DNA Stratus 2A3 amplifier - first impressions

[m17xr2b]

I don't have the Yggy anymore so I cannot comment. Switched to the Pavane and never looked back.

 

[808cityill]

After checking with Donald about compatibility, I bought the Sophia Aqua 274b. Since then I’ve put a little over 100hrs on it and I’m pleased to say it’s an excellent rectifier. Sweet tone, very quiet, spacious soundstage and nice detail. Highly recommended.

 

[DMck2000]

I really hate that seller, My 422A alerts trigers every day with his crap. The 422A only has domino plates like the 5998 or WE421A, and as rubyTiger said grey or black plates. They also have single or double D getters and I believe halo ones for the later versions with black plates. I have two grey plates with different getters and I cannot pick up any difference between them.

Thanks @RubyTiger , @m17xr2b , and @claud W for guiding me through the misinformation out there on eBay. I knew it was too good to be true! I’ll definitely look at another alternative for a cheaper price. Maybe the one that @Frihed89 mentioned...

 

[RubyTiger]

After checking with Donald about compatibility, I bought the Sophia Aqua 274b. Since then I’ve put a little over 100hrs on it and I’m pleased to say it’s an excellent rectifier. Sweet tone, very quiet, spacious soundstage and nice detail. Highly recommended.

I've been wondering about that one for sometime now. Good to know it sound's good. Can you post a picture of it in your Stratus?

 

[808cityill]

Here it is with a pair of KR 2a3s

 

[808cityill]

Here it is with a pair of KR 2a3s

 

[808cityill]

The blue glass matches the chassis nicely!

 

[RubyTiger]

The blue glass matches the chassis nicely!

Yes, it does look great. If it's anything like the rest of their tubes then it's of good quality to. I wonder what it would sound like with the Carbon 300b's?

 

[Frihed89]

I think the biggest bang for the buck may be the latest DNAudio upgrade, not tube rolling. Donald has put a lot of what he has learned from the Stellaris into the Stratus modification package. After that, it will be interesting to see how tube rolling works on top of that.

 

[RubyTiger]

I think the biggest bang for the buck may be the latest DNAudio upgrade, not tube rolling. Donald has put a lot of what he has learned from the Stellaris into the Stratus modification package. After that, it will be interesting to see how tube rolling works on top of that.

Frihed89, I agree completely. Donald did my update last year while my amp was in shop. Listening with the stock tubes reminded me of the Psvane WE275's smoothness, and the added layering raised the bar another level. He changed the power tube sockets, making it harder to put the tubes in wrong. No one's ever did that before, right?? I believe he did some changes to the 6n1p's circuit also. For me, it was like buying more expensive tubes all the way around. Like Frihed89 say's, Get the updates done. Then your expensive nos tubes are going to sound even better afterwards. I believe in Donald. He really care's about his customers satisfaction. I think this bides well for us both now and in the future.

 

[Frihed89]

I am really not familiar with all of the DNAudio modifications, save for what I read here. I think - but am not certain - that the modifications i had made by the Audio Note shop, here, at Donald's suggestion were part of his early thinking based on his work on the Stellaris. Two of the changes that were made, Audio Note tube sockets for the 2A3s and the Audionote Silver Foil in Oil coupling caps, were on my own iniative. I agree with what you say about the sockets 100%. Also, Donald is very familiar with the AN coupling caps that were installed, but he prefers the ones he's using in the Stellaris for both sonic and cost reasons. But I just love the AN Silver caps for the touch of "fluidity" they add. Donald works to very high quality standards. His customers benefit, too.

I hope to hear even better in the Stellaris, knowing my old Startus is in good hands.

 

[Bigsecret]

I think the biggest bang for the buck may be the latest DNAudio upgrade, not tube rolling. Donald has put a lot of what he has learned from the Stellaris into the Stratus modification package. After that, it will be interesting to see how tube rolling works on top of that.

I am one of the earlier Stratus owners (#16) and have had each upgrade. The last, however, made the most noticeable difference as Frihed89 mentions and is, in my opinion, a much better value than a tube upgrade. I now find myself going back through my too-many tube inventory. I had put the EML Mesh 2A3s aside finding them very neutral and balanced but also a little boring compared to Psvane WR2A3 and more recently, Sophia Carbon Princess 300 2.5. UNTIL this last Stratus upgrade. I now find (to my ears) that the EML 2A3s have a wider sound stage and deeper/fuller sound than either of the other power tubes (particularly when paired with EML Mesh 5U4G). This may sound odd, but the upgrade gave me the sense that I was listening to very expensive sound reproduction.

 

[Peter_S]

What headphones have people found pair best with the Stratus? I am enjoying HD800s and K1000’s...

 

[mysticstryk]

What headphones have people found pair best with the Stratus? I am enjoying HD800s and K1000’s...

The Stratus was the best I have ever heard the HD800. The HD600 was also an excellent pairing.

 

[DMck2000]

What headphones have people found pair best with the Stratus? I am enjoying HD800s and K1000’s...

I'm really enjoying the Stratus (with newest upgrades and stock tubes) with the Utopia. Still awesomely dynamic with the Utopia with a hint of tube warmth. Simply sublime. I was thinking of getting some K1000s some day. How would you describe the sound with the Stratus?