Am I courting derision and contempt?

Feanor said:
Apparently you are unaware of the gratuitous abuse that Canada is taking from the current US Administration. If you were, you would understand why I said I preferred not to buy US products at this time -- absolute no implication the DartZeel was made in the USofA.
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Oh gawd - give it up already.

This is your third try at hijacking this thread with Canada-crying which no one cares about.

Instead talk about your support for IP theft and slave labor in Chinese hifi and keep it on topic.
 
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Feanor said:
Right now I can report that it sounds very nice. Although I haven't heard that amp for several years, I'd say the 'D5' is pretty commerable to the Pass X150.5 I then owned. Consider, (given the 'D5" is close the the DartZeel design), both are low feedback designs of approx. the same popower.
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Pretty bold statement. You are comparing the sound of an amp containing very advanced tech, parts, and meticulous construction and is priced accordingly, to a Chinese clone that costs $800 Cnd.? Speechless.

BTW, audio memory from several years ago (let alone an hour ago) is totally unreliable. With all due respect, I do question the transparency of your system and your ability to make meaningful amp comparisons. I used to own the Sonic Frontier preamp you mention some 30 or so years ago. Nice piece but very "tubey", dark and colored sounding. In any event, enjoy your clone. If you are happy with it, that's all that matters. Best.
 
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ggdudeabides said:
Pretty bold statement. You are comparing the sound of an amp containing very advanced tech, parts, and meticulous construction and is priced accordingly, to a Chinese clone that costs $800 Cnd.? Speechless.

BTW, audio memory from several years ago (let alone an hour ago) is totally unreliable. With all due respect, I do question the transparency of your system and your ability to make meaningful amp comparisons. I used to own the Sonic Frontier preamp you mention some 30 or so years ago. Nice piece but very "tubey", dark and colored sounding. In any event, enjoy your clone. If you are happy with it, that's all that matters. Best.
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I'm not going to deny that audio memory isn't reliable -- but I AM telling you my impression. Like all subjective attestations one ought to take it with a grain of salt.

Vis-à-vis the Sonic Frontiers Line 1, I had mine upgraded to "SE+" status. Actually this was arguably more a restoration than an upgrade though some "audiophile" components such as Mundorf caps were used -- BTW, this is Parts ConneXion's standard upgrade strategy. The upgrade, despite newer, maybe better components, didn't change the character or the Line 1 in the slightest -- so much for "very advanced tech parts".

Here's another impression. The Transaudio 'D5' sounded much less good driven by the SF Line 1, (price equivalent in 2026 to at least US$6000), than it did driven by the Schiit Kara, ($700). As put to me recently, Sonic Frontiers product were intentionally designed to measure like solid state while using tubes -- they largely succeed relative to the s/s of 30 years ago.

The Chinese cloners are able to keep prices low by using a lot standard parts, e.g. casings. Look around AliExpess and you are likely to find a dozen different clone amps using the same, very sturdy case. Similarly, e.g., the same case and the same remote controlled resistor ladder volume control and input selector component is used in dozen different clone preamps. The cloners eschew pricey sucker-bait "audiophile" parts but do include competent industry standard Japanese and German parts extensively.

If all audiophile wanted was "high fidelity" they could use a Topping Pre90 or Schiit Kara, Topping B200's or, say, an Apollon or Buckeye Purifi 1ET9040BA. This will cost a person maybe US$4000 total. What cost's the big money is choosing the combination of distortions that will please you for a few months or a couple of years.
 
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Feanor said:
Apparently you are unaware of the gratuitous abuse that Canada is taking from the current US Administration. If you were, you would understand why I said I preferred not to buy US products at this time -- absolute no implication the DartZeel was made in the USofA.
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Really don't care. Man up elect a real leader... And go take a writing class your grammar is really really bad I mean kie grade 3 level. Eh.
 
RepublicOfTexas69 said:
Really don't care. Man up elect a real leader... And go take a writing class your grammar is really really bad I mean kie grade 3 level. Eh.
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Fine, I promise to avoid ad hominem shoots. I don't know what they teach in Texas but my grammar is fine -- albeit my typing skill leaves something to be desired.

If you want to talk hifi and hifi equipment I'll be all there, but I'm not engaging any further personal attacks or political debates with the semi-informed
 
My initial REVIEW of the Transaudio 'D5' power amplifier ....

I purchase this amplifier from a seller at AliExpress in July 2026. My goal was to (i) test out an amp that would contrast with the Purifi 1ET400A class D amp I was using, and (ii) test AliExpress purchase process.

The 'D5' amp cost me a whopping Cdn$ 800 in total; $517 for the item, $283 for shipping. I order the amp on July 18. The vendor shipped it on July 25 using UPS as the carrier. I received the amp in London, Ontario, on July 30. The packaging was good and the amp undamaged by all appearance. Hooking it up and running it proved in had survived the journey and was working properly.

The amp appears very solidly constructed and looks good in 'silver' which I chose rather that 'black'.

My associated equipment was the following:
  • Lossless digital recordings on my NAS
  • Windows 11 running ...
  • Equalizer APD with FIR filters created by Gsonic
  • Foobar2000 player
  • Topping D90 DAC
  • Schiit Kara F preamp .OR. Sonic Frontiers Line 1 SE+ preamp
  • Zaph Audio ZRT (DIY) speakers.
Running the ultra-low distortion Schiit Kara in high gain mode, which was probably necessitated by the SE-only inputs, my impressions where the following:
  • No audible hum; no On or Off transients
  • Subtlety warm presentation throughout the range
  • Nice mid-range in general; vocals and piano with a slight, pleasant "luster"
  • Robust bass but not boomy or overbearing
  • Very good-to-excellent transparency & air.
In contrast the Purifi 1ET400A amp I'd been using:
  • Has the "Nth degree" of detail & transparency
  • Delivers slightly deeper bass with rigid control & articulation, (the Purify has a damping factor >100,000)
  • Is completely neutral in tone but, depending on the recording, it can sound rather analytic or austere.
I switched out the Schiit Kara for the all-tube, (but notoriously unromantic), Sonic Frontiers Line 1. The Line 1 had these effects:
  • "Softer" but not warmer presentation
  • A small loss of air & transparency
  • Loss of the aforementioned "luster" of vocals and piano.
My general conclusion is that the 'D5' DartZeel "clone" is a well-built, fine sounding amplifier and a ludicrous value for the money.

I suggest this 'D5' amp is best matched with a low distortion up-stream source such as a Schiit Kara, a Topping Pre90, or an Eversolo or WiiM streamer. For quite some time I've recommended that if you want a "warmer" or otherwise altered presentation, the best way to insinuate flavor is to pair suitable preamp matched with a ultra-low distortion power amp.

I'm sorry if some people are challenged by the idea that a cheap amp can sound good
 
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Feanor said:
Fine, I promise to avoid ad hominem shoots. I don't know what they teach in Texas but my grammar is fine -- albeit my typing skill leaves something to be desired.

If you want to talk hifi and hifi equipment I'll be all there, but I'm not engaging any further personal attacks or political debates with the semi-informed
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Sadly, a lot of good people get hurt by these fights. In my part of the world, distilleries are sitting idle and workers sitting at home because Canada-and lots of other nations-are essentially boycotting our products in retaliation to the tax increases imposed by our government. You don't have to assign blame to feel for these folks. I suggest you head down to your local liquor store and demand a bottle of good Kentucky bourbon. I can guarantee from broad experience that after your third glass it won't matter what your amp cost, or where it was made-it will sound great. More effective than cable risers.
 
Kramer64 said:
Sadly, a lot of good people get hurt by these fights. In my part of the world, distilleries are sitting idle and workers sitting at home because Canada-and lots of other nations-are essentially boycotting our products in retaliation to the tax increases imposed by our government. You don't have to assign blame to feel for these folks. I suggest you head down to your local liquor store and demand a bottle of good Kentucky bourbon. I can guarantee from broad experience that after your third glass it won't matter what your amp cost, or where it was made-it will sound great. More effective than cable risers.
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Haha!! I only drink Scotch as ever. I refuse to partake in any further political repartee.
 
Feanor said:
Fine, I promise to avoid ad hominem shoots. I don't know what they teach in Texas but my grammar is fine -- albeit my typing skill leaves something to be desired.

If you want to talk hifi and hifi equipment I'll be all there, but I'm not engaging any further personal attacks or political debates with the semi-informed
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Cheers buddy should not have opened the door in the first place. BTW my company is doing great in Canada sale's up 40%. Great to be an American and living in the Republic of Texas, fastest growing economy......Good luck! Oh I am informed.
 
Feanor said:
What cost's the big money is choosing the combination of distortions that will please you for a few months or a couple of years.
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Hi Feanor. Not aware of any connection between ""big money" and "combination of distortions" whatever that means and how that relates to a time period listener is able to enjoy the distortions whatever that means. No explanations necessary.

Subjective belief of what is factual is a very blurry line, especially regarding audio. But I ramble. As I said before and regardless of its technical merits or other relevant information regarding this item, I am glad you like the sound of your clone and are pleased with the purchase. Again that's all that matters.

Regarding contiinuation of this thread. Do what you want but I think its reached its "shelf life" or in other words, its expiration date. And if someone will pay $6K for your Sonic Frontiers preamp, I'd take it in a heartbeat. Best.
 
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Kramer64 said:
Sadly, a lot of good people get hurt by these fights. In my part of the world, distilleries are sitting idle and workers sitting at home because Canada-and lots of other nations-are essentially boycotting our products in retaliation to the tax increases imposed by our government. You don't have to assign blame to feel for these folks. I suggest you head down to your local liquor store and demand a bottle of good Kentucky bourbon. I can guarantee from broad experience that after your third glass it won't matter what your amp cost, or where it was made-it will sound great. More effective than cable risers.
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The only distillery in KY that is idle that has some brand name recognition IMO is Jim Beam. Jim Beam is not a premium bourbon brand IMO.
 
ggdudeabides said:
Pretty bold statement. You are comparing the sound of an amp containing very advanced tech, parts, and meticulous construction and is priced accordingly, to a Chinese clone that costs $800 Cnd.? Speechless.

BTW, audio memory from several years ago (let alone an hour ago) is totally unreliable. With all due respect, I do question the transparency of your system and your ability to make meaningful amp comparisons. I used to own the Sonic Frontier preamp you mention some 30 or so years ago. Nice piece but very "tubey", dark and colored sounding. In any event, enjoy your clone. If you are happy with it, that's all that matters. Best.
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You should read my thread on audio memory if you haven't. If you have you must not accept facts.
 
ggdudeabides said:
Hi Feanor. Not aware of any connection between ""big money" and "combination of distortions" whatever that means and how that relates to a time period listener is able to enjoy the distortions whatever that means. No explanations necessary.

Subjective belief of what is factual is a very blurry line, especially regarding audio. But I ramble. As I said before and regardless of its technical merits or other relevant information regarding this item, I am glad you like the sound of your clone and are pleased with the purchase. Again that's all that matters.

Regarding contiinuation of this thread. Do what you want but I think its reached its "shelf life" or in other words, its expiration date. And if someone will pay $6K for your Sonic Frontiers preamp, I'd take it in a heartbeat. Best.
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Things have gotten a little out of hand and I'll take my share of blame for that. I've experienced some derision and contempt but I'm prepared to further discuss specifics the amplifier in question with any one who is calm and objective.
 
mep said:
The only distillery in KY that is idle that has some brand name recognition IMO is Jim Beam. Jim Beam is not a premium bourbon brand IMO.
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I wish that were true but there are several distilleries in Kentucky that have hit hard times and recent months, Kentucky owl, Garrard County distilling, and others.. Jim Beam, as anyone familiar with the industry knows, is a major player and the bourbon business.
 
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