[sensui123]

Very much apprecaite bigfatpaulie, I look foward to seeing how this pans out.  It might be hard to justify a simple refinement with similar power ratings as the Stratus with the Solaris costing double of what the Stratus costs though.....but that remains to be seen how much better these components actually improve the amp.  But I'm very excited to see what Donald brings to the table come next year.

 

[Donald North]

It's always a cost versus benefit trade off and to attain that last few percent of performance the added cost is exponential. These custom input and output transformers made by Audio Note in England are not inexpensive to put it mildly. Take a look at their website for reference.

 

[sensui123]

Yeah Donald, I know you don't oversell your gear and only build the finest quality products.  I think most people if not almost all on this thread is no stranger to the diminishing returns of audio spending hah.  I feel like I'm lucky because I could probably arrange for some kind of audition since I live so close to you to make my final determination.  Right now my gut feeling tells me there's a high likelihood I might end up with the Solaris.  =)  Keep up the great work!

 

[paradoxper]

Not gonna lie. I've liked the Stratus and HD800. Way interested in the 20A.
 
Is there no interest in doing a digital attenuator out of curiosity?

 

[Donald North]

The 20A amp needs to be driven from a low source impedance, be it a DAC/disc player with variable output or active preamp. Volume attenuator can be analog or digital. Transformer volume control can also be used but not a traditional resistive passive preamp because their output impedance will be too high and cause high frequency attenuation.

 

[EraserXIV]

If one were to build the Solaris without the input transformers (and without balanced inputs), how much would that shave off the $6-8000 price?

 

[Donald North]

I just received the Audio Note input transformer samples. I do not know their price yet. Once I receive it I can calculate the amp price difference.

 

[bigfatpaulie]

I just received the Audio Note input transformer samples. I do not know their price yet. Once I receive it I can calculate the amp price difference.

 
Excellent!!  Very exciting stuff.

 

[Donald North]

Yeah Donald, I know you don't oversell your gear and only build the finest quality products.  I think most people if not almost all on this thread is no stranger to the diminishing returns of audio spending hah.  I feel like I'm lucky because I could probably arrange for some kind of audition since I live so close to you to make my final determination.  Right now my gut feeling tells me there's a high likelihood I might end up with the Solaris.  =)  Keep up the great work!

Thanks, the design is not yet final and there are some more features I am considering to add to further improve performance. Stay tuned

 

[froger]

Have been enjoying my HE-560 on the Stratus with the EML mesh 2A3 over the weekend. I enjoyed the combi so much that I ordered the HE-1000. Can't wait to compare HD800 with the Psvane WE275 and HE-1000 with the EML mesh

 

[Sorrodje]

@froger : how are the WE275 ? Eveything is still fine?  Can you remember me what rectifier you use with the WE275 ?  the PSVANE is a tube I'm really interested in.  

 

[froger]

@froger
 : how are the WE275 ? Eveything is still fine?  Can you remember me what rectifier you use with the WE275 ?  the PSVANE is a tube I'm really interested in.  

Hi, the Psvane WE275 are still working fine. I am pairing the Psvane with Ken Rad CKR VT-244. I still find the Ken Rad the best rectifier so far, very detailed and transparent and yet musical.

 

[driggs]

Has anyone tried the Forza Noir Hybrid HPC cable and/or the Siltech Duchess Crown cable with the Stratus/HD800 combination? Am very interested in either of these cables but have not heard them.  Any comments from people with experience with either of these combos?

 

[bigfatpaulie]

I sincerely don't mean to sound arrogant or bullheaded - I really am just trying to help - but why would you bother with them?  For the money, you can get something from Double Helix.

 

[driggs]

I am not interested in buying both, but selecting between either.  I can get the Siltech at half price and the Forza is relatively low-priced anyway.  'Leaning towards the Siltech but can't audition it.