[Utopia]

One more thing, I ordered an optional -10 dB/0 dB volume board from Kingwa, which I think gave me a better range of usable volume settings than the 0 dB/+ 10 dB default volume board. 

 

[CJG888]

Did you change the gain board yourself later, or did you order a custom version with it installed?

Just out of interest, does yours also have an NFB-6 back panel?

 

[Utopia]

I ordered the volume board later, for $15, with the remote for another $50, which I hadn't ordered at first. It was very easy to change the board myself by just unplugging two cables (no soldering, proper connectors). 
 
And, yes, it looks like I also have the NFB-6 back panel, with markings for XLR out instead of just Out. 

 

[CJG888]

Are there any other tweaks you would recommend?

 

[CJG888]

The ATH-A900X is a good match. It really benefits from the black background, and the soundstage is W I D E.

 

[Utopia]

Quote:

Are there any other tweaks you would recommend?

 
The only thing is that the remote is very useful to have, but I remember you already have that. I always listen to music in front of the computer, but the remote and the long cable on the T1s makes it easier to move away from the screen for a while and just listen to music.

 

[CJG888]

Does yours also take a long time to warm up (between switching on and the controls being released)?

 

[thegrobe]

Quote:

Does yours also take a long time to warm up (between switching on and the controls being released)?

 
What do you mean exactly?
 
When you first turn the unit on, the display blinks a few times. When it stops, you need to push and hold either the volume "up" or "down" button for a couple seconds. Then the amp is ready. If you hold the volume "up" it remembers the last set volume. If you hold volume "down" it sets the volume to zero. .
 
...I'm not really sure what would happen if you didn't push one of those buttons, maybe that is what you are experiencing? 
 
Also, I notice a good half hour or so warmup is good to get the best sound out of this baby.

 

[JWahl]

Quote:

I've now had a chance to listen to the SA-31, albeit briefly.

First impressions were not great. The amp arrived on time and in good condition, but some of the fit and finish reminded me of British "cottage industry" hi-fi of the 80s (think Myst, early Exposure etc.). The enclosure Itself is solid and undamaged, and is clearly made from high-grade aluminum. Many of the screws, however, are not countersunk. The remote appears to be milled from a solid aluminum billet (good

), but the battery compartment cover is a thin sliver of aluminum which bows out in the middle, and the screws attaching it stand proud, to scratch whatever surface it is resting on (bad

). Also, the backplane has clearly been lifted from an NFB-6 (some of the RCA sockets are labelled "XLR" and "ACSS"). Model name and serial number are handwritten on sticky labels.

I don't want to belittle Kingwa's achievement - this is a low-volume, specialist product built by a small company, and the bulk of the money has been spent where it matters: on the inside! It's just that we have been spoilt by the quality of companies such as Opera Consonance or Matrix' casework.

Now to the important bit: the sound. I tried it with the HE-500 and HD600. Interestingly, the 300 Ohm Sennheisers need about as much power to drive them as the HE-500s (unlike the transformer-coupled tube amp I am used to). All listening was carried out on the low gain setting, and never above a volume setting of 30. The source was the Opera Consonance CD2.3, an upsampling CD player with a tube output stage producing about 2.3V.

Initial impressions were of a warm, lazy sound with little midrange detail or transparency. The HD600s were soporific, the planars just so-so. I couldn't believe that this was all the amp was capable of, so I left it running for about 3 hours on the HE-500s, and came back later. I presume this must have something to do with the capacitors needing to form, as the sound was transformed. Still not perfect, but much clearer and more transparent. Where it improves on the Cyber 20 is in the area of soundstage width (enormous) and bass extension (seemingly bottomless). Dynamics are also a major improvement over the tube amp! Where it still loses out to the Cyber 20 is in absolute midrange transparency and image depth. The SA-31 is "CinemaScope" rather than holographic.

I tried the HD600s again early this morning, before leaving for the office - still very veiled, but an absolutely black background. I have yet to try the Audio Technicas.

On balance, then, an interesting niche product with considerable potential. I do feel that it is perhaps better suited to low impedance cans (especially orthos), and that it will need MUCH more burning-in.

Am I correct in assuming that it is factory set to the least warm setting? I haven't opened it up....

When it has perhaps 100 or so hours on the clock, I will publish a full review. This amp promises to be something of a big block V8 for your ears...

 
Yes, it sounds like garbage when you first turn it on (exaggerated).  Needs a slight warm up period.  My Soloist is the same way as well.  I believe the stock configuration is no jumpers, but you could always open it up to see.

 

[tim3320070]

Add the jumpers, not a huge change though.

Every agd piece I have purchased needed a few days of use and a bit of warm up to sound optimal.

 

[thegrobe]

I find the "warm 1" setting (one pair of jumpers) to be my favorite. Adds a touch of the "musical" voodoo that Kingwa put in there but not too much. That's with my setup however. 

 

[CJG888]

I have found that this amp sounds best driving the HE-500s on the high gain setting, with the volume set to 20 or below. My source is an Opera Consonance CD2.3 Mk III with an output of 2.3V. On the low setting, the sound lacks dynamics and sounds too "soft" and "rounded". Is "high" the recommended gain setting for orthos?

 

[Clemmaster]

Quote:

I have found that this amp sounds best driving the HE-500s on the high gain setting, with the volume set to 20 or below. My source is an Opera Consonance CD2.3 Mk III with an output of 2.3V. On the low setting, the sound lacks dynamics and sounds too "soft" and "rounded". Is "high" the recommended gain setting for orthos?

 
Sound great of low gain for me.
 
There's a boost at 48 on the volume. Don't know if its a resistor miss-match that gives a bigger volume boost than the other steps or anything but the sound "awakens" past this point 

 

[Mad Lust Envy]

That might be where the the amp works at it's optimal point. Like the Fiio E9 working at it's best between 10-12 o clock on the volume knob. Confirmed by Fiio themselves.

 

[CJG888]

So I should get the lower gain volume board, then?

I tend to listen fairly quietly. The A900X become too loud to listen to above ca. 18 on low gain!!!