joemcten Posted January 26, 2001 Share Posted January 26, 2001 I am demoing for the weekend the above mentioned integrated amp and the initial response is unbelievable. Right out of the box this little $600 SET integrated is involving and amazingly dynamic.It is 5wpc in triode and with the flick of a switch it becomes 15wpc in pentode. BUild quality is good, but is has no right to sound this good for so cheap. I am going to let it burn in a little more so I will be able to give a more detailed description later. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prana-Bindu Posted January 26, 2001 Share Posted January 26, 2001 What speakers are you using? I've got the RF-3's and I'm considering the Decware Zen 5wpc SET amp. Any problems in SET mode with really dynamic passages for your SET? ------------------ May the bridges we burn light our way.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemcten Posted January 26, 2001 Author Share Posted January 26, 2001 For those that don't know I have LaScala's. I have not experienced any compression. Remember it has a switch that triples the power if you want to head bang. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Warren Posted January 27, 2001 Share Posted January 27, 2001 Quite a fancy amp for a PA speaker designed for a train station in PA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shock-Late Posted January 27, 2001 Share Posted January 27, 2001 quote: Originally posted by John Warren: Quite a fancy amp for a PA speaker designed for a train station in PA. i don't feel lascala sound like PA speakers, even if they are. And I listened to several PA speakers, being used to nightclubs and little rock concerts. you'll never can compare a lascala to a "traditional" PA cab, even the really expensive ones (JBL, Nexo, Electro-Voice). I think this is due to the fact that the LaScala, being from the "older generation" of PA designs, emphasizes more on sound quality than on raw power. Frans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemcten Posted January 27, 2001 Author Share Posted January 27, 2001 The Antique Sound Labs amp is the DT version with the triode/pentode switch that was installed by Divergent Tech. of Ontario. It seems to be more than enough power in triode(5 wpc), It definitely has more ooomph in the pentode mode(15 wpc) Mr. Goka from Divertech. says it is actually operating in tetrode mode at 15 wpc. P.S. John Warren if you can not add anything remotely intelligent, just keep your trap shut. Please do us that favor. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Warren Posted January 27, 2001 Share Posted January 27, 2001 Hmmmm..OK, you win, $40/W Beam Tetrode amps RULE!! And what's even better, just with a flick of a switch we can shut down that pesky screen grid and instantly convert our amp to a $125/W killer SET. Anyway (yawn)....If the LaScala was manufactured by ANYONE else it would be dead and buried by now, forgotten like the LEE National Catanoid and the University "Dean". Hell, I don't even think PWK likes it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemcten Posted January 27, 2001 Author Share Posted January 27, 2001 Yawn..... Well I must apologize for not realizing that you were the arbiter of all that sounds good. If you would like I could send you a list of equipment that I might possibly be interested in hearing so you could approve or disapprove it for me ahead of time. I would greatly appreciate the insight that your "Golden Ears" could provide to a neophyte such as I. I am sure your keen abilities and insights will certainly make my life a safer,happier place. I extend my most sincere thank you for setting me on the righteous path. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted January 27, 2001 Share Posted January 27, 2001 what amps have you listen to, what kind of music did you use and which amps did you like and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemcten Posted January 28, 2001 Author Share Posted January 28, 2001 Colin,, in the last few years I have owned about 2 dozen amps. Here are but a few; Cary SLA80(Warm.smooth,very rich mid range but the bass was about a day behind the rest of the music with the Joseph Audio Speakers I owned at the time.)Conrad Johnson MV-55(an unbelievably good PP amp. The music just floated in front of you. The bass was far too lose with the Merlin VSM's I was running at the time.)Plinius SA-50mIII(A very warm ,robust sounding SS class A design. It was very 'HI FI". COmbined with the Very "HI FI" Merlins it was too much. HYPER detailed treble and mids took the music apart for me.)Aragon 8002(This amp was actually quite good for driving the Carver Amazing Silvers I used to own. They need a strong amp to get up and boogie,but alas listener fatigue would eventually set in caused by a much too agressive treble.)McIntosh MC162(I was origianlly using this amp with Platinum Audio Solo's. They sounded fantastic but were ungodly inefficient.They are a stand mount and only 84 db.They finally drove me to my Klipsch. I loved the Mac most of the time, but eventually found it to be a little to 2 dimensional.)VTL ST-85(Just sold this amp.It was a very good piece with a nofatiguing presentation,but it did not have enough bloom and the bass was too solid state like) I have another amp that I have owned for years, it a modded Dyna st-70 that runs a 6b4g for about 12wpc in class A. As good as the other amps sounded, This little bugger almost always sounded better. I usually listen mainly to blues(lp,cd),Jazz(lp,cd) and a smattering of the typical audiophile recordings like Patricia Barber, Jacintha, Sara K. etc. I am currently enjoying both the Antique Sound Lab and the Audio Analouge Puccini. They are both have unbelievably good presentations and both excell at putting the music back together. Neither create any listener fatigue. They both sound amazingly different but have some similarities(smooth grain free treble,natural mid range presentation) It is going to be a tough choice! Maybe I will keep both. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Warren Posted January 28, 2001 Share Posted January 28, 2001 (edited) n Edited January 30, 2015 by John Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemcten Posted January 28, 2001 Author Share Posted January 28, 2001 Mark, I have a room that is 30' long and 15' wide, so far no problems with dynamics. I listen quite loud almost all the times and have been able to reach some uncomfortable levels with ease. I do not listen to large scale classical it is not nor has it ever been my thing. For my musical tastes it works great. The sound is warm and inviting. The list I gave you is the abridged version, very abridged. The wasy I see it, this amp is so cheap and it sounds so good to me that I can afford to have both. I can switch between amps in less than 2 minutes. As lon g as it sounds good to me that is all I care about. I do not care if anyone else likes my choice or even enjoys it. Mark, I am now married(6 months) and have a fair number of motorcycles in the last few years. I finally settled on a Triumph Speed Triple. Ny previous ride was a Ducati 750ss. The only way you can be sure is to try one for yourself. I enjoy this BB because it is a place to share ideas and learn new things. The Lascala's are 104db and this little integrated can really boogie. If you want 2 professional opinions see this months listener magazine where they review this product. When I first heard this amp thursday it was connected to Avant Garde Duo's,a 10k set of killer horns and it drove the snot out of them. This is but one mans opinion your mileage may vary. ps if you like west coast blues, check out Kid Ramos "West Coast House Party" It features a who's who of the blues. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Warren Posted January 28, 2001 Share Posted January 28, 2001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemcten Posted January 28, 2001 Author Share Posted January 28, 2001 John, if you want to be completely accurate with your numbers, I sit 14' from the speakers,the correct efficiency rating is 104db/1w/1m and the amp is 5watts triode mode. I have done most of the higher spl listening in the 15wpc setting. I wonder what is at the root of your anti-tube sentiments? I do not begrudge you your opinions as I have enjoyed both tube and solid state. I think there are fine examples of both and truth be told I could be happy with either. I enjoy swapping out equipment, and the component end is just a hobby for me. Passion for music is what drives me to investigate new gear nothing else. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB Posted January 29, 2001 Share Posted January 29, 2001 I've heard these amps. They are a steal, and a nice sounding SET amp. I wouldn't think you would be happy in triode mode. They will probably be quite lifeless even with your VERY GOOD SOUNDING La Scala's. Coming from a Klipschorn / La Scala owner! A better senario would be a biamp situation using them for the mids and top in the pentode mode. I can also recommend a much better tube than the chinese KT88's. Give a listen with the new Svetlana 6550C's, they sound better than even the Svetlana KT88's. Cheers / Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemcten Posted January 29, 2001 Author Share Posted January 29, 2001 Ken, this amp sounds surprisingly full in the triode setting. You are correct that there is much more life in the pentode mode and most of my louder listening would be done in this mode. I have had a ton of gear over the last few years and I too think this amp is an outright steal if you are looking for low powered tubes. Thanks for the reccommendation on the tubes. I was definitley looking to replace the cheap stock tubes. In my eyes this is a music lovers amp. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemcten Posted January 29, 2001 Author Share Posted January 29, 2001 Just a final note for those of you that have taken the time to respond or view this topic. I would like to take a moment to praise the gentlemen who allowed me to demo this wonderful product. His name is Wen-Li and his business is Eaudionet.com. He is truly the type of business man that most of us like to do business with. He runs his business out of his home. He is a true hobbyist who decided to get into business because of his love for music. There is no pressure at all from him. He feels the equipment will sell itself. He is not your typical dealer with high pressure sales. I can wholeheartedly reccomend doing business with this gentleman. He truly seems to be committed to some real customer satisfaction, something that I find sorely lacking in many other comapanies. I guess I have always like to root for the underdog and I hope Wen-li's business continues to flourish. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemcten Posted January 29, 2001 Author Share Posted January 29, 2001 Mark, I am still in the contemplation stage. I am also considering looking at some of there slightly more expensive models. Although at the price this piece should be an absolute no brainer. I have been a/b ing it an Audio Analouge Puccini, a 40 wpc Italian solid state gem. It is totally un solid state like in its presentation of the music. I think this piece is also a bargain for what you are getting music wise. This is part of the fun for me. P.S. do you know a good supply place to get those 50k volume pots from? Also what did you make the support panels from? Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenB Posted January 29, 2001 Share Posted January 29, 2001 Joe, Sounds like your trying to go with a purest concept for your equipment. I would love to hear the "cathode follower" new breed of amps from ASL, or 211's or 845's or the 300B's. But OTOH, I think there is one series cap/channel that the signal has to go thru in the 15W model, and it uses easy to find inexpensive tubes with the whole thing running at reasonable voltages (for a tube unit). Sooo...replace the cap with an "PIO CU or Si Film can" and put in the upgrade tubes and you might be REAL happy with the result. Good Luck - Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemcten Posted January 29, 2001 Author Share Posted January 29, 2001 Ken, you are right I can feel myself heading in the purest direction. I am just interested in getting less between me and the music> I am also interested in hearing the Cathode follower series. I am told they are extremely robust with very well defined bass. I am contemplating holding off until I can swing one,but on the other hand I just finished a lengthty listening session with the little ASL and damn if it just doesn't keep getting better and better. It makes me wonder how this little thing could swing with some real tubes. Going this route certainly saves me a lot of jack, and with spring coming the Triumph could use some goodies! I am currently enjoying the best sound I have had in my house. Mark, thanks for the heads up on where to get the parts. I am thinking I should go with the special Rhino model. Since it seems like you are quite the tinkerer, do you have any experience with the Leak amplifiers? I love how they look and sound. I also would like to get my hands on a reasonably priced pair of HeathKit Wm-5's in clean shape. Any nuggets of wisdom would be graciously accepted. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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