Bakoon Amp-41R and 51R integrated amps using SATRI circuit

[Hear Here]

Sound of Tao's experience above is similar to mine.

For the last two weeks I've been trying the LTA MZ3 as a pre amp before the Bakoon. I'ts remarkable how the MZ imparts it's sonic character. It almost seems to overwhelms the character of Bakoon.

The addition of the MZ is a mixed bag.

It gives some extra dynamics and a more dramatic soundstage -- visceral life. The Bakoon by itself might sound a little more confined, introverted and homogeneous. However, the MZ adds some edge and texture that can be a little abrasive. I can guess I'm hearing more dynamics but with an unwelcome companion along for the ride-- distortion. I can imagine this character could end up being more fatiguing
in the long run.

The Bakoon, without the MZ, is more smooth, with a more understated quality. It is definitely less distorted. The music is riding along on a clean slipstream. The downside: just not as visceral-- or maybe more accurately-- not as obviously visceral. But all in all, it might be a more lovable, if less exciting, musical companion.

Thanks Wil. As I mentioned, I will be having the chance to home demo a Bakoon 17r in a couple of weeks. I will be using it with my existing front end and it will be interesting to see how it compares with the relatively inexpensive but remarkably competent amp I' using at present with my Duos. I think the dealer will be bringing a DAC-1 as well, so it'll be particularly interesting to test the SATRI feature that Bakoon offers for inter-unit connection. Peter

 

[wil]

Please let us know what you think of the Dac 21! I'm looking forward to trying the Dac Bakoon has in development when it come out.

 

[Hear Here]

Please let us know what you think of the Dac 21! I'm looking forward to trying the Dac Bakoon has in development when it come out.

I'm afraid this won't be the new DAC that's promised soon, but the discontinued DAC-21. I look forward to trying their SATRI technology, but I won't be buying that DAC, if for no other reason that it offers only 2 digital inputs - Coax and USB. I would want a Toslink (for my TV) and would prefer AES/EBU over Coax, but I think all DACs should offer a better choice. I understand the new one under development will be in a matching case to the Bakoon 17r amp. It'll be interesting to compare SATRI with conventional - easily done as it only needs 2 cables installed and a click of a button to change the circuit. Peter.

 

[wil]

I'm still on the fence. On a really good recording ( for ex. Bartok Violin Sonatas -- Christian Tetzlaff on Erato 2004-- streamed on Qobuz) the MZ as pre amp to the Bakoon, definitely brings more life and drama to the music. However, at points when the violin is really screeching and the piano clashing, it's easier to listen to it on the Bakoon. This is probably also true on lesser recordings. The Bakoon (alone) is going to be more forgiving. This is of course in the context of my speakers which are ruthlessly intolerant of bad recordings.

It's interesting also that the MZ always sounds louder than the Bakoon, though I have them level matched. I'd love to know the technical or pscho-acoustic explanation for that...

 

[spiritofmusic]

Wil, I think it's subjective perception of dynamics. The Townshend Allegri passive pre I demoed some years back seemed louder than my active preamp at the time, suggesting greater dynamics.

However, the opposite was true. The loudness was a spikier sharper sound. However the quieter active preamp had closer to life more realistic dynamics, better at the natural swell you hear at live classical and jazz concerts.

 

[Hear Here]

Please let us know what you think of the Dac 21! I'm looking forward to trying the Dac Bakoon has in development when it come out.

Hi Wil

Just to keep you posted, I've postponed my date with the Bakoon amp and DAC. I'm effectively self-isolating so no visitor for the time being.

A dealer in the Netherlands had a tempting Mezzo XD for sale recently but sold it to someone else who had an option. He now has a Duo XD, but I couldn't travel to collect it even if I agreed to buy it.

Isn't life tiresome at present? Keep well. Peter

 

[djsina2]

It's interesting also that the MZ always sounds louder than the Bakoon, though I have them level matched. I'd love to know the technical or pscho-acoustic explanation for that...

When I bought my Audio Tekne amp Imai warned me that it may sound not as loud as what I was using because he’s eliminated or greatly reduced the high frequency distortion. I noticed this when I was comparing amps to his and using the dB meter on my phone. Imai even suggested I be careful and don’t play it so loud because I won’t realize it.

 

[ag3__]

Anymore thoughts from anyone on the Bakoon 13R ? Definitely something I'm interested in.

I've got the UL and MicroZOTL preamp right now and at one point I agreed that they sounded a bit "drunk" next to a good, clean as amp. After a few tube changes they are sublime. Both benefited greatly from the swaps. They've still got that wonderful alive sound but now more fleshed out, yet cleaner.

 

[wil]

I compared the MZ3 and 13r earlier in this thread. They are very different sounding amps! You might want to demo the Bakoon. I'm switching to less efficient speakers and am trading up to the more powerful Bakoon 41 (but in a 75 watt version).

 

[spiritofmusic]

Will, Duos XD Mezzo no more?

 

[wil]

They are up For Sale! I will miss them, but looking for a change -- not necessarily a rational decision! It will be a sideways move, with tradeoffs.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Onward and diagonally. Good luck with your eventual choice.

 

[awsmone]

I have the big bakoon amps from Japan, I currently have three models from 15 w to 100 w
you really need to try them with their own pre via current mode to get the best out of them

 

[Hear Here]

A while ago I had on home demo a Bakoon 13r and Bakoon DAC-1. I wanted to listen carefully to these units connected using their SATRI interface because I'd not seen any review of the 13R that had used this connection.

Well, after connecting both the standard RCA cables and the SATRI ones (BNC), I could switch between the 2 inputs using the 13r's remote. Try as I might, I really couldn't hear any difference at all - and neither could a couple of hi-fi friends. I conclude that if the SATRI technology really made better sound, many more companies would be using it. So both went back to the dealer as they didn't better my existing gear. Peter

 

[Hear Here]

They are up For Sale! I will miss them, but looking for a change -- not necessarily a rational decision! It will be a sideways move, with tradeoffs.

What have you found to replace your Mezzos with? Another horn design or something completely different? Peter

 

[wil]

I decided on the Boenicke W13 (after a long demo of the W8). It will be a trade off, as the Boenicke will not have the spectacular dynamics and realism of the Mezzos, but they do bring a different spatial and tonal character that I really like. I will miss the Mezzo's but will enjoy a change also. Whomever gets the mint condition Mezzo's from me will be a lucky guy!

 

[spiritofmusic]

Nice choice, wil. I believe the Boenickes were on KeithR's radar before he settled on the YGs.

 

[Hear Here]

I decided on the Boenicke W13 (after a long demo of the W8). It will be a trade off, as the Boenicke will not have spectacular dynamics and realism of the Mezzos, but they do bring a different spatial and tonal character that I really like. I will miss the Mezzo's but will enjoy a change also. Whomever gets the mint condition Mezzo's from me will be a lucky guy!

A brand I know nothing about but they look great and I'm sure they'll sound even better.

I've now installed my Duo XDs but I've not got them set up to their best performance. In fact, I can't yet claim they sound better than my 3 generations older Duos. They surely will though - at least I sincerely hope so.

I'll be changing them a little and (as with my old Duos) "ditching the scaffolding". First job is changing the spikes for vibration absorbing feet - maybe Gaias or Revopods or Tails Pros. This will reduce the height so they won't need tilting forward. Then I'll design and have made new supports for the mid-horn tubes - maybe something along the lines of the Mezzo supports. Incidentally, are the feet on the Mezzo soft vibration-absorbing feet, or hard flat feet, or spikes - or what? Maybe I should get some Mezzo feet for my Duos as they appear to be very shallow - less than an inch judging from photos.

Please let us know how you get on with the new speakers. I guess you'll need more power than the Bakoon offers. Peter

 

[wil]

A brand I know nothing about but they look great and I'm sure they'll sound even better.

I've now installed my Duo XDs but I've not got them set up to their best performance. In fact, I can't yet claim they sound better than my 3 generations older Duos. They surely will though - at least I sincerely hope so.

I'll be changing them a little and (as with my old Duos) "ditching the scaffolding". First job is changing the spikes for vibration absorbing feet - maybe Gaias or Revopods or Tails Pros. This will reduce the height so they won't need tilting forward. Then I'll design and have made new supports for the mid-horn tubes - maybe something along the lines of the Mezzo supports. Incidentally, are the feet on the Mezzo soft vibration-absorbing feet, or hard flat feet, or spikes - or what? Maybe I should get some Mezzo feet for my Duos as they appear to be very shallow - less than an inch judging from photos.

Please let us know how you get on with the new speakers. I guess you'll need more power than the Bakoon offers. Peter

Yes, I'm trading up to a special edition Bakoon 41r which is 75 watts. The Bakoon 13r 25watt actually performed really well on the W8's which are more power hungry than the W13's (which have active bass).

The Mezzo's come stock with adjustable flat feet with a heavy-duty fuzzy material.

 

[spiritofmusic]

A friendly fellow visited me to hear my Zu Definitions 4 based system, and his positive experience means he's adding Druids 6 to a shortlist of spkrs he's considering, headed by Wolf Von Langa Son field coils.

The Zus are 101dB 16 Ohms, the Sons 95dB 8 Ohms. He will be listening in a standard living space maybe a little smaller than 18x12.

I've recommended the Bakoon 13R and 41R to him, 25W and 50W. He's also looking at the flagship Vinnie Rossi 100W DHT/SS hybrid. LTA 50W integrated and Pass Labs 45W on Icon Audio AVC also contenders.

Any thoughts especially on Bakoon powering the WVL Sons, or Zu Druids?