Heaven 11 - Billie Mk3 Amplifier. (Class a tube preamp + class d amp)

[BDWoody]

@Mike_Trueman … as I’ve said, this is not the forum to try getting opinions on a product such as this (or at least one which has subjective sales blurb). Folks here trust measurements, not words (and many love cheap chinese stuff with warranty issues and dubious reliability but they measure well … )

Look for an other forum.

Yes, ignoring reality, and embracing the idea that your ignorance is being directly targeted is certainly one approach.

If you want to just trash this site, maybe you should move along.

 

[BDWoody]

I used to like him because the quality of his reviews are very high until I realized how full of sh*t he is.

That's always the rub...

 

[JeremyFife]

If you want something different - Canadian made / hand made - then it's not actually too expensive for the features (Mk II was ~$2k).
Obviously, there are no measurements so no indication of actual performance but the DAC and Amplifier modules are good so there's hope.

The marketing language is nonsense ('Mince', in Scots) and the valves are just an affectation (my opinion). It's nice to see different options out there though.

 

[goryu]

Class d and tubes is an oxymoron.

 

[BeeKay]

Where did they come up with this chart? Looks like a bunch of nonsense.


View attachment 399705

Can you or they provide any support for these remarkable claims? What a joke.

Audiophile bullshit bingo. Annoying to say the least …

 

[Jim Taylor]

Now this new MK3 version is something to look out for. well for me it is so i hope for others also.

I don't know whether you realize it or not, but you're promoting this ... stuff. This is not a "whee-whee, look at this!" type site. It is a "let's cut through the bullshit and find out what this really is" type site.

The older MKI and MK2 allready had some good reviews.

Were they science-and-evidence based reviews, or subjectivist based reviews? If the latter, they are worthless.

It's a good thing to be enthusiastic about the audio hobby. It's a bad thing to allow scam artists to use that enthusiasm to manipulate you.

Jim

 

[pogo]

Can you or they provide any support for these remarkable claims?

They will certainly refer to the datasheets of the amp modules.

 

[BDWoody]

They will certainly refer to the datasheets of the amp modules.

Can you use that to show me how one is "Wide and precise" and the other is "Expansive with depth?"

They crowdsourced some anecdotes. You do see the ridiculousness of this, don't you?

 

[SIY]

Can you use that to show me how one is "wide and precise" and the other is "Expansive with depth?"

They crowdsourced some anecdotes. You do see the ridiculousness of this, don't you?

Or used an LLM to generate them.

 

[Palmer]

You guys are slightly harsh, with a somewhat warm expansive depth, that is robust yet engaging. Responses to posts are usually fast and dynamic, with a sense of exceptional clarity, but often sharp and precise.

 

[pogo]

You do see the ridiculousness of this, don't you?

It is technically equivalent to the output impedance switching on a T+A A200 or M200.
T+A setting LO = ICEpower
T+A setting HI = Hypex

 

[TimW]

At least it looks nice, like a higher end piece of Schiit. I wonder how their circuit design compares to Schiit though. Are they just slapping an amplifier module and tubes in a case with poorly designed circuits in between or does it actually measure respectably?

 

[CHenry]

Class d and tubes is an oxymoron.

Why is class D and tube an "oxymoron?" It isn't. The tube section is limited to the preamp. The amplifier proper is class-D. That combination is not new and neither is the combination of tube preamps and solid-state amps new. I have had a couple of systems using preamps with selectable-tube preamps (with selectable solid-state preamp stages as well) combined with Purify class D amps and another with active speakers having class-D amps. For that matter, there are class-A/class-D and class-A/class-AB (Class-"G") integrateds.

 

[CHenry]

Audiophile bullshit bingo. Annoying to say the least …

Total B.S. on every side since the amp isn't even on the market yet.

 

[goryu]

A a lot of people choose Purifi, Hypex, and other state of the art class d due to their stellar performance with regard to inaudible distortion and flat frequency response. Adding tubes sort of defeats the purpose. If you like the added distortion that tubes often add, why not use dsp and instead of just adding distortion, do it in a controlled manner?

 

[Kutusov]

@Mike_Trueman … as I’ve said, this is not the forum to try getting opinions on a product such as this (or at least one which has subjective sales blurb). Folks here trust measurements, not words (and many love cheap chinese stuff with warranty issues and dubious reliability but they measure well … )

Look for an other forum.

Hi, I'm a member since 2019 but I rarely post here. Can you tell me if that is the official adm position of the forum? Meaning, subjective discussions are not allowed here?

 

[DVDdoug]

Can you tell me if that is the official adm position of the forum? Meaning, subjective discussions are not allowed here?

I'm pretty sure it's not against the rules... Amir listens and gives his opinions, backed-by measurements.

If you say, "This speaker has wimpy bass", or "I'm hearing a hiss from this amplifier", those words have actual meanings and nobody will give you a hard time.

But if you say something like, "This amplifier is very musical", or use other undefined audiophile nonsense, you'll get push-back.

 

[mhardy6647]

Class d and tubes is an oxymoron.

It's certainly possible to build a PWM amplifier using naught but vacuum tubes, but it's not terribly practical.
The notion of PWM amplification dates back to those days before the aliens quietly slipped some silicon P/N junctions to a few guys at the Bell Labs .

Class D (PWM) amplifier archaeology

So, I'm a scientist, not a historian, but I am still fascinated by history... and I crave context. You all know that the late Sir Clive Sinclair is regarded as the purveyor of the first significant PWM amplifier products for audio. https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=81139 A...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Kutusov]

I'm pretty sure it's not against the rules... Amir listens and gives his opinions, backed-by measurements.

If you say, "This speaker has wimpy bass", or "I'm hearing a hiss from this amplifier", those words have actual meanings and nobody will give you a hard time.

But if you say something like, "This amplifier is very musical", or use other undefined audiophile nonsense, you'll get push-back.

Thanks, I just wanted clarification because the statement was "this forum is not for opinions on products like this, get another forum" and it's not the first time I've seen such replies. I couldn't find any pinned comment about the nature of what's allowed in this forum but it was such a strong reply that I had to ask. Thanks again.

 

[antcollinet]

Thanks, I just wanted clarification because the statement was "this forum is not for opinions on products like this, get another forum" and it's not the first time I've seen such replies. I couldn't find any pinned comment about the nature of what's allowed in this forum but it was such a strong reply that I had to ask. Thanks again.

We can discuss any audio equipment we like here**. What is not appreciated much is subjective opinion stated as fact (eg "tube amps sound great/better than xyz"). Much better to discuss factual (measurement/engineering based) topics regarding the equipment of choice. Stating a personal preference is fine as long as it is clear that is what it is. Though if the measurements show that the gear will sound +/- the same as any other half way decent kit, you may get pushback on the suggestion that there is an audible difference to prefer.

**We have a whole massive vinyl thread that has been ongoing for years for example.