All through the period, I really appreciate the music coming out from my system, but it does have flaws that I was forced to live with it from my Douk E6 DHT preamp, but it is really musical and engaing and let one dive into the content and enjoy the ebb and flow of music which is the most important element that I treaure most in a music reproduction system, not a "HiFi" system I would put it.
I had also tried a Nuprime PA200 power amp, which is a Goldmund/Job in disguise at cheap but that did not wow me and it is sounding very neutral to a point clincial to me. Traded it and kept my Aiyima A08pro. I had the Fosi V7 , which is same Class D using same Infinion chip but it just does not have the musical experience I expected to have.
Lately, on Youtube, a lot of reviewers have raved about the Douk Audio Ampapa D1 amp whch had aroused me the interest to try it out. I received a Douk Ampapa D1 Amp recently, it looks very attractive and allows one to change opamps easily, with a useful ultilitrain remote that can change volume and inputs, a pair of nice swtichable LED VU meter display, a sub-out , BT capability for my TV (Note: despite I am super content with my Douk U4 as BT receiver, my friend only measured it up to 8kHz despite he thinks it's musical but still cannot get passed his HiFi mind. He is the same guy who had made me a great LPS for my router and help terminated my Sommer RCAs with Neutrik heads which had elevated the sound of Sommer/Studer remarkably)
I plugged the D1 in via the latest GanFet 48V Power Brick came with the unit and start listening extensively. The sound was passable , but nothing much to write home, so I decided to give it some more time to run in although manufacturer said it was not necessary. After around 10 hours of continuous listening on and off with the unit left on all time for 48hours, I think the overall impression is a tad disappointing. I think my A08pro has the upper hand in all aspects! It sounded lifeless , mechanic and suppressed in highs and the ebb and flow of music is lacking especially when playing tracks with violin and piano, the microdynmaics , acceleration and deceleration of bow , the attck and suspense of piano notes is lacking. It does have ample macrodynamics which will satisfy a lot of listeners of pop music. But somehow it does not ring a bell to me. I decided to put it aside and send it to Kwong to try out later on. What a pity since I did have high hope on this machine.
Story does not end here, while I was content listening to my A08pro, I realised I had not tried the new GanFet 48V PS of D1 , so I was eager to see the improvement it will have on my A8Pro! Lo and behold, not only it does NOT improve the system, the magic of A08pro had disappeared!! I immediately switched it back to my good old brick PS, mind you the GanFet PS is only half the weight and much smaller in size too!
Hallelujeh, everything is back to normal! So with this outcome, I immediately took the D1 out and plugged it in with my traditional brick 48V/5A PS and all at once, the music was palpable and lively to start, at least all the microdynamics was clearly audible and I am content to listen with D1 continuosly. Usually if the sound is not right, I will feel bored and uninterested, which is NOT the case with D1/old brick. It seems like the bottleneck is the GanFet PS!! I was a bit surprised that no one had ever mentioend the difference of PSs on the internet at all despite hundreds of reviews put out with these great little Class D amps made in China!
Here is my important advice, compare the Old Brick with the GanFet Brick first ! At least try to audition and A/B the two options before you make your own decision! For now, I will do further listening with Ampapa D1 which is now more promising and perhaps I may order a pair of Muse 03 opamp to try out on D1!!
Curiosity ignited again. Look out for Part Two of Ampapa D1~
P.S. I have also been experimenting the stickers containing Lanthanides rare earth from Sixth Element . Whether it is another snake oil product or not, I do not think so since it does improves my system which I will cover that later.
Posts
