree, it sounded dynamite with the k1000's at the last meet.

Thanks, I'll put it on my list of amps to try 

Sounds perfect, makes me even more eager to try it.

 

Has anyone tried the Sonett with the Beyerdynamics T1? I'd be very interested to hear any impressions