Sonic,
Since watching your reviews and observations of all audio products and especially your recent post regarding mid bass and lower bass especially for cello, I decided to add my comments on a new amp in my collection. Over the years, many tubed amps have come and gone as my search for smaller in weight, size and cost amps have taken their places. The 2 watt Yamamoto 45 tubed clone amp has been my favorite the past year constructed from vintage iron and parts, it bested everything in my collection over the years. It’s only flaw was lack of power for my 94.5 speakers, but improved when returning to my 8’ Radian coaxial large bookshelf speakers listed as between 96 and 97 db efficient. A few months ago, the builder of my Yamamoto clone asked me if I might be interested in a 421A Fi clone. The now deceased Don Garber introduced the 421A amp to the commercial market around 2005 and was praised by Stereophile’s, Art Dudley, but 6Moons, Srajen Ebaen, really hit the nail on the head comparing the Yamamoto, the Fi 421A, Canary 300B and a Class D amp in his October, 2005 review. 6moons.com/audioreviews/fi6/421A.html.
All of these amps were considered high end/high price as Michael would say. Certainly, the originals did not interest me from a cost standpoint, but there are amp builders in the states that build lower cost clones that may actually sound better than the originals. The 421A amp did interest me because it uses only three tubes for stereo, the 421A tube services the stereo and power and is supported by a 6SL7 driver tube, and a 5U4 rectifier, and my builder constructed the amp in a wood base in a small, light weight configuration using vintage transformers and parts.
Currently, Yo-Yo Ma and Friends, Songs of Joy and Peace CD is playing with my little Maggie, and the Yo-Yo Ma’s cello really shines better capturing what a live cello should sound. As Ebaen’s review hints, the 421A tube may be the best small watt tube offering for bass and mid bass available. What amazes me about his amp in the additional body from the 4 watts it offers in my tuned room. This 421A amp exposes details previously hidden which I did not know the Maggie CD player could help uncover. The strength of the 421A is tone with clarity without digital glare which provides a fatigue free all day listening experience. Oh yes, wall to wall soundstage is better compared to other amps that have come and gone except the Yamamoto clone. The best part is the cost is a fraction of the original cost of the Fi and Yamamoto which I think would make even Michael smile.
Garp
Home 
Latest images 
Search 
Register 
Log in 
Mon Dec 03, 2018 3:28 pm
