SET Asylum: REVIEW: DIY Supanova DC 45 amp DC45 Amplifier (Tube) by smart845

Model:	DC45
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$15000
Description:	DC 45 SET amp
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by smart845 on January 17, 2014 at 13:51:23
IP Address: 82.47.215.155 Add Your Review
for the DC45

My amps are monoblocks, both on double Hammond chassis to accommodate the size of caps used and the size of iron in the power supply. A big Hammond power transformer with low DCR and plenty of power reserve transformed by butchering the lead ins and outs using paralleled Neotech Upocc . A cLCLCcccccc power supply which is clearly audible in its extremely quiet and dynamic or should I say DYNAMIC! Presentation drives the half 12ax7 at low operating points ( I still don't understand the full reason but please research AA) and the EML 45 output tube at conservative op. Points to both extend life and to give a more natural sound, did I say NATURAL? Yes, natural, naturally dynamic and focused as in REAL life and not a hyper dynamic! aggressive sound. Please understand the difference. Think fireworks and not mega car stereo.

Both tubes are cathode biased and use lower values than tradition dictates. I was never one for tradition and was once described as an enigma. I like doing things differently and appreciate others wayward thinking. The norm is so boring. The cap bundles contain my choices of caps, not in value but manufacturer. I'm a big fan of Vcap TfTf and more so CuTf caps having used them extensively in the past. Just so big a sound, meat on the bone and naturally extended. Forgot to say the main caps in both power supply and bypass are Clarity cap which I hear as having terrific speed and yes, clarity.

Output transformer is Jack Elliano's wonderful PSSS 5K 8ohm output at 80ma and coupled with the 16ohm speakers presents a higher load to the 45. I understand this gives less distortion at a very small reduction in power output.

Tube choice. Always lived the EML 45 solid plates above all else as they are dynamic, very low levels of hum when driven by AC from separate Hammond filament transformer. Use the centre tap, no pot and or artificial centre tap required. Driver tube of choice so far is the Golden Lion 12ax7 with high mu of 100, trying a new pair of Psvane 12ax7 at the moment but only a few hours on them. Maybe they will be better, maybe not.

All wiring internally paralleled plus Neotech rectangular silver used paralleled in specific areas alongside copper. Lots of other tweaks used like soft mounting tube sockets and transformer plus various external 'tweaks' from Alan Maher, another maverick thinker on power. Awaiting some node busters to apply internally before and after the transformers to reduce harmonic ringing and improve PFC.

How it differs from the Starchiefs which I believed were first class amps after extensive upgrading with Vcaps and already having Silver output transformers and having used them for almost 10years is staggering.
Dynamics, no, DYNAMICS like I've never heard before, even with a solid state amp on the Avantgarde duo Omegas. Plucked guitar from the likes of Shawn Colvin, Live, a wonderfully recorded album that reminds me of seeing her live at The Union Chapel, Islington to vocal bliss from Sarah Vaughan, You are too beautiful from Crazy and Mixed up are just realistic as can be. I can play along, in parts, with my own guitar at live levels and the difference in impact, decay, and body of the sound is minimal. Sarah's voice just soars, does not break up and goes way loud, louder than I could ever play with no distortion at all, just pure clean blissful vocal gymnastics.
I enjoy classical as a musical diversion from my normal fare of more modern music and the Starchiefs equipped themselves well but at power levels became a little thick, congested but still having sounstage with a good representation of the hall. The new amp, which I might call my Supanova amp just threw me a side swipe in presenting the orchestra in massive reverberant hall with detail that is of the performance but equally resides in its own ambience. Supanova as in it all just exploded into a huge sound field.
This presentation of detail also apparent in rock recordings. Ryan Adams music is simple but staggering in its wordplay, a latter day Dylan? Only problem I have is he makes it look too easy and therefore perhaps lacks some gravitas but he is a star in my book. The detail of his guitar playing, including the odd bum note, is revealed in all it's glory. Background detail, whether drums, cymbals background vocals are incredibly well defined and present. Lucinda Williams is another artist with well recorded albums often recorded in simple takes and again reveal huge amounts of ambient detail.
I'm a big fan of new music, averaging 5 releases a month , whether in new formats such as 24/96/192 or DSD or CD or album often buying both or all. I know that's sad but it's the collector/completist in me, anally retentive some say.
Currently loving James Blake and James Vincent McMorrow to name two. Supanova gives me bass from James Blake, Overgrown that I never heard from the Starchiefs. Low, low low and then some more but all well defined, not running into each other, distinct and physical in impact. Shake the room, shake the house, shake the street. Neighbours are not happy. There is such an extension to the amps that is not possibly feasible with the low cap values chosen for cathode bypass. Some would say the predicted roll off is too high but Supanova goes so low you have to hear it. A friend with Nycore based amps just can not believe the power and authority my amps provide. I'm trying to get him to build a similar amp but he's building some horn speakers first.

So, just to recap, there is no comparison to any other amp I've ever heard. I've heard Lamm, Tron, Audion, audionote plus many more and these amps give me, in my system to my ears what I want and that is live music, in my room, in my home.

Would I build another differently? yes, I'd use more silver and do more modification of transformers and maybe get it into a smaller chassis with shorter wiring paths to star ground.

I hope this gives a taster of what to expect if you decide to build a dc amp following unconventional methods or choices. I hope to post more, better resolution photos on my system page after the weekend.

Product Weakness:	Expensive to do right and riles the measurement fraternity
Product Strengths:	Dynamics, detail and density

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: DC 45 SET
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): In LaFontaine
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Audio Aero La Fontaine
Speakers: Avantgarde a Duo Omega
Cables/Interconnects: Sablon Audio
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Everything
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Alan Maher products
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	DC 45 SET
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	In LaFontaine
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Audio Aero La Fontaine
Speakers:	Avantgarde a Duo Omega
Cables/Interconnects:	Sablon Audio
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Everything
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Alan Maher products
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner