pageman99
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2006
- Posts
- 607
- Likes
- 17
Well, my boutique Beta22 is nearing completion by my builder.
It's a 4 board balanced design with a transformer in a separate case. The parts are boutique and include Blackgate caps, mica resistors and a stepped attenuator that costs over $200. I'll post the complete parts list in the DIY forum when the amp is done.
This is just a quick first impression by the builder. But I think it's of sufficient interest to those who might be considering the Beta22 that I'll post his comments in a slightly edited form:
"After my listening session on your balanced Beta22 I'm feeling a little
disoriented haha.
It sounds very different from all my other amps. The
midrange is really warm and sweet, you'll be surprised to hear this
from an SS amp, my tube amp needs some mellow-sounding tubes to
acheive the same sweetness, except that the Beta22 maintains extreme
clarity and detail.
The bass is so detailed and textured on my Denons
that it takes some getting used to because we typically associate bass
as hollow one-note sounds. Right now I still prefer my bass to be
somewhat muddy (although not too muddy like BOSE-kind muddy), but I'm
slowly getting used to the Beta22's lightning quick rendition of bass.
This amp is very transparent and when I listen to cymbals and violins
they have a lot of micro-details and sparkle not picked up by my other
amps. Also, the soundstage is huge on this amp. The Denons sound
completely different. I've yet to try other headphones I have here,
since they are all single-ended. [note: the single ended configuration isn't
complete yet]
Hmm... what else... yes the amp is not forgiving of bad recordings.
Bad recordings sounds like bad recordings on this amp.
I really like this amp! I want to hook up the speakers but I can't [right now as it's late.]"
Take it for what it's worth.
But for me, I'm excited. The next few weeks are going to crawl by while I wait by the mailbox.
It's a 4 board balanced design with a transformer in a separate case. The parts are boutique and include Blackgate caps, mica resistors and a stepped attenuator that costs over $200. I'll post the complete parts list in the DIY forum when the amp is done.
This is just a quick first impression by the builder. But I think it's of sufficient interest to those who might be considering the Beta22 that I'll post his comments in a slightly edited form:
"After my listening session on your balanced Beta22 I'm feeling a little
disoriented haha.
It sounds very different from all my other amps. The
midrange is really warm and sweet, you'll be surprised to hear this
from an SS amp, my tube amp needs some mellow-sounding tubes to
acheive the same sweetness, except that the Beta22 maintains extreme
clarity and detail.
The bass is so detailed and textured on my Denons
that it takes some getting used to because we typically associate bass
as hollow one-note sounds. Right now I still prefer my bass to be
somewhat muddy (although not too muddy like BOSE-kind muddy), but I'm
slowly getting used to the Beta22's lightning quick rendition of bass.
This amp is very transparent and when I listen to cymbals and violins
they have a lot of micro-details and sparkle not picked up by my other
amps. Also, the soundstage is huge on this amp. The Denons sound
completely different. I've yet to try other headphones I have here,
since they are all single-ended. [note: the single ended configuration isn't
complete yet]
Hmm... what else... yes the amp is not forgiving of bad recordings.
Bad recordings sounds like bad recordings on this amp.
I really like this amp! I want to hook up the speakers but I can't [right now as it's late.]"
Take it for what it's worth.
But for me, I'm excited. The next few weeks are going to crawl by while I wait by the mailbox.
