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REVIEW: Y&S Symphonies Preamplifier (Tube)

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Model: Symphonies
Category: Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: $995
Description: High-Definition Tubes Line Preamplifier
Manufacturer URL: Y&S
Manufacturer URL: Y&S

Review by TFredMusic ( A ) on May 20, 2002 at 12:35:07
IP Address: 207.17.47.140
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for the Symphonies


Here’s my review of the Y&S Symphonies ('the Hong Kong") Preamp.

I received my "used" Y&S preamp last week and spent the weekend giving it a drive. This virtually “unkown” (in the audio community) line level preamplifier is designed by Mr. Chui Sat Sung (of Hong Kong) and it is simply fantastic.

It uses three 12AX7A tubes for the stage and one 6X4 for the power supply. There are 4 source inputs and 2 pairs of line outs (all high quality connectors). It is not the most attractive unit in the world but this preamp is about reproducing music accurately and not winning beauty contests. To be fair, it looks like an "honest" piece of equipment with it's very functional knobs (volume, balance, selector), easily laid out on silver brushed metal with gold trimmings (with logo/name/etc.). For the low suggested $995 retail cost, it's obvious that the entire budget went towards the high quality parts (Alps vol. pots, “R” core power trannies, Dale resistors, Wima & Phillips coupling caps), point to point wiring (silver coated, Teflon insulated, high quality copper internal wiring) and all hand made (the inside is beautiful/which is what matters). It has a power on/off switch on the left-front side and comes with a removable 14g stock EIC power chord (black).

I installed it on my Target rack with some basic isolation tweaks (begone you bad vibrations), playback sources connected (CD player & TT with AcousTech Phonostage/**Y&S preamp does not have a phonostage**), connected to my trusty Dynaco ST-70 (with DIY Beldon CC 89259 speaker wires & interconnects), which is powering my newly acquired Meadowlark Heron Hot Rods (single wired w/jumper). The Y&S instruction manual suggests powering up the preamp for at least 2 minutes before turning on the amp (which makes good sense). I let the tubes on the preamp & amp warm up for 45 minutes before doing any "critical" listening (not that I'm that critical anyway). Okay, enough of technical goobly-gock, what does the music coming from this system sound like?

I was in nirvana (not the band). For years I've been reading about how people feel like they "really" hear musicians playing in their rooms in fromt of them. If they closed their eyes they could really imagine the sweat ruining their carpets or drinks spilling in a live recording. For me, it was a pleasure having Nat King Cole sweat and flick cigarette ash on my carpet (a nice wool one). I played my DCC vinyl copy of 'The Very Thought of You" and also my DCC Gold CD of his Greatest Hits. The iinclusion of this preamp helped recreate accurately the very true, distinct timbre of Mr. Cole's voice (breath, lips, spit, teeth, reality). I felt like I privilage to be sitting in the studio listening to him sing into the mike. His voice was not harsh, pushed, stressed of anything negative about sound reproduction. It sound natural. The music that was playing behind him was very real and convincing sounding. I would easily get a sense of space, air, room, soundstage, depth and all that other stuff I've read about for years but never had "it" in my own home.

I decided to later in the day to listen to the "Mop Tops". I played my vinyl copy (UK stereo 70's reissue) of 'Beatles For Sale'. From the opening lines of 'No Reply' to the last bop on 'Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby' I was in Abbey Road Studio #2 (not really but it felt that way). Everything sounded "real" tone wise. The drums were pounding (great bass definition) and George's lead guitar work was singing (I could hear the pick touching the metal strings and the electric tones coming from the amp as if it was live). The vocals were floating in the room as if "they" were busking in my living room. For example, on 'Everybody's...' I was almost able "see" the sonic shape of all the processing on George's voice (very uncanny/almost like a textured shape).

On Sunday (several records later/who needs sleep?) I played my US stereo first pressing (6-eye) of Bruebeck's 'Time Out'. I've heard that on of the most difficult instruments for a system to reproduce is the piano (very complex). Did I hear a convincing piano being played in my living room? No! I'm sorry I'm a liar. Yes, I did!! I heard notes, attack, decay, boney fingers, rhythm, etc. I was tapping my foot during those pieces. The drum set (especially the ringing out tone), musicality, dynamic range of 'Take 5' didn't want me to take 5 or 10 or 100. I just was mesmorized. What an incredible soundstage. While the drums are going off I could hear some wheezing on the bass strings sometimes (fingers waiting to join in getting into the groove) and I could hear one of the musicians ever so softly making comments like "hmmmm, yeah, mmmmmm" in the far background of the studio. What incredible clarity to be able to easily hear and pinpoint all this stuff happening. Wow!

So, last night (Sunday) I went to bed very late. I had trouble turning the system off because I kept wanting to hear & experience more & more music. So how did this Y&S preamp do in my system? It added a missing element of "soul". In the next month I'm going to get some used Telefunken 12AX7A tubes (which I'm told are supposed to bring this baby to an even higher level). I highly recommend anyone to try out this pretty much “unknown” preamp and let us know what you think (worth every penny, pound or yen). As I said before, from what I understand, there are no corners cut with this unit in the name of "mark-up" or paying big advertising bills (heck, that's why it's unknown) or any other common western business practices (Mr. Chui Sat Sung is an excellent designer but maybe not the best business person?). I think even for "double" the retail price this Hong Kong preamp would still be a "steal."

All the best,

Todd

P.S. Thank you again Kim and Tom Port of Better Records (who acted as "broker")


Product Weakness: Looks. Read review...
Product Strengths: imaging, bass, clarity, smooth, etc.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Dynaco ST-70 (w/Mullard tubes)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): N/A
Sources (CDP/Turntable): VPI HW-19 mk III, cheapie CD player (saving for something better)
Speakers: Meadowlark Heron Hot Rods
Cables/Interconnects: DIY Beldon CC 89259 speaker wires & interconnects
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock, jazz, etc.
Room Size (LxWxH): 18.5 x 11.5 x 8.5
Room Comments/Treatments: Good to okay room with carpeting. It's a living room...
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 days so far (little sleep)
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monster HTS 2000
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Y&S Symphonies Preamplifier (Tube) - TFredMusic 12:35:07 05/20/02 ( 13)