[dBs]

Read the first post in the thread for the multiple reviews of it, many of which compare it directly with the Zero and FrankenZero.

 

[ScottieB]

My compass is in the building! Now just need the mail room peeps to bring it on upstairs!!!

 

[Drosera]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottieB /img/forum/go_quote.gif My compass is in the building! Now just need the mail room peeps to bring it on upstairs!!!

Excellent! Another comparison with the Zero? (Apparently this is very important to a lot of people.

)

I'm very curious if you'll end up prefering the Sun in the Compass as well.

Did you order a Sun v2 with it?

 

[ScottieB]

Well my old Sun crapped out again - due to original shoddy soldering. So Kingwa said he'd replace it and include with the Compass (in addition to the Earth) so we'll see. I've been using the moon lately in my Zero and liking it... anyway I'm not the greatest at putting what I hear into words, but I will most certainly share my opinions on the Compass Vs Zero... then, it's FrankenZero time! but I'm getting way ahead of myself!

 

[Drosera]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottieB /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've been using the moon lately in my Zero and liking it... anyway I'm not the greatest at putting what I hear into words, but I will most certainly share my opinions on the Compass Vs Zero...

I'm looking forward to it!

Funny, I've just switched from Moon to Sun in my Compass. I was getting fed up with Moon, I guess I like solid state sound too much. I don't want tubes and apparently I don't want transistors pretending they're tubes either.

(I'm exaggerating, of course.)

 

[les_garten]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drosera /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm looking forward to it! Funny, I've just switched from Moon to Sun in my Compass. I was getting fed up with Moon, I guess I like solid state sound too much. I don't want tubes and apparently I don't want transistors pretending they're tubes either. (I'm exaggerating, of course.)

I've always had a little problem with that concept also.

.

 

[dBs]

Im curious looking at my sun on the shelf (waiting for its turn to burn in), it has 4 LEDs on it, or at least what appear to be LEDs. The other 2 do not have LEDs. Im just guessing that these are really traditional diodes in an LED package since PCB real estate is more important in the HDAMs than height real estate is. Is my thinking correct on this or are those really light up LEDs?

 

[ScottieB]

They really light up!

 

[Drosera]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dBs /img/forum/go_quote.gif Im curious looking at my sun on the shelf (waiting for its turn to burn in), it has 4 LEDs on it, or at least what appear to be LEDs. The other 2 do not have LEDs. Im just guessing that these are really traditional diodes in an LED package since PCB real estate is more important in the HDAMs than height real estate is. Is my thinking correct on this or are those really light up LEDs?

They certainly function like LEDs. Do you think they might have another function as well?

All I know is that I simply love the fact that the Sun opamp actually gives light. I always thought that was a brilliant display of engineering humour.

 

[tinseljim]

"Thanks Tinsel Jim for that great burn in post (even if some members don't believe in such things it was very helpful/thoughtful to post).

Peete."

No problem - I hope it was helpful to those less inclined to be too geeky about audio.

))

 

[ScottieB]

Yeah I tried to ignore the whole "tube-like" words they used for the HDAMs. It's misleading IMO. I think the Earth is accurately described as neutral - but one shouldn't think that means 'boring' - it is still lively and dynamic and much more musical than any standard opamp I've heard. The Sun (V1, have yet to hear the V2) is certainly more dynamic - to me it had more slam and punch in the bass, and some more forward mids - which I liked with my sennheisers. The moon is harder for me to describe. But "tube" doesn't really come to mind. It has a wider soundstage than either the Sun or Earth, and even has what I'd call more bass than the earth - but different than the Sun - not as punchy - but more full.

As I said I'm not great at these descriptions, but I don't agree with describing the Moon as tube-like. But, any of the 3 is a good choice, IMO - and easily better than a standard opamp.

 

[Drosera]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottieB /img/forum/go_quote.gif As I said I'm not great at these descriptions, but I don't agree with describing the Moon as tube-like. But, any of the 3 is a good choice, IMO - and easily better than a standard opamp.

Well, I was playing on Audio-gd's description, of course, although they certainly aren't the only ones to have talked about tubes when describing the sound of the Moon.
I would characterize the Moon as very fluidly musical, with recessed midrange (resulting in more soundstage) and slightly enhanced (but not too focussed) bass. It's a very easy, comfortable listen. Unfortunately, the combination of this signature with the vintage AKG 'phones I'm mostly using is not very complimentary. Things get toned down a little too much. More 'aggressively detailed' headphones will probably work much better with it.

 

[ScottieB]

Well, Compass is inhand - everything accounted for (although I also received the "wrong" power cable - not a problem, didn't order the upgrade) including replacement Sun and my power supply for some DIY... can't get home soon enough now!

 

[Drosera]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottieB /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, Compass is inhand - everything accounted for (although I also received the "wrong" power cable - not a problem, didn't order the upgrade) including replacement Sun and my power supply for some DIY... can't get home soon enough now!

So you received an Australian power cable as well? What an odd mix-up.

 

[ScottieB]

Ha yeah not sure what country it is for, but same one posted in the photo earlier.