Thomas thanks for always being available to help and advise with the amp that we all love so much.
ALO Audio Studio Six Reviews and Impressions Thread
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TomSix
ALO Audio Studio Six deisgner
BTW:
The Studio-Six can drive efficient loudspeakers of 93dB or more to quite satisfying levels in an average home listening room.
You simply need two speaker cables (15 to 25 feet long each is a versatile length), each with a 1/4” stereo phone plug on one end. One of the cables would have it’s lines soldered only to the common/ground and Right connections of it’s stereo phone plug, and the other cable would have its lines soldered only two the common/ground and Left connections of its stereo phone plug.
The above set of speaker cables can simply be plugged into any two adjacent headphone jacks of the Studio-Six when loudspeaker use is desired. The cables can be looped neatly, and run directly underneath the Studio-Six chassis, out from the back of the amplifier and on to the L and R speakers.
There are two loudspeakers in particular which I have much personal experience with using in conjunction with the Studio-Six, and these I can easily recommend. Both are currently made in the USA, each retailing for less than $2,000 USD per-pair.
First is the Compact Alnico Monitors by Omega Audio. These are my current main home loudspeakers (in fact I’m listening to them now with the Studio-Six as I type this post.) They are an incredible balance of compactness/convenience and exceptional sound quality. These play quite loudly with only 1-watt, and are exceptionally detailed, rich and full sounding. The also are relatively fast, and work well with all music types from classical to jazz, rock and electronica. These are an extremely revealing loudspeaker, but not “antiseptic“ or excessively clinical in presentation. The bass is limited below perhaps 45hz, but is nonetheless articulate and satisfying:
https://omegaloudspeakers.com/colle...ts/compact-alnico-monitor?variant=32172350732
Also I have extensive experience with the Lore model speakers by Tekton Design. These are relatIvey large, very efficient floorstanding loudspeakers, and can play with *unbelievably* loudness and force when driven by the Studio-Six. These are just a little less revealing and subtle than the Omega monitors I presently have, but what they do have is *very* good bass extension and impact and are still quite revealing of recordings and ancillary equipment variations. These speaker sound big and effortless even at high volume. Excellent rock speakers, but in truth also sound natural and fantastic with essentially all music genres, much like the Compact monitors. Only reason I sold these after two years of owning them was I desired smaller speakers due to a home move and lifestyle changes:
https://tektondesign.com/product/full-range-speakers/full-towers/lore/#color
At some point, when I can accommodate the size/weight, I would like to obtain another pair of Tekton floorstanding loudspeakers to compliment my Omega monitors (yes, the Omega monitors are almost certainly lifetime “keepers” here. ). The pair of Tektons I would most consider trying presently would be the Uruz, which seem to advance the Lore model’s core concept, but with more advanced tweeters:
https://tektondesign.com/product/full-range-speakers/full-towers/uruz/#color
I present the above only as “food for thought “, and to illustrate that the Studio-Six is quite capable of being the foundation of a very credible high-end two-channel home system when paired with suitably compatible high-efficiency loudspeakers.
After all these years, I still find it surprising what only 1-Watt of well-delivered power from a good triode amplifier can accomplish.
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Ike1985
Headphoneus Supremus
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I can't DM you due to your settings but if you want to get rid of you CDM I'd be happy to purchase it.
Njychen
Head-Fier
Has anyone tried aftermarket power cables? Does anyone know how to determine which amp rating would work best? 15 or 20 etc… sorry tried searching but no luck so far.
I'm running Shunyata Research Venom NR, 15 amp cable into my Studio Six. Really outstanding performance. The Shunyata Noise Reduction line of power cables are designed to minimize noise and distortion or interface all while allowing access to full current delivery. Highly recommend.
Yep it's the V10.
No loss of dynamics and it definitely delivers by making everything much quieter. Actually I think it's improved micro dynamics and micro details.
On another note. I think the Weiss DAC502 should be arriving today for an at home audition.
Really looking forward to hearing how this plays with the Studio Six.
Really looking forward to hearing how this plays with the Studio Six.
Looking forward to your impressions. I have been looking at this DAC as well.
Well the Weiss DAC502 has arrived.
I realize this isn't a Weiss DAC thread so I promise to do my best to relate how the DAC plays with the Studio Six.
I haven't had a chance to do much close listening. More just a quick setup. I will say that the 3.4 volts the Weiss puts out via RCA is easily taken by the Studio Six. No clipping or other issues that can happen with too hot of a signal. I was hoping this was the case.
Currently running 3 volts out of the Chord Qutest so the .4 volts difference between the Qutest and Weiss DAC502 isn't massive but still could have been a deal breaker. But none issue.
Impressions on how it sounds with the Studio Six to follow.
I realize this isn't a Weiss DAC thread so I promise to do my best to relate how the DAC plays with the Studio Six.
I haven't had a chance to do much close listening. More just a quick setup. I will say that the 3.4 volts the Weiss puts out via RCA is easily taken by the Studio Six. No clipping or other issues that can happen with too hot of a signal. I was hoping this was the case.
Currently running 3 volts out of the Chord Qutest so the .4 volts difference between the Qutest and Weiss DAC502 isn't massive but still could have been a deal breaker. But none issue.
Impressions on how it sounds with the Studio Six to follow.
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What’s the verdictWell the Weiss DAC502 has arrived.
I realize this isn't a Weiss DAC thread so I promise to do my best to relate how the DAC plays with the Studio Six.
I haven't had a chance to do much close listening. More just a quick setup. I will say that the 3.4 volts the Weiss puts out via RCA is easily taken by the Studio Six. No clipping or other issues that can happen with too hot of a signal. I was hoping this was the case.
Now I run 3 volts out of the Chord Qutest so the .4 volts difference between the Qutest and Weiss DAC502 isn't massive but still could have been a deal breaker. But none issue.
Impressions on how it sounds with the Studio Six to follow.
What’s the verdict
It's going really well. I have the Weiss DAC502 thru the middle of next week. I'll post a few impressions later.
But suffice to say it easily keeps company with the likes of DAVE & Tambaqui.
More to come...
TomSix
ALO Audio Studio Six deisgner
A very good friend of mine has long used a Weiss ADC for his professional mastering work.
Weiss is a very serious company that makes technically excellent products.
I certainly look forward to hearing your impressions of the Weiss DAC.
The Weiss DAC502 & DAC501 are outstanding!
I had the DAC502 in house for a few weeks to audition and I can tell you all that in Sept or October I'll actually purchase a DAC501 for my system. The DAC501 measures exactly the same as the DAC502 but is half size in chassis and only offers a 1/4" headphone jack. The smaller form factor works better for me and my desktop system.
The Weiss DAC502 & 501 push 3.4 vrms out at 0 dB via RCA outs. So at O dB you are getting maximum bit rate quality from the Weiss and no loss of dynamic range. And guess what???? The Studio Six can this 3.4 vrms signal from the Weiss with no clipping and no distortion!
My current DAC the Chord Qutest can push a 3 volt signal(it's what I run) to the Studio Six with no issues. But I wasn't sure if the Weiss at 3.4 volts would be too much. Sometimes you have to get your hands on the equipment and the gear into your own system to test for yourself. And yes, no issues what so ever.
The Weiss DAC502 that I had on loan offers a very clear, natural and transparent view into the music. Weather is was a very well recorded and mastered tune(Bill Frisell, Weather Report, Serge Gainsbourg) or a poorly recorded "field recordings" from the 1930's and 40's(think Mississippi Delta Blues & John & Alan Lomax, and his outstanding field recordings) the Weiss extracted tons of information from the recording to give you a deeper ear into the music. This all happens without being clinical or sterile. Very natural and organic and very transparent.
I didn't have the Weiss DAC502 in hand long enough to really get into the DSP options. That it almost another kettle of fish.
But this DAC struck me. So much so that in September or October, later this year I'll go ahead and put an order in.
The Weiss is a real precision machine that does its job better than some of the other big names in DACs that I've also auditioned over the last 6-8 months. I think even with positive press it seems to fly under the radar. But in my opinion, for what you get, I think these Weiss DACs have to be in the conversation as to what a real TOTL DAC is in 2022. Add in Weiss' commitment to adding in new firmware updates when needed and I think this is a DAC that one could live with for a very long time.
I wanted to add that the Weiss DAC502 that I auditioned had all TOTL Furutech connections. The chassis was milled and chamfered to precise specs. I mean, this DAC doesn't just deliver the goods sonically. It's also a reserved statement piece.
I had the DAC502 in house for a few weeks to audition and I can tell you all that in Sept or October I'll actually purchase a DAC501 for my system. The DAC501 measures exactly the same as the DAC502 but is half size in chassis and only offers a 1/4" headphone jack. The smaller form factor works better for me and my desktop system.
The Weiss DAC502 & 501 push 3.4 vrms out at 0 dB via RCA outs. So at O dB you are getting maximum bit rate quality from the Weiss and no loss of dynamic range. And guess what???? The Studio Six can this 3.4 vrms signal from the Weiss with no clipping and no distortion!
My current DAC the Chord Qutest can push a 3 volt signal(it's what I run) to the Studio Six with no issues. But I wasn't sure if the Weiss at 3.4 volts would be too much. Sometimes you have to get your hands on the equipment and the gear into your own system to test for yourself. And yes, no issues what so ever.
The Weiss DAC502 that I had on loan offers a very clear, natural and transparent view into the music. Weather is was a very well recorded and mastered tune(Bill Frisell, Weather Report, Serge Gainsbourg) or a poorly recorded "field recordings" from the 1930's and 40's(think Mississippi Delta Blues & John & Alan Lomax, and his outstanding field recordings) the Weiss extracted tons of information from the recording to give you a deeper ear into the music. This all happens without being clinical or sterile. Very natural and organic and very transparent.
I didn't have the Weiss DAC502 in hand long enough to really get into the DSP options. That it almost another kettle of fish.
But this DAC struck me. So much so that in September or October, later this year I'll go ahead and put an order in.
The Weiss is a real precision machine that does its job better than some of the other big names in DACs that I've also auditioned over the last 6-8 months. I think even with positive press it seems to fly under the radar. But in my opinion, for what you get, I think these Weiss DACs have to be in the conversation as to what a real TOTL DAC is in 2022. Add in Weiss' commitment to adding in new firmware updates when needed and I think this is a DAC that one could live with for a very long time.
I wanted to add that the Weiss DAC502 that I auditioned had all TOTL Furutech connections. The chassis was milled and chamfered to precise specs. I mean, this DAC doesn't just deliver the goods sonically. It's also a reserved statement piece.
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