SAS Audio Labs Reference 11a Preamp Tour

[Woodsyi]

Thanks to Rich and Steve working so quickly, I now have 11A in my system playing and both channels are working clearly.  I am playing around with the tone control a little to adjust to my room and equipment.  There is some difference from Modwright SWLP.  I will report back after a few days.

[steve]

Hi Woodsyi,

     Ah, the vacuum tube rectified pre, or SS? Does it have SS regulation or tube regulation? The Mod I tried was the 9.0SE, SS rect and SS regulation and stock power cord. Should be an interesting comparison.

[Woodsyi]

Hi Woodsyi,

     Ah, the vacuum tube rectified pre, or SS? Does it have SS regulation or tube regulation? The Mod I tried was the 9.0SE, SS rect and SS regulation and stock power cord. Should be an interesting comparison.

Steve,
It's a full monty SWLP 9.0 SE with tube rectified PS, Black Gates on PS, Silver Bybees on the output and proprietary teflon coupling cap upgrade.  I use the Black Sand Ref silver mk 5 on the PS.  BTW, what tubes are in your preamp?

[richidoo]

JJ 6922 - E88CC     ( I had a peek inside... )

[steve]

 Many, esp newbies, may not know it, but JJ has produced a super low distortion lineup of tubes. To my knowledge, only the E99cc tube matches or beats it in terms of lower harmonic distortion (HD). Turns out it was just the right tube I needed for my pre. Otherwise, I may have had a hard time designing around another tube for my application.

[richidoo]

I agree about JJ. I needed a 12AT7 and did a lot of research. Claims of its superiority to other new and even vintage AT7s sounded to good to be true, but new, matched, balanced triodes pair with gold pins was not too big a risk. I have not compared them to vintage AT7 tubes but they are clearly superior to Electro Harmonix version.

[steve]

I agree about JJ. I needed a 12AT7 and did a lot of research. Claims of its superiority to other new and even vintage AT7s sounded to good to be true, but new, matched, balanced triodes pair with gold pins was not too big a risk. I have not compared them to vintage AT7 tubes but they are clearly superior to Electro Harmonix version.

Hi Rich,

     I agree Rich, the JJ 12at7 (E81cc) is quite low as well. Much lower than vintage 12at7s as far as HD is concerned. For newbies, when reading -db comparison figures of tubes at websites/forums, the information is very un-reliable at best.

For instance Amperex Bugleboy E88ccs, with D getters (I have actually measured at 2 output vrms), when used in my preamp have only .1% harmonic distortion. If one inspects other manufacturer's websites, one will usually find the same low distortion figures. That is -60db down from the fundamental, and predominately 2nd order. 3rd order is much lower.

[Bunky]

Hey Guys,Yesterday i attended Woodsyi's BBQ/Preamp comparison.I met some old friends and found some new ones as well.We first listened to the Boulder modified Bent tap passive controller with a Burrson buffer installed in it that gave it 9db of gain. The SAS 11A line amplifier was the second one that we listened to. Third in line was Woodsyi's tube rectified full monty Modwright tube preamplifier. we picked four songs and matched the volume of each preamplifier with a ratshack db meter.None of the preamplifiers that we listened to were lacking in the sense that they sounded in any way objectionable.I also brought my Candela tube preamp and we listened to it right after dinner and everyone in attendance seemed to really like it as well, it was all good!thanks....WCW III

[Carlman]

Thanks, Bunky!

FYI, There are a few more comments over on AC... Check it out here.

[Woodsyi]

Sorry for being late with feedback here.  I am busy with the details of sending my daughter to Kindergarten for the first time yesterday.  Already, we have had to speak to the principle for letting our daughter get off a school bus that she wasn't suppose to be on in the first place.  She told a parent of another student that she can walk home by herself at which point the parent (happens to be a friend of the family) put her back on the bus to go back to school.  She immediately contacted us and we got things straightened out -- she was suppose to go to SACC and be picked up by her mother.  By the time we talked to the principle this morning, they had already figured out what happened and put appropriate procedures in place to make sure it wouldn't happen again.  There was also a healthy display of remorse from the officials to let me think that it won't happen again. 

Most of the comments have been made in the AC thread linked by Carl, but I wanted to put something here too.  SAS 11A is a very good preamp but I have not yet figured out the right setting for my room.  I like the adjustable features and I am still tweaking with it.  I am biased toward tube bloom and find the 11A presentation slightly lean, but I am in the process of trying out different pot settings to see if I like the changes.  I usually find NOS tubes to be beneficial on other preamps and wonder if a pair of Amperex pinched waist or 50s vintage Siemens might not add more texture than JJ's.  I am getting more oomph in the bass after changing to Black Sand Ref silver 5.  I will make my final comments after trying a few more things.  Thanks for letting me audition the preamp.

P.S.  Chris, can you PM me with your shipping address?

[steve]

Thanks for your posts and comments Woodsyi. Much appreciate your time and efforts.

Alot of things can vary the sound, and as you mention, the trick is to find what matches in your system.

Thanks again Woodsyi.

[lonewolfny42]

PM sent.....thanks Rim...

           ................Chris

[steve]

I was wondering the status of the 11A Woodsyi? I think Lonewolf needs it by 9/10.

Thanks.

[lonewolfny42]

I was wondering the status of the 11A Woodsyi? I think Lonewolf needs it by 9/10.

Thanks.

Steve....

Bad news.....the dog ate it....







Just kidding......
Today is UPS delivery day...
So I'm here waiting. When it arrives I'll post and let you know....thanks !!



Chris

[steve]

Just wanted to be sure you received it in time for the rave, Chris.

Take care and thanks to Woodsyi.