VTV Purifi class D Amplifier with a tube input buffer board. Holographic and detail.

#hifi #audiophile #amplifier #stereo #classD #tubes
Patreon account: / thomasandstereo
Company website, non affiliated link: vtvamplifier.c...
Gear used in this review :
VTV purifi class D amp with tube input buffer board
Mcintosh MAC6700 integrated amp
Mcintosh D150 DAC
Mcintosh C2300 Tube preamp
Schitt Freya Tube preamp
Sonus Faber Liuto speakers
Sonus Faber grand piano speakers
Quad 2905 speakers
Kef R700 speakers
Verity audio Parsifal speakers
Veritty audio Fidelo speakers
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Track: Left Alone - Airixis [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: • Left Alone - Airixis |...
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[@ThomasAndStereo]

Happy Holidays. Patreon account: www.patreon.com/ThomasAndStereo Company website, non-affiliated link: vtvamplifier.com/product/vtv-amplifier-stereo-purifi-audio-1et400a-amplifier-with-vtv-vacuum-tube-buffer/ Help me get this video over 20k views. Just need 500 more views. What to listen for : kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHrThadriKdmlc0

[@Haksport]

💯💯

[@erics.4113]

Thomas what are those speakers in mr kantas setup that look like sonus faber toy towers? Are they modded toys or did sonus have a version with those gold looking dust caps on the mid driver?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

@@erics.4113 I think sonus faber grand piano.

[@erics.4113]

@@ThomasAndStereo yah. You actually mentioned it right after I took the video off of pause! I should have continued watching first. 😐

[@Gelfandvladi]

@@ThomasAndStereo How dis you find the SF GP in the higher frequencies and the lower base?

[@ubacow7109]

I don't think Class D at this point is flawed at all, I think the "body" and "Dryness" is just that it's textbook perfect clean, we're just accustomed to not hearing this without distortion and imperfections. You can dirty it back up again with pre-amps, tubes, processing to get it to be whatever you want it to be, but otherwise the modern high end Class D is perfect for speakers. There's also the THX AAA designs which I think are true end game. They're even further beyond it but there's only one option for this which would be the Benchmark AHB-2 with class AB. Otherwise I think modern class D is the way to go for everything.

[@paulgyro]

Here here, couldn't have said it better myself.

[@OlivierK.]

I'll add that it is mainly the high damping factor of Class D designs that plays a role here. High damping is more precise but it results in a faster roll-off of (especially bass) frequencies, which makes the end result sound faster / more dynamic but also more dry. I own a Class D (Purifi) amplifier with an adjustable damping factor, switchable between 700 (standard) and 70, the latter being more in line with traditional Class A/B amplifiers. Setting the damping to 70 creates a sound very close to what we are used to with traditional amplifiers, and the default setting of 700 creates a faster, cleaner, but also slightly more dry sound.

[@hidjedewitje]

@@OlivierK. Actually, a typical damping factor of ~10 is more than enough. The effects on frequency response are very small beyond that. Besides that, making a switchable output impedance that behaves similarly to the output impedance of an amplifier is really hard with completely altering the amplifier. This is because the output impedance of an amplifier is dependant on the control loop. Typically the open loop output impedance is the Rdson of the mosfet + output inductor. You should divide this by the loopgain of the amplifier. The output impedance of BJT amplifiers is even more tricky as their output impedance depends on the current drawn.

[@chonasimpson6487]

I disagree perfect specs never move me and relax me and make me want to keep listening. I used to pick equipment based on specs and was let down and sold it immediately. The sound you describe pleases a lot of people but to my old ears is missing something that i crave in a system soul period. Saying this i have not had the luxury to try in my home system. If it beats my Joule Electra 160 Grand Marquis mono OTL amps i will be the first one to admit it. Accurate and pure sound is not pleasing to most people ears we are not robots well most of us anyway lol.

[@ubacow7109]

@@chonasimpson6487 that's kinda exactly what I just said though.... Humans typically aren't accustomed to hearing recorded content without distortion. The coloration for most people is enjoyable but otherwise distortion free sound is the perfect form of audio by textbook standards.

[@wdroba]

VTV, give Thomas the amp. It's the very least you could do for his tears and this honest review. You are awesome Thomas!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Lol! I have already sent it back.😭😭😭

[@Waderunner626]

Rogue Audio Sphinx has a Tube preamp, class D hypex modules, a linear power supply, toroidal transformer, a highly regarded adjustable phono stage, headphone amp and a remote for around $1500 US. Running CSS Criton 1TDX with superior crossover on it. Fed by Denaftrips Ares II and a Fluance RT 85. Holographic soundstage, amazing tone and timber. Listen to many genres. The tubes combined with class D can keep up with faster genres such as Japanese hardcore and d-beat. The bass is amazing. Leading and trailing edges of notes are just sublime on better recordings

[@stevemqn4053]

Me smiling listening to my CDs with my 90s Marantz AVR, E30 Dac, and Fosi Tube buffer with GE 5654w tubes. Not High end... but pretty dang great sound! Great video!

[@Audiorevue]

The more and more I hear class d amplifiers the more and more I have the impression that they're very speaker-dependent. Like you could have any brand of speakers you can think of and hook up a class a b McIntosh or an audio research solid state amp or whatever and you can get pretty decent sound that's enjoyable by many people however I think because of the neutrality of class d amplifiers they really show off and allow a speaker to show off what it truly sounds like. I was up the mind up until about 6 months ago that class d wasn't all that great until I'm at a gentleman through work and had an opportunity to hear his system. He's got some nice JBL studio 580 floor standers hooked up to a VTV NCORE amp. He mostly streams and I tell you what though I was blown away by the sound quality coming out of that thing and it's not hyperbole to say that it was the first class d setup that I've ever heard that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to

[@jamesrobinson9176]

I recently spent some time with a CJ ls17 and wyred 4 sound ref monos. Not perfect but darn good

[@davidfairchild1640]

Great review, Thomas. I have a Schitt Freya+ in tube mode feeding a pair of Nuprime ST-10M monoblocks, and it sure sounds sweet to me.

[@67spankadelik]

I have a Peachtree Grand Pre which utilizes tubes. Paired with a D-sonic M3A-3000S Class D amplifier. Diving my Maggies (1.7s). And I love it. Very smooth with an iron grip on the speakers.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Very nice!

[@rig4365]

Actually aren't the peachtree integrated class d with a tube preamp section?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

@@rig4365 probably but this is a poweramp.

[@rig4365]

@@ThomasAndStereo ah right! thx

[@markw7303]

prob the most useful review in a long time , these should be 1 of 3 options for any one building a budget system

[@Grizzly1644]

Tubes and class D mixing together has been around for many years. These days I prefer neutrality and accuracy. I personally run 3x NAD c298 amplifiers in an active setup. These amps use the Purifi modules. Smooth, detail, great dynamics, clarity and they hit hard. Roon handles filtering, PEQ and convolution. Great amplifiers.

[@anandshah71]

What are you doing for DSP. What’s the driver config if you can share

[@Grizzly1644]

@@anandshah71 Roon does all dsp and crossover. A a highlighted in the first post. Motu mk5 lite is my dac. 3 way speaker config.

[@ajzepp8976]

Im currently running Bel Canto 600m monoblocks (class D) with a Black Ice 360 tube preamp. Before that, had a Schiit Saga tube pre with a Class D Audio power amp. So I guess you could say I love class D paired with tubes 👍

[@PaulMaison]

Thomas, don't give up on your dream. What you should be looking to design is a hybrid integrated amp with tube input board and class D amp section.

[@bradbortner2601]

Yes, that is why I like my rogue sphinx v3! tube input into class D amp, with linear power supply

[@LeoRousseau]

Hi Brad, Are you running on the factory JJ tubes? I have the same amp with the Gold Lion's and just curious what other people are running.

[@bradbortner2601]

@@LeoRousseau I’ve tried several tubes (Millard, brimars), but I also have settled on the gold lions. They have a nice sound, and the rest are too expensive and are hit and miss in terms of longevity. I’d rather stick with new production, so I know I can get more if need be.

[@LeoRousseau]

@@bradbortner2601 Thanks for the reply! Sounds like we're on the same track! Happy Holidays!

[@rndm4642]

Another great video for us enthusiasts! Thanks for what you do. Would be interesting to see a head-to-head of PS Audio’s tube buffered class D AMP and this VTV. More interesting, for me at least, would be a VTA ST-70 or 120 compared to your McIntosh 275.

[@DougNoOnions]

Nice! You are the only reviewer I trust, Merry Christmas.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Happy holidays!

[@royphair9676]

My stereo consists of the rotel rb 1572 class d power amplifier at 250 watts a channel both channels driven at full frequency into 8 ohms using a myryad pure class a pre amp sounds smooth and sweet with so much contol and composure all for less than 600 pounds the power amp was puchased second hand and my pre amp the company went bust was a complete steal at 120 pound I just love the combo just waiting for my arcam st60 streamer to turn up now as I type fingers crossed great content as ever

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤔 THOMAS…YOU JUST SAVED YOURSELF A TON OF HEADACHES AND PROBLEMS AND GOT THE ANSWER TO YOUR DREAMS… SO BUY IT AND START ANOTHER DREAM 💭🤗😍😍😍

[@Rickzolla]

Another great review. Your honesty is always refreshing. I'm very pleased using my Freya OG with a Mytek Brooklyn Amp+, driving Magnapan .7s.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks, congrats on your system.

[@marcopignone9386]

Similar to my setup... Freya Plus with a Hypex digital amp (Buckeye Amps... very affordable) and .7s...

[@andrewsmith3121]

What happened to your Freya? I just sent my Yggy, Ragnarok and Freya+ back to Schiit to get them serviced after a lightning stike hit in the neighborhood. Even though I told them about thee lightning, they just fixed the Yggy and Ragnarok and sid the Freya+ had no issues and returned them...at no cost. I didn't even have to pay for return shipping. I was shocked, but very happy. Using the Yggy, Frey+ and the Doge 10 and couldn't be happier.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

My freya, the volume just drop by half. Congrats on your system.

[@normally624]

Had a lightning strike which took out my Melco music storage device and another device elsewhere in house , the spike came via the internet cable , which is a hybrid system and is strung between power poles along the street . Like you I was very happy with service from Buffalo Computers in Japan and didn’t cost anything except for a case of wine which went to the importers . Anytime I hear thunder everything gets unplugged from the modem .

[@dang5469]

'Project Stereo Box RS' tube buffered Class D amp with Project DAC Box RS sounds amazing.

[@mosfet500]

Thomas, an update. I'm now building DHT preamps for my class D and they sound great! So maybe you might want to explore that avenue and keep your project alive! Have a wonderful holiday. ps: I'm waiting for boards to come in from my board house and if I get enough amps together I'll send you one to play with, we're only about 400 miles apart, I'm in the Catskills of NY.

[@glissonj73]

I have a Peachtree Nova 300 and yes it sound great, but the sound can be bit dry and lacking in the midrange. Thanks goodness the Peachtree has a LOOP! I added a Black Ice Audio For SS-X tube buffer/sound expander and NOW its a different ballgame!!! +1 on Class D and Tubes 👍 Love your stuff Thomas.

[@a3marketing991]

Black Ice Audio SS-X tube buffer is very good. It brought new life to my system and really helped correct my room. Speaker placement has always been tough in my listening space and the SS-X took care of that.

[@ewloncctv498]

That's right! This is a harmonious combination of the disadvantages of the tube and the class "D". A clear victory for marketers!

[@paolocruz8392]

This reminded me of "the missing link" X10-D Musical Fidelity tube buffer.

[@taylorfusion]

Thomas, I purchased this amp and a couple opAmps based on your review. Couple of observations: after about 50 seconds of turning the amp on, there is a rather large pop that occurs as I imagine a gate opens up but I find it bothersome. I’m working with Warren to address an adjustment of a DC voltage value inside the amp to see if I can lessen that. Second issue I have with this amp is there is a puttering sound in the left channel. I’m going to see if adjusting the DC voltage will remove that but I’m also factoring in some RCA interconnects that I will swap out but all my other tests seem to show that it is not related to anything external as there doesn’t have to be a sound source connected to replicate. Thirdly, since there is no volume on this power amp, there is a constant amplified hum or presence you might say, from my M- LORE speakers (97db input sensitivity) Kind of bummed, as I thought class D Amps would be silent when left on.

[@monkeypunker]

Nope. They mostly have a high noise floor, even on lowest volume level.

[@OrchardAudio]

This is exactly what many of my customers do. Tube preamp into my GaN amps.

[@frostycanada6404]

Hello Thomas, your best videos are when you are enthusiastic and excited about a product and you seemed like you had a ton of fun making this video. Your sentiment on heavy amps … funny but one of my criteria when shopping for a new integrated amp in 2019/2020 was size and weight and I often landed on class D designs. After much auditioning I landed on Sugden, and ordered their beautiful class D/A, ANV50 model which is reasonably light, run cool, not overly big and sound great to me. Love it! Wishing you and your family Happy Holidays. Brian

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks, and Happy holidays.

[@m.9243]

Wow! Thomas, the tube preamp is doing its " magic" quite clearly! The ambiance of the recording is so much more evident, even through the compressed sound of Y.T. The direct feed from the DAC is very clear but, it can be also be described as a bit lifeless. Too "dry" for my liking.. There's certainly a good case for Tubes here. Happy Christmas to you and your family from a boiling East Coast of Australia.🇦🇺

[@snomofilms]

Thomas- you’re the man.

[@fletchermunson6225]

I recently added some Shuguang 6sn7 tubes to my Freya + Really nice. Got them from Amazon.

[@radomirlilic2472]

One day quite a few years back I connected my tube preamp to class D Rotel power amp and really liked it. At that time Class D amps were considered to be inferior to AB or Class A amps but still I liked the results so much that I have purchased Synthesis Roma 37DC+ integrated and was floored with the sound. Since I have it for few years back already IMHO this is the way to go and I agree with Thomas that tubes and class D amps have a synergy to it. I am currently building my second system and wants to go really small and bought Pro-Ject Pre Box DS2 analogue and looking to get Purify Eigentakt amp for it. This VTV amp is also big favorite for my second system. Will be better than Synthesis that I own? I do not know but the journey is worth it... also maybe a worth mentioning is that I like to try Gallium Nitride amp as I heard good things about it. Maybe Thomas will review one soon!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Nice, thanks for sharing.

[@Revelator2025]

A wonderful combo I’m currently using is the AGD Audion GaN amps with Supratek preamp. Beautiful synergy! Details and smoothness with bloom. :)

[@eViperRabbit]

Do you think the tube buffer in the VTV is necessary if a high quality tube preamp like Supratek is used?

[@dominicvalois]

Wow! Nice find Thomas! Well I guess what we talked about yesterday is no use anymore... LOL! Great review as always!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Maybe, maybe not!

[@cobar5334]

Great video Thomas, as usual! I look forward to your version of this concept

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

I see the nice sparkos ss3602 inside the amp 😃 Got 4 in the burson 😃 Their good been curius about this amp

[@bernardosilva7306]

My trick is to use my Little Dot Mk2 headphone tube amp as a pre to my Purifi EVAL1 kit. Try, it’s far cheaper :)

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Nice!

[@stevesneed56]

Great video Thomas! Sometimes simpler is better! I have an inexpensive tube hybrid with 2 12rx7's Salk monitors, and Nad cd player! Of course with good recordings the Soundstage, Soundstage depth is incredible! I listen mostly at night,and there are deep corridors of sound, and floating decay stretching like pulled taffy! I've tweeked the system to sound very balanced which has been( though time consuming) very rewarding! Tubes are the ticket !!

[@cobar5342]

Thank you for a very good video in a new direction

[@toddhupp]

Gold Lion does a great job.Top new tube quality. 12ax7 is especially smooth and liquid. The hybrid approach seems like the best of both worlds. per Thomas German manufacturer Vincent has used in in many products.I have their hybrid line pre amp.Sounds great .-with tone and loudness! Their hybrid SP 332 power amp retails for $2500 also. Vincent is rarely reviewed in the USA,It is offered by a few high end salons though, It would be nice to have a Thomas opinion.

[@Wright00000]

Here here! Have always wondered about Vincent...

[@jwiggins1229]

Rogue Audio has the Dragon and Hydra Class D with a tube buffer, Audio By Van Alstine has the Fet Valve 600R Hybrid. Never heard the Fet Valve but all 3 reviewed excellent... Should have kept the Dragon I had cause it is silky, but I had to cure a itch to try something else.

[@JingoLoBa57]

Fascinating… the linearity remains an issue of the class d amp but the softness of the tube buffer is that rolled off highs? and fleshed out mids does improve the overall sound. But I still find the linearity an artificial experience. That class A/AB doesn’t have. Fascinating.

[@williamfoster1034]

I bought a beautiful Onkyo class D integrated amp around 2008. It sounds completely sterile but looks beautiful in all silver. Haven't plugged it in for a decade. I can't get my arms around ever using class D again.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Maybe 13 years of technological advancement will change your mind.

[@williamfoster1034]

@@ThomasAndStereo I bought the Willsenton R8 based on your review. I upgraded to Genalex KT88s and I'm in audio nirvana. Class D may be great but I'm happy as a clam with what I have. I love the channel but I'm keeping it old school for the time being!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

@@williamfoster1034 Congrats! The R8 is definitely a good buy.

[@veritas932]

another value added review from Thomas...I've always wondered what it will be like with pairing a tube input buffer to a Class D output. Let's face it, the Class A monoblocks are big, heavy and can be used to heat your house in winter. ClassAB is not that large, but for the 300 watts per channel class, it's still pretty hefty. Class D is bringing 21st century concept of small, light weight concept (just look at ear buds, Mac Air notebooks, etc) to mainstream audio technology. Much easier to convince your spouse to have a Class D amp in the living room than a Class A or Class AB amp. With custom cabinets, they can even be made to disappear.

[@hoobsgroove]

I had a dream speech it had to come lol merry Christmas why don't you make your amplifier into gain stage tube buffer? just swapped out the op-amps on the gain stage four tubes.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, that is a possible future.

[@Landoverse]

Thomas, greatly appreciate your focus on Class D! Would love to hear your thoughts on how the Legacy i-V series, which is a gorgeous-looking non-tubed Class D cheaper than the PS Audio, measures up to tubed Class D amps like this. Legacy’s infrastructure is apparently pretty bare-bones; just the amp module and some fancy grounding. Yet it seems to have some fans (including yours truly; it drives the hell out of my B&W’s without turning the tweeters into a torture device).

[@revamp777]

Yeah, great idea dry digital going through wooly soft tubes .

[@franky2shoes660]

Ha! You took idea, and ran with it....I ran2 mini 12be6 radio tubes as 1st stage and some kind of 80w x2 (ya right) TDA classed power stage. BTW I'm listening on my home brew 3 stage SE class A ultra linear tube amp. Complement as follows 6J1 (pre/1) 7C5E (interstage) E34l (revamped EL34) power, all tubes are ultra linear mode pentodes.

[@t0nyxgq]

Quick question Thomas, how does this compare to the Billi Amp?

[@LuxAudio389]

Excellent review and comparisons. 👍

[@billbones1000]

Nice one Thomas!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ryanb8487]

Great video and happy holidays Thomas. Been meaning to email you, still waiting for my dac to come in. My freya has got a bit of a buzz going on as well. Sure like the idea of class D. My vivcent t100 run 500w each they ate solid state with tube buffer.

[@TheBodhisattvaWisdom]

This is exactly what audio engineer/designer of Purifi, Bruno Putzeys explains as "silly" in an interview- That someone would combine a Purifi module, with a vacuum tube..

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Context matters, it depends what he meant by that. Why is it silly?

[@TheBodhisattvaWisdom]

Bruno touches on the subject, in a few interviews on YT. This is the opinion from the electical audio engineer, who designed the Purifi module. If you need to have it put into context, I recommed that you watch these interviews. To be quite honest, I'm a bit surprised, you weren't aware.. @@ThomasAndStereo

[@davidmusoke]

In this listening comparison test, the direct configuration is better. No "out-of-phase" sound as I heard with the tube combination. Just all clear sounds in this case.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Sure, if that is what you prefer, nothing wrong with it.

[@pradeepreddy3744]

Great review Thomas, it shows how much you really enjoyed going through the process. Looks like it put a smile on your face and brought joy to you, thank you for bringing this out to us. Do you think similar level of fidelity and characteristics can be maintained by just using VTV amplifier with regular input stage without vacuum tube buffer but having Freya tube preamp?

[@CUDAbuster]

You should be proud of your achievement undertaking an endeavor like that. It's common to come up with an idea to later find that someone else has already done it. Quality class D amps do seem to have some sonic advantages compared to class A. Die hards will still cling to class A and there are just some speakers that sound their best with A, however, I have found also some speakers that sound their best with D especially with some recordings. As an example, I have this poorly recorded double album from a live concert of the band YES from back in the 70s or early 80s. This album is almost unlistenable, distorted, bursts of high frequency, etc. I've paired a bunch of class A amps, preamps, speakers etc. and could only get that album to sound OK, not great. This all changed when I started using a class D amp in the system. This was counterintuitive, but it just worked- the distortion was cleaned up, instrument separation became apparent and slam was there. After that, I because a fan of class D and it cost way less than class A of similar sound refinement albeit different sound signature.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks Tax and happy New year

[@villageroma]

This video reminded me the 80’s and that series of hybrid integrated Luxman made with tubes buffer on the face plate. That was sounding good and was kicking buts when coupled with ESB series 7/08 II. That was a magical pairing. Remember feeling mid and midbass in my chest. Back to now. I smile when assisting your videos. You remind me and my ideas when I was younger. Even if I respect your opinions because it’s all about a path a journey we do in life, but class d still sucks a-lot. Let me give you a small advice. Class a/b tube buffered small integrated amp with a separate linear power supply 40/60 watts in 8 ohm and bingo.

[@rig4365]

my cousin had an LV105 which I believe is in the product line you are referring to. He's had it in storage the last 20 odd years. I've gotta grab it from him. ✌

[@HalfVccTronYente]

Class D amplifier never wins with Class A.

[@ufarkingicehole]

I hope you are able to compare this to a Benchmark that's $3,000. I am also curious how both will sound to Jeff Rowland being all have the same opamps. Does your bel canto have the same purifi opamp? I just bought a Crown xls 2502 earlier today to drive a pair of open baffles with a 15 and 18 in each cabinet. I'm looking for the best way to go for mids and highs to match the majority of the sound spectrum . I'm convinced a variation of class d will be the future. I also Hope you get to try the Freya +

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I think Bel canto uses ICE modules but maybe their latest stuff is different. Yeah, Schiit, if you are reading this, send me your Freya +!

[@ufarkingicehole]

@@ThomasAndStereo 👍 👍

[@fletchermunson6225]

Rogue Sphinx does just that. I still care that much for it.

[@RockCity1111]

Hi Thomas. I still have the R 200s and nothing else. 6 months. I have such a hard time making a decision. I spoke to my Mother about this and she says I've been this way since I was a kid in the candy store and I'm all grown up and in a totally different candy store but it's still hard. I was going to get the Yamaha rxa4a. I really like the look of it but it's been out of stock. I looked into xtz edge a2-300 yesterday and thought I could get a Emotiva Pt-1 for it and be able to get sound from the TV or just the separates for music. I have a sub too. But then I heard a demo with the iotavx sa3 . It was a newish vid with some nice bookshelf speakers I'd never heard of. Anyways I entered my credit card number and got to the last step and 🐔 chickened out like always. Too much candy in the store for me to decide 😫. Ps. Happy holidays and Happy new year and thank u for the wonderful videos u put out this year. They are always top notch 👌 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ThomasAndStereo]

In your case, buy gear that allow return so there is no regrets.

[@RockCity1111]

@@ThomasAndStereo thanks.

[@gilpatmore4312]

Thanks for doing this!

[@dennisbohner6876]

Vincent did mix Classes of amplification for some time. Since I am not a STEREO guy, it wasn't for me, but they got very good reviews..

[@dennisbohner6876]

At least you reveal your objectives which is not PERFECT reproduction.

[@gkdresden]

If you have an amplifier and you change a part of it and it sounds "different" you can be sure, that there is something wrong with it in both cases. If you have a really good amplifier and you change something, you may probably measure a difference (lower or higher noise, less or more THD, less or more IMD) but you can't hardly hear it. If you can hear a difference, then you can be sure that you have compromized some parameters significantly.

[@audiorick841]

I am ready to pull the trigger on this amp and I see they offer a newer Purifi Module, the 1et7040sa. It claims more power and less distortion which was already good. Other than the claims on paper I can’t find anything speaking to audible differences or sonic benefits of the new version. I thought I had my mind made on the 400A Purifi but now feel I should at least get more information on the new module before I pull the trigger. Would love to see you review the same amp with the new purifi 1et7040sa. Unless you heard it already and can help me out 😊

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I have not heard it, email then and suggest them to send me a review sample!

[@audiorick841]

@@ThomasAndStereo I emailed VTV and they are working on an input tube buffer for the 7040SA. Not the same as the 400A. I think this will be a very interesting amp with tube buffers and also available in dual mono power supplies configuration.

[@francisdelacruz6439]

If you HV a tube pre amp would you still need a tube buffer for the new gen Class D amp? Like a pre amp with the NAD C298 Class D Amp? Listened to a demo of the Mcintosh Hybrid Amp MC 901 with built in crossovers between tube and solid state amp for bi wirable speaker. That sounds fantastic, don't think this Class D sound similar. But if you can tune an Amp to sound like that your multimillion dollar dreams is still alive! The sound is just wow. The wow factor that you aim for in building cost no object systems. ..

[@jamesderby4522]

Well done, wow.

[@dinsy512]

Ahah! You say “Sonus Fayber” like I do! Most people seem to say “Sonus Farber”. I was going to change but now I can say “Thomas says it like me!” 😂🤣😂

[@sparkplug964]

I like this solid state and tube mix idea, seem to work really well in the Mcintosh MA352 I listen to. But saying that, the build quality and design is just not there to be asking $2K+

[@seanlefebvre438]

Thomas, Sorry your Dream of sailing into the sunset was unfortunately broken …I know that feeling! All things considered, it’s definitely a concept that I actualized with the namesake amps; my PS Audio M1200 Monoblocks paired with an Audio GD HE1 Fully balanced Tube preamp driving my Audio Vector R3 Arrete…it’s a more than a match made in heaven. Come have a listen sometime (in Montreal). Would love your opinion on how to improve my set up 😊 ~Best,

[@ThomasAndStereo]

😥😥😥thanks, once this Covid thing calm down, I should.

[@seanlefebvre438]

@@ThomasAndStereo Would love that - thank you 🙏 😊 In the meantime Happy Holidays to you and your family. Been following you for a long time and candidly, you’re probably one of the best You Tubers around…Very polished, genuine and ingenious. Keep safe and healthy Thomas! ~Best,

[@tallpaull9367]

Need a shootout between this and the Benchmark AHB2 !

[@robertburton295]

Appreciate your videos Thomas please let me know if you ever come out with amplifier I would love to buy one Believe if you was ever to produce one it would be top drawer brother!

[@JDG1971]

A dream must remain a dream... When the real dream comes true, then the dream is over... 🤭

[@ebarbie5016]

The BS Audio M1200 uses the IcePower 1200AS2 - a $400 class D module. It's a great module that does not need an input buffer because it already has one... BS Audio is scaming audiophools

[@Kairo1985]

super cool video. thank you

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thank you too

[@josecaldeiraphotographer]

You should try this philips mcd909 class D with tubes preamp. This idea its not new, philips already did it and it sounds amazing, you can buy it second hand very cheap.

[@NeilBlanchard]

Thank you for this review. Like many folks, I agree with you that Class D is quite different from Class A/B, and certainly than Class A. I have an Audible Illusions Modulus 3A (and a 2C for that matter), that use 6DJ8/6922/ECC88 tubes, and my favorite new tubes are the Electro-Harmonix 6922. These are very robust - they have to be to work in the Modulus. They are very clear, and dynamic. And at a mere $18 each, they are a bargain. I have an amp suggestion, for a future review: the AkitikA GT-102 Z4. It is a Class A/B chip amp that uses the Texas Instruments LM3886. Because it is a chip amp, the bias works in a similar way to a tube amp - but being solid state, it has better bass than I have ever heard. The AkitikA is the *best amp* I have ever heard. If 50W/ch isn't enough, you can use two as monoblocks in a parallel mode, and get 100W.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks, those look really interesting.

[@gezor20]

have you heard of the new Purifi 1ET7040SA based VTV amp? Supposedly better in the low end..

[@milesdufourny4813]

Wouldn't it be more effective to use vacuum tubes in the driver stage (like what is done with some MOSFET amps) that would have far more sonic benefits. Tube buffers have a subtle effect at best.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Perhaps, I am not a designer so I dont' know.

[@Silverlining1111]

Do I still need a tube buffer VTV amp if I have a tube pre amp? And what if tube buffer + Weiss op amp? 🙏👍

[@MrPhilgos]

We of the Southern lands [world wide shipping] should consider March Audio Australia for amps based on the same Purifi Modules...so well priced too. My order is in, but I am not connected.

[@mosfet500]

Thomas, thanks and happy holidays. I'm just waiting for revision 6 boards to come back from my board house on a class D tube preamp that took me 6 months to revise. I did the original project for AudioXpress a couple of years ago (Jan, 2018) but I have been refining it even more and I contoured this for class D. It uses the Gold Lion reissued 6922. I'm a stickler for super quiet amps so it took me longer to design but it is dead quiet, I'll bet quieter than your amp. I hope to send it out to my publishers by the end of January. I don't need a review but I'd love to hear what your thoughts on it are when it is done so I may make two to send around. It will include a ground up wireless analog remote, I'll bet you like it. You can PM me anytime.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, email me when it is ready, I am curious.

[@ChiefExecutiveOrbiter]

I was just thinking about who knows about good D-class amplifiers so thought of Thomas. BOOM this popped up lol. Question Thomas: I'm getting my first pair of biampable speakers. I have two very different but good amps (1 A/B + 1 Pure A class) but I understand D-class is the way to go for low end bass. Not wanting to spend an arm and a leg what do you recommend for a D class on the bottom end of the bi amp. (If at all) 350-500$ US max...if you got time, Thanks. Would be going with a emotiva basX A-100, more than enough for the high end frequencies but would like a suggestion for the low end amplification. 🙏🎄

[@ThomasAndStereo]

In the more affordable world, I would say go for one good amp instead of 2 mediocre amps.

[@ChiefExecutiveOrbiter]

@@ThomasAndStereo all right then, I'll just hook up my BasX with my old Japanese pma720 Denon then. Thing is grimey but athoritive, it will not let any speaker slack on the job.

[@DANVIIL]

Reminds me of my Rogue Sphinx.

[@MrNikolaus1988]

And this amp is using cheap Hardware and the most easy Platine Layouts and connections wich you can make ez by your own . High quality Chips time and delay clean Power low noise constraktions and many many Mode thinks you need to improuve the Sound quality

[@stevec3526]

The Rouge Dragon and Hydra amps are tube class D hybrid amps.

[@84PILOU84]

I hope you will test the new Cayin Soul 170i soon. I love your test !

[@MrBonger88]

Seems like a great idea. What is the input impedance with the tubes in place?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Good question! Have to ask them.

[@gkdresden]

If you like to add the short comings of tubes and class D you can do this project. 🤣

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Want tube sound, get a tube amplifier. 20amp dedicated line w/high current amplifier. Magnepan 20.7s w/Coda 16.0

[@teighan7829]

Ayyy a fellow Canuck!

[@AudioTnT]

Great review. Succinct and focused. Surely there must be a Class D w tube buffer kit under $1K somewhere? If this was an integrated amp with tube preamp stage, would the tube input buffer still be required? BTW, instant noodles aren't that cheap anymore. Wine & cheese might be a good substitute, plus music sounds even better 😌.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

well I am still looking for a good one under $1k. It is hard in the sense the cost of the purifi modules is already over $1k.

[@michaelwesterlund5729]

Great video, Thomas. I must say that my favorite amplifiers (I own) are NYAL Moscode 300 and White/Llano hybrids. They all have tube input and SS output. And I suspect the PS Audio BHK sounds quite good. Why not Class.D with tube input? Great vision you had well before others. Sorry it did not take off for you. What’s next on your “idea” list?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I will build an amplifier instead.

[@kdsf12]

I have the hypex 502 version of this amp without the tube buffer. I can tell you at $1k CDN, it is unbeatable. At that price point -if that's what you can afford- then I would highly recommend it. And yes, the benefits of a tube preamp on the front end is, in every way, worth it. Only one thing: when you buy it, call the guy and ask him to flip the IEC connector and power switch over. Have him put the switch on top. Having it under the cable is a pain. It's worth the phone call. Edit: Thomas is right. The bass may seem "light". Frankly, I would change that word to "exceptionally well-controlled". If you have a loudspeaker with a large bass driver that can be somewhat "flabby", this will clean that up, lickety split.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Nicely said.

[@kdsf12]

Can I review it next? Tell him to send it to me. I live in calgary. :)

[@kdsf12]

Tell him I have Street credibility. I've written two articles published for Hi-Fi pig :)

[@wyup]

which preamp and input buffer do you run with your Hypex 502 amp?

[@kdsf12]

@@wyup Black Lion Audio Revolution 2X2.

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

Tonality , timing and musical coherence as well as the human touch are far better with the MAC.........

[@WhiteBubblySoup]

Where can I hear more about the tube integrated you're building?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I will have more details next year.

[@nasserbehnegar174]

Hi Thomas, Do you recommend this amp to someone who listens mostly to classical music? Does it have enough headroom and a good sense of the decay of notes?

[@Morido-1]

Hi Thomas. I prefer a smooth top end class D amp. Which amp would you say I would suit my preference ? The XTZ a200 or the VTV ? Thanks

[@psyphonyxaudio]

Is VTV still viable these days? I came across this looking for my next amp. I am shopping around for something.

[@dkerlee]

I was thinking about this pairing you mentioned was real good: VTV Purifi with tube input buffer AND the Schiit Freya + also with tubes. Wouldn’t you only want tubes in one part of that system? One of the devices adds the tight sweetness of tubes, while other is transparent and true and revealing. ?

[@rajivjoshi5714]

Thanks Thomas for this and all the other reviews. I just Patreon-ed you, as I have been recently watching your videos a lot. Find them most enriching and informative. I have set my eyes on the VTV Purify with the tube input buffer. But then, I am also just about to order the Topping Pre90 preamp based on your review for this device, but now have two thoughts. Will the Topping Pre90 work well with the VTV Purify, or should I rather go for the Freya plus with tubes? I was thinking that the Freya plus and the tube input buffer on the VTV may end up being too much tube sound for me (not sure really). I think I like my sound analytical and detailed without color on the vocals and midrange. I also like listening at rather low volumes. Would appreciate your thoughts..