Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Diy HiFi Supply Django transferer line stage Passive Components by rtsang

Model:	Django transferer line stage
Category:	Passive Components
Suggested Retail Price:	US$959
Description:	Transformer line stage using S&B TX-102 TVC
Manufacturer URL:	Diy HiFi Supply
Model Picture:	View

Review by rtsang ( A ) on April 16, 2005 at 03:11:19
IP Address: 218.103.149.218

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for the Django transferer line stage

I was never a fan of passive preamplifiers. The ones that I listened to many years ago, although has good resolution, lacks the punch and soundstages of the acitve ones.

Recently I came across a statement from Mr. Arthur Salvatore stating that "No properly designed and optimized system requires an active Linestage." He further said that "Any system that sounds better with the addition of an "Active" Linestage is an unequivocal indication that: A mistake has been made in the choice and "the matching" of the components."

(http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Linestages.html)

I found there is definitely truth and wisdom in his statement.
Then I came across the Django transformer volume control (TVC) from DIYHiFi supply while I shopped for the TT BIX. I found the TVC may be a better implementation of a passive volume control. The notes about the S&B TX102 (presumbly by Mr. Thorsten Losech, correct me if I am wrong) was very helpful and I went to calculate the output and input impedence of my system components. I found that my system should be able to accomadate a TVC.
While I got some spare money and spare time, I ordered a Django TVC with AN silver RCA plugs and silver wires with cotton piping.

The actual building of the TVC took less than 10 hours, I spreaded it over 5 evenings.

Componet matching is vital to the use of passive preamplifiers. Let me first explain my system before going on the sonics of the TVC.

Source : Sonic Frontiers SFD2 Mk.II, Pro-Ject Tube Box phono amp, (output impedance of both unknown but both used a tube as a cathode follower output stage), NAD414 tuner (output impedance not known, a solid state gear)

Power amp : first generation Sonic Frontiers SFS-50 tube PP amp with KT88 tubes in ? UL mode or pentode mode. Input impedance 100k. Sensitivity 1.4V for full output.

Speakers : Harbeth BBC LS3/5A 11 Ohm. 82db/W/1m sensitivity. Sound Dynamics RTS-3 bookshelf speakers, 8 Ohm, 89db/W/1m sensitivity.

Interconnects - Goertz TQ2, XLO signature, Kimber PBJ, self made twist pair silver wires.

Speaker cables - Goertz MI3 (copper)

When I first hooked up the Django and played some music from the CD, I immmediately found the resolution of the system increased dramatically. All the subtleties of the timbre of the instruments were increased. Mr. Thorsten already said there is a 6-8db increase in resolution or downwards dynamics. I total concured with this statement. The improvement was so marked that my family members who were not at all interested in audio immedaitely noticed improvement.

On the other hand, there was vritually no bass and the transient was very slow. Kick drums were like being damped by a cloth. Sound stage was also not very impressive. Yet with single violin or violin sonata with a piano, I forgotten the audio aspect and totally enjoyed the music.

Brian had told me that the transformeres need a long time to run in, so I left the tuner hooked on the Django to run in the Django. But yet the sound of the tuner was transformed immediately I hooked on to the tuner. It's like I've bought a new tuner!

The Django improved everyday. After more than 50 hours of running in, the bass and dynamics started to come. From that time onwards, I could not call passive preamps having wimpy bass, no dynamics. The sound still improves after 100 hours of run in.
After 200 hours, the sound indeed was very good. Excellant sound stage, very detailed yet the Django is very neutral. Changing the output tubes of the DAC or phono amp would show more difference than with an active preamp. Changing the interconnects also showed marked difference.

The Django is very senstive to the interconnects. The Goertz TQ2, a high capacitance wire sounded bad in the upstream (source to the django) while it sounded good when connected between the Django and the power amp. The XLO sounded best in either upstream of the Django or downstream. I think overall, the Django needed a low capacitance IC, esp upstream.

The best improvement in the system after hooking up the Django was the tuner. I think may be the tuner is a SS gear, having a low output impedance, thus matching the system.

The improvement in the DAC was the overall resolution, the neutrality of the sound and the accuracy of the instrument timbre. But I think I might loss a little bit of dynamics and deep bass (as if my speakers has any). But as you see I used only bookshelf speakers, I consider deep bass extension a lesser priority than accuracy of timbre. I am totally happy with the improvement. A good soild state DAC may actaully sounded better with a Django as SS DACs have output impedance down to 10s of Ohms. (The Wadias coming into my mind)

The Pro-Ject tube box actually sounded worse after using the Django. Esp. with a BBC mini-monitor, where I had to turn the volume all the way up to approx -12db with a 6db boost, there was still compression in the dynamics and actually occasionally I think I am hearing distortion. I thgouth that this is due to the high output impedance of the Tube Box. After reading Mr. Thorsten's notes, he recommened that the output cap should be at least 2.2 uf. I had a look inside the Tube Box, no where near this size cap was used in the signal path. This might also restricted the bass and the dyanmics.

So in order to enjoy LPs together with the Django, I have to find a better phono. So I ordered a new RC Cole from Brian, as the new version with CCS has a output impedance of 600 Ohm. I am currently in the process of running in the Cole, already the sound stage and dyanmics were very good, yet no details seems to be sacrificed.

Overall, I think the Django or any preamps with a S&B TX 102 TVC a very good piece of gear. The price of the Django was around USD 1000, but in a well matched system, probably no gear could beat it. Yet extra money might be needed to match the system.
Also, the Django is very sensitive to interconnects. Too bad many companies are not publishing the technical specifications of their wires.

I recommend reading the application notes in the S&B website, matching the specs of your system before diving into the Django or any TVC. But if one take some care, chose the right components, the end results are simply stunning.

The S&B application notes could be found in the following link.
http://www.stevens-billington.co.uk/page102.htm

Now enjoy the music and forget the gear.

Raymond.

Product Weakness: Need careful matching of source and power amplifier
Product Strengths: To quote Mr. Thorsten, "INSULTING NEUTRAL", very high resolution

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Sonic Frontiers SFS-50
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Diy HiFI Supply Django
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sonic Frontiers SFT1 transport to Sonic Frontiers SFD-2 DAC, DIY HiFi Supply Bix TT, Bluenote Borghese tonearm+Denon D103R, Pro-Ject Tube Box
Speakers:	Harbeth LS3/5A, Sound Dynamics RTS-3
Cables/Interconnects:	Goertz TQ2, XLO signature, Kimber PBJ, DIY silver cables, Goertz MI3 speaker cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, Jazz, pop but no hip hop.
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 ft. x 24 ft. x 11 ft.
Room Comments/Treatments:	Speaker places only on half of the width of the room.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	24 inches Foundation stands
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Need careful matching of source and power amplifier
Product Strengths:	To quote Mr. Thorsten, "INSULTING NEUTRAL", very high resolution