paulk

Item: Usher Dancer Mini X Diamond (Walnut) Speakers & Soundstyle Z1 stands Location: Gold Coast Price: SOLD for both Item Condition: sold speakers 8-8.5/10 sold stands new Reason for selling: no longer required Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only Extra Info: Bought these from gentleman SNA member about a year ago I think. He was the original owner. Speakers are in very good condition, can't find any marks. Speakers are working perfectly. They are detailed but not bright in the treble (due to diamond tweeter) and definetly have some heft in the bottom end for standmount speakers. Can also be played seriously loud. The Soundstyle Z1 ($499) speaker stands are like brand new as I bought these from Len Wallis Audio to go with these. I have boxes for both items and am willing to ship at buyers expense and risk. Happy to help in any way. Thanks for looking. Regards, Paul Pictures:

Just removed the receipt photo on the recommendation of a fellow SNA'er. Probably a good idea, but rest assured it will be supplied on purchase.

Thanks thathifiguy. I forgot they were built in limited numbers to celebrate Vincent's 20th anniversary. I think they are an up spec sp331mk with alot of upgraded parts.

Yes, it's not a heavy weight but still pretty solid at 28kg.

PM replied to. Thanks

Item: Vincent SP20 Anniversary Edition Hybrid power amp. Location:Gold Coast Qld Price: $1250 paid $1730 RRP $3499 Item Condition: 9/10 like new approx 8months old Reason for selling: going all valve Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, COD Only Extra Info: Bought this amp on speculation when Eastwood Hifi were clearing stock at very reduced prices due to a change in distributor. What piqued my interest in this model, SP20, was the combination of valve input stage and solid state output. I have enjoyed this hybrid valve amp so much I have to decided to give all valve a go. This amp has great bass weight and definition allied to a top end that is not harsh but has that beautiful valve airiness. But most importantly, this amp brings out the emotion in music. The first 10 watts are class A with all that brings but still retains composure at loud volume levels. Also included are various input valves including original russian, RCA (nos) and Amperex. Eastwood Hifi assured me any warranty claims would be fully covered by the new distributor. I have original shipping cartons and receipt. Buyer pays for shipping. Only to happy to answer any questions. Thanks for looking. Regards Paul Pictures:

I'd certainly be happy to order from them again. Regards, Paul

Hi Paul, The tubes were packed pretty well. I ordered 2 tubes from WTC and the tubes (in their small boxes) were wrapped in bubble wrap inside a small cardboard box with those small foam pieces in the box. If that makes sense. So I reckon pretty safe. I'm about to try the RCA valve soon, so will see how kind the shipping was to them. Hope they work. They do have a warranty with their valves from memory. Regards, Paul

Hope everyone had a merry xmas and all the best for the new year. Hope it's a happy and healthy one. Well I've got about 130 hrs on the SP20 now and all seems to have settled in. I was noticing a fair bit of sibilance for a while which was starting to annoy me but about the 80 - 90hr mark it all started to settle down and now at 130hrs is only just noticeable if the recording has it. This amp seems very detailed and throws the soundstage forward, which I like, but certainly not in a harsh manner. The amp has that lovely valve type quality about it (being a hybrid) of atmosphere and a very relaxed and easy sound quality. The soundstage is very wide, as others have noted, with some depth to it. I do really like the way this amp reproduces music, lots of detail and air but not harsh. Yet smooth and listenable. Hard balance to get right. From where the amp started (ok but harsh'ish sounding) to where it is now(smoother but still detailed) is quite remarkable. This amp has probably changed the most out of all the amps I've owned so make sure you give it plenty of time to burn in before passing judgement. I now have to decide whether to change the stock 6j6/ECC91 for either Amperex or RCA valves I bought from the World Tube Company. Thanks to Tarkan and Deanb for the tips. Am I happy with the amp, sure. Is it the best amp I've ever heard, no. But I have paid a lot more money for other highly regarded amps and been totally underwhelmed. The Vincent seems to sit in that high value for money area and of course what we all paid makes it a no brainer. Of course this is all highly subjective and others will disagree and that's fine. Hope everyone is enjoying their Vincent's too. Regards, Paul

Tarkan and deanB thanks heaps for your replies. Really appreciate it. I will keep going with breaking the amp in for a while yet and see how that ends up. If I'm still not sure I've got a warmer sounding IC I can try and then maybe go down the tube rolling path. I'm really happy with most aspects of the amp but the top end gets a little much every now and then. It's early days yet and I might be panicking over nothing (as usual). You can guarantee I will be checking out those valves tonight though. Regards Paul

Hi Tarkan, I think I will be tube rolling in the future. Want to wait and see how things go in standard form first. Doesn't seem to be much choice in 6j6/ecc91 tubes. I may PM you in the future to find out where you got yours, if that's ok. How long did it take before you thought the amp had broken in. Based on everything I've read people are saying the amp goes through a number of changes(treble a bit harsh etc) before finally settling down. Mine's exhibiting a bit of treble brightness at the moment after 30hrs, but this is suppose to settle. Sorry for all the questions just interested to hear your thoughts. Thanks Paul

Threads gone a bit quiet lately. I guess everyone's setting up and listening to their new gear. My SP20 amp has about 30hrs on it now, can't really denote much of a sound quality change yet. They reckon these can take upto 100hrs to be fully broken in. I'll be looking forward to any improvements as time goes on. Any impressions from anyone else. Paul

Hi Raff Yes, we seem to have very similar tastes. Clay seems to have hit this one out of the park with the GroB. I am hoping when the SP20 comes on line it will be a good match. I have been a little unsure regarding Vincent products in the past. Don't really know why. Not any more. If this thing keeps improving, I'm going to be very happy. Enjoy your knew amps.

Hi everyone, My Vincent SP20 Anniversary amplifier got delivered yesterday arvo. Waited all day for the courier, pacing the floor very impatiently. Long story short, colour me impressed and pleasantly surprised!!!! These comments are based on the amp only having about 4hrs play time so hopefully things can only improve from here. Some have remarked these amps can take up to 100hrs or more to fully settle with changes noticeable along the way. No surprise. I'm already enjoying the bass, full but defined, and the soundstaging left to right is very good and with some depth. I initially thought the midrange and treble a bit forward but the more I listen the less I think this is the case. The main things that are interesting me though are the tone and emotion. It's definetly showing signs of these two traits which are very important to me. If I can't get involved in the music on some sort of emotional level then it won't last. May be it's the valves or that the amp operates in class A for 10watts, don't know. But so far I'm enjoying it. The amp gets very hot and I don't listen all that loud just to keep in mind. Also and this is a big one, I have one of Clay Gieseler's new GroB dac's. I love this dac, it could probably make a couple of tin cans sound good. Anyway enough of the ramblings of a faded, jaded old audiophile. Of course these are my impressions and yours may completely differ which is fine of course. Look for the money I've paid as I said earlier, I'm happy. Of course that could change any time in the future as you know we are a fickle bunch. I have been sitting here listening as I've been writing this. The wife sat down next to me and I commented the amp doesn't sound too bad. She said " And I like the look of it too." Job done!!!! Regards, Paul p.s. red wine is a definite weakness and almost compulsory when listening at certain times. jukKluk2 we should probably buy you a bottle for bringing this sale to our attention. Thanks

Hi Tarkan thanks for your reply, I really appreciate your comments on your experience with the amp (and brand) and the info on the valve type. Having no experience with the Vincent brand I will reserve judgement until I've seen and heard the amp. Although I must say I'm looking forward to it. Lots of comments have been written about Vincent products, good and bad, so it will be interesting. They do seem to do ok in the press regarding reviews (no recommendation of course) that piqued my interest enough to try one. If it turns out to be something I don't enjoy, then that's my problem. Regarding warranty issues, as this was high on my priorities due to current situation, Steve (from Eastwood) assured me that the current distributor will cover any warranty claims until a time when the new distributor is decided. Anyway everyone's experience is different. I know I'm looking forward to mine.