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  1. #1
    Senior Member
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    Jan 2016
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    Solana Beach, CA
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    Wyred4Sound STP-SE stage 2 preamp

    I mentioned under the Sale thread that I purchased the STP SE stage 2 preamp. This was a brand new preamp, so I can't say what the upgrade brings to the table vs the base version. What I can say is that this is a seriously good preamp and a musical joy to listen to.

    The system I'm using the STP in is my "play" system. I love SET amps and love building them. Speakers are Audio Note Kits 04 speakers (basically AN/E Js with both drivers having silver voice coils and alnico magnets), Bottlehead Paramount 2A3 and DIYHifiSupply Lux91 MonoMax 300B amps, Metric Halo LIO-8 Dac, Mac Mini running Pure Music, Triode Wire Labs interconnects and speaker cables, Synergistic Research PowerCell 10SE conditioner.

    The preamp I've been using is the DIYHifiSupply Tram Mk2 which uses an EML45 DHT. That preamp brings the characteristics of a good 45 amp: very musical, very detailed, very good transients, beautiful midrange, LOTS of air, and in retrospect, a bit light in the bass.

    The first thing that was easy to notice is that the STP has much more of a balanced sound from top to bottom. Music is much more grounded because the relatively increased bass and mid bass create a firm foundation. There is more body to the music. Instruments are more dense. A significant improvement that was easy to hear immediately. Even more so than the very good Tram2, instruments are better sorted and separated. It's easier to follow individual instruments. Instruments sound more natural. You hear somewhat more of the violin and cello "woody" sound while still preserving the natural string sound, and without harshness. Leading edge transients are very good. Decay is very good, but not quite as good as the Tram2 (which is as good as anything I have heard).

    The other thing that is immediately noticeable is that the STP does not convey "air" or the sense of being in the recording venue, to the degree that the Tram2 does. But again, that is something the Tram2 does extremely well. The STP is good, just not as good as the 45 DHT preamp.

    What took longer to appreciate is how transparent the STP is. Not quite as transparent as the Tram2, which is HIGHLY transparent, but 90% of the transparency. The Tram2 also has colorations typical of a 45 tube that it brings to all recordings to some degree. Not so the STP. Different recordings and different amps sound much more different from each other thru the STP than thru the Tram2. In the music chain from source to speakers, my sense is that the STP is by far the least colored component in the chain.

    I don't know how well my enthusiasm for the STP comes thru from what I've written above, so let me say it more plainly: the STP SE2 is an outstanding preamp and I REALLY like it. It not only does the audiophile things very well, it does the musical things very well. In the 3 weeks I've had the STP SE2 in my 2nd system, I've not listened to my main system once. Before I had the STP, I occasionally (every 3-4 months) listened to the 2nd system to indulge my DIY/SET hobby, but for real musical enjoyment, it was always back to the VAC/Magico system. With the STP SE2 in the 2nd system, I've been so drawn into the enjoying the music, I really haven't missed the main system. If I didn't have the other system, I could happily live with the 2nd system (with the STP in it) and not feel I was missing all that much (and VERY little of the musical enjoyment). I would NEVER have said that before the STP SE2 was in the system.

    HIGHLY recommended and not not just "for the price".

    Dave
    Analog source: AMG Viella 12; Ortofon Anna cartridge, van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius XGW
    Digital source: Totaldac d1-twelve Mk2 DAC, Totaldac d1-player, Totaldac d1-streamer, Totaldac Live Power supply
    Pre amp: VAC Master with phono
    Phonostage: ​Constellation Andromeda
    Amps: VAC 200iQ monoblocks
    Speakers: Magico M3 with MPods
    Cables: Synergistic Research Galileo SX speaker, phono, analog and digital interconnects
    Power products: Synergistic Research Galileo PowerCell SX and Transporter Ultra. Galileo SX and SRX power cords. Keces P3 LPS for cable modem and router.

  2. #2
    Super Moderator
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    Apr 2013
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    Re: Wyred4Sound STP-SE stage 2 preamp

    Dave,

    Thank you so much for your thoughts on the stage 2 upgraded STP-SE.

    My stock unit was excellent, so I can only imagine how great the upgraded unit sounds.

    I'm sorry I didn't order during the sale. Hopefully they do it again.

    Thanks again.

    Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Solana Beach, CA
    Posts
    199

    Re: Wyred4Sound STP-SE stage 2 preamp

    In all sincerity, I have to thank you, Randy and others for making me aware of this gem of a preamp. If it were not for this Board I would never have discovered it!

    I've got an original Dac2 for listed sale, but this preamp is SO good, I'm starting to think about upgrading the Dac instead. The Wyred guys definitely know how to make great products!

    Dave
    Analog source: AMG Viella 12; Ortofon Anna cartridge, van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius XGW
    Digital source: Totaldac d1-twelve Mk2 DAC, Totaldac d1-player, Totaldac d1-streamer, Totaldac Live Power supply
    Pre amp: VAC Master with phono
    Phonostage: ​Constellation Andromeda
    Amps: VAC 200iQ monoblocks
    Speakers: Magico M3 with MPods
    Cables: Synergistic Research Galileo SX speaker, phono, analog and digital interconnects
    Power products: Synergistic Research Galileo PowerCell SX and Transporter Ultra. Galileo SX and SRX power cords. Keces P3 LPS for cable modem and router.

  4. #4
    Super Moderator
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    Apr 2013
    Location
    NY
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    Re: Wyred4Sound STP-SE stage 2 preamp



    Thank you.

    Quote Originally Posted by Dth31 View Post
    In all sincerity, I have to thank you, Randy and others for making me aware of this gem of a preamp. If it were not for this Board I would never have discovered it!

    Dave
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    5,948

    Re: Wyred4Sound STP-SE stage 2 preamp

    Hey Dave, I agree. Seeing their operation up close I can tell you they do things very unique and special. EJ even designs and builds his boards in house now. Fantastic equipment, built extremely well and backed with 5 year warranties. American made to the extreme ...

    I own one of their new DAC's and I can tell you it is far superior to any that I have owned or heard. Well worth looking into if you are considering a new DAC.

    Sooner or later I will probably upgrade my preamplifier to stage 2.

    Oh, Wyred is going to be releasing a phono stage very soon. A new music server is just around the corner.... it will be something special, a music server that is also using high powered processors, etc., to run some of the demanding software (HQ Player anyone) and will be Roon ready. And some other very revolutionary things are just around the corner....
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
    ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Central Coast, CA
    Posts
    57

    Re: Wyred4Sound STP-SE stage 2 preamp

    Thank you for the kind words. We are very proud of the STP-SE Stage 2 and are very happy that you enjoy it!

    Some exciting new products are just around the corner... stay tuned!

  7. #7

    Re: Wyred4Sound STP-SE stage 2 preamp

    Dear Dave,

    I am a new member here and I would like to ask a question about the W4S STP-SE. I've read carefully all reviews but it seems that nobody has touched the "transistors vs. resistors" issue in them.

    I am not very knowledgable in this area and my understanding is that transistors are generally considerred better for attenuation in comp. with resistors.

    Do W4S use some different sort of resistors or their concept solve this "issue" in some other way?

    I would be very grateful for some info, as I am very curious about this preamp but I live in Bulgaria and the only way to try such stuff is to buy it.


    Thanks and regards!

  8. #8

    Re: Wyred4Sound STP-SE stage 2 preamp

    I am a new member here and I would like to ask a question about the W4S STP-SE. I've read carefully all reviews but it seems that nobody touches the "transistors vs. resistors" issue in them.

    I am not very knowledgable in this area and my understanding is that transistors are generally considerred better for attenuation in comp. with resistors.

    Do W4S use some different sort of resistors or their concept solve this "issue" in some other way?

    I would be very grateful for some info, as I am very curious about this preamp but I live in Bulgaria and the only way to try such stuff is to buy it.


    Thanks and regards!

  9. #9
    Super Moderator
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    18,726

    Re: Wyred4Sound STP-SE stage 2 preamp

    Welcome to the forum Asen. Thank you for joining.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Solana Beach, CA
    Posts
    199

    Re: Wyred4Sound STP-SE stage 2 preamp

    Perhaps someone from W4S will touch on the “tubes vs transistors” debate. I own both types and love both types although they do sound different.

    I will say that every piece of equipment that I own or have built that uses Vishay “nude” resistors has benefitted from them. Much more transparent. Less noise. Less harshness. More real tone and timbre. No downside except cost ��. I purchased my STP-SE with the upgraded resistors. Highly recommended,
    Analog source: AMG Viella 12; Ortofon Anna cartridge, van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius XGW
    Digital source: Totaldac d1-twelve Mk2 DAC, Totaldac d1-player, Totaldac d1-streamer, Totaldac Live Power supply
    Pre amp: VAC Master with phono
    Phonostage: ​Constellation Andromeda
    Amps: VAC 200iQ monoblocks
    Speakers: Magico M3 with MPods
    Cables: Synergistic Research Galileo SX speaker, phono, analog and digital interconnects
    Power products: Synergistic Research Galileo PowerCell SX and Transporter Ultra. Galileo SX and SRX power cords. Keces P3 LPS for cable modem and router.

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Wyred4Sound STP-SE stage 2 preamp

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