Review of the Y&S Symphonies ("the Hong Kong") Preamp...

I set up the preamp this weekend and listened to tons of music. I'll write a review shortly (after I've had a few more cups of coffee). This "thingie" is a great deal...

Todd

 

Todd,

Wow! That new pre must be somethin' special to keep you up all night. Isn't it 11:30 there?

 

Dave,

NY is eastern standard time. Right now it's 11:45AM (I can't document the seconds because they keep changing)...

Yes, I was staying up late this weekend listening to music (wow). I'm going to write a review shortly (I'm on my 2nd cup of coffee so far)...

Todd

 

Here’s my review of the Y&S Symphonies ('the Hong Kong") Preamp.

I received my "used" Y&S preamp last week and spent the weekend giving it a drive. This virtually “unkown” (in the audio community) line level preamplifier is designed by Mr. Chui Sat Sung (of Hong Kong) and it is simply fantastic.

It uses three 12AX7A tubes for the stage and one 6X4 for the power supply. There are 4 source inputs and 2 pairs of line outs (all high quality connectors). It is not the most attractive unit in the world but this preamp is about reproducing music accurately and not winning beauty contests. To be fair, it looks like an "honest" piece of equipment with it's very functional knobs (volume, balance, selector), easily laid out on silver brushed metal with gold trimmings (with logo/name/etc.). For the low suggested $995 retail cost, it's obvious that the entire budget went towards the high quality parts (Alps vol. pots, “R” core power trannies, Dale resistors, Wima & Phillips coupling caps), point to point wiring (silver coated, Teflon insulated, high quality copper internal wiring) and all hand made (the inside is beautiful/which is what matters). It has a power on/off switch on the left-front side and comes with a removable 14g stock EIC power chord (black).

I installed it on my Target 5 shelf rack (filled with sand) with some basic isolation tweaks (begone you bad vibrations), playback sources connected (CD player & TT with AcousTech Phonostage/**Y&S preamp does not have a phonostage**), connected to my trusty Dynaco ST-70 (with DIY Beldon CC 89259 speaker wires & interconnects), which is powering my newly acquired Meadowlark Heron Hot Rods (single wired w/DIY jumper). The Y&S instruction manual suggests powering up the preamp for at least 2 minutes before turning on the separate amp (which makes good sense/no pops). I let the tubes on the preamp & amp warm up for at least 45 minutes before doing any "critical" listening (not that I'm that critical anyway). Okay, enough of the technical goobly-gock, what does the music coming from this system sound like and what are my impressions (I can do a mean Grocho if you like)?

After a few moments of listening I found myself in music nirvana (not the band). For years I've been reading about how people felt like they "really" hear musicians playing in their rooms in front of them (like ghosts). If they closed their eyes they could really imagine the sweat ruining their carpets or drinks spilling on the dog during a live recording (perfume filling the air, etc.). For me, it was a pleasure having Mister Nat King Cole sweat and flick cigarette ash on my carpet (a nice wool one/I'll send him the bill). I played my DCC vinyl copy of 'The Very Thought of You" and also my DCC Gold CD of his Greatest Hits. The inclusion of this preamp helped recreate accurately the very true, distinct timbre of Mr. Cole's voice (breath, lips, spit, teeth, reality). I felt like I had the privilage to be sitting in the Capital studio listening to him sing into the mike (and also breath). His voice was not harsh, pushed, stressed of anything negative sometimes associated with sound reproduction. It sounded completely natural. The music that was playing behind him was very real and convincing. I could easily get a sense of the space, air, room, soundstage, depth and all that other stuff I've read about for years but never "had" in my own home.

I decided later in the day (after lunch) to listen to the Mop Tops. I played my vinyl copy (UK stereo 70's reissue) of 'Beatles For Sale'. From the opening lines of 'No Reply' to the last bop on 'Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby' I was in Abbey Road Studio #2 (not really but it felt that way). Everything sounded "real" tone wise. The drums were pounding (great bass definition) and George's lead guitar work was singing (I could hear the pick touching the metal strings and the electric tones coming from the amp as if it was live). The vocals were floating in the air as if "they" were busking in my living room. For example, on 'Everybody's...' I was almost able "see" the sonic shape of all the processing on George's voice (very uncanny/almost like a textured shape). Notes have clearly heard long decays on Beatle records? Listen to the piano/drum on 'Every Little Thing' (you know, the bum-bum).


On Sunday (several records later/who needs sleep?) I played my US stereo first pressing (6-eye) of Brubeck's 'Time Out' (how many of these "Time" themed albums did he do anyway?). I've heard that one of the most difficult instruments for a system to reproduce is the piano (very complex beast). Did I hear a convincing piano being played in my living room? No! What? I'm sorry I'm a liar. Yes, I did!! I heard notes, attack, decay, boney fingers, rhythm, etc. I was tapping my foot during those pieces. The drum set (especially the ringing tones), musicality, dynamic range on 'Take 5' didn't want me to take 5 or 10 or 100. I just was mesmorized (I've heard this album hundreds of times but I never "felt" it like this). What an incredible soundstage (an incredible everything). While the drums were going off (you know the part I mean) I could hear some wheezing on the bass strings sometimes (fingers waiting impatiently to join in/almost wanting to join the groove) and I could hear one of the musicians (maybe Dave) ever so softly making comments like "hmmmm, yeah, mmmmmm" in the far background of the studio. What incredible clarity to be able to easily hear and pinpoint all this stuff happening. Wow!

So, last night (Sunday) I went to bed very late (finally). I had trouble turning the system off because I kept wanting to hear & experience more & more music (can you blame me?). So how did this Y&S preamp do in my system? It added a missing element of "soul". "It's alive!" In the next month I'm going to get some used Telefunken 12AX7A tubes (which I'm told are supposed to bring this baby to an even higher level/I'm almost nervous). I highly recommend anyone to try out this pretty much “unknown” preamp and let us know what you think (worth every penny, pound or yen or even 3 hens). As I said before, from what I understand, there are no corners cut with this unit in the name of "mark-up" or paying biggie advertising bills (heck, that's why it's unknown) or any other common western business practices (Mr. Chui Sat Sung is an excellent designer but maybe not the best business person?). I think even for "double" or dare I say "triple" (how dare you!) the retail price this Hong Kong preamp would still be a "steal."

All the best,

Todd

P.S. Thank you again Kim and Tom Port of Better Records (who acted as "broker")

 

Great review Todd. Isn't it gratifying when everything comes together? I'd like to recommend that you audition Keith Jarretts' Koln Concert for its dynamic and very lively piano. Not a shabby performance either...

 

Thanks, pigmode! It is a great feeling when it all comes together. I'm really enjoying listening to so many recordings as for the first time. Everything's a different experience. I'll check out the recording you've recommended...

Todd