[upstateguy]

Quote:

Sonett is in house, connected up and burning in.  
 
I love the exterior quality and aesthetics of the Sonett, and yes Clayton SF, I find the Sonett blue to be a very pleasing reminder of the ocean and sky. 
 
The ordering process was enjoyable, the Sonett was well boxed and undamaged, and it arrived right on schedule according the quote of a one month waiting time.
 
Listened to a couple of CDs straight out, no warm up and about halfway through the first disc I'll have to say that I was pretty impressed. We'll see how things go, as the plan is to stay with the stock tubes for the next 2-3 weeks, and there is a NOS set ready to go.

Howdy pigmode
 
I noticed that you said you were pretty impressed.  I was wondering what you were using prior to the Sonett?
 
USG
 

 

[jc9394]

Here's some pictures.
It's great to be able to see beauty as well as hear it.
 

I missed my Sonett now, it was very impressive with HD800. Especially with the Mullard GZ34 and the DR supertube.

 

[buddyboy]

I've had my Sonett with balanced outputs driving my HD800s for about one month now and it sounds fantastic. The Sonett is dead quiet and I am impressed. I just bought Alison Krauss' " Paper Airplane" and what a phenominal recording and the instruments just float, but her voice, as my wife says, sounds just like an angel.

 

[pigmode]

Quote:

Howdy pigmode
 
I noticed that you said you were pretty impressed.  I was wondering what you were using prior to the Sonett?
 
USG
 

 
 
As the story goes I took a complete 5 yr time out from audio, and picked up a Yamamoto HA-02 near the end of 2010. Much has changed, especially in terms of audio dialogue. My current equipment includes the Modwright external PSU and tube analog stage/Oppo BDP-83 and an HD600. Almost the whole dirt on a career in mid-fi audio is in my profile .
 
For me the Yamamoto absolutely excelled in tonality, but failed in terms of dynamics. 
 
 
 
 
Clayton SF, 
Classy set up! Nice to see 47 Labs stepping up to the plate .

 

[bumblingbooby]

Hey pigmode, I see that you have the Audio-gd NFB-3. Are you pairing it with the Sonett? I've commenced the search for a DAC in earnest and both the NFB-3 / NFB-2 stand out as excellent performers at their respective price points. Any thoughts?

 

[dpump]

Rdr. Seraphim,
 
Have you found the steps on the Khozmo to be close enought together that you are able to get a suitable volume on any phone? Do you remember the value of the Vishay Z-Foil resistors? I know the Khozmo is 50K ohms but I don't know what the value of the resistor should be. Have you found the Khozmo to be any easier to turn after using it for a while?
 
Thanks 

 

[Sweden]

Anyone here tried out the LCD-2's with the Sonett?
I've head one person saying listening levels weren't all there.
If this is the case I hope Donald will "juice it up" with the next amp so it will work perfectly with my headphones of choice.

 

[pekingduck]

Sweden,
 
Just received my LCD-2's and I'll try them on my SE Sonett tonight. Cheers

 

[Rdr. Seraphim]

The 48 steps on the Khozmo are an ideal match for the Sonett. The first 12 steps are -2db increments, thereafter -1db. I picked up the 50K version, and substituted the 47K Naked Vishay from Parts Connexion. Per Donald, it's close enough. (See my photos for installation.) 
 
I "think" the pot has loosened up, but I could have also gotten used to it. The hefty Audio Note knob KNOBS-74250,  also from Parts Connexion, provides some additional rotational mass, which helps. 
 
While the stock Khozmo is excellent, swapping in the Naked Vishay's is a revelation.
 
Best of luck! 
 
Quote:

Rdr. Seraphim,
 
Have you found the steps on the Khozmo to be close enought together that you are able to get a suitable volume on any phone? Do you remember the value of the Vishay Z-Foil resistors? I know the Khozmo is 50K ohms but I don't know what the value of the resistor should be. Have you found the Khozmo to be any easier to turn after using it for a while?
 
Thanks 

 

 

[Donald North]

My 2A3 amp under development is specifically designed for low efficiency headphones like the K1000, HE5/HE-6, and LCD-2.
 
Quote:

Anyone here tried out the LCD-2's with the Sonett?
I've head one person saying listening levels weren't all there.
If this is the case I hope Donald will "juice it up" with the next amp so it will work perfectly with my headphones of choice.

 

 

[santacore]

I've listened to Donald's new 2A3 amp a few times recently and it's definitely a juiced up Sonett. He took everything I loved about the Sonett and increased it. It's definitely an amp to keep an eye out for in the future.

 

[pekingduck]

Just tried the LCD-2's with my Sonett and below are some very brief impressions.
 
Reference amp: CEntrance DACmini (SS)
Source: iPod + Algorythm Solo
Music: The Dark Knight OST
 
Volume: I normally listen to my HD800's with the volume knob set between 3 and 4 (with impedance set to "IEC"). To achieve similar levels with the LCD-2's, I have to turn the knob to 5-6 (with impedance set to "Low")
 
Bass: The DACmini had a tighter grip by a wide margin. In contrast, the bass was a bit muddy and not as snappy with the Sonett.
 
Soundstage and Imaging: The DACmini won again. Soundstage was a bit wider and there's more air between instruments. The sound was also more focused.
 
Transparency: Another +1 for the DACmini
 
That's it for now. Let me know if you have any questions.
 
P.S.: My Sonett is equipped with a brand new 6H30P-DR so l'll report back in a week or two if there's any change in sound.

 

[dadab12]

That's really disappointing. It doesn't make sense though -_-
The sonett is much pricier!!
 
Quote:

Just tried the LCD-2's with my Sonett and below are some very brief impressions.
 
Reference amp: CEntrance DACmini (SS)
Source: iPod + Algorythm Solo
Music: The Dark Knight OST
 
Volume: I normally listen to my HD800's with the volume knob set between 3 and 4 (with impedance set to "IEC"). To achieve similar levels with the LCD-2's, I have to turn the knob to 5-6 (with impedance set to "Low")
 
Bass: The DACmini had a tighter grip by a wide margin. In contrast, the bass was a bit muddy and not as snappy with the Sonett.
 
Soundstage and Imaging: The DACmini won again. Soundstage was a bit wider and there's more air between instruments. The sound was also more focused.
 
Transparency: Another +1 for the DACmini
 
That's it for now. Let me know if you have any questions.
 
P.S.: My Sonett is equipped with a brand new 6H30P-DR so l'll report back in a week or two if there's any change in sound.

 

 

[pekingduck]

Well it's only the inefficient planars that the Sonett has trouble driving.
The Sonett can drive the HD800's, DT770's and JH13's beautifully. I haven't tried the HD800's with my DACmini yet but I suspect the Sonett might be the better amp for the Senns.

 

[dadab12]

Please do try, As i'm about to purchase the balanced version.
Erghh, I couldn't spend 2700$ on a Saffire Liquid fire right?!
haha. I'm so crazy I have to settle for a sonett. even if it doesn't sound as good as I hoped, it's still a nice looking product to decorate the house. yeah.