Comparing Naim Audio and Angela-Gilbert Yeung preamp

Mike Woodcock of Absolute Sound of Chatham, Ontario, Canada and Walt Stagner of TLP Audio of Yorkville, Illinois, USA discussing the difference between a Naim Audio preamp and Angela-Gilbert Yeung preamp. In term of build quality which result in improvement of sound quality.
Product Information: www.angela-gilbert.com
Dealer information:
www.absolutesound.ca
www.tlp-audio.com
#angelagilbertyeung #gilbertyeung #audio #integratedamplifier #bluecircle #bluecircleaudio #preamplifier #audiophile #hifi #stereophile #highfidelity

[@user-xy9qb4ux4i]

Mike is one of the most patient and knowledgeable person in audio. Hearing is believing.

[@raulflames1933]

Indeed. He has a perfect vibe!

[@voicesofvinyl]

Mike has a lifetime of knowledge and he has helped me build a truly incredible and revealing audio system. I wouldn't even consider buying anything in audio without discussing with him first. Great video!

[@wstagner]

One of the most informative audio-related videos I've ever done. In one short video, Mike Woodcock of Absolute Sound, explains how Angela-Gilbert Yeung's gear is built and why it is unique to the industry. My company, TLP Audio, is thrilled to be able to provide this gear to USA-based customers.

[@tonyc7352]

So you publicly admit you're a charlatan.

[@mikewoodcock-fp9hu]

Love all the positive comments! It's a long video to be sure, because everyone out there has varying degrees of audio understanding. Most is in the video is in very basic terms to get the idea across. The message we want to convey is that Gilbert Yeung is the sole person hand making audio, with no other help in the production, and he is by far the most gifted artist manufacturer innovator I have ever witnessed in my 45 years of hi-fi. If people have heard a hi-fi name brand's name today, it is because of gross amounts of dollars spent in marketing and promotion over the years. In almost every case, the company itself doesn't make their products, they have OEM ship them in boards pre-made ... ... the engineers actual complete and intended circuit rarely if ever exists inside the gear as it was designed and intended because of the cash drain and constraints of their total business plans, and the production line method.. I have recently witnessed this very thing first hand. The bottom line is that we are all so very lucky to have the musical items that Gilbert makes, and we are fortunate that who he/she is, is not motivated my money or gain as a primary motive. Angela-Gilbert gives us gifts for music, personal gain is distant. Rare indeed!

[@wstagner]

couldn't agree more, Mike. I'd love to see you comment more often. You have a lot of valuable info and experience to share.😁Between us, we have over 100 years of experience in the audio biz.

[@aaronoosterhoff5449]

Mike is great he's one of the few that can begin to unravel the art that is AG/BC gear, he has to catch a lot of people up to the level that Angela's gear is at and its hard to do very quickly., he's filled me in on 40 years of knowledge over the past few years and its been great, if you take one look in any Angela Gilbert Yeung / Blue Circle piece its undeniable what you're getting for the money and also what you're avoiding! so glad I hopped off the ferris wheel of industry!

[@wstagner]

Yes, Mike has a brick & mortar store with gear on display that can be auditioned. Mike presents the customer with choices and the customer decides what to buy or not buy. His store policies are conducive to building a group of satisfied customers.

[@MrBonger88]

That’s a real eye opener seeing the difference in the builds. I guess that explains why I’ve always liked the sound of BC gear

[@epi2045]

Damn I learned more on this video than 100… maybe 1000 KZbin videos on audio. Thank you!

[@dougg1075]

Man I love this. Right up my alley

[@wangyun-pp7xc]

Great video. I have some this original display. For solving NAIM dim problems.

[@scrunts666]

This is why I love the sound of my Sansui AU-101, everything is simple and wired and makes sense, that Naim just looks ghastly to me, the AGY preamp looks amazing :D

[@angela-gilbert]

Our life is getting way too complicated as it is. Everything are way more than what we need in life. Things can be a lot more simpler. I apply this as many things in life as possible.

[@r423sdex]

Great video, this guy knows his shit.

[@offrande1148]

Great walkthrough and video..!

[@goldenears100]

Hi Mike, I have one of AGY's AC3000 Pre amps with LOC! And there are a lot of CAPS! 4 Volume Controls Each one has positive Phase for L+R Channels and 2 for Negative Phase! Very Cool Pre Amp!

[@angela-gilbert]

Have you tried turning up each phase of the volume control to adjust the soundstage width and depth? The higher the positive phase, the deeper the soundstage. The higher the negative phase, soundstage gets wider.

[@pard73]

Great video, Mike! It's always interesting to understand the compromises involved when designing for large-scale manufacturing, as opposed to having the ability to produce a small volume with a highly skilled designer or technician. There are some parallels in automotive engineering as well, but in general, designing for manufacturability is preferred over pursuing the "best performing" design solution. This is because it is necessary to service and repair cars as cost-effectively as possible, using replacement parts often made by different suppliers in different regions of the world. Anyhow, great video - keep up the good work!

[@angela-gilbert]

In the case of audio manufacturing, most companies only concern about their bottom line. Therefore, they ensure the product can be made fast and as cheap as possible. At the same time, make them look as good as possible but not necessary sounding very good. Because many audiophiles listen with their eyes, it is why so many audio manufacturers make fancy looking things but not sounding very good. In term of internal construction, circuit boards are route for easy assembly first, nice looking likely is second and sound may be 3rd priority. The faster and easier they can make it the more money they will make. If you have listened one of the Angela-Gilbert Yeung products, you will understand what I am saying. On the other hand, I totally understand a lot of people would reject the way I do thing because they have never experience products firsthand.

[@wstagner]

​@@angela-gilbert i have been around the audio biz for over 50 years, since the days of the true Pioneers of the business. Mike was spot-on with his observations and comments. If it wasn't for those Pioneers (and their mass production techniques) audio wouldn't have the interest that it does today. Angela-Gilbert products are not unlike the hand-built prototypes of builders like Frank McIntosh, Bill Johnson, Bob Carver and many others that we appreciate and admire today with the differences being that you can actually listen to and purchase an Angela-Gilbert product. Mike can sell ANY product in his store to a customer. Mike will sleep like a baby regardless of whether it's an Angela-Gilbert product or something else.

[@aaronoosterhoff5449]

yes I am thankful for the supply and demand levels right now to be honest... haha

[@r423sdex]

​@@angela-gilbert exactly, but when audio science reviews measure these devices they are told " measurements count for nothing ". You have to feel sorry for them.

[@PATISHAH]

What is the name of that white glue? Anybody knows??

[@gino3286]

Hi very interesting approach that of capacitance upgrade close to the circuits I have always had a curiosity I would like to see mainly in power amps an analog voltmeter place across the voltage rails and see if the needle stays still or moves with the music peaks If it goes down during the peaks it will be a clear sign of energy lack The needle must stand still alwats even during the most demanding music peaks I wonder what would be the behaviour also of expensive amps Maybe not that great ?

[@angela-gilbert]

Analog meter is too slow to show accurate responses. Using a fast DMM will show ripple with slight increase when music is playing louder. The average DC volt level may dip slightly but a DMM may be showing it too fast for the human eyes to detect. A digital storage scope will able to show the slight dip in DC volt level during loud passages. The higher the capacitance the less the changes will be.

[@gino3286]

@@angela-gilbert Hi thank you so much for your very kind and valuable advice I admire your creations a lot and i am sure they sound very very good indeed Now i am guessing but i think that solid state has often criticized for some lack of musicality vs tubes expecially for not enough capacitance in the power supply When the caps are not able to provide the energy during peaks nasty things happen The tubes instead do not draw much current from the power supply And there is a reason why small power supply caps can be seen in most commercial amps. Money. The big good ones cost a lot indeed. Thanks again for your very kind and precious advice Best wishes gino

[@angela-gilbert]

@@gino3286 On the internet, everything is over simple and many led to misinformation. Tube runs on high voltage and lower current. Which less capacitance is needed for the same amount of energy. Solid state is a current device compared to Tube. Higher capacitance is needed. Also the physical distance between the active devices and capacitors can contribute to the sound. There are many other factors which affect the sound quality. Not only the amount of capacitance. Also how it is built which also lead to the topic of how energy is being handle. This is hardly a black and white issue.

[@gino3286]

@@angela-gilbert Thanks a lot again A very complex question i understand I prefer solid state because tubes have no good bass I like a fire and forget amp Kind regards gino

[@nigelpearson6664]

Damping factor is linked to negative feedback. Negative feedback when an Op amp can be massive. On paper a valve anode follower is a very bad idea. In reality they can be the best choice. I live 18.5 miles from Naim. I believe I made the critical argument to Julian causing hin to make the CD player. Julian introduced me to Boltzmans constant noise in 1978.

[@harryburnett7086]

Doesn't higher compacitors mean easing the unit to preform better not better sound

[@kevinmichener1914]

Mike: Can you explain what is this he/she thing?

[@Some_D0nkus]

That gear is off tha goop!

[@raulflames1933]

Where can we buy AG I800 in Europe?

[@angela-gilbert]

Currently we don't have any dealer in Europe. You can contact either Entracte Audio in Markham, Ontario, Canada or Absolut Sound in Chatham, Ontario, Canada for purchase information. entracteaudio.com/ www.absolutesound.ca

[@ColocasiaCorm]

Little bit of hand waving

[@NarinderBasran]

please share reputable reviews

[@angela-gilbert]

All reviews are listed in our web site under Product Reviews page. There are also many comments in our Facebook group Angela-Gilbert Yeung and Blue Circle Audio Fan Club.

[@harryburnett7086]

Isn't high capacitance dangerous

[@n.lyndley.9889]

Electricity in general can be dangerous…

[@itsonlyme9938]

All that white goop holding the caps down is very unprofessional construction. could have done a much nicer job than that it is awful. It does not inspire me to by those pieces of hifi gear

[@aaronoosterhoff5449]

why pay more for it to look good on the inside! what about sound better? this is achieved by dampening with caulking! you don't want rigid cap mount

[@drewhenry9545]

@@aaronoosterhoff5449 I wasn't sold on the outer aesthetics of Blue Circle but I got myself an integrated anyways... the stuff sounds amazing. I can't see why the look of the inside should make a difference after you hear what it can do. To each their own but, turn off the lights and turn up the volume :)

[@Some_D0nkus]

Finally some sense. Thank you.

[@jasonwebb6484]

My understanding: It’s not so much holding the caps down as floating them. Epoxy/gluing or bolting them to the chassis picks up all the vibration from the metal box. If you prefer that way, that’s ok. I opted for the silicone and am very happy with the results. Some of the wires inside my A-G modified amp are also ‘floated’ with silicone.