Yaqin MS-30L

xsmi

Initial Thoughts: (I've only listened for an hour)

Associated Equipment:

Yamaha RX-V2090
Sony 601ES CD Changer
Pioneer BDP-150 Blu-Ray Player
Polk Audio SDA-SRS 2 (B/B Rings)

So after letting the the amp sit for 1:20, I checked the bias again and ALL of the tubes tested at .394V. So I decided, this is close enough, I NEED to hear this thing. She did NOT disappoint! I listened to Each CD first on the Sony, then on the Pioneer as I am evaluating the Pioneer as a CD Player. It also plays SACD, something I'd like to get into later on.

First up was Diana Krall Love Scenes CD. I listened to the first two tracks All or Nothing at ALL and Peel Me a Grape (GREAT CD BTW). The first thing I noticed, Diana's voice is warmer even with the sl-2000's. However, her voice wasn't veiled which is VERY important to understand. The information in the recording IS getting through. The other thing is the bass is articulate and fast. The guitar and the piano have a roundness that wasn't there before. This was all on the Sony.

When I played the same CD in the Pioneer, I noticed more "air" around Diana's voice and the instruments. The recording had more ambience and it made her seem more "real". Not a LIVE performance but the music had more of a presence than it's ever had before.

The differences between the two players was MUCH more night/day on the Yaqin than the Yami. When I listened to the two players on the Yamaha, I was seriously considering taking the Pioneer back immediately because there just wasn't enough of a difference to justify keeping it. This tells me the the Yaqin is more revealing than the Yamaha, a fact I soon heard in spades.

The next recording I put on was the CSO recording of Mahler's Symphony no. 2. I have LOVED this recording since hearing it as a freshman music major in college. So much so, I wrote my Master's thesis on the Art Song that serves as the basis for the 3rd mvt. Anyway, this recording is ALMOST UNLISTENABLE on the Pioneer-Yaqin-SRS 2 (sl2000) set-up. The violins made me want to jump out of my chair! I had hoped the tubes would tame the sl-2000's. Not the case. The old saying, ****-in;**** out applies. This means I have to find a new recording of Mahler's Symphonies.

In closing, I know it's only been an hour and things are going to change. But I'm a VERY happy camper and if you get a chance, listen to one of these things. You can't go wrong.

tonyb

So I guess in short, you can't wipe that frickin' grin off your face ?

Congrats man, should get even better as everything settles in.

xsmi

To say that I'm happy is an understatement. :cheesygrin:

tonyb

Ya know what pal, maybe when you get some more listening in and have time to collect some thoughts, describe the difference in sound with tubes in your system for some others who may be sitting on the fence. People always ask what the biggie is about tubes, kinda hard to put into words....for me anyway.

dhart86

Nice amp....yaqin is a good way to get into tubes. Suggest you get rid of the stock tubes!

michaeljhsda2

Cool. Glad to hear the amp is sounding good! Welcome to the world of tubes. SDA's and tubes are a great combo. I think you mentioned eventually changing out the SL2000's with the RD0's? IMHO once you do that, it will dramatically improve the sound of your SRS's. No more ear fatigue, etc. Congrats

xsmi

Yes. Replacing the sl2000's is going to happen. I've only run into one recording so far where it's been a REAL problem. It happens to be a favorite recording but I don't mind researching another of the piece. There have been numerous Mahler recordings over the years. The trick is going to be finding one where I like the conductors interpretation of the music and the the sonics are right. Thanks man for all of your help. I'm listening to some Chuck Mangione on vinyl as I type this.

michaeljhsda2

You're welcome. Enjoy!

And now on to another important matter...I wish the Cardinals would score some more runs off of Arroyo. We never seem to beat that guy. Go Cards!!!

Mikey081057

There seems to be a growing contingent of Polkie Yaqin lovers.

Enjoy

polkfarmboy

Yaqin was my first tube love affair

doctor r

You never forget your first

heiney9

xsmi wrote: »

Yes. Replacing the sl2000's is going to happen. I've only run into one recording so far where it's been a REAL problem.

You don't realize how many more recordings were "problematic" until to start using the RD0194-1 tweeters. They are superb compared to the SL2000. Change them as soon as you can.

H9

xsmi

H9 Will the tweeters make a difference w/o the crossover upgrade?

michaeljhsda2

Most definitely.

factorz

Upgrading the tweeters is worht it. Small investment for what they do to improve the overall sound.

xsmi

So I should do the tweets BEFORE new tubes? I just now getting acquainted with the tube sound. Cheap vinyl with this thing sounds SSOOO GOOD BTW!

michaeljhsda2

Yes, change out the tweeters first. After selling the SL2000's the cost would only be about 100 bucks give or take. One of the best upgrades you can make without a doubt.

xsmi

Just a quick update! Things are REALLy starting to improve. I'm at around 20hrs. I honestly thought there would be setbacks as the sound has improved. However it seems to be a steady upward motion (If I had to graph it). I'm at around 20hrs and the the thing I've noticed is the differences between the Sony CD Player and Pioneer CD have become negligible, enough that I think I'm going to take the Pioneer back and hunt for an SACD player that is ALSO a much better CD player than the one I have (Suggestions?).

Man, vinyls is where it's at (The rabbit hole gets deeper & deeper, because now I'd like to get a better TT). Coletrane's tenor sax is freaking huge with just enough edge to cut, however just a BIG full sound.

Someone asked if I could describe the tube sound to them. My word for it would be organic, the music seems more alive, more there. There is a warmth that wasn't there before but I also attribute a bit of that to the Yamaha sound. However, there is just so much more ambience and more of a 3-D effect to the music. The SDA affect is helping with some of this as well as there are still sounds coming from the sides and behind me at times. Honestly, this is the most ACTIVE listening I've done since the early 90's. It feels good to be back.

I'm sorry this is rambling, but I just wanted to give a few of my thoughts.

michaeljhsda2

Cool. I was looking forward to an update. The glow of the tubes is added bonus too isn't it?

xsmi

That warm glow is gorgeous!

xsmi

Finally got the chance to hook up the Klipsch KG4's to the Yaqin. When they say Klipsch and tubes are a marriage made in heaven, man they weren't kidding. If you have a tubed integrated and some Klipsch laying around, (I know, what are the odds right?) do yourself a favor and get them together. Even if the Klipsch sound is NOT your cup of tea, DO IT! I'm hearing things in the recordings I didn't hear with the SDA's. I think right now the horns on the klipsch are giving a more refined upper region presentation than the sl-2000's on the SDA's and that's making the recordings "pop" a little more the big boys. It may be that the amp is having to work a little less with these than the Polks as well. I also think I may have issues with the right channel of my polks still. The recordings seem to be shifted decidedly to the left on the SDA's but they're fairly centered on the Klipsch. I've got to investigate that further.

rromeo923

I vote for RDO's over SL2000!!!
I also vote for Yaqin!!!!

I had a pair of KG4's hooked up to my Yaqin and there was definitely moments of bliss. Eventually sold the KG4's because my KLH 6's kept on beating them. Hard to explain but the KLH 6's and the Yaqin at times are a match made in heaven! Like Honey in the air.

One thing I have a MC-10L. If you havent already roll the driver tubes. I found that this made a profound difference in sound quality. I rolled my EL-34's too but didnt make that much of a difference imo.

stretchl

RRomeo, what tubes do you have in the MC-10L?

Thanks.

rromeo923

That is the key.

Amperex Bugle Boys 1959 D getter 6DJ8/ECC88 (Awesome to say the least)

Winged C Svetlana EL34s

pumpkinman

I have an Onix SP-3. I guess I'll hook it to my new to me 3.1 TL's
and see how it sounds.

michaeljhsda2

Looking forward to your opinion how the 3.1's sound on the Onix compared to the Mac.

xsmi

Me too.

pumpkinman

OK I know this is not the best setup but..............
More to come after some tune time.

One thing I did do is use these HVAC isolation blocks under the speakers which helped tame the bass.

Hey guys they work and are sooooooo reasonable buy a whole box

http://www.pexsupply.com/DiversiTech-MP-2C-Rubber-Cork-Anti-Vibration-Pad-2-x-2-x-7-8

heiney9

Worst possible set up for SDA's, not even close. SDA's need lots of breathing room on either side and quite a bit of distance between them otherwise it's just a waste.

H9

headrott

pumpkinman wrote: »

One thing I did do is use these HVAC isolation blocks under the speakers which helped tame the bass.

Hey guys they work and are sooooooo reasonable buy a whole box

http://www.pexsupply.com/DiversiTech-MP-2C-Rubber-Cork-Anti-Vibration-Pad-2-x-2-x-7-8

Perhaps you missed the for sale thread in the FM of John's Magic carpet squares? They are going to blow away these cork pads for sure!! :razz:

EndersShadow

headrott wrote: »

Perhaps you missed the for sale thread in the FM of John's Magic carpet squares? They are going to blow away these cork pads for sure!! :razz:

I use those cork pads and they work pretty well.