[Donald North]

Quote:

Originally Posted by takezo /img/forum/go_quote.gif i'm wondering if the 6n6p tube can be used on it as well?

The 6N6P is not a direct substitute for the 6H30P. The electrical parameters are sufficiently different and would not bias properly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double F /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have the base WA2 and find it a excellent. I have not heard the Sonett but I like the fact Jack builds the WA2 himself rather than subcontracting it out to someone.

While I work with a specialist in hand wiring, I wouldn't consider the Sonett to be a subcontracted product. I personally design/select, buy, and deliver every component used in the Sonett in addition doing all the final assembly, testing, packing, and shipping.

 

[Gags72]

Thanks to all for your contributions.
I made a commitment to Donald a few days ago as I had to make a decision one way or the other in the absence of audition opportunities.
Since I made this commitment I believe, through reading about the Sonett, that at the very worst it will be sufficiently better than anything else I have listened to to satisfy me.
I read a review where the guy said he cried when listening to it.
This sounds like he is enjoying with this amp exactly what I enjoy from my music which is the emotion. If I get this I will be a happy man.

One thing that does intrigue me is this.
I have heard many SET amps and they have never been what you would consider "powerful". Even with 100db speakers the 2 watt yamamoto needed the right material to do its thing (which I loved). On ACDC it fell over instantly.
The Sonett is described by some as powerful so it seems perfect, the grace and purity of SET with the power that you do not get with normal 2 channel systems.
Anyway I cannot wait to get this thing and hope Donald uses a fast courier, wink wink.
Thanks again for all of your input and of course this thread may go on but I no longer seek assurances as I will wait for the real thing.
I will of course write my findings down but please do not expect the lengthy affairs that usually pop up on here.
It may run to one sentence if I am too busy enjoying it!

 

[Rudivanb]

Hello dear Head-fiers. This is my first post here.
A few days ago I saw an image of the DNA Sonett for the first time. It fell in love with it instantly. I love that Kadinsky blue. But as I wrote to Donald, love on first sight can be deceiving, so I started to read a bit, first on Donald's website. That made it even more intriguing, because I listen to music with the HD800 exclusively. I thought this might be to good to be true. So I read the very informative review by Rdr. Seraphim here on Head-Fi, thank you, so from there on I knew, this is exactly the amp I am looking for.

Now I am happy to be on Donalds waiting list. I have yet to hear my HD800's balanced, do you recommend the balanced version? From what I understood that should give a further improvement over driving my cans single-ended. Do you think it will make a good combination with a MHDT Havana DAC which is on its way to me? Well I will find out, but have good expectations already. BTW. I am very curious to find out how the DNA Sonett will compare to my Yamamoto HA-02.

Thank you all people contributing on this forum, I have learned so much from it.

 

[Leny]

I've just noticed that the DNA website does not state if the Sonett can swing the slightly higher voltages necessary for a 300 Ohm headphone. I presume it can, but it's probably worth asking.

I get the feeling that any advantage of going 'balanced' is from actually from splitting the grounds (effectively into dual mono grounds, from shared ground) rather than from any 'balancing'.

Hope it goes well for you.

 

[spahn_ranch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudivanb /img/forum/go_quote.gif I love that Kadinsky blue.

I really do too. Philistine or not, I hafta say I'm clueless regarding the Kandinsky reference though. The car Sonett came in that shade. Out on a ledge, I think it's called french blue, in the automotive industry if not elsewhere. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I want shoes and a suit in that color, or at least a coffee cup or amp.

 

[Rdr. Seraphim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudivanb /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hello dear Head-fiers. This is my first post here. A few days ago I saw an image of the DNA Sonett for the first time. It fell in love with it instantly. I love that Kadinsky blue. But as I wrote to Donald, love on first sight can be deceiving, so I started to read a bit, first on Donald's website. That made it even more intriguing, because I listen to music with the HD800 exclusively. I thought this might be to good to be true. So I read the very informative review by Rdr. Seraphim here on Head-Fi, thank you, so from there on I knew, this is exactly the amp I am looking for. Now I am happy to be on Donalds waiting list. I have yet to hear my HD800's balanced, do you recommend the balanced version? From what I understood that should give a further improvement over driving my cans single-ended. Do you think it will make a good combination with a MHDT Havana DAC which is on its way to me? Well I will find out, but have good expectations already. BTW. I am very curious to find out how the DNA Sonett will compare to my Yamamoto HA-02. Thank you all people contributing on this forum, I have learned so much from it.

Welcome Rudivanb!

I hope you enjoy the Sonett. I'm very happy with its performance with pretty much any high-end headphone that I have had the opportunity to beg, borrow, or steal (hyperbole). The Senn 650 and 800's (next stop T1's) sound marvelous with it, as do the Westone ES3X. The NOS upgrades while expensive, are well worth the price and move it up several notches.

And don't forget about system synergy. The front end is key to any system--spinning vinyl and silver, or streaming bits and bytes. Some folks feed their Sonett a diet of PS Audio PWT/PWD. Everything I've fed it makes a difference. So, feed it well! (I'm looking at the new W4S DAC-1.)

Just FYI, Kyle at RAM has my Sonett right now, performing some upgrades on the inputs via WBT NextGen RCAs, Audio Consultant solid Ag wiring, and audio grade caps by Jensen. I'm leaving the power supply pretty much alone, 'cause I love the fluidity of the Mullard 5AR4. Again, these are pretty straight forward upgrades for a quite reasonable cost. All I'm really doing is upgrading with some well known, quantified, quality, audio-grade parts. Not that the JJ parts are bad, they're not. It's just that the design is so well implemented, conservative and restrained, mods such as these are easily qualified. And, I have some highly trusted advice (and ears) from from another Head-fi'er that these updates provide refinement to Donald's already excellent design and sound.

We'll be interested to hear your comparisons with your fine Yamamoto HA-02. Should be an interesting read.

 

[Valens7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudivanb /img/forum/go_quote.gif BTW. I am very curious to find out how the DNA Sonett will compare to my Yamamoto HA-02.

So am I. Welcome to Head-Fi!

 

[Rudivanb]

Thank you for the warm welcome. I love it how everybody makes their own connection with colors and how inspiring colors can be, like the Saab Sonett did to Donald. My reference to this kind of blue blue comes from a painting by Kadinsky called 'Structure Angulaire'
Wassily Kandinsky Gallery (1866-1944 ) | Art Browser
which has the same kind of blue. This hangs above my audio table, well a reproduction though

Oh yes Spahn_ranch, a suit or shoes in that color would be nice too.

I found that Partsconnexion has the Reflektor 6H30-DP (DR), would that be the right one? Although I have to wait till the end of may before I can enjoy the Sonett, I am eager to press the "Add to cart" button already, your lirycal description Rdr. Seraphim of what the tube upgrades will do make me very interested, I will try to hold back, how difficult it is. And what to think about the Mullard 5AR4: Is € 195 a good deal for a matched pair new Mullard 5AR4/GZ34 "Made in Holland. DD-getter and original boxes. Production code: f31/X8L"? If yes, somebody wants to share the purchase, as I only will need one?

Fluidity in music imho is like how analog or live acoustic music is sounding, which I almost get with the Yamamoto YDA-01, HA-02 and the Senns HD800. But since my YDA-01 is solid state I hope that the Havana MHDT DAC will bring me even further. Even though the HA-02 is also based on a triode tube I still expect them to sound different, maybe even very different, since the headphone output of the Yammie is 50 Ohm and has different tubes. Was somebody able to compare the DNA Sonett and the Yammie? I will write of course my findings, I owe you.

By the way: Kadinsky felt there was a clear intuitive relation between sound and form. He was part of a group of artist calling themselves "Der Blaue Reiter" The Blue Rider. If you get a change you might like to see the delightful exhibition at The Hague: Kandinsky and Der Blaue Reiter

 

[Frihed89]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gags72 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have Senn 650 and love them. I want a tube amp that plugs me into the emotion and is full and lush without being too thick sounding. I like my vocals to be moreish. It is hard to pick an amp from reviews alone so I would ask anyone who has heard the 650 with either, or ideally both, of these amps to lend a hand and tell me of there findings. Not that i dont like the look of the Sonnet but WA2 is the preference for aesthetics but sound is of course more important I am very interested in the balanced out option on the Sonnet. People talk so much about balanced fro the 650, is it a good thing despite not having a balanced in?

My suggestion, based on your preferences, get a refurbished/repaired Single Power MPX3 Slam SE. Buy it as is and have it fixed or buy one with the fixes. This amp mainly had transformer and diode problems. Several people have been repairing them - Bolder Cables being the most widely known.

 

[Frihed89]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leny /img/forum/go_quote.gif "Not truly balanced"? Presumably you mean from input all the way through to the output? Yes, you are right. However it does not need to be. There is a whole load of misinformation and total b_llsh1tt floating around here about 'truly balanced' amps mainly to help the marketing of one or two companies. Don't worry about it. The Sonnet is fine.

That's the understatement of the century and there's also a lot of stuff about how to make an amp "truly balanced" this is not only wrong, but the resulting fixes don't add much sonically.

 

[nikongod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frihed89 /img/forum/go_quote.gif there's also a lot of stuff about how to make an amp "truly balanced" this is not only wrong, but the resulting fixes don't add much sonically.

I disagree with that. The sound of a "truly balanced" amp (input to output, with cross coupled stages) is different from a SE amp. Depending what differences you consider better it could represent a huge improvement.

Although that's not to say in any way that a well designed and built SE amp cant sound very good, indeed they quite frequently do. Its also totally possible to build a reallly bad balanced amp. Its all about the design really. Good designs sound good regardless of whether they are balanced or not.