Wave, your exceedingly precise analysis of audio is a life raft for all thoughtful audiophiles. Upon completion of a WT review, one has more than enough accurate information to navigate the chaotic seas of audio reviews. Your shoe string hobby reviews are so good that they embarrass the audiophile reviewers that are unable to bite their employers hand. Even my modest Schiit Lyr 3 easily announces the difference between the JJ and the Ray Tubes Reserve 6SN7 tubes. The plan was to try it, and then return it, but $200 for this beautful sound is an audiophile bargain. No $200 interconnect or power cord has this much beautiful music in it. One tube is 4x better then four tubes.

Can you please link the balanced to single ended converter you’re currently using?

@king_epk

4 күн бұрын

I would appreciate that too

@wavetheorysound

2 күн бұрын

It's the Jensen Iso-Max PC-2XR. I got it from Parts Express, which now says it's unavailable. I got one of the last ones, I think. I don't know when/if it will come back.

The LED volume knob is great; I actually prefer it to their screen on more expensive models

Professor, thank you for another wonderful headphone amplifier review! 👌

I think that I've given this warning on at least one other video, but it bears repeating. To anyone looking at this, or any other amp, that uses 12AT7s you _cannot_ use 12AX7s unless the manufacturer explicitly says it is okay. You can sub a lower gain tube (12AX7 > 12AT7 > 12AU7), so 12AT7 for 12AX7 or 12AU7 for 12AT7, but you generally cannot do the opposite. If the amp was designed around 12AU7s, then 12AU7/ECC82s are what you have to use.

there's a design only an engineer could get excited about.

@daveb1761

4 күн бұрын

This is actually a very insightful comment. I've studied the LTA/Berning topology at length. Their topology is one-of-a-kind, that accordingly takes a very interesting approach. Explaining it would take a lot of space and go beyond the scope of a simple reply, but in keeping with your original comment, I'd sum it up as follows: It delivers the benefits/musicality of tubes, but yet eliminates the sonic compromises caused by a conventional iron-core based output transformers (such as non-linear hysteresis effects). Unlike a conventional OTA (output transformer-less amplifier) tube design, the LTA/Berning topology does not have low-impedance driving issues caused by the low damping factor that is inherent in OTA designs. The Berning design is actually pure genius and it really delivers musicality.

still waiting Aune S17 Pro review from you, you have so many very interesting opinions and comparisons on amps, and no review of this very popular one

@wavetheorysound

4 күн бұрын

@@acheresh Aune has not replied to my inquiries.

would be good to see how the S/N ratio changes with tube and power supply as well...

Is the technical performance of the LTA Velo, particularly in clarity and detail retrieval, only an incremental improvement over the Black Ice Audio Aries you recently reviewed or is it significantly superior? I'm interested in the Aries but have a sudden case of FOMO. 🙂 Thank you for your comprehensive reviews. Really appreciate the time and effort you put into them.

Unfortunately, OTL topologies are a cul-de-sac as far as tube amplifier design.There is always the temptation to develop circuits which eliminate the bulk and expense of quality output transformers. However.... OTL topologies invariably always end-up being bested by well-designed topologies using quality output transformers. The on-paper and cost shortcomings associated with use of output transformers are neutralized due to the actual drive benefits which are achieved via use of quality output transformers. Bottom line: OTL saves money and decreases product size and weight, but sonically is at a disadvantage as compared to competent designs using output transformers. If highest fidelity and maximum drive performance are user priorities, then designs using quality output transformers and carefully designed linear power supplies are absolutely the superior choice as compared to any/all OTL amplifiers.

Does the jensen balanced to single ended converter not degrade the sound at all?

@wavetheorysound

4 күн бұрын

@@johenkay1129 it's clearly better at the conversion than any balanced dac does internally that I have tried. If it degrades sound quality from the balanced output, it does so quite minimally.

@johenkay1129

4 күн бұрын

@@wavetheorysound Cool, just purchased one to go between my holo may kte(balanced dac) and my enleum 23r amp(single ended).

@johenkay1129

4 күн бұрын

​@@wavetheorysound How long are the interconnects that you use with the Jensen? I have 1 meter interconnects both xlr and rca of the same manufacturer.

@wavetheorysound

4 күн бұрын

@@johenkay1129 Yeah you're probably gonna want one of those between the Holo and Enleum. I just use 1m WBC cables. It's a passive box so only go as long as you really need.

I wish to see a demo comparison $2000+ velo against $100 xduuo mt604 with a linear power source having 4 non stock tubes. 😁 I don't see any faults with my cheap setup, and would like to hear what am I missing soundwise

Is this a product of mutation or natural selection or could it even be intelligent design? 🤔

@wavetheorysound

4 күн бұрын

@@GadZookz Aliens 👽😆

OTL technology that works with low-impedance headphones: bravo.👌👍????????

@chronometa

4 күн бұрын

Wouldn't mind a gain switch though