Schu Posted November 27, 2016 Share Posted November 27, 2016 Just came in this morning... Dennis said he can complete one of these in under six hours if needed, I find that amazing. Un-boxing: The amp is in it's infancy, and FOR SURE there are better output tubes to choose from... but the initial (less than 1 hour) listening session is that the amp holds a much more holographic image that my Bel Cantos did. The sound is different (do not infer better) than the solid state monoblocks. Dennis is pure joy to work with... and he even rewired the input section with no complaints (after he had already finished it) based on a request I had. He even included a spare set of output tubes. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason str Posted November 27, 2016 Share Posted November 27, 2016 Very nice, like the Black finish as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieb Posted November 27, 2016 Share Posted November 27, 2016 Yep, on all the above. Have basically the same amp, less the boutique parts, with a volume pot I asked Dennis to install. I go from KT88 to KT 66 with a change of rectifier tubes. Many other options with other rectifiers but haven't had the desire to find out. Dennis is great to talk with and can talk your ear off with some great stories. He's been building amps and circuits for both audio and ham radio since his youth so I'm not surprised that if he has the time can put one together in a day. A nice little "hobby" from his days running Cary. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avguytx Posted November 27, 2016 Share Posted November 27, 2016 I'm still waiting for all the pictures to download.... Looks awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted November 27, 2016 Author Share Posted November 27, 2016 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ69 Posted November 27, 2016 Share Posted November 27, 2016 Santa Claus has come early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted November 27, 2016 Share Posted November 27, 2016 Very nice Schu! Give us your impression after a little time with the amp. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricktate Posted November 27, 2016 Share Posted November 27, 2016 Does he have a website ? I tried to look this amp up but did not find a clear way to find out details on it. Looks awesome....Great pictures. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted November 27, 2016 Author Share Posted November 27, 2016 ^I am giving some serious thought on that. More so if I can get it for a reasonable price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldred Posted November 27, 2016 Share Posted November 27, 2016 One word.....Nice G.E.M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorjen Posted November 28, 2016 Share Posted November 28, 2016 Very nice Schu. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricktate Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 Love the look,,,,how do you go about getting one.....in case I win the lottery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted November 29, 2016 Author Share Posted November 29, 2016 They are... VERY reasonable. Dennis Had has a couple versions, and a preamp. The base Inspire is roughly $1200, the upgraded "hotrod" is available for just under $1600. Sometimes you can find them for sale used for under $1000 (for the base model)... there was one for sale on audiogon very recently. I really wanted separates, monoblock, but I would have been looking at something around $3500+... also I beleive in quality valves, and they are quite expensive, so there are double the tubes. This unit made the most sense for me at this point. One thing for certain in this short listening experience to date, the goldlion KT-66 tubes yield only a slightly smoother soundstage as my Bel Canto class d monoblocks ($4000)... But the 350b tubes blow them out of the water. While the system has always sounded magnificent... clear, crisp, detailed and dynamic, with the 350b tubes the sound is very very holographic with individual sounds recessing and pushing forward... Exactly what I had been looking for There has been a significant loss of ouput in the LF section of my listening... therefore I am going to attempt to biamp my setup soon. I think this will work and give me what I am looking for... although I wont be able to use my subwoofer any longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkane Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted November 29, 2016 Author Share Posted November 29, 2016 On 11/27/2016 at 0:57 AM, ricktate said: Does he have a website ? I tried to look this amp up but did not find a clear way to find out details on it. Looks awesome....Great pictures. Dennis only sells on ebay... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost240 Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 @Schu Give it a little time. Coincidentally I just ordered an amp from Dennis and received it last week as well. At first the bottom end seemed lacking, but after about 5 days of running in these tubes the bass has appeared. I'm not missing anything now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 You will want to biamp vertically -- Dennis can make the cables for you -- he might even have some left over from his AE-25 Superamp days. There's no way in hell he builds those in six hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted November 30, 2016 Author Share Posted November 30, 2016 5 hours ago, Lost240 said: @Schu Give it a little time. Coincidentally I just ordered an amp from Dennis and received it last week as well. At first the bottom end seemed lacking, but after about 5 days of running in these tubes the bass has appeared. I'm not 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted November 30, 2016 Author Share Posted November 30, 2016 5 hours ago, Deang said: You will want to biamp vertically... There is no modification for an AA that would allow for bi amping? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldred Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 Schu, I couldn't stop watching that video. Man I'd love to be able to do that. You know I'm not in the market for a tube amp at this time. But when I am..... I am pretty sure where I will buy one. Good video. Thanks for sharing G.E.M. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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