Joe Whip Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Keep us updated. I will be shocked if you don’t love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huang Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 I just received some pictures from Pat, testing will begin soon (Needles to say I am a little excited): 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Edwards Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Like Tom Petty said Huang .......... "the waiting is the hardest part" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Whip Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 Other than the black faceplate, mine is dark grey, that amp looks very familiar. You will love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huang Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 Going to pick it up this week. I got a note from SMC regarding a transformer hum. Does anybody else's amp have transformer hum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 Hmmm, No I never heard my amps hum. Is Pat saying your amp has transformer hum? Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huang Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 What he said, "The much larger transformer may have an audible low level hum when you put your ear up to it. The level of this will depend largely on the quality of the AC feeding it. This is normal and should not be a concern." None of my other amps hum either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 Well, if you have to put your ear against it, then I wouldn't sweat it. I guess he wants to let you know in advance, just in case you are one of the anally retentive audiophiles. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Whip Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 If I put my ear on my amp there is a very slight hum. You can’t hear it all a couple of feet from the amp with no music playing. From the seating position with music playing, not even an issue. Don’t worry about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huang Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 Great thanks for the feed back. I have some ESP reference cables coming in this week. Joe glad you are well regarded😉. I am going to go with Audio Envy unbalanced ICs most likely. I am thinking AQ for the speaker runs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Whip Posted May 26, 2021 Share Posted May 26, 2021 Great Huang. Glad I am well regarded somewhere. At Richard’s suggestion years ago. I have been using AQ stuff with my speakers with great results, even if the cable are now long in the tooth as they say, kinda like me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huang Posted May 26, 2021 Share Posted May 26, 2021 (edited) Silly question... I’m pricing some cables Audioquest are sold in pairs correct? Plugged in the DNA 1 heard a little hum from the transformer nothing too bad. I tell you though for a class AB design with no input or output connected the heatsink sure gets warm. Edited May 26, 2021 by Huang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Whip Posted May 27, 2021 Share Posted May 27, 2021 (edited) Yes, I believe they are sold in pairs. BTW, if you can, leave the amp on all the time. It is built to do that, or at least, mine is. Edited May 27, 2021 by Joe Whip 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted May 28, 2021 Share Posted May 28, 2021 Yes their cables are all in pairs, unless it's a single run cable like a digital or optical. Richard's amps are the same way. Always keep in standby. Not only is the amp always 'ready', but I think it may help the caps stay better longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratocaster Posted May 28, 2021 Author Share Posted May 28, 2021 On 5/26/2021 at 4:38 PM, Huang said: Silly question... I’m pricing some cables Audioquest are sold in pairs correct? Plugged in the DNA 1 heard a little hum from the transformer nothing too bad. I tell you though for a class AB design with no input or output connected the heatsink sure gets warm. @Huang Both my amps have been constantly on for bulk of the year (except when we travel) and they certainly remain on the warmer side. I had to buy a maple platform to put the 1 on since the temperature on the heat sink always made me a little concerned with fire (especially since it used to sit on the carpet). Guess it might just be the nature of the circuitry/architecture. As far as the hum is concerned, the .5 is dead quiet but the 1 does go into these periods of 'humming' which is noticeable only if you a couple of inches away from the speaker. Am eager to get your thoughts on how it sounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huang Posted May 28, 2021 Share Posted May 28, 2021 (edited) I am eager to hear it too. With my lax attitude to cable acquisition I hope within the next two weeks. Transformer hum is one thing I hope it does not transition to the speakers. I might just get to hear yours before mine on the 12th🙃. Edited May 28, 2021 by Huang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huang Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 McCormack update, the hum is such that I need to put my ear right next to the amp to hear it. Either that means the noise is diminishing, or my hearing is going. I have cut and now will flatten the Walnut slab that amp will sit on. Bruce said the Robin Hoods will be in this week. The ESP power supply cable is powering the amp now. Here is a question I have. I have an unmodified McCormack TLC-1 waiting for an upgrade from Steve and Pat, but I am thinking I want a little gain and a tube front for the McCormack. I have a few preamps in mind, Aesthetix (Bruce loves the Mimas), Beckard Rhumba, or Aric Audio Motherlode II. Has anyone heard any of the prospective choices, and better yet has anyone compared any of the above? Your help and or opinion/experiences are appreciated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 @Huang, I am a very proud owner of Atmasphere equipment. Even his little UV-1 is a great unit. I own the MP-1 (and the UV-1). I also own the Ayre KXR. Both preamps are very good. The Ayre seems to have a slightly better definition in the lower notes. I also owned the MP-3, and found it to be a very good preamp. As far as the Aesthetix, isn't the Mimas an integrated amp? Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratocaster Posted June 8, 2021 Author Share Posted June 8, 2021 5 minutes ago, GdnrBob said: As far as the Aesthetix, isn't the Mimas an integrated amp? Bob It is an integrated (hybrid). Guess the preamp section must be really very good for Bruce to have suggested that as a preamp solution. @Huang Looks like the preamp options on your list are certainly worth checking out. Never heard of Backert or Aric Audio but would love to visit dealers who might carry them. Have you checked out any of the Manley’s preamps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Whip Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 (edited) Can’t help you there Huang but personally, I would stick with a SS pre amp, but that’s me. Friends own Backert labs and the president will be over to hear the amp with the gravity base in a week or two and I will ask him about the Rhumba with the dna 1. Edited June 8, 2021 by Joe Whip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Whip Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 How does the amp sound with the ESP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huang Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 @GdnrBob, the Mimas is an integrated, but you can pick off the pre section. I have not looked at Manley, and have kinda looked at Ayre and will look at Atmasphere. @Stratocaster, Bruce likes the Mimas integrated operation, but told me he’d check it out as a pre this week. I like the ability to use it as a pre and an integrated. That way I can swap the DNA with my VK -60 in the summer and still have the integrated downstairs. Neither the Aric or Backert labs are sold here so, ask questions and reviews are the only options. @Joe Whip the ESP is silent while awaiting interconnect and speaker wires. Please do ask your friend about the Backert labs. I like the small manufacturers labor of love model after the McCormack and Vandersteen experience. I also love the participation and lack of sphincters in this group. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomicTime Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 i have now setup two Treo CT systems w Mimas integrated.....they pair fantastic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 That Mimas should be well over 10k. I still like the Ayre AX5/20 better, but the Mimas will give you an incredible listening experience. So 'musical.. You can listen to it all day Long and never get tired. For much more money, you can buy more detail and deeper/tighter bass, but not much else. Those who have heard it vs the 15k on up integrated amps know this already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomicTime Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 also a big fan of Ayre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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