DNA Stratus 2A3 amplifier - first impressions
May 9, 2019 at 5:54 PM Post #3,796 of 4,353
Hey all! Just picked up Koven’s Stratus in the emporium and have been trying to avoid work all day to listen to it. Even with stock tubes, WOW, music, musically delivered. There’s a wholeness of tone that I never got from my Mjolnir 2, even with good NOS glass, this is just miles better. Ok it’s new toy day and all, but I’m in heaven. The Stratus might be worth 3K just for the volume knob alone, best feel and precision of any I’ve used in 25 years in high end audio hobbying. What a wonderful work of art.

No doubt. I used the stock tubes first as well and was like, "what happens when I roll the good stuff in?!?" :astonished:
 
May 9, 2019 at 8:38 PM Post #3,797 of 4,353
Hey all! Just picked up Koven’s Stratus in the emporium and have been trying to avoid work all day to listen to it. Even with stock tubes, WOW, music, musically delivered. There’s a wholeness of tone that I never got from my Mjolnir 2, even with good NOS glass, this is just miles better. Ok it’s new toy day and all, but I’m in heaven. The Stratus might be worth 3K just for the volume knob alone, best feel and precision of any I’ve used in 25 years in high end audio hobbying. What a wonderful work of art.

Enjoy :)
 
May 9, 2019 at 9:51 PM Post #3,798 of 4,353
Hey all! Just picked up Koven’s Stratus in the emporium and have been trying to avoid work all day to listen to it. Even with stock tubes, WOW, music, musically delivered. There’s a wholeness of tone that I never got from my Mjolnir 2, even with good NOS glass, this is just miles better. Ok it’s new toy day and all, but I’m in heaven. The Stratus might be worth 3K just for the volume knob alone, best feel and precision of any I’ve used in 25 years in high end audio hobbying. What a wonderful work of art.
Looking forward to getting one some day.
I can't wait to try out this "volume knob" you speak of! :D
 
Jun 16, 2019 at 3:05 PM Post #3,799 of 4,353
I’ve had my Stratus back from Donald for quite some time but have not managed to hook it up...that changed today. Even out of the box it is super impressive!! And I know it needs some time...rolled in a Brimar 5U4G and RCA Millitary 2A3’s to start. I’ll save my metal base for a few hundred hours from now. Clarity, detail and warmth all amazing though!!

Aurender X100 > Auralic Vega > Stratus > HD800 audio path
 
Jun 16, 2019 at 9:06 PM Post #3,800 of 4,353
I’ve had my Stratus back from Donald for quite some time but have not managed to hook it up...that changed today. Even out of the box it is super impressive!! And I know it needs some time...rolled in a Brimar 5U4G and RCA Millitary 2A3’s to start. I’ll save my metal base for a few hundred hours from now. Clarity, detail and warmth all amazing though!!

Aurender X100 > Auralic Vega > Stratus > HD800 audio path
The Stratus is the best amp I have ever owned. I'm still pushing the boundary's with new gear and tubes to see if I can ink out further gain's. It hasn't disappointed yet.
 
Jun 16, 2019 at 11:08 PM Post #3,801 of 4,353
The Stratus is the best amp I have ever owned. I'm still pushing the boundary's with new gear and tubes to see if I can ink out further gain's. It hasn't disappointed yet.

Totally man. I was actually pretty floored when I hooked it back up. I enjoyed it before but the detail, clarity, transparency and additional soundstage is incredible. Plus all the transients. This is not a minor upgrade! @Donald North took this thing to the next level!!

I’ll get a few hundred hours on it and then play around. Kind of want to buy a pair of Focals to try out...
 
Jun 22, 2019 at 12:38 PM Post #3,803 of 4,353
Holy Cow! I just started my music with the volume knob turned all the way up!!
I must have done it while cleaning the other day. Truly amazing it didn't hurt anything. Donald sure knows how to build his product. :jecklinsmile:
 
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Aug 4, 2019 at 9:25 AM Post #3,805 of 4,353
No posts for Stratus lovers in a while. How bout some tube porn.
DSC_2182.JPG
 
Aug 8, 2019 at 2:06 PM Post #3,807 of 4,353
If they are the same or close impedance sure, no problems. When I run two at a time I do hear a slight SQ degradation. Not sure what impedance the transformer sees if one is 15ohm and the other 300ohm.
 
Aug 29, 2019 at 4:07 PM Post #3,809 of 4,353
Acme Supremes and EML 5U4G is my best tube complement . KR 2A3s and WE 422a are a close second. Thank you Ruby Tiger for pushing me to get the Acmes.
 
Aug 29, 2019 at 8:19 PM Post #3,810 of 4,353
I'm glad you really like them Claud. Some people have said Psvane has a bad rep for inconsistency's and poor quality control. I think they have a winner with the Acme's though. The build quality is very good. especially internally. I now have over 800 hr's on these and they sound as beautiful as ever. I read of one or two pair in the beginning that had to go back but they were from the first run and immediately replaced. Since then I have not read about any failures or other issues.
 
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