ASL AQ-1003 DT tube amp Arrived!!

GATOR3000

Well, I have not been active on this forum for a while now and for a good reason. The culprit is my new Antique Sound Lab AQ-1003 DT integrated tube amplifier, which arrived about two weeks ago. Here is the web link for pics and specs of the amp.
http://www.divertech.com/asl1003dt.html

Back in September, I got a new pair of LSi15’s for 2-channel stereo gear. I paired them with Parasound HCA 1500A amp (315wpc into 4ohms). Compared to Rti8’s it was an awesome sound to my ears. The vifa tweeters were subtle, laid back, not as bright/harsh and forward as the Rti8’s (IMO).

For almost a month playing variety of music with Lsi15’s and Parasound amp, and with very satisfying results, I hooked up the Lsi15’s with my new ASL AQ-1003 DT tube amp. After all, this is why I got the AQ-1003 DT amp.

The 30 class ‘A’ Watts per channel amp had no problem driving power hungry 4ohm and 88db efficient Lsi15’s speakers. Amazingly, AQ-1003 DT amp handled this task with ease.

The amp compliments (4) Valve Art EL-34’s power and (4) JJ ECC82’s preamp tubes. This amp is very warm especially in vocal tones. Dynamic presence is astonishing! It has subwoofer out connections. The bass is clean, tight, and very natural, even at low volumes. I auditioned the amp with and without the sub and found 15’s to have plenty of bass, so no need for sub.

After few days of auditioning with variety of music, I rolled the Valve Art EL-34’s with 6CA7-EH “big bottle” power tubes. I waited until the next day to audition again, just to give myself ample time to hear the difference between Valve Art EL-34’s and the 6CA7-EH tubes. “WOW……..WOW……..WOW”!!!

The 6CA7-EH tubes improved sound quality dramatically. The highs were pronounced, smooth and extended, but not harsh. The presence of midrange is very vibrant, uncolored and at the same time not overwhelming. The bass is deep and much tighter than with using Valve Art EL-34’s. In addition, the soundstage is well harmonized and revealed true 3D depth of all musical instruments. There is abundance of headroom, excellent sound imaging, sweet and silky flow of music through the entire sound spectrum.

In conclusion, the AQ-1003 DT is a well-built modern version of a classic tube amplifier. The amp is rugged and powerful, yet sweet and delicate. It comes with convenient built-in-bias meter, tube cage and remote control. I’m very happy with my ASL AQ-1003 DT tube amp and would highly recommend one for anyone thinking of venturing into the musical World of tube magic!

In the next few days, I will audition AQ-1003 DT tube amp with my Rti8’s speakers and share my findings with you.

Cheers

Gator

ND13

Roll some NOS pre tubes in that sucker...you'll be most pleased with the result.

Grats!!! I almost purchased one of those last year.

GATOR3000

ND13 wrote:

Roll some NOS pre tubes in that sucker...you'll be most pleased with the result.

Grats!!! I almost purchased one of those last year.

Any suggestions on which tubes? I'm new to tubes.

Thanks

ND13

these will work nicely
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accstube&1165550229

Here's a whole page to check out
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/srch_fs.pl

GATOR3000

ND13 wrote:

these will work nicely
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accstube&1165550229

Here's a whole page to check out
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/srch_fs.pl

Thanks. I will check it out.

BlueMDPicker

Absolutely gorgeous, and a classic circuit/tube compliment!

Enjoy the music.

GATOR3000

If anyone is interested I posted some pics...........Show me your a-s-s

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=534005&postcount=259

Gator

RuSsMaN

Don't worry about tubes right now, just sit back and enjoy.

GATOR3000

RuSsMaN wrote:

Don't worry about tubes right now, just sit back and enjoy.

RuSsMaN you hit it right on the nail bro. How true! I sit back every night and enjoy the amp. Music is incredible compared to SS amps.

Thanks

organ

Congrats man.
Don't worry, I didn't forget you. We were doing some renovations and my parents threw all the crap from upstairs into the basement. Just gotta do a major clean up and we're gonna chill with some tubes.
The JJ U7 are excellent tubes. They'd be my #1 tubes along with Ei if NOS weren't available anymore.
I can hook you up with a quad of EH 12AU7 when you come over.
Best place for you to get tubes would be thetubestore.com They're in Hamilton, $10 express shipping, arrives in less than 48hrs.

I agree with you about the EH fat bottles. When I had my LSi9 hooked up to my Dynaco, the fat bottles had much better control of the drivers. If you want something that sounds more powerful and better, the JJ KT77 is hot!

GATOR3000

organ wrote:

Congrats man.
Don't worry, I didn't forget you. We were doing some renovations and my parents threw all the crap from upstairs into the basement. Just gotta do a major clean up and we're gonna chill with some tubes.
The JJ U7 are excellent tubes. They'd be my #1 tubes along with Ei if NOS weren't available anymore.
I can hook you up with a quad of EH 12AU7 when you come over.
Best place for you to get tubes would be thetubestore.com They're in Hamilton, $10 express shipping, arrives in less than 48hrs.

I agree with you about the EH fat bottles. When I had my LSi9 hooked up to my Dynaco, the fat bottles had much better control of the drivers. If you want something that sounds more powerful and better, the JJ KT77 is hot!

Hey bro,

I know you didn’t forget about me. I figured out you are busy. Thanks for the tube info and suggestions. It would be great to try out your EH 12AU7 tubes. Would like to hear how they sound with my EH big bottles. Also, I’d like to try out some JJ KT77’s, not that I need more power. This friken amp rocks my house.

Last night I hooked up my Rti8’s with the new amp and the sound is incredible. I think I like the Rti8’s better that the Lsi15’s with this amp. Never new the 8’s would have so much clear bass with tubes!!! Next going to try Rti6’s and hookup the sub too. I’d like to hear your Klipsch speakers with tubes.

Anyway, after you get organized give me a ding. Will chill out with tubes for sure. I might bring my amp over. Talk to you soon.

Cheers

Gator