I have my DS grounded to a 10 gang terminal bar, the shares 2-TT, phono pre-amp & my Pioneer sx-1280. Then connected to the ground @ the outlet. Works perfect!
Don Sachs Owners Thread
A place to discuss amps, preamps, and phono stages from Don Sachs.
I just purchased a like new D2 linestage. It has 2 gain controls, 64 step volume control, and digital volume readout. It is set up for the new rectifier. This is my first 6sn7 based linestage. It came with Ken-Rad Vt 231and gray RCA tubes. There are 3 rectifier tubes. A huge Philco 6BY5G, a Tung-Sol 6BY5G, and a Bendix 5852. There is also an Ice Age Audio power cord. With 2 different sounding outputs there are a lot of options. I need to find out what value the output caps are. I have the D2 connected at the moment to a VTL ST150. Input impedance is 125K and 2v in for maximum gain.
I placed the RCA tubes in left front and rear and Ken-Rad in the right. Used Philco rectifier. Plugged VTL amp into output 1. The brightest sounding preamp I've ever heard. It was comical, bass drums sounded more like cymbals. Output 2 sounds like normal music. This surprises me. With 125K input, I thought there would be no problem getting bass response.
Some questions.
1. Are the 6Sn7's in the right locations? I guessed by looking at the sellers photograph.
2. Is the Ice Age Audio the AC cord the brand Don offers as an option?
3. I'll audition all 3 but which rectifier would be considered tops?
The linestage sounds amazing.
Thanks,
aldnorab
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@danmar123 interesting. If you unhook the ground at the D. Sachs does the noise level or sound quality change? I'm only running a ground wire from the turntable to phono stage.
What is the lowest input impedance anyone has happily used the DS Model 2 with? My lowest is 47K. Considered adding a class D amp for summer use. The highest input impedance I've found on an affordable one is 25K. One was 5K! Tubes don't like low input impedance. Don't want rolled off bass. Thanks, aldnorab |
Keep in mind the ground tab on the preamp is the same as the ground on your IEC inlet and all the outer shells of every audio connector on the unit. Essentially they are all chassis ground and the electrical ground. So be careful to not create a ground loop from the IEC inlet back out to some other ground point on the electrical grid of your house. I have my ground tab to a dead-ended EMI absorber (DIY) which is basically a galvanic (opposite a battery) cell. I have photos in another thread here somewhere. I don't really hear any benefit. My money was better spent on the purple fuse and the 2 ADD-Power Wizards. |
Forgot to mention; running a 5852 tube is okay IF you have the proper resistor in place. My PCB has the old 1 ohm resistor and that is too high for the higher current 5852. You need a .1 to .22 ohm, 1 or 2 watt to be able to run both 6X5 and 5852 tubes. I may have damaged my 1 ohm with the 5852 so I am replacing it this week. That resistor protects the transformer and rectifier per Don. |
- 138 posts total