Beta Novo In The House

that_hertz, funny you should ask about the Edition 9's. I have thought of getting a pair for quite a while but had refrained for due to their high price ($1,200). Now that I listened to the D5000 I am not so sure I want the 9's. Man, I wish I had more money then I would just get both.

Today I did a side by side of the Beta Novo ( http://www.gspaudio.co.uk/ ) with my Singlepower MPX3 Slam SE ( http://www.singlepoweraudio.com/ ) For the bulk of the test the equipment used was:

1. Apple Lossless Files in my Computer Played using iTunes Version 7.7.1.11.
2. Music was sent as a 24 bit 96Khz using a Chaintech AV710 and an optical cable to a Monarchy Audio NM24 Tube DAC ( http://www.monarchyaudio.com/ )
3. I used Sonic BL-1 silver plated RCA to RCA IC’s to deliver the analog music ( http://www.silversonic.com/docs/products/BL1.html ) to both the Beta Novo and the Singlepower MPX3 Slam SE (Tungsol 6SN7-GTB as a driver w/ two Raytheon 6SN7-GTB as the power tubes).
4. Power conditioning was done via a Monster PowerCenter 3500MkII ( http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Monster%20Cable%20Monster%20Power%20Home%20Theatre%20Reference%20PowerCenter%20HTS%203500%20MKII%20Surge%20Suppressor:1991626971;_ylt=Apm0niqSrrCBGtRkV8_BE2NYFswE )
5. Both the Monarchy Audio and the Singlepower used Zu Bok silver plated power cords (  http://www.zuaudio.com/cables/power.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=18&category_id=12 )

Note 1: For the first part of the test I used a Sony DVP-NS300 playing the Bemun CD by Cyminology ( http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/7407141/a/Bemun.htm )

Note 2: Sound pressure levels were verified w/ each can via the Radio Shack Digital Sound Level Meter Model 33-2055 ( http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=33-2055&origkw=33-2055&sr=1 )

Note 3: The Beta Novo was powered w/ its switching wall wart.

I used various cans for the comparison. These were:

1. Grado RS-1 (http://www.gradolabs.com/frameset_main.htm )
2. Akg K501 (http://www.akg.com/site/products/powerslave,id,255,pid,255,nodeid,2,_language,EN.html ) w/ a dual entry 10 foot long  APureSound V3 re-cable ( http://apuresound.com/v3.html ) covered in black super nylon and terminated in a Furutech ¼” plug.
3. Ultrasone HFI-780 (http://www.ultrasone.com/index_en.php?level=1&CatID=13.36&inhalt_id=45&shop_level=2&shop_CatID=1&shop_inhalt_id=0&do=showDetails&artikel_typ=allgemein&artikel_id=15 ) w/ a dual entry 7 foot long APureSound V3 re-cable ( http://apuresound.com/v3.html ) covered in black techflex and terminated in a ¼” plug.

Now that all of the above reference information has been listed lets get on the music listening experience. First off both units were allowed to at their normal operating temperature, this was achieved by waiting 45 minutes while playing music through both to allow them to achieve their final operating temperature.

As stated above the first part of the test was using the Sony DVP-NS300. During this portion the files were sent to the Monarchy Audio DAC as a 16 bit 44.1Khz, thus no up sampling was used.

Although I listed the modded HFI-780 as the third can it was actually the one I used first. After going back and forth on a few tracks the following are my impressions using the Ultrasone can.

1. The soundstage is a bit wider on the Singlepower w/ the listener being on the first row right in front of the band. The Beta Novo’s soundstage is not as wide yet you seem to be right w/ the band, or at least closer.
2. The low bass is deeper in the Singlepower with a bit more impact. However the mid/upper bass has more impact on the Beta Novo.
3. The highs are very close but there is a sense of immediacy w/ the Beta Novo that I do not feel/hear with the Singlepower.

Next in line came the Grado RS-1, these are the ones w/ the button on the grill and I have owned them since around September 2005. I use the bowls that they ship out with and I have washed them a few time to make them softer. Following the same format I used w/ the Ultrasone my impressions follow.

1. Again the soundstage is wider w/ the Singlepower. But while both amps were outstanding with the Ultrasone HFI-780 I find the soundstage in the Singlepower to be artificially wide to the point that I enjoy the more intimate presentation of the Beta Novo’s soundstage. For some reason I find that I am now a few rows back in the audience when listening to the Singlepower. This is very surprising because I had never realized the condition.
2. The bass continues to be a bit deeper in the Singlepower, but the middle to upper bass definitely has more impact w/ the Beta Novo and since the soundstage is smaller in the Beta Novo the overall presentation is way more engaging.
3. The highs are even closer than with the HFI-780. Contrary to what I was expecting there is more extension with the Singlepower than w/ the Beta Novo. Yes I realize it sounds contradictory but that is what I hear.

Next in the comparison using the Sony DVP-NS300 as a transport via the Monarchy NM24 DAC came my beloved AKG K501 w/ the APureSound V3 re-cable. For those who do not have nor have listened to the K501 these are very power hungry cans that IMO demand a lot more power to accurately and effectively bring out the best in them. Prior to listening I checked again w/ the Radio Shack Sound Level Meter and I was obtaining the same average SPL readings using both amps with the K501. REVISION: I increased the volume on both amps since the volume levels were too low.

1. With this can the Singlepower’s had about the same width of soundstage as the Beta Novo. The Beta Novo still was closer to the band and it retained an overall deeper impact.
2. In this comparison the bass in the Singlepower was even deeper. However the mids in the Singlepower were a bit recessed as compared w/ the Beta Novo. Thus making the Beta Novo a more engaging and fun amp to listen to.
3. The highs in the Beta Novo were more impactful and in your face as compared w/ the Singlepower. I think they both had about the same extension.

Conclusions using the Sony DVP-NS300 as a transport:

1. If you like your music to have lots of impact and a more in your face presentation then go with the Beat Novo.
2. If you like fast music as in rock, blues, and certain passage in jazz or classic then go for the Beta Novo.
3. On the other hand if you listen to mostly softer music, acoustic music, or prefer a wider soundstage the Singlepower w/ the NOS 6SN7-GTB valves has the edge. Granted I have used a very limited type of tubes an the use of tubes like the 2C51 as a driver the 5687 as the power tubes makes for a much livelier/punchier presentation. Perhaps in a week or so I will try that combo.
4. At $400 for a Beta Novo you would be a fool for buying anything else. This should be your first high quality amp, and then when you get additional funds you could go for the multi thousand-dollar amps. The other inexpensive amp that comes to mind is the Musical Fidelity X-Can V2 w/ the PinkFloyd Mods and a Little Pinkie PSU. Both of which are fun amps w/ a fantastic presentation that will keep your feet tapping.

Note: For a quick test I decided to change the tubes on the Singlepower, now it sports a Sylvania 6SN7-GTB brown base and two Sylvania 5687 on Slam Adapters. I did a quick comparison w/ the Sony as a source and the change in the Singlepower is immediately recognizable to a more in your face and with a deeper bass. Yes now it has more of what it was missing and to some it would be a better sounding unit but you do loose some of the airiness that the all 6SN7 tubes provide. It goes from a very open and airy presentation w/ a huge soundstage to one in your face w/ lots more bass and impact. But for the sake of the on-going test I went back to the original tubes. For those interested in this tube combo I can tell you that now the Singlepower is a bit better than the Beta Novo. However the Slam Adapters to use the 5687 tubes cost $100 a piece and you need two, plus S&H. So now we are comparing a $400 amp w/ a $3,700 amp, and I still say you should first get the Beta Novo since to me the differences are not worth $3,300.

Next comes the use of the Apple Lossless files via the Chaintech AV710 soundcard and an optical cable to the Monarchy NM24 DAC. Files were sent in 24 bit and 96Khz. The music selected was Bill Evans Time Remembered.

I am not going to bore you w/ a line-by-line account w/ each of the various cans. I will tell you that although the second half of the test validated what I had already heard there was less of overall difference. Perhaps this is due to the files being up-sampled before being amplified. Regardless the difference is not night and day more of a subtle difference that I would not have heard if they were not done side by side. Which IMO more than validates my opinion that everyone should own a Graham Slee Novo, at $400 it is an steal. I can not wait to implement the latest tweaks that Graham sent me, they raise the bar on the Novo.

To clear some possible questions brought by some of the readers I will continue to burn in the Beta Novo but using the PSU1 as the power supply and I will use it next weekend to conduct a follow up to this comparison. By then I should have the Monarchy AC Regenerator that I will use to power the Monarchy NM24 DAC and the Sony DVP-NS300. Next week I will use the Sylvania 6SN7-GTB w/ a brown base as a driver tube and a pair of 5687 on Slam Adaptors as the power tubes on the Singlepower. I will add to the cans an AKG K701 w/ a dual entry 10 foot APureSound V3 re-cable terminated in a ¼” Furutech plug. So more to follow, and I hope you enjoyed reading my impressions which IMO sometimes raise more questions than it answers.