mikeg
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- May 4, 2002
- Posts
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My new SinglePower Supra SDS amplifier was delivered today in a large wooden crate that weighed 75 pounds. It took me over an hour, and use of an electric screw driver, to pry this beautiful amp. out of its crate, and to separate it from loads and loads of bubble wrap. Mikhail did a phenomenal wrapping and crating job in order to assure the safe arrival this top-of-the-line SinglePower amp, which weighs 31 pounds. I took detailed pictures of the uncrating job, for those who are interested, and I'll display them next week.
I then proceeded to connect the SDS amp. to a Marantz CD5000 CDP, and to power it through a Monster Power Center PC1000 power conditioner. I did my first listening to, and checking out of the amp. using R10, HD650, and RS-1 headphones. I also did a quick, though rather silly, comparison of the SDS to an RA-1 amp. Use of this Marantz CDP is only temporary, since I'll receive an Exemplar Audio (i.e., John Tucker) modded Denon 2900 universal player tomorrow. My final system will thus consist of the R10 connected to the SDS, and fed by the modded Denon. Features of the SDS include two inputs, two preamplification outputs, one pass through input/output, and a Shallco 45 position stepped attenuator.
Here are my first observations, which are based on about one hour of listening to a Buena Vista Social Club CD. The SDS sound is phenomenal when connected directly to an electric outlet, especially when listening through the R10. Clear and sparkling mids and highs, deep, deep base, broad sound stage, and great separation and sharp focus of instruments. But, when connected to the Monster power conditioner there was a substantial loss in sound quality. The power conditioner caused the sound to lose some of its sparkle, clarity, and resolution; i.e., the result was a kind of warm and somewhat syrupy sound. The Monster PC1000 power conditioner definitely diminished the fantastic sound quality of the SDS amp. I think that the solution is either to connect the SDS amp. directly to the wall power outlet, or to a high quality surge protector, but not to a power conditioner. I'll also consider substituting a high quality power cord for the computer power cord that's now conneced to the SDS. I also tested all of the inputs, outputs, and pass through, and confirmed that they work fine. As for the 45 position stepped attenuator, it's wonderful; i.e., very fine control over the volume. I also turned the attenuator to max without any input signal, and the result was dead silence.
When listening to the R10, HD650, and RS-1 through the SDS, the R10 sounded glorious. All of my above listed descriptors applied in full measure. The HD650 also yielded a full and rich sound, but a bit too heavy for my taste. As for the RS-1 it sounded wonderful; i.e., IMO it came in between the R10 and HD650. The RS-1 delivered a bright, detailed, and lively sound, with deep and detailed base. So, my order of preference was: R10, RS-1, and HD650. I believe, however, that Mikhail optimized the SDS for the R10. I also connected the RA-1 to the pass through output, and connected the RS-1 to it. The sound was beautiful, but lacked the broad sound stage, and focussed placement of instruments that's provided by the SDS.
Well, these are my observations from the approx. first hour of listening to my new SDS amp. Additional comments, and some pictures will follow next week, although I don't plan to wait for any burn-in period. I'll let the SDS condition (i.e., burn-in) just by listening to it. However, even without any burn-in, this SinglePower SDS amplifier delivers outstanding sound.
I then proceeded to connect the SDS amp. to a Marantz CD5000 CDP, and to power it through a Monster Power Center PC1000 power conditioner. I did my first listening to, and checking out of the amp. using R10, HD650, and RS-1 headphones. I also did a quick, though rather silly, comparison of the SDS to an RA-1 amp. Use of this Marantz CDP is only temporary, since I'll receive an Exemplar Audio (i.e., John Tucker) modded Denon 2900 universal player tomorrow. My final system will thus consist of the R10 connected to the SDS, and fed by the modded Denon. Features of the SDS include two inputs, two preamplification outputs, one pass through input/output, and a Shallco 45 position stepped attenuator.
Here are my first observations, which are based on about one hour of listening to a Buena Vista Social Club CD. The SDS sound is phenomenal when connected directly to an electric outlet, especially when listening through the R10. Clear and sparkling mids and highs, deep, deep base, broad sound stage, and great separation and sharp focus of instruments. But, when connected to the Monster power conditioner there was a substantial loss in sound quality. The power conditioner caused the sound to lose some of its sparkle, clarity, and resolution; i.e., the result was a kind of warm and somewhat syrupy sound. The Monster PC1000 power conditioner definitely diminished the fantastic sound quality of the SDS amp. I think that the solution is either to connect the SDS amp. directly to the wall power outlet, or to a high quality surge protector, but not to a power conditioner. I'll also consider substituting a high quality power cord for the computer power cord that's now conneced to the SDS. I also tested all of the inputs, outputs, and pass through, and confirmed that they work fine. As for the 45 position stepped attenuator, it's wonderful; i.e., very fine control over the volume. I also turned the attenuator to max without any input signal, and the result was dead silence.
When listening to the R10, HD650, and RS-1 through the SDS, the R10 sounded glorious. All of my above listed descriptors applied in full measure. The HD650 also yielded a full and rich sound, but a bit too heavy for my taste. As for the RS-1 it sounded wonderful; i.e., IMO it came in between the R10 and HD650. The RS-1 delivered a bright, detailed, and lively sound, with deep and detailed base. So, my order of preference was: R10, RS-1, and HD650. I believe, however, that Mikhail optimized the SDS for the R10. I also connected the RA-1 to the pass through output, and connected the RS-1 to it. The sound was beautiful, but lacked the broad sound stage, and focussed placement of instruments that's provided by the SDS.
Well, these are my observations from the approx. first hour of listening to my new SDS amp. Additional comments, and some pictures will follow next week, although I don't plan to wait for any burn-in period. I'll let the SDS condition (i.e., burn-in) just by listening to it. However, even without any burn-in, this SinglePower SDS amplifier delivers outstanding sound.
