Rayaudio Fisher Amp PA-301

Click pics to enlarge.

Letter from Hong Kong (22-7): ELO on Rayaudio "Fisher" Monoblock Amps

Editor: For us oldtimers, the use of classic names like Fisher, Sansui etc make us do a double take.  These companies have long been defunct, but their names are still used. Some names were bought by various consortiums: Rogers, Wharfdale, Quad etc by Asian companies; Mullard, Genealex (and perhaps Amperex) etc bought by tube resellers. And, most ridiculous, the now so-called Western Electric! Phew! As to Fisher, I believe I have seen it in before in irrelevant things. But the amp in question here, from Rayaudio, is a different animal, a TRIBUTE to an actual vintage device used in the Fisher PA-301 Amplifier. It's not common to see an old solid state device used, so for more technical info, see the end of the article.

I have known Ray for quite a while. My hifi buddies Kwong, Lo and I have bought products from him over the years: amplifiers, cables, power supply for streamer/laptop and signal isolation transformer etc (the latter was recently reviewed here). His products are of high standard in both quality and finish.

At the beginning, for my previous office I bought his prototype preamp and a Rayaudio Fisher stereo power amp (not mono). They drove my Naim SBL and I was quite happy with it. I had moved office and no longer have the setup, and I had lent the amplifier to Kwong. He tried it once briefly at home and was impressed as it was not shy against his considerably more expensive Audionet SAM V2 + Amp3 combo! Which led him to eventually acquire Ray’s latest ultimate version of the preamp and monoblocks combo. Not to mention another friend Jo who is already happily using the same combo and rocking his flat with Dire Straits through his Wattson Emerson Analog and Dynaudio Special 40 (under my influence of course, LOL)!

Currently, I am quite happy with my setup with all the gadgets that I have implemented, earthing box, Ray’s Signal Isolation Transformer, power supply for my Emerson Analog, graphite blocks, subwoofers connected from line out and Schumann device (whether it works or not) etc etc. That yields a very coherent, foot tapping musical sound which I can just sit down and listen to all day. Yes, there’s a big question always on top of my head: is my 47 Lab 4706 Gaincard rated at 50Wx2 capable of getting every bit of juice out of my notoriously inefficient Dynaudio Crafft? I once brought my Crafft to a friend’s place many years ago and I still remember that vividly. Played through a 250Wx2 Restek amp from Germany, I was totally surprised and impressed by the dynamics, ferociousness and impact of sound coming out of my Crafft. It did rock and I mean not just a little, but big time. Look, I’m not the type of people who play music real loud (even if my family still complain - different thresholds I guess…) But knowing that one’s system is capable of bringing down the house makes one feels good, right?

I have been procrastinating when Ray asked me to try his final version of his Fisher Monoblocks. Rated at 200Wx2 at 4ohms, this should be sufficient to rock my house. But will it have the magic of 47 Lab? Dr. Lo pick up the amps for me, so I guess I owe it to myself and to Ray to hook them up! Last week I pulled my back by a simple yet silly move and it set me back a few days but, finally, I got it all hooked up.

First impression is very positive, as I did not sense any loss in musicality and imaging. It has flesh - unlike most modern equipment that tend to have needle like imaging. Highs, mids and lows are very flat and natural, with good control of bass. So what are the differences between Ray’s Fisher and my 4706 Gaincard? It’s hard to describe. Caveat, I’m not a depth craving person, but soundstage width basically extends out of both sides of the speakers, it has a very coherent and engaging sound, no bulging or recession all through the frequency spectrum. My Gaincard does a decent job but the Fisher benefits from its headroom and is able to drive it much louder, beyond my normal listening level, though without any feeling of congestion.

One night, I decided to rev up the volume much louder than I usually would listen to. The whole scene opened up and my Crafft had transformed into a beast and the whole soundstage did not seem congested, even while being fed by the high current from the Fisher Amp. It’s extremely fun to play rock music or music that has a lot of beat and rhythm. All the memories of how the Crafft can bring down the house came back to me. That said, while sound has become loud, images seems to inflate a bit, but not bloated or roughened by all means. Even if a little smoothness is lost compared to playing at a lower volume, don’t get me wrong, it’s still free of distortion and compression.

I gave it a good treat of Telarc’s recording of 1812 Overture by Eric Kunzel which is one of the tracks I haven’t listened to for years. I owned the LP more than 45 years ago and that time, it is regarded as stylus killer and often we need to increase the counterweight to make the stylus track properly when playing the canon. Well, the Fisher amp passed with flying colours and it was fun!

Playing Sing, Sang, Sung from Big Phat Band and the energy from the band is phenomenal; the piercing horns do not go uncontrolled at all and bass is ripe and fierce.

Nils Lofgren’s favorite hit is Keith Don’t Go, but another track with Bass and Drum Intro has got so much energy and vibes in it. Every single note of the electric bass guitar is heard clearly and is palpable and the timing is right on! It’s approaching 70% of the experience I had at Sqaurewave (playing through Wattson’s Madison with Avalon Acoustic Precision Monitor speakers and Vitus Audio Integrated Amp, a setup that costs near $30K USD), which is no small feat to me!

Don’t get me wrong, when playing at my normal sound level, it is very musical and free of coloration in the midrange (whether it is male or female vocals). Some gear deliberately boost the midrange slightly to attract you; while I don’t mind the little MSG, I prefer not adding it into my setup.

I have not yet switched back to my 47 Lab, since I’m totally enjoying this Fisher Amp. IMO, at my usual volume I think the Fisher has 90% of the performance of my 47 Lab but it trumps it (of course) in complicated music, or at higher volume! As to the exact nature of the last 10% of 47 magic, I will find out later!

Ray had told me that he had spent more than a year in improving the original design. At the present, he thinks this is the optimal version. He also uses all import ICs and Capacitors like Philips and Vishays etc and the transformer is wound by a factory that has specialized in winding transformers for more than 30 years. The face plate of Fisher is made of CNC too. It’s simple and feels nice, not super high end but just right and subtle!

The pair costs about $1500 USD. Given the design, performance and parts uses to build this amp, it is a real bargain that can compete neck and neck with combos costing at least 2 to 3 times its price (being conservative since I’m not trying to sell it~). This amp is rated at 200W x2 @4ohms and although it’s not a heavy brick like many megawatts amps, don’t be fooled by the relatively small size, as It delivers a big sound with big heart. Bravo!!! Hats off to Ray for delivering such an exciting and high quality product to Audiophiles at such a reasonable price!!

Editor: Some Technical Info: This is what Ray wrote:

五十年代六十年代 電子產品多以電子管為主要原件 包括電腦 六十年代末期 出現半導體/晶體管原件 快速取代電子管地位 尤其是音響器材 當時 一般人認為電子管體積大 熱量高 更有甚者 電子管功放基於高壓操作 輸出端就需要一個笨重切成本甚高的變壓器 也就是音頻輸出變壓器 以阻隔幾百伏特直流電 才能安全策動喇叭 電子工程師成功開發了三極晶體管 當時以美國Motorola生產量最大 型號最多 包括訊號電壓放大管 功率放大管 著名的對裝管有2N3055/MJ2955 名噪一時 到今天還有很多發燒友使用這對管做末級功率放大

美國Fisher 在50年代開始 輸出高端 高品質電子管音響器材 都電子管息微後 就開發了一款厚膜hybrid功率IC 委託日本sanyo海量生產 其音色非常接近電子管 所謂膽味 而且性能穩定 技術指標甚高 Rayaudio就用這個Fisher PA301作藍本 設計了一部優質的立體聲功放 功率為每聲道30瓦 而且有三種輸入方式 ❶兩聲道的立體聲❷單端RCA橋接輸入作單聲道❸full balanced全平衡輸入作單聲道 當單聲道接法時 功率可達120瓦RMS/8Ω

Basically Ray says the PA-301 Hybrid IC sounds like a tube. It was manufactured by Sanyo. And here are some spec's:

The Fisher PA301

Vcc max: +/- 25Vdc

Icco max: 85mA

Rin: 27K ohms

Pout: max 32watts/8Ω

Gain: 39dB

THD: 0.3%

Noise: 1.0mV

Above is the vintage PA-301 amp. At the bottom is also a schematic.

Rayaudio PS and Isolation Transformer

Click pics to enlarge. This Power Supply looks like a real bargain.

Letter from Hong Kong (22-6): E Lo on Rayaudio

Rayaudio PS and Audio Isolation Transformer

Power Supply by Rayaudio

Regular readers know that ever since I purchased my WEA (Emerson) over a year ago I wanted to upgrade the PS. I had been using the iFi+ power supply with satisfactory results but deep down I knew the sound could be further improved by implementing an even better PS.

I had looked into many options from SBooster, Plixir etc. I thought any of them can improve the sound but at a very high price tag. I almost decided on a Plixir.

Then, one day, I was talking to Dr. Lo, my high school friend, and he said he has been using Ray's PS and experienced marked improvements. He also had a new crossover for the TAD built for him and he vowed it was a night and day difference.

Ray is a hifi veteran who knows his stuff well as he was a former designer for Monarchy Audio and I have trust in him as he is a true music lover as well. He has revamped Western Electric amps as well as modified some Monarch Audio amps for his clients (chronicled before in an interesting article here).

So I called up Ray and asked him to custom build one for me and I specifically asked him to include an isolation transformer in the unit as well! He said yes and the cost would be less than 200USD. Compared to the 450 USD Plixir is asking, it’s definitely a no brainer. He said it will not be Linear Power Supply (LPS) as he opines that LPS sound will be clearer but also takes some life out of the music. I can agree since I had tried some cheap LPS before. I couldn't wait! Ray spared no effort and built a PS unit for me using NOS EI transformers and hifi grade parts!

Initial Impression Tested the PS at his workshop first, and then my place. At his place, it was already spectacular, but of course back home it was altogether another matter. I knew the second I hooked it up - the difference was not subtle. The whole background was darker; everything seemed to settle down comfortably - no more unwanted tension; more details; more at ease, musical and smoother than before. Miraculously, at the same time, the transients and attacks were right on the money! Due to the lower noise floor, music was more fluid and transparent at the same volume, which created the impression that sound level seemed lower. And it did sound more musical.

Somehow while I definitely felt the ease of music presentation and increase in coherence and musicality, there was a slight loss at both extremes ends and in microdynamics, which I hope will improve given time for break in. The only thing I am still slightly bothered by is that iFi seems to have a slight edge on immediacy and attack over Ray's. It seems like: in order to gain another level of detail, a slight loss in immediacy is sacrificed .I'm still comparing the two units and wish I can get the best of both in one box.

Verdict and Dilemma: Power Supply from Rayaudio.  Clarity, detail and smoothness vs rawness, edgy and immediacy. It's a tough one to pick, but for now, I'll go with Ray's PS for the smoothness (P.S. I had officially replaced my iFi PowerX).

Graphite Blocks While I was suffering from the dilemma, My friend Kwong handed me some graphite blocks and I placed them under my 47 Gaincard. All at once, there was a huge improvement in details and microdynamics, without being too dry, harsh or cold. With the smoothness and musical character of Ray's PS, the whole system now seemed to balance out nicely! They seemed to compliment each other and work synergistically.

Audio Signal Isolation Transformer by Rayaudio

Now this little gadget really impressed me at Ray's studio. The other day I was visiting Ray to listen to music and his setup dis sound really good. While I was about to leave, Ray ask me to wait as he wanted me to hear the Audio Signal Isolation Transformer he designed. Since the cables were not long enough , he had to move around the amplifiers on display to make it work, and I was thinking oh dear, I will just listen a little and compliment it and head off... The little device, said to house a high grade permalloy transformer, is to be placed directly between the source (my WEA) and his monblock amps. It's a little silver box 2" x2" x 3" in size. According to Ray, its design was based on a one to one gain isolation such that it serves the purpose of separation of ground on devices on both end. 

The result, to say the least, was remarkable. The improvements over the already great sound were so obvious that there could simply be no second guessing. This was further confirmed by prolonged listening to songs that I was familiar with! The imaging was much better, sound was larger, more flesh and blood, and with wider and deeper soundstage. Needless to say , I ordered one on the spot.

My friend Kwong had already bought one of this (RCA to RCA) and was already amazed by the huge improvement! He then ordered a dual box pair (for use in  balanced to single ended connection) and he said the improvements were even more substantial!

 

Mine is hooked up already at home and needs burning in. Right now, the effect may not be as huge as I had experienced in Ray's studio but I'll let it run in a bit more. But, even after a few days, the improvements are already easily noticeable, it is also a keeper.

Verdict It is Recommended if you happen to be in HK. At around $100 USD, it's a super deal. And if you buy preamp custom built by Ray (another simplistic but highly musical device on the cheap), he can implant it into the preamp so that you save yourself the additional interconnect! Ray and I had discussed and he said it's not a buffer like Dr. John had suggested, but the use of transformer to separate the ground noise is the principle behind the design.

Next up is to test out the Schuman Waves device...that would be another post. Also Qobus vs Tidal! Plus the magic silver box connected between iCon4 and WEA..,and what if I place more graphite blocks under my speakers...Until then, stay tuned~

Watt Emerson Tidal Qobus Graphite Subwoofer Hi vs Low

Click pics to enlarge. The Editor thinks this marvelous photo by the author is a perfect analogy for audio - even a small shift in vantage point yields a different vista .

Letter from Hong Kong (22-5): ELO's Eternal Hell/Heaven

Editor: ELO has been compulsively tweaking his system. Basically, his system is a very simple one, and the tweaks he has been doing, elaborate or not, are like ornaments. Some of these are rather divergent in narrative, so I have taken the editorial liberty of separating the copious material into 3 articles for better organization. This is the first.

Audiophiles are a nervous bunch. Sometimes I suspect my setup, though very decent, is perhaps a little more hifi than musical, and therefore constantly look for ways to improve, which was why I had been undergoing a series of tweaks with methodologies that are all over the map. Basic Equipment:

Wattson Emerson Analog --> iCon4 --> 47 Lab Gaincard --> Dynaudio Crafft/Audiophysics Subwoofer.

To try to improve on the musicality yet maintaining the essential bite or spark is a really hard balance to achieve and is creating havoc to me recently. Here is a list of the tweaks that I have been going through:

1) DIY Earthbox , two boxes (one for digital, one for analog)
2) Power Supply to my WEA - iFi Power+ vs Rayaudio Power Supply
3) Audio Signal Isolation Transformer from Rayaudio
4) Van Den Hul MC Silver IT/ Gotham GAC4/ 47 Lab cables/ Rayaudio's IC
5) Subwoofer connection high level/low level, endless debate
6) Graphite block
7) Tidal vs Qobus
8) Wattson Emerson Analog vs Madison (newly released top streamer/DAC)
9) Schumann Device

Even with my simple system, depending on the how and where in application of tweaks, there are an infinite number of permutations. Given that you need to repeat numerous times a set of songs which you like and are familiar with to fairly compare different setups, I really got hearing fatigue big time! How was the overall result then? My current setup yields some decent sound but I feel it's not the best yet so I cannot conclude 100%!

In this article, I'll try to express my findings on individual tweaks but pardon me for the lack of  assessment on the overall improvement. Maybe one day I would go back to original mode and see if I have missed out a lot by taking away all the tweaks. But man, as my listening time is limited every day I just want to sit down and listen to music, not analysing differences!

Old Chinese saying is true, "Additional incense burner adds another ghost": whether there is gain or loss, there's no guarantee and this is the pain and yet pleasure of this hobby...

From Top to Bottom: Schumann device, Earthbox for digital, and for non-digital

1) DIY Earth Boxes Redux
Please refer to my previous post - it does works. But recently, I spoke to another guy who is intrigued by Earthboxes. He bought many different Earthboxes of different materials and discovered that each has different characters (good/bad). The choice of earth wires, earth box material, earthing material used/quantities/mix ratio all play important roles. Sound even changes if you shake the box accidentally!!! Man I got to stop somewhere and draw the line!! Verdict - Yes of course!

Editor: I have followed in ELO's footsteps, and shall write it up later...I agree, very much worth trying!

2) Power Supply by Rayaudio
Ever since I purchased my WEA (Emerson) over a year ago, another upgrade that I have always had in mind was its power supply. I had been using the iFi+ power supply with satisfactory results but deep down I knew the sound can be further improved by implementing a proper power supply. Enter Rayaudio...(sic)

3) Audio Signal Isaolation Transformer by Rayaudio
Now this little gadget really impressed me at Ray's studio, so I took it home...(sic)

Editor: 2) and 3) are actually big topics with deep implications. Both deserve more detailed treatment, and ELO had written a lot on it. So it shall be another article, second of this series. I assure you it shall be worth the wait.

4) Van den Hul MC Silver IT
I came across a pair of VdH MC Silver IT, the first generation of the most famous IC from VdH, which was selling for more than 1500USD for a meter run at the time!!! An astronomical sum for a young lad freshly graduated from college!...(sic)

Editor: Indeed an "iconic" cable, which most self-respecting hifi elders have surely used. I am usurping ELO's perceptive observations, which will serve as a jumping platform for a very small Overview on VdH. This will be the third in this series.

:5) Subwoofer Input: Low Level (Line in) vs High Level (from amplifier's Speaker terminal)
I never bothered with using low level input as high level input was recommended by Steve Guttenberg and a few hifi buddies. However, Ray opined that line out without going through high level is more direct path. In fact, he prefers low level output directly from source if it is available. Kwong swore that there are immediate improvement in speed, clarity and detail of bass and urged me to try. Since I do not have sub out in my iCon4 , I opted to use a Y- RCA jack and hook up pre-in end of my Gaincard input from iCon4. Comparison was used between using my VDH MC Silver IT and my old Mogami i.c. Turns out VDH is a bit euphonic and sweet while Mogami added some attack and bite but took some moisture away. Still comparing, but immediately, I notice that the gain level will need to be turned down quite a bit to achieve the balance (still meddling with the settings). There is a difference, but initially I tend to prefer the ripeness and easiness of bass from high level. However, after prolonged listening, I found the low level in does have a better attack , timing and bass definition and I'm really satisfied with the change! Verdict: Low level in for now....LOL. And it's a case by case. While REL designer prefers high level, PS Audio prefers low level, same as icefox had told me. Will give a follow up later.

Editor: while the Sub Low Level In seems like a more "direct" path, the impedance change introduced by the additional load is not to be neglected - direct does not equate unchanged! Of course, since subs allow for both input methods, it is a no brainer to try both out. For most systems, High Level In has less connectivity issues.

6) Graphite Blocks

While I was suffering from the tweaking hell/heaven, Kwong handed me some graphite blocks (2" in diameter and 1" in thickness). I placed them under my 47 Gaincard and, all of a sudden, there was a huge improvement in details and microdynamics - without being too dry, harsh or cold. With the smoothness and musical character of Ray's PS, the whole system now seems to balance out better. Both addition seems to compliment each other and works in good marriage. I tried to put a few blocks under the PS. It further cleansed the background noise but the effects were slight. I have ordered some more to put under my speakers. Hopefully, not too much of a good thing. Verdict: Recommended! Provides a cleaner sound that has better separation and definition.

7) Tidal vs Qobus
Another heated debate! While most audiophiles will likely prefer Qobus, both are very good! Imaging on Qobus is definitely better but Tidal, where sound is slightly smeared in comparison, has more body and roundness. Due to the hassle of obtaining Qobus account (I needed to ask my relative for help in settng up an account in Australia), I slightly prefer Tidal with more body, less details but larger music collection. Verdict: Tidal for now but surely no clear winner, depends on your preference but you actually hear more details through Qobus.

8) Wattson Emserson Analog vs Madison
I only had the loaner for a week, but I really thank the distributor for passing it on to me. Regrettably I could not find sufficient time to fully access the real potential of Madison, given the ever changing tweaks happening concurrently during the comparison of the two devices. Suffice to say, Madison, right out of the box, in stock mode, was at least 30% improvement over my WEA with iFi+ Power supply! I may put out another post based on my limited time with this nice Streamer/DAC!

Madison goes for 3199 euros. It comes with a volume control built in;  Leedh processing and dual Cirus DAC chips to improve the sound; with balanced and RCA outputs; optical and digital in; headphone input; packing a lot of great features in box that is larger than WEA yet still compact. Whether it is your cup of tea will depend on what you are ultimately looking for. It is however, designed for as a one-for-all solution with highest quality and at an affordable price (still reasonable for what it has). With Leedh volume control, one may even abandon the preamp if one plays only digital sources. But the price difference is the main factor, as it is almost double that of the Emerson Analog. For me, the big question is whether I can take out my iCon4 as a solution and use solely Madison as preamp/dac/streamer? What are the pros and cons? No answer from me yet but for those who have other digital sources ready to connect to Madison and a pair of nice cans to listen to music, it will be a no brainer!! Verdict: Not out yet~😎

9) Schumann Generator Editor: Don't hold your breath. This is quite ephemeral but we are trying to assess the effect. It shall be a future joint article between ELO, Kwong and me.

Wrap Up
How is the overall sound compare to the original? This is a million dollar question for me and I simply DO NOT have a clear answer but I feel I hear more details and quieter background and now with the low level in to subwoofer using my Mogami interconnect which is known to have speed and attack, it has more immediacy and attack definitely! And most importantly, my body starts to rock and my feet is tapping involuntarily, that is a good sign!

As I had discussed with Kwong, a good system vs an average one is like the performance by a top vs mediocre background vocalist (I admit there are a lot of brilliant background vocalists; Whitney Houston used to be one). Another analogy is that you are driving a Porsche 911 at full speed and in a hair splitting moment come to a sudden and abrupt stop at the very edge of the cliff: your heart had leaped out of the car into the air while the body is still inside. Or would you prefer the sedan car gently and safely brake to a comfortable stop at 2 feet away from the edge of the cliff ?

Another analogy, it's like when you are listening to violin performance. You are being thrown into the mid air by a violin stroke but when you finally gather your senses, the violin stroke goes completely in the opposite direction, and then you start catching up, and then, without noticing, it goes again the opposite direction and that keeps repeating! If you rather prefer a constant velocity and gentle acceleration and deceleration, it is your choice! But I prefer to be swung in mid air and experience standing at the edge of a cliff !

Hope I am one small step closer to my ultimate goal to audio Nirvana!