DNA Sonett Review - Page 5

I'd be very excited to hear his impressions as I'm sure the sound quality will be very similar.
 

Punkaroo, so I can't use 274B or 5U4G for rectifier?  Did you tried 6H30Pi from Electro-Harmonix or Sovtek?

Edited by jc9394 - 5/25/10 at 6:24am

 

Certainly not to answer for anyone else, anyway I extensively auditioned JH13/16; HD800 and amps with the Sonett being my overall favourite.

 

JH16/Sonett was the most definite goosbump level combo to my ears; the HD800/Sonett were in that ballpark. Otherwise, I prefered the JH13 over the JH16 with Lehmann Black Cube; RA1 and a smallish Nuforce DAC/amp. The JH16's bass was too much one those; whether or not due to a lesser degree of control I'm not sure, but it was clearly overpowering whereas it was très excellent and beyond on the Sonett.

 

I'll be doing more auditioning of JH13/16; HD800 and Sonett, after picking up my Amarra MINI later this week, as that software appears to truly mitigate the issues I may have had with edgy trebles.

I should note that others may not be troubled at all by treble on any of those phones, but my ears still slightly hurt from small hints of spikey or edgy trebles after suffering some damage years ago. Quite possibly it was all source related and that's what I'll find out the next time. My final comment right here and now is that the Sonett and the RA1 were generally the "good guys" with my "treble trouble" tracks.

That Aussie with the Grado 1000i would be me! I have had only about 60 hrs on it so i will comment further next week once i have more music through them. I have already substitued the 5ar4 to a mullard and am expecting the Supertube to arrive today. BTW the best and reliable place to get them is partsconnection. The NOS tubes are confirmed 1986 vintage and there is over 200 available!!!!!!! So much for rarity!

 

One thing i have noticed that the amp did not initailly have enough grunt. I play with the volume at around 5-6, but turning the knob all the way did not produce ear shattering volume. The situation have improved somewhat. Could this be the tubes or amp needing to break-in?

 

Also i find that it does not have the toe tapping inducing rthym of a Woo 6 or even the ALO Amphora. I hope also this is due to the amp needing a lot more hours to bed in and not a mismatch with the Grados. It could also be my reviewers mindset of a new toy that is blocking the music?

 

The amp is a beauty to look at, much better in the flesh. The blue is what i classify as Bugatti Blue. Definately something that gives pride of ownership. Amp has slow soft start up and is deadly quiet. Nothing even with the volume all the way up. Wished the on/off switch is at the front. Bloody nuisance reaching to the back to switch it on!

 

 

Anyway i will post further updates next week.

Anyone with impressions of how the balanced sonett compared to the single ended one with the HD800?

I did email Donald, he said 5U4G is fine but use cautions and he also said the 6H30Pi are fine if I don't want to pony up for the DR version. The Sonett I purchased used will come with DR version but tube rolling got me searching for more tubes to play with.
Edited by jc9394 - 5/25/10 at 6:14pm

Intriguing. Well I'll be pairing the Sonett with GS1000s shortly so there'll soon be two sets of impressions.

 

I'm just wondering, since my GS1000s are incredibly easy to drive, which impedance setting do you have the amp configured to? From what I've read I think I'll have most luck with the 28 ohm setting (Low). On my current tube amp I have to use a software volume control since the minimum setting on the amp is too loud for me.

I am using the low impendence setting.

Thanks, I thought you probably would be. Hmm.. all I can say is I'm very interested to hear mine when it arrives

I'll bring them to the next meet Pat

 

Peete.

I picked up my balanced Sonett this afternoon and been listening to it with my HD800 for the last couple hours. It is an upgrade from my WA6 for sure, I only have the stock tubes now and will roll them with Sophia and 6H30DR this weekend. I want to get familiar with the sound signature before tube rolling.

Congrats on the Sonett.

 

Be careful with that Sophia... Nice curves, but a bit HOT for the Sonett I think... 

 

Yep. The sonnet does look beautiful (is it as big and heavy as the amp I bought off you??)

 

Also how's your other new amp going?