SET Asylum: REVIEW: Sun Audio 2A3 Amplifier (Tube) by shufumei

Model:	2A3
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$1,450.00
Description:	2A3 SET AMP
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by shufumei on August 18, 2001 at 12:22:10
IP Address: 66.91.39.236

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for the 2A3

I order the Sun Audio 2A3 because I like to try SET tube amp for late night listening and I don't want to wake my family up. I check around and because Stereophile Sam's strong recommandation. This amp also list in Stereophile's Class A tube amp.
The order process is easy and the amp arrived three days later. I start reading the instruction, it is okay but has a lot room to improve. The amp came with all transformer and tube base installed. Parts are labled clearly. I spend about a few hours carefully review the instruction and check all parts are in the package. Then it take about 8 hours carefully put the amp together, then I spend another 2 hours just checking all wires and parts are in the right place. I plug it in, turn it on, adjust the amp according to the instruction, I hook it up with CD player, speaker and leave it in the garage to burn in for five days. Then I move it to my listening room.
It is a magic, Sam from Stereophile is correct. The sound is detail, extreme resolution, stage is much wider than the speaker, and deep. The high is sweet and extened but not roll off at all, the mid is the dream, it sound so good on female vocal. The bass is consider good, it all depend on the speaker selection, it is defined, solid, well controled within the limit, but no competition to any high power ss or tube amp. It is a super amp for late night listening.
I use my main CD player Wadia 16i directly connected to Sun Audio 2A3, the speaker is Triangle Titus XS, also recommanded by Sam of stereophile. If you listen at smaller volume, this is a dream system!
The amp develope a noise in one speaker, after switch around inter connect wire and tubes, I find out it is the Sovtek 6SN7 become noisy. I call the dealer, they replace a pair within a few days. Then the amp worked okay. Lately, I change to all NOS tube, The two 6SN7 is Philip, The rectifire tube 5U4G is GE, the 2A3 I change to RCA. It sound even better. Yes, the tubes do make difference and the NOS sound great!
P.S. The Sovtek 6SN7 are very diffecult to push into the tube base due to poor spec, It is very easy to install the GE NOS tube into the tube base. So I am highly recommanding all owner chang the tubes to NOS tubes!
P.S. The Triangle Titus also is a steal, it is wonderful at 495.00 a pair. It is open, detail, high resolution and much better than a lot monitor cost over USD 3,000.00 on the market!
M Chang

Product Weakness: I hope it has a little more power
Product Strengths: Resolution, staging, musical

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Sun audio 2A3
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Wadia 16i
Speakers:	Triangle Titus XS
Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	vocal, jezz, pop,
Room Size (LxWxH):	18' x 16' x 9'-8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	none
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	none
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	I hope it has a little more power
Product Strengths:	Resolution, staging, musical