[Basta]

Hi everybody,

Looking for the Zero DAC and Little Dot amplifiers on eBay, I fell upon these,

Sweet-2 Mini Tube Amplifier W/ Tube Rectifier & USB DAC - eBay (item 300203830968 end time Mar-09-08 13:51:35 PDT)
Sweet-1 Mini Tube Amplifier W/ iPod Slot & USB DAC - eBay (item 300204184232 end time Mar-10-08 17:44:02 PDT)

I understand it's more than a Zero DAC or LD amp... Maybe a blend of both... Maybe more... But, maybe not...

Does anybody know these things? Is TNS a good company? Can we have a first feeling just looking at these amps?

Thanks,

Bass

 

[Headdie]

Hoping for an answer from the experienced Jamato, Negatron, Penchum or Penguindude...

 

[manaox2]

Free bump. I have some interest as well.

 

[onlychild]

x2

 

[m11a1]

That's incredibly cheap.

 

[Skylab]

They certainly look nice. There was a similar thread a week or so ago, but it doesn't seem that anyone has tried one of these yet.

The Sweet-2 with the tube rectifiers is tempting, although I see what they call a "6Z4" the rectifier tube is a 9-pin base, the 6Z4 rectifier tubes I am familiar with are octal-base, ST shaped tubes...

 

[onlychild]

Man, I'm so close to biting the bullet on the Sweet-2.

I absolutely love the way it looks to.

 

[Skylab]

The EBay seller told me the following w/r/t the Sweet2:

Quote:

It's not the regular 6Z4. It's actually a 6X4, but the pin identification is a bit different than 6X4. In order to use 6X4 (US Model), a simple mod needs to be done inside (switch wires).

 

[That dude]

Wooo.... I'm thinking of buying a darkvoice 336i, now I'm faced with even more choices...

 

[onlychild]

Does the darkvoice have a built in DAC? Not sure, but $300 for a tube amp with built in DAC almost seems to good to be true (talking about the sweet-2).

 

[Headdie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif The EBay seller told me the following w/r/t the Sweet2: It's not the regular 6Z4. It's actually a 6X4, but the pin identification is a bit different than 6X4. In order to use 6X4 (US Model), a simple mod needs to be done inside (switch wires).

Is it good or bad Skylab ?

For those who'd like more power, this one is different but...

Pacific Valve & Electric Company BL Audio LP 1 MK II

 

[manaox2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headdie /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is it good or bad Skylab ? For those who'd like more power, this one is different but... Pacific Valve & Electric Company BL Audio LP 1 MK II

Too bad it doesn't take a USB in. It only works with an external hard drive or flash stick through USB OTG. It also doesn't decode anything, but mp3. Odd.

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headdie /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is it good or bad Skylab ? For those who'd like more power, this one is different but... Pacific Valve & Electric Company BL Audio LP 1 MK II

I'm not too enamored with tube/mosfet hybrids, so I will pass on that Bada.

As for the Sweet2, the key is not to get stuck with tubes you cannot tube-roll. As such, I would definitely ask for the mod to allow the use of the 6X4 as the rectifier tube if I order one (which I may), since the 6X4 has lots of very affordable NOS tubes readily available.

 

[Headdie]

Thank for your comments Skylab. I really appreciate it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm not too enamored with tube/mosfet hybrids, so I will pass on that Bada.

I guess it would also apply to a PH-12 or even a Shanling PH300. Is there a simple explanation or it's just a matter of taste?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif As for the Sweet2, the key is not to get stuck with tubes you cannot tube-roll. As such, I would definitely ask for the mod to allow the use of the 6X4 as the rectifier tube if I order one (which I may), since the 6X4 has lots of very affordable NOS tubes readily available.

If I order one (wich I may also

), I guess I could wait a couple days longer for your initial review of this sweet dream... Good night!

 

[Skylab]

I have listened to a few hybrid designs, and rather than the best of both worlds (tube and SS), I felt in some ways they were really more the worst of both worlds. I have NOT heard the Bada, so I cannot say anything about it - I just do not like hybrids in general. YMMV, of course.

Also, don't wait for my review - I'm not sure I will get one. If you are so inclined, go for it!