THE INTRUDER by RSA. balanced dac/amp. . Update available for even better sound. Just pay shipping.

[lescanadiens]

@Capri87 Sorry, thought you knew the phones as you were asking for the adapter

 

[Capri87]

@Capri87 Sorry, thought you knew the phones as you were asking for the adapter

No worries

 

[kinson12]

I just got my INTRUDER. It sounds wonderful before fully run in. I tried a few cans with it after approximately 50 hours of burning:
 
AK120-------Intruder
 
UM Miracle (Gain Middle/AK120_50 Volume)
Fostex TH900 (Gain Middle/AK120_50 Volume, Single End)
LCD3 (Gain High/AK120_50 Volume)
T5p (Gain Middle/AK120_50 Volume)
 
The most obvious difference to the Musical Fidelity M1HPA---------Bryston BHA1 (RCA-RCA/Analysis Plus Silver Oval); the high end seems to extend more. The cans in the BHA1 chain sounded it could have more high, and the sub-low can be a bit more. I am not sure if the amp is coloured as my mixes sounded more 3D and flows more in the space without loosing the original intention. In general my own mix sounded very accurate comparing to the original file mastered with PMC BB5 rig. 
 
This is not final observation of this amp but after 50 hours it sure sounded transparent and on par with the desktop setup and even may be more musically entertaining.
 
More after the settling is done.
 
Kinson12
 
I will try using the Weiss DCA connecting to the BHA1 in balance mode and check for differences.

 

[muzic4life]

Intruder is such a wonderful amp. Especially when i use the balance interconnect port to my clasdb dac. The sound is spacious...meaty....yet performs a very good clarity and detail. I love it very much. But sadly i never found any of my amp is a good pairing with my ak100.. i just hate that dap sq. Never good on me. Maybe ak120 will cut me a bit.

 

[kinson12]

I tried the AK100 also. I think the major difference is due to the output impedance of AK100 is higher and affects the overall FR. The AK120 has low output ohms and I found it is easier to find matching amps.

 

[jamato8]

I modified my AK100 and got rid of the 22ohm resistor. Sounds much better and does well as a source, now. 

 

[muzic4life]

I really wanna get that ak120...heard a lot about it and seems it worth to try. The only thing that hold me from getting it is the HM901. I really wanna try that one as well. From SQ wise..looks more promising than the ak120...but not sure too.

 

[Cameron NYC]

I'm currently trying out the intruder on the ak120. Jury is out. The ak120 is stellar ... just not sure about the amp yet. Have 20 hours. I understand it gets better. Honestly I wonder what actually "burns in"? Is there some kind of physical change that happens? Or are we really talking about aural acclimation?

 

[kinson12]

I am no expert but after 20 years in the studio, I have the following observations:

The capacitor filament or the entire circuit as a system needs to be conditioned. Cryo treated metal would have more linear crystal alignment for example. But the cryo treatment result differs for operating temperature of that particular component. For amps at this price, top quality component throughout is just not feasible. So matching or tuning at the lab will take quite a bit of before satisfaction. That period might considered as burning in. So at mass production stage product would be made at a much shorter time so the audible difference might be there. Therefore burning in might benefit the settling of various parts to have better transmission in more linear fashion. For instance, my TH900 sounds so different after 100 hours. I guessed the coil is settled after long period of heat exchange.

I am just make non-scientific assumption. But I am sure what I am hearing.

 

[kinson12]

Also I think the reason why ak120 sound no difference after very short time, it is due to the modern designs are using less capacitors in the circuit.

 

[AlanYWM]

Quote:

Also I think the reason why ak120 sound no difference after very short time, it is due to the modern designs are using less capacitors in the circuit.

Sounds logical to me 

  But I am not an expert in this area. I let my ears do the talking 

 

[snapple10]

okay I have a question if I may
Reagrding below quote
 
"You will always listen to a balanced sound if balanced output connector is used, even if your input signal is Single ended"
 
 
 
 
 
per RSA web page
 
so does that mean my balance or SE input will sound the same?
 
Trying to get the most out of my Intruder and wondering if adding Solo-db will improve the sound
 
thanks in advance

 

[zachchen1996]

how does this amp compare to the portaphile 627/627x?

 

[muzic4life]

okay I have a question if I may
Reagrding below quote

"You will always listen to a balanced sound if balanced output connector is used, even if your input signal is Single ended"





per RSA web page

so does that mean my balance or SE input will sound the same?

Trying to get the most out of my Intruder and wondering if adding Solo-db will improve the sound

thanks in advance

Using balance connector from intruder to clasdb you will notice a slight improvements..the sound would be more spacious...better sound stage and i think you will also get a cleaner sound (better imaging) even though we use single ended line out for headphone....but if you wanna get the most out of it...you may try to go balance all the way which gives you more impact in addition to the improvements that i mentioned before.

 

[snapple10]

Thanks muzic4life
Been using balance output but was wondering if adding solo -db worth the extra bulk / funds for input, use it mainly with HD600
Given it will depend on individuals but just wondering
Trying to get the most out of things instead of having multiple stuff- downsize mode

Thanks for taking the time