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DNA Stratus vacuum tube headphone amplifier The DNA Stratus vacuum tube headphone amplifier is specially created to drive all dynamic headphones with the life-like fidelity uniquely provided by the 2A3 directly heated triode. The 2A3 is my all-time favorite directly heated triode vacuum tube and is normally used for powering high efficiency loudspeakers. It has a pure, natural presentation with "you are there" tangible presence. Many speciality audiophile headphones including the AKG K1000, Audeze LCD-2 & LCD-3, HiFiMAN HE-5LE, HE-500 & HE-6 are lower efficiency than conventional headphones and require higher gain and power to show their true beauty. The 2A3 is my first choice for powering these challenging headphones with stunning performances. The Stratus works wonders on the Sennheiser HD800, beyerdynamic T1, and numerous other audiophile headphones. Design features include: • Purist class A single ended triode design • Output transformers custom made to DNA's specifications in the USA • Zero feedback or other error correction trickery • Point-to-point hand wired audio circuitry using carefully selected audiophile components • Quasi-dual mono power supply with separate filter chokes and capacitors for left and right channels • Dual 3-pin & 4-pin XLR and 1/4" stereo TRS outputs • All XLR and 1/4" TRS outputs provide the same power: 1.8W into 50 ohms, 900mW into 100 ohms • 4-pin XLR output can be used with all headphones - not just the K1000 only. I labeled it "K1000" in honor of the legendary headphone which was the inspiration for developing the Stratus. • 1/4" stereo TRS outut on -6dB gain attenuation setting has selectable output impedance between 3 ohm (Low setting) and 115 ohm (IEC setting) • TKD volume control potentiometer Input impedance: 50Kohms Dimensions: 8.5 " H x 17" W x 14 " D (21.6cm H x 43.2cm W x 35.6cm D) including tubes and connectors & controls. Mains voltage: 100/110/120/220/230/240V factory configurable Price: $2600-
Listener comments: "...the Stratus is to my ears the pinnacle of tube headphone amplifiers...I have yet to find a pair of headphones that sound anything short of their best on the Stratus" "The Stratus gives a HUGE sound and ticks all of the boxes you listed. I have about 100 hours on mine and the sound is absolutely sublime with the HD800, the best I've ever heard it sound." "I am BLOWN AWAY. I am about to drop some serious praise on your amp in the Stratus Head-fi thread. Running EML meshplates right now with the EML 5U4G as well, stock 6N1P. Already trying to figure a way to raise cash for other tubes to roll in. I have always preferred BODY and TONE to anything else and those are, to my mind, the strong points of your amp. Not that there's any loss in detail or punch, just that you've managed to make my entire body partake in the listening experience in a way that only 2-channel speaker listening has been able to do for me in the past (despite the growing collection of headphone amps you saw at my studio...) I will keep you updated as things break-in. But for now, THANK YOU for making such a fine piece of equipment and for having such fantastic ears..." "Over the last 5 days I have been enjoying the amp with my Audeze LCD-2's and my Sennheiser HD-800's. Bottom line-the amp sounds fantastic with both headphones. The amp is fast, powerful, warm, rich, and big sounding. I've never heard my Audeze's convey such a big sense of space. I almost thought I was listening to my HD800's for a bit. Not only did the amp handle both headphones well, it seems to deal with all styles of music equally well." "Through the LA7000 headphone, I hear a bit of extra bass, but it's not bloom, as it has excellent timbre and dynamic control - it's part of the signature of the D7000. In fact, the attack, tone and fade of the timpani and plucked double bass are the best I've heard." "The Stratus on the HD800 makes a gorgeous sound, with great timbre on their voices, and great punch on the kickdrum and the low bass riff. Not just toe-tappin', it's a belly-movin', get up and move rhythm!" "With the stock TRS cable, the HD800 sounds darn near the same as the RS cable. That's what the DHT SET power does. Dynamite punch and not just separate voices but all fit together in a real, you-are-there tapestry." "I think the Stratus is a different beast -- the sound quality has presence without any hint of tube bloom, and so clear I can hear the noise floor on several CDs, and even some of the overdubs and multi-track edits." "So I compared it [beyerdynamic T1] on the Stratus, and the Stratus produces all of the inner detail and natural timbre, with the added dollop of presence, of goose-bump "you are there" feeling on every note, from every voice. As santacore said, rich, full, fast and powerful, without a hint of bloom or overhang, very satisfying, gorgeous music." "I have switched over now completely for instrumental music -- the Stratus with NOS tubes is simply outstanding driving my T1 on a DHC RSC cable. Last night I enjoyed listening to Brahms 3rd Symphony with Claudio Abbado on DG - this time it was clearly a moving, stupendous performance --- crystal clear, noise-free, each section (voice) in its own location within a big soundstage, powerful (the timpani and pizzicato on the double bass were tuneful, controlled, and visceral), and the strings were liquid with incredible timbre and real resin. I could just hear someone breathe occasionally (quite close on the right in the cello or bass section), which I have never heard before on this recording, and, for the first time, I could hear the small timbral differences and place the different violin clusters in that fast fugal section in the first movement - extraordinary!! A truly wonderful headphone rig!" "Besides, I really cannot believe that I will ever hear headphone music any more beautiful than what I am listening to right now --- Emil Gilels and his daughter Elena playing Mozart's Concerto for Two Pianos and Schubert's fantastic two piano Fantasie D940 on DG --- through my Bricasti, Stratus and T1. Just plain AWESOME. Thanks again, Donald !!!!!!" "Like I wrote above, I am VERY happy with the SQ I have now from my M1 > Stratus > T1 using the EML 2A3-S tubes, which keep getting better. And with the Marigo Mystery Feet that Rdr. Seraphim recommended in this thread installed under every component, the SQ is better than any headphone music I have ever heard." "I'm listening to LCD-2 on my brand new Stratus and all I can say is... A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. My previous amp was a WA3 but it just doesn't do any justice to the Audeze. Now I'm hearing what it's capable of and I can understand all the hype about them... everything is perfect, and Sade's voice is pure luxury to my ears..." The DNA Stratus is sold factory direct. Contact us for information how to purchase |
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