Name: Various
Brand: A

Single Ended

We go to the Single Ended amplifiers. Single ended means that one – or more – tube amplifies the entire sine wave. So no crossover point. So no distortion at that point. In short: mostly very clean and pure. But: considerably less power. So these are amplifiers that really have to match the speaker, otherwise it just doesn’t work… at all. We see various types of tubes: B300, EL-34 and EL-84.

Unison Research S6

Analog Audio provided us with the Unison Research S6. The cheapest amplifier in the test: 4000 euros. But what this amplifier shows is that if those few watts are good, the whole thing is just right. It is audible that there is less control in the bass; it verses a little more than the push/pull models that just offer more power. And that makes sense. But yes … that middle and high is magical: very open and pure.

If we compare with other candidates, we hear that the imaging is slightly less loose than that of the Prima Luna and Trafomatic. Not surprising, considering the price. However, the vocal area is very clean and open. Just beautiful. In short: in terms of price, this is a very strong device that makes high quality tube fun somewhat affordable.

Trafomatic E2mk2

Music2 has delivered a Trafomatic E2mk2 with the Blumenhofers. Trafomatic is not from Italy what we thought… it’s from the Serbia. Two B300 tubes provide amplification. And there’s a rectifier tube in the middle. Same looks, but different inside.

We do understand that Music2 matches this amplifier on the Blumenhofers. It is incredibly spacious and fast. The details fly around our ears with Trentemoller. And the live feeling in the live recording is very good. With Jacques Loussier we hear that we push the boundaries. In the big room, there’s a big tendency to open the volume quite a bit. However: the flow and the naturalness is striking. In comparison with the push-pull models the bass kick lacked some control on the volume we played on. That’s not crazy with 2 x 8 watts.

Overall, we really like the signature of this Trafomatic E2mk2 (7500 euros). It’s open, fast and natural. And it fits perfectly with the Blumenhofers. It is a kind of an even more refined version of the Ayon Audio Spirit V and PrimaLuna 400. The trade-off is that there is less power… Choices, choices…

AudioNote OTO Phono SE Signature

Importer X-Fi has sent us the AudioNote OTO Phono SE Signature. AudioNote is of course an icon in the hi-fi world. This – relatively speaking – entrant of the originally Japanese brand has 2 x 10 watts, a phono pre-amp and of course line inputs. We did not find a remote control in the box.

It took a while to find where the AudioNote falls into place. It is such a different sound, that we had to get used to it. But in the end we agreed that classical and jazz are the genres in which this AudioNote feels good. No big live or electronic work. We lack some involvement and experience. But vocal work and piano:… that’s certainly going well. It could also be that the AudioNote simply matches better on own brand speakers. These Blumenhofers are horn models. And in the memory of your editor, AudioNote has also had horn models, but also dynamic models. It could just be that that works better. Other cables idem: MIT can give crazy results in some set-ups.

Still: at the bottom of the line we hear nice features in the AudioNote: speed, detail, neutrality… and at an interesting price. Strangely enough, this is certainly not the most expensive in the test! 5750 euros including a nice phono pre-amp.

The Live Stream test – six tube amplifiers – Live Music

0:00 – 8:09 – Intro
8:10 – 17:46 – Out of Skin plays some nice tracks
17:47 – 27:11 – Explaining the test
27:12 – 31:40 – Recording of the live track
31:41 – 39:47 – Introducing amps and first candidate: Ayon Spirit V
39:48 – 55:44 – Test Ayon Spirit V
55:45 – 1:02:27 – Talking and install KR Audio V950
1:02:38 – 1:17:00 – Playing music on the KR Audio V950
1:17:01 – 1:24:00 – Discussing the KR Audio, installing the Prima Luna 400-series
1:24:01 – 1:37:46 – Playing music on the Prima Luna 400
1:37:47 – 1:39:00 – Discussing the Prima Luna
1:39:01 – 1:41:45 – Out of Skin
1:41:46 – 1:49:15 – Break – swapping amps – Single Ended
1:49:16 – 2:03:29 – Playing with the Unison Research S6
2:03:30 – 2:09:46 – Swapping the Trafomatic E2mk2
2:09:47 – 2:23:17 – Playing music with the Trafomatic E2mk2
2:23:18 – 2:28:03 – Swapping for the AudioNote OTO Phono SE Signature
2:28:04 – 2:42:14 – Playing Music with the AudioNote OTO Phono SE Signature
2:42:15 – 2:45:30 – Discussing the AudioNote – Prepping for Out Of Skin
2:45:31 – 2:56:59 – Out Of Skin
2:57:00 – 3:03:02 – Conclusions and ending

Conclusion

What an interesting and fun test this was! Six beautiful amplifiers: each with its own strenghts. And also: each with a trade-off. Flexibility, detail, air, power, control, ... All points we paid attention to. The Ayon puts down an enormous stage and experience. But how do you like that after a few hours of listening? The KR Audio has a lot of control over the speaker, but we lack some air compared to the Ayon. The PrimaLuna combines control with openness, but needs more cables... and those can be costly. The Unison Research has a magical mid-area... However, it can lack controll in the bass. The Trafomatic is a sophisticated Ayon. But with 8 watts, you have to be careful which loudspeaker you combine. The AudioNote puts down a piano like a piano. And knows how to present vocals in a lifelike manner. But again: combinations are sensitive. This is often the case with audio. Matching is important. But if it fits... enjoy!