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In Reply to: Inside the Yamamoto A-09 (pic) posted by LeBob on February 8, 2007 at 20:19:13:
*I think I have a good idea of how to describe the sound if there is any interest.*Le Bob, a few comments on the sound would be nice. :)
Follow Ups:
In comparison to an Almarro A205a MK2, the A-09 has about the same amount of hum. A different frequency of hum but about the same level which is low. The first evening before tube break-in the A-09 seemed more extended at both ends, but not as pleasing to listen to as the Almarro. I was a bit worried. I ran off to work to get my DIY 6bm8 amp to compare and also liked it better than the A-09 amplifier. The A-09 was fatiguing in a subtle way, like a chip amp I tried.With past amplifiers I was able to recognize tubes breaking in. I was concerned that the break-in process would not be dramatic enough. After a couple of days of being turned on the A-09 began to exhibit obvious signs of breaking in. It started to sound less like a high powered transistor amplifier and more like a tube amp. It relaxed and I could hear the tube rectifier which was something I wanted.
The Almarro and my 6bm8 amp are similar in design and sound. Both seem sweet sounding compared to the A-09. The A-09 has higher resolution, with more bass and treble clarity. In general the A-09 bass seems deep and taught. The Almarro and the Yamamoto are very different sounding but I would say they are more like different flavors. One is like a wine that goes well with any meal while the other is for serious tasting. Comparing build and parts quality for the cost of each amplifier I think the Yamamoto and Almarro are both good designs. Both are wired point-to-point which makes modification and repair easier, and is my preference.
The A-09 does not have what I remember of the top end of a 45 amplifier. The A-09 is my first 300b experience. That may just be the difference between the 45 and 300b. I am using the EH Gold Grid 300b. Maybe a better 300b might sound closer to a 45 in the high frequencies.
The A-09 does something unexpected and to me special. At low volume the A-09 is bouncy and euphoric. It is as though all of the dynamic qualities of the music are there at the lowest volume settings. I had a similar experience only once before with a 2A3 Push-Pull amplifier I made. I followed the design in Vacuum Tube Valley using the best parts I could get. Maybe there is someone with more experience who could tell me what causes this? It is very easy to hear and happens both with CD and vinyl.So far the A-09 is not what I expected, but I like it. It is pleasing like a tube amp, but has distinctly articulated unsweetened mid and high frequencies with solid sounding bass. The low volume setting resolution and rhythm is cool, probably worth noting for apartment dwellers. My other components are listed in the forum systems.
LB,I don't think the amp is fully settled in yet. Caps, resistors etc. I have had 3 300B amps and they all sounded different. Only the Wavac
MD 300B had real bass.
I am hoping there will be more positive changes as the parts settle in. The A-09 is the only 300b amplifier I have listened to.
LeBob,You definately have some very nice amplifiers. Thank you for sharing your photos and early listening thoughts with us. Please keep us informed of any major run in changes.
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