Awesome! Which exact A-H is this? Any particular years?
1 Like
So the AIC10 is best to run something like the Sus or Tungsten from the speaker taps? I saw this mentioned on headfi. I didn’t realize that.
It’s better for everything from the taps because of the resistors on the front outputs. It still sounds amazing on both ends just better from the back.
It’s not because of power differences or anything, it’s the same circuit.
1 Like
Ok good to know. Had no idea. I assumed you guys used the front jack.
I know a few who do.
@Draaly and me used the back for most stuff. Personally with Utopia and some tubes it was a bit too noisy so I used the front but for most headphones I tried and especially the hard to drive, definitely from the taps
2 Likes
Awesome! Would love to hear your impressions after some time.
3 Likes
With an hours worth of listening.
It’s an impressive amp, reminds me a bit of the voicing of the Cavalli amps, though more refined.
Digs deep in the bass, the mid bass comes across maybe slightly forwards, it separates and resolves extremely well.
Stage obviously doesn’t compare in size to the Viva, but nothing really does.
It could be just the tube (I think Keith said it had a Tele G73-R in it) but currently I feel the top end comes across a bit soft, it does it without really losing any clarity, but it lacks the snap on snares of say the Viva or even the EC, and distorted guitars lack bite, also makes some male vocals come across slightly recessed.
Reminds me a bit of some 12AX7 pre’s I’ve heard, which can sometimes have the same trait.
Obviously need to listen to it for an extended period to get used to the presentation, but it really is very good.
7 Likes
Do you have a speakers taps to XLR adapter? You should definitely try it that way… I can send you one if you don’t have it.
4 Likes
I don’t have one, but I only have the amp until Friday. I could pretty easily make up an adapter I’m pretty sure I have everything I need on hand. I’ll look tomorrow.
Even if it were mine I wouldn’t roll tubes in that timeframe. I need to get accustomed to the sound. There is a lot to like from the sound, it’s quite compelling, but it’s tilted a fair ways away from what I’m used to, this doesn’t really surprise me given where both your and Keith’s preferences lie in relation to my own, and it’ll take me a few hours to get past that.
It’s the first time I’ve heard one in an environment where I’m comfortable judging if it’s something I’d want to live with.
8 Likes
The tube roll in AIC really makes a difference and warm up for ideal sound is around 45 minutes so worth a shot maybe close to the end of the week.
Let me know if you want a package of a couple tubes and the adapter at least to try out.
Happy listening, personally there’s nothing quite like the Riviera sound for me! I’m looking forward to more impressions and how you like it with the Pacific. Should be amazing synergy.
4 Likes
Fascinating. Agree need some time to settle.
I need to set up time to have your ears on my full setup to see if that’s still the picture or if somehow my other components are compensating.
Your KR242 and C3G definitely would be pretty even from top to bottom.
The G73R isn’t particularly warm… I’d say other tubes in the AIC10 compromised too much on transparency for me.
5 Likes
No warm isn’t the right descriptor, though the amp has plenty of body, I’d probably term what I’m hearing as smooth. Could be the tube, could be a function of the amp.
For a lot of female vocals it doesn’t bother me, Tuck and Patty, I notice it more on Tucks guitar than Patties voice, similarly Orchestral, I only really notice it on the texture of the violins.
But throw on something like Dire Straits, and Mark Knopflers voice is just a bit smoothed over, and the snare hits in something like Money for Nothing are softened.
Don’t get me wrong the amp is stellar, it’s probably slightly more resolving than the Viva (although I’d have to go back and listen), the background is blacker, my take is it controls the Bass better, and I think it stages very naturally, albeit much smaller than the Viva, but I need to get past that smoothness to get a better take.
I know for me specifically, the treble presentation is a big deal, there is a fine line between what I like and harsh or overly smooth.
I a;so don’t think it’s a lack of treble energy, I though perhaps that smoothness might take the edge of some particularly acrid vocals in 80’s rock recordings, but it really didn’t.
9 Likes
Is the Viva strictly a HP amp, no speaker taps?
2 Likes
The Egoista is just a headphone amp.
The Solistino is the Integrated equivalent, and the Solista, is similar but with twice the tube compliment.
1 Like
Do you have the same thoughts on the aic when paired with the totaldac?
2 Likes
I’m not sure I have much of an opinion paired with anything yet.
I haven’t tried it with the TotalDAC, and I likely won’t, my systems aren’t near each other and there isn’t really space near the total DAC without moving the EC.
2 Likes
Well 3 days in, and having acclimatized to the presentation.
There is a lot to like here there it’s really “refined” sound, it has great clarity I especially notice it in the mid bass.
I still find it very relaxed/romantic sounding, though not in the typical tube bloat sense.
I stand by my it reminds me of the Cavalli sound, but more refined statement.
It’ll be interesting to swap back to the Viva at the end of the week, to see if what I currently think of the comparison still holds.
11 Likes
Can you share thoughts on how it works with Pacific and what each contributes to the sound you’re hearing?
2 Likes