This is a S.E.T. computer audio system built around the amazing Danley SH50s. The SET of the main amp and the SET sound of the DHT triodes of the preamp help to tame most digital edges. Presence, dynamics and separation of instruments is very good. Tone is good but probably could be still better, im working on that. Its an extremely revealing system.
I will keep you updated on the development. This week should arrive a pair of Autoformers Zero impedance boxes that will help the 45 amplifier (1.5 watts) deal better with the 4 ohm of the speaker. In most situation, SET amps like to see higher OHMs loads. Autoformer will convert Danley SH50 into a 16 Ohm speaker and that will, probably, improve tone and other areas.
The Brain-Cisneros Mod Conrad Johnson MV50 is still in the system and sometimes jumps into to show its colors. Mainly, an amazing treble, more bite and a more tight bass.
I'm extremely pleased with the sound and this system and I believe that is the end of the road for me. Future upgrades that I can see happening could be changing the M51 for a Lampizator and improving the MAC mini but that's almost it!!
Flagship of the Synergy Line. 100 db, 4 ohm. Amazing warm sound.
45 Danielak SET Built by Bob Danielak
An amazing 1.2 watt SET amplifier built by my friend Bob Danielak. The best amplifier I have listened to.
DHT Danielak Preamplifier buily by Bob Danielak
DHT preamplifier with Hashimoto transformers and rotary switch to use either 26, 01a or 10y triode tube. Great Transparent sound that shortens the gap between digital and analog.
Mac mini 2.3 Ghz intel Core I7
Mac Mini with 16Gb RAM and Audirvana playing FLAC files.
NAD M51
One of the best DACs, on my opinion, in the market.
Audiophileo Audiophileo 2
Low jitter USB SPDIF transport with Pure Power battery.
Conrad Johnson MV-50
Heavily Modified 2 chassis MV50. The mods were done by Peruvian engineer Carlos Cisneros. You can read more about it in my other virtual system.
Gallo Acoustics Gallo TR3
A very musical small subwoofer. I have two helping the Danleys when heavy lifting is needed.
Hi, You're off to a good start! The SETs are responding favorably to the easier load they see. This makes sense, I'd suggest you also try your amplifier's 8 ohm tap as well.
Well, the Autoformers arrived last week. I have started experimenting with them and so far they are going nowhere. I don't believe in swift blind testing due to the inability of our memory to remember accurately sound and its nuances. On the other side, sound memory gets better when it gets attach to experiences over a long time. So, I have started using the 4 ohm tap on my 45 amplifier and with the autoformer i have turned the Danleys into 16ohm speakers. This set up is extremely tone accurate and but not cold or analytical. Dbs have been reduced by 3 I believe due to the impedance mismatch but bass have come alive, being tighter now that ever was before, and instrument separation is much better. I will stay like this for a week and then change the speaker side to 12 ohm and report back. So far so good!!! Take it easy said the Eagles!!!
Well, That to begin with...then even for some vinyl lovers the 24/96 high resolution flac files are beyond vinyl. I believe is a matter of taste. I enjoy normal redbook flac files a lot!!!
If Jarrett were serious, he would not allow his music to be sold on CD - only on vinyl!
When I compared what I heard live to what I hear on CD, there was little if any difference in how Jarrett sounded. So either I have faulty ears or the perspective of a consumer rather than of an artist or a good digital system or simply do not care whether there is a difference.
Bob Danielak is currently finishing a third amplifier that will go in the system for some types of music. Its a 300b SET with Interstage Transformers. It should be here in Lima, Peru in 1 or 2 months.
That is also right, I can;t store properly all my books, there is no space to store vinyls. But still, when I go to my friend's house and listen to vinyls spinning I understand why some people love them so much.
Hi Alan, you make some very good points. The fact that a particular artist rant and rave about a particular recording medium doesn't mean a whole lot to me in the overall picture. I say that because they're such a discrepancy with in aRecording medium. Digital recordings can run the spectrum from poor to excellent the same is true of analog or any medium for that matter. I have come to realize that so much of what we here in audio is just based on implementation more so than anything when all facts are considered. Execution and the level of quality are the determining factors for the ultimate product. Just last week I listened to a friend's system with top tier TT set up. Some records were just sublime and yet others were relatively poor sounding. Vinyl isn't magic(neither is digital). Both can run the quality spectrum.
Well, there is a lot of controversy about this issue. It is a fact that the digital recording and mixing early days did a lot of damage to to music. You can see that in some documentaries flying around as Sound City and The Sound of Muscle Shoals.
But that is a fight where we the audiophiles do not have a say. Its about how to record the music not how to reproduce it.
There are a lot of studies that show that vinyl reproduction, as much as we love its sound, is limited in terms of frequencies.
I love vinyl sound and I appreciate its sound but the price is tag is huge and is a never-ending race trying to buy all my favorite and new record in vinyl. Also, I find that there is a nostalgia that makes us love vinyl. The sound is great but compared to a really good digital rig, the line that define the differences is totally blurred.
I was at a Keith Jarrett concert a week ago (Carnegie Hall, NYC) during which he launched into a spontaneous diatribe against digital recording and reproduction.
Yes, The Danley are kind of Full Range. They do not go down to sublevels like 20-30hz but they reach 50hz easily. I have 2 Gallo round subwoofers helping in that area when need it. But most of the time the Danleys are on his own and I do not need more bass.
You are totally right. You can go wrong either way. The best is to look for the sound you like, if you know it, instead of just looking for the perfect sound. I still think the midbass needs some boost and that's why I will try with the Autoformers. It also could be a cable issue.
Alan, Our taste and priorities are very similar. As I'm sure you've also discovered these type of constructed systems will exceed many analog fronted systems in pure sound quality. I finally learned the right digital sources can sound so Devine and natural, you need the proper hardware. Superb sound can be obtained with either source type in my opinion. Either source can also let you down as well. Charles,
Somehow, along the audio journey we make choices towards what we really love in sound. This systems does great in musicality and presence which are the things I care about the most. And as much as I love the sound of vinyl. It is too expensive to get a vinyl collection as big as my digital collection. The SET amp an DHT preamp are really good turning the digital sound into something extremely analog sounding. Next week, I will hook up the Autoformers and see how it improves. Im sure it will affect the midbass region.
Alanbrain, I imagine this system reproduces music in a beautiful and involving fashion. Although I am not familiar with the specific brands you use, the concept seems very well thought out. Increasing the speaker impedance for your SET amp is a wise decision and will improve your sound. Congratulations, oh yes, I bet that DHT preamp is excellent and simply natural sounding. You obviously put much thought into developing this system.
