Aqua Acoustic La Scala MkII Optologic

[barbz127]

Has anyone had ears on or seen a mkIII in the wild?

Has anyone been able to compare the LA scala to the msb discrete at all?

Thankyou

 

[Designsfx]

As @pwanner already wrote there is one tube for the RCA output and one for the XLR output, alas the balanced output isn’t done by using the two tubes together.

I’m not here to argue this point but if this is true it’s certainly a different approach. Typically the S/E output will use a single tube for the positive phase of the signal and both tubes for balanced.

@barbz127
I have yet to see a MkIII version yet. I know there was discussion at WBF of someone possibly performing the upgrade but I don’t recall ever seeing any comments on the results or confirmation they had actually gone through with it.

 

[TheR0v3r]

I’m not here to argue this point but if this is true it’s certainly a different approach. Typically the S/E output will use a single tube for the positive phase of the signal and both tubes for balanced.

@barbz127
I have yet to see a MkIII version yet. I know there was discussion at WBF of someone possibly performing the upgrade but I don’t recall ever seeing any comments on the results or confirmation they had actually gone through with it.

I’ll see if I can find the source explaining how the tubes are used.

 

[dnnaudio]

Just upgraded stock Russian tubes to Siemens ECC801S - across the board improvement. The tonal voicing of the Siemens is similar to the stock tubes, mildly warm. The stock tubes has no brand imprint, just a custom label by Aqua so not sure what brand, but from its construction it looks like JJ Elecronics 12AT7. I also have the Telefunken ECC801S will try this once the Siemens settles. My system is voiced warm so I might actually end up going for the more neutral Telefunken if it turns out to be as superior sounding as the Siemens. However if you wish to simply experience sonic step up while largely maintaining tonality the Siemens is it.

 

[Designsfx]

Just upgraded stock Russian tubes to Siemens ECC801S - across the board improvement.

What year production are the Siemens?

The stock tubes has no brand imprint, just a custom label by Aqua so not sure what brand, but from its construction it looks like JJ Elecronics 12AT7.

This must be a more recent thing with them- last I remember they were sold on the performance of the Gold Lion. Either way, still not hitting the mark of true NOS.

 

[dnnaudio]

What year production are the Siemens?


This must be a more recent thing with them- last I remember they were sold on the performance of the Gold Lion. Either way, still not hitting the mark of true NOS.

Early 60s Siemens & Halske ECC801S

I read the Gold Lions were replaced years back for some reason. I asked Cristian the brand of this tube but tight lipped on it. Listening to the Siemens now it is actually a touch more neutral than stock, though still mildly warm.

 

[dnnaudio]

I ended up with the Telefunken ECC801S - more neutral and precise. Both Siemens and this I heard significant improvement over stock Russian tubes. In past I have done tube rolling with CDP using 12AX7 tubes so I had a gut feel on what can be expected with top NOS tube upgrade and was not disappointed. The Siemens is lush and warm similar to stock so it is a great way to upgrade sonics while maintaining tonality. The Telefunken transforms the La Scala to a more neutral DAC while still maintaining a touch of midrange warmth.