I bought a 1980s era Van Alstine amp built on a Dynaco ST 120 chassis last year. Said to need some repair, I knew nothing of it, but I was intrigued enough to give it a try. Called the Omega III, it was beautifully constructed. I contacted Frank via their forum, and he responded with a schematic, and several tips on common failures he knew of. I successfully determined what was required and have been enjoying my efforts thanks to Frank’s helpful inputs. 85 watts per channel at 8 ohms is a real power house for its size. No Schiit!
I just picked up a pair of M225 Monoblocks from Frank Van Alstine yesterday. I first listened to them at Frank's house and they blew me away. High quality gear without any of the BS. Steve should interview Frank on the show because he's a really interesting guy who's been making gear for half a century.
The M225s look VERY interesting to me… I see a set of modern mono blocs in my future. I may buy a set of Kinki Studio EX-B7s, though. The two sets would really be a GREAT comparison review from a cost/form-factor, sound standpoint!
I've tried the AVA SET 120 Control Amplifier -- which I now own -- with ungodly expensive speakers, dacs, and turntables, and it held its own with esoteric company. Imagine a $1,200 amplifier pushing $40k speakers, with a $34k turntable and everything sounding damn near perfect. It's that capable.
So good to see a Van Alstine product review. They deserve to be heard by anyone looking for solid simplicity in their audio system and no nonsense excellent sound.
Thanks Steve, really thoughtful review. No remote control because that requires an additional low voltage power supply. The amplifier has only a high voltage, high current power supply driving the main audio circuits. To add a low voltage supply would require a second low voltage power transformer and associated power supply, the receiver board which would interfere with the headphone jack, require changes to the faceplate and inner chassis, and the motor drive volume pot. Not really enough room for these additional parts and would be pretty expensive to execute. The SET 120 Control Amp pretty much follows the KISS standard (Keep It Simple Stupid) and does that in spades with the results you hear.
Just for the record - Mine is - Dunlop Systemdek - with RB300 arm and Shure VMXR cartridge - into a NAD 1020B Preamp I recapped - 2 Krell power amps and some Heybrook HB1 speakers - sweet. Nice room that is dedicated to 2 channel - the benefit of being single, old and grey ! Greetings from Perth - Western Australia.
Hi Steve, I've got to share some love for Frank Van Alstine. You should have mentioned his long career of offering lovely-sounding modifications to affordable Dynaco and Hafler gear, thus giving us audiophiles on a budget an entry into high quality sound. After my roommate mangled my strident Dynaco PAT-5 preamp., I sent it to Van Alstine for his Super-FET modification. He was appalled at the condition the unit was in but attempted the mod as a challenge. The Super-FET was a really amazing sounding preamp and a bargain at the price. I listened to that preamp for a decade and was always grateful that he fixed up my poor butchered preamp. I now have a Super PAS Three preamp that I listen to when in the mood.
I’m pretty new to the fine audio world, but I have broad and deep experience in the geekery of wine and just a bit less in bicycles. I’ve been watching your videos for several months now with an eye toward building a system, albeit with limited resources. Several products mentioned in this price range seem like they’d be…just fine, perfectly okay. But the review of this amp tells me viscerally that this is the amp for my future system. After years of wading through glitzy, over-oaked, Paul Bunyan cabernets and slimy, too-much rancid butter chardonnays, and bikes with endless baubles that look cool and come with certified bragging rights at the bar but don’t do a thing for how the bike rides, this amp cuts through the noise, as it were, for me. It takes away decisions I don’t want or need to make. It’s the terrific, complete, you-keep-surprising-me-baby house wine that cuts out the desire or need to drink anything else, the bike that some pragmatic artist built and had the good sense to stop when it was enough and far from too much and it compels you to just go ride. I need a speaker and a streaming source to go with this amp. Same concept; thoughtful, and adherent to Occam’s Razor; only as complicated as they need to be. Suggestions welcome.
You won’t be disappointed with the Van Alstine. True to the music. A speaker that sounds great with this amp are the Zu Dirty Weekends. The Tekton Lore is great with this as well. A good bookshelf speaker would be the Polk R200. Or I’m a big fan of the Elac Uni-Fi reference as well. There are a lot of bargains to be had in the used market as well. Go listen to some systems. Find out what kind of sound you desire. Do Your Research. Good luck!!
Frank is a great guy. I bought his Humdinger device as I had some toroidal transformer hum, he was open to my questions via email and phone and the device worked as advertised.
Van Alstine power amplifiers are also great sounding and affordable: the SET 400, DVA SET 600, and DVA M225 are as good as or better than any amplifier out there.
OMG I love Audio by Van Alstine gear. I used an AVA Transcendence 8 tube preamp as my main squeeze for years. One of those things I regret selling! The Set 120 sounds like the quintessential minimalist design. The limited set of features includes great sound.
The guy who got me into high end audio had VanAlstine electronics, also Proactive Tablette speakers and aTalisman S phono cartridge. Sounded really good, although my musical tastes at the time had zero overlap with his.
I live in Minneapolis, MN and recently just discovered Van Alstine. Minnesota is home to Audio Research, Bel Canto, Wadia, Magnepan, and other small audio manufacturers.
@@TheBTG88 You are correct about it being in the McIntosh family these days. It was started in St Paul, MN by engineers from 3M in the 80’s. This is also mentioned on their website.
Love AVA. I had an AVA Dynaco PAS3x back in the late 70s/early 80s. I gave some serious thought about buying this amp as the centerpice for my parents system
There is a guy in Australia Richard McDonald who hand builds amps that don't have circuit boards and have only a volume control and input choice. His Amplifier is called the Quasimodo and it sounds amazing, of the 50+ amplifiers I have owned over the years his is the most spacious and lovely sounding amplifier I've ever heard. The detail is insane and when you listen to it, it is like walking through a soundscape, it's an incredible amp paired with the right speakers.
Steve, very nice video review. It brought back some memories of a different time when real audiophiles would run the other way at the mere mention of remote controls and tone controls. Finally a mention of Fried or IMF. My real first step into better quality speakers coming from Rectilinear III's was TLS 50's, TLS 80's and the last Fried speaker I owned was after the IMF name rights blew up were his M2's. I became friends with Bud and visited the City Line Avenue workshop and offices many times. Bud was a trip...
Sounds like a great little amp and a good honest value. Holly Cole's Temptation is clearly on my list when I am evaluating impact of changes to my system. Love the system of the day. That guy is having some fun with this hobby :)
OH yes I am, even after over 60 years of audiophilia. LOL. New amps are in the works for the Tektons which are a design I worked on myself 20 years ago, but Eric of Tekton got them right. Wish I had a better camera but it still was usable.
Hah Hah! At 15, in 1979, my first serious audio piece was a Pioneer SX-1080. Loved the sound. Wow...takes me back. I washed dishes for 3 months to pay for that receiver (thank god it went on special just when I purchased it). :)
Like a lot of (amateur) musicians, I'm everything but an audiophiliac... still this channel mesmerizes me. Maybe Steve has already discussed this, but I wonder why some musicians can spend thousands on their musical instrument gear and are happy to listen to albums on a little bluetooth speaker...
Peer pressure and good instruments cost a good bit of coin, they spent every penny on that keyboard,amp or guitar and are searching the couch cushions for change.
As someone who has done many post-amp processors, I totally dig the design concept of that amp. Looking forward to be able to try it as soon as I can. :) PS Groovy setup at the end. I'm no fan of the TekTon speakers, but I really dig the guts of this gear mix (plus a DBX dx5 for dynamic restoration... Nice!)
Saludos, felicitarle muy sinceramente por compartir sus conocimientos, sus apreciaciones, consideraciones, pruebas, análisis, experiencias, test, reviews y demás, mucha sapiencia, y en lo personal lo considero muy objetivo, sin sesgos, neutral, sabiendo valorar la verdadera Alta Fidelidad, no dejándose llevar por las mentiras del mal llamado High End y sus precios estratosféricos, manteniendo siempre dentro de lo posible la mayor objetividad y sencillez, yo le he aprendido grandes conocimientos y valoro mucho el que los comparta, gracias y abrazos, desde Bogotá, Colombia.....
Woodbury,MN! I had no idea! It is just a couple miles down Radio Drive from me. I drive by there several times per week. Now I will really need to consider buying locally!
I loved my Van Alstine model 2. It took sound to a new level. Bought it in 1979, or there abouts and had until the mid90’s. Was comparing to a Hafler amp at the time and this amp destroyed the Hafler. They were also selling Mark Levinson and it easily held its own against their sound. In the mid 90’s it refused to power up. Okay, I will take in for repair. No one would touch without the schematics. Called Van Alstine and they suggested I throw it away. Asked about repair, nope they didn’t do. Asked about getting the schematics and nope, they don’t share. Ended up throwing away. Looking back, great parts in there someone would have loved to Frankenstein a amp from. I also have a Dynaco ST-70 that Frank built. No hiding those schematics. Good luck, just realize when their solid-state goes you got a real expensive boat anchor.
I don’t think frank was part of the company that built the model 2 , they were just using his name. The new company after that was audio by Van Alstine .I heard Frank talk about this in an interview.
I don't get it. Is this the same company that offered so much hand holding and even reviewed and repaired botched kit assemblies? Now they don't provide schematics and suggest you dump your amp? What happened in between? Methinks this is a company that just bears the logo, but not the spirit of the original.
@@juanmillaruelo7647 Frank is the Same guy that built kit And great customer service for 50 years , I don’t think Frank was part of the company that built the model 2 amplifier. So therefore the model 2 wasn’t his , to give schematics out.
Hey! Seems to be a nice amp. Just wanted to say that comparison with Schiit might not be entirely fair, as Jotunheim 2 is a headphone amp, not a dedicated preamp. And from my experience with several other Schiit headamps, they don’t work quite well as preamps. Cheers!
The comparison seems entirely appropriate as the the Schiit combo is an amp, headphone amp, and preamplifier just like the set 120. Too bad for Schiit if the preamplifier in the Jotunheim sucks.
Ah, now you’re talking! I had never even heard of Belles. My dealer loaned me the Aria integrated and I couldn’t believe that I could afford the standard of sound it produced. I’m in the UK which makes it even more remarkable. Steve, I would be very interested on how you think the Aria sits in the market place? Cheers
@@jim586 I'm talking to you. Jim E! My experience is somewhat like yours. I knew the brand/name Belles, but had little knowledge of it. I drove over 3 1/2 hours to a dealer and listened to the Aria integrated through a pair of Vandersteen Treo's and as the cliche goes, my jaw dropped. My ears told me very quickly that what I was listening to was something special. I felt the connection to the music, and didn't want to stop listening but the place had already closed and the shop owner was nice enough not to to rush me. I bought it, have had it for 4 years and my speakers are Vandersteen 1Ci's and I love how they sound with the Aria. I didn't compare a lot of amps because the Belles checked all the boxes and I made up my mind with little deliberation. I also trusted the dealers opinion and experience, John Rutan of Audioconnection in NJ, a long time Belles dealer. Belles flies below the radar and doesn't depend on marketing and reviews but rather the positive word of mouth from their satisfied customers. The money is spent on the product, not glossy ads and hyperbole. David Belles is a rare breed that does it his way. Pound for pound, dollar for dollar his amps are literally a bargain, and blow away many brands that cost twice the price. That's my take, Jim. I appreciate your reply and wish you many happy moments listening to the music!
@@donivey2772 I hear you, Don! I have never heard your speakers, but the Aria has the verve and the gusto to match with a wide assortment of speakers and I can just imagine how amazing the Rogers sound. If it's sublime, you know you've entered that audio domain that we all aspire towards! Thanks for the reply!
@@steveo8015 Hello, that is a very nice message. The Aria is giving me a lot of pleasure. I’ve upgraded the digital front end to a Denafrips Pontus 2 dac and the sound has improved even further. It’s so sweet. You enjoy the music as well. Good health to you.
Which DAC can be added to this so that I can connect my Mac Mini to a DAC to this AMP. Was told I needed an Amp with Volume control and Analog outputs. Wondering if someone has a set up where they are streaming Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz through? Thank you Steve from bringing an amp to us that some of us may not be familiar with!
Hemp Headphones, and a Schiit Sandwich…my day is complete! 😂 Thanks for putting up The Van Alstine Integrated Amp, from a domestic company. I have to check them out! …and Doug's set-up warms my heart! I am recently re-running my Carver C-500 Amp! It's being driven by a Schiit Freya+ w/NOS Tubes. STILL SOUNDS GREAT! I still have my Carver Sonic Holography PreAmp in the closet……hmmmmmm 🤔……Maybe I should bust it out and hook it up!!! THANKS Doug! Would LOVE to hear those Tektons!
The closely spaced Tektons with the Holography engaged can be really impressive, but not all tunes and recordings are improved. But, for one example, ELP -Tarkus will blow you into the next dimension even at low listening levels with Holo engaged and in the correct seating position. Enjoy friend.
Review aside, LOVE that you used this groovin Eno/U2 disc to dig in and that signature shirt style……style maven C.Watts would so approve. Brooklyn rocks.
I was excited by the designation of ‘SET’ - but it’s not a single ended triode! That aside, I have a lot of respect for Van Alstine gear, and this amp is cool in its simplicity and character.
Any chance you could do a review of the Ultravalve amp? (Van Alstine’s modern take on the classic dynaco ST 70 which basically put Frank on the map with all the mods he came up with for them)
Wow Steve, excellent review and production, you just get better and better! As for lack of remote, no excuse, complete electronics can be had from China for $9.
You always introduce me to the new music it's so awesome. I never heerd of this band U2 before, they play the rock and rock very goodly. I will now buy thee album for my phonographic sound producer. Is very nice, no? I will try to heard this Brian Neeno you talk of too. I never heerd of him.
A buddy of mine just sold his Pass 100.8 monos in favor of the new AVA 225 Monos for his CLX MLs. 1/4 the price. Would enjoy your take on the 225s since you have many Pass Amps. RE the Set 120-A bit more on the tradeoffs between active and passive preamps would be useful. Does the SET have a meaning?
im trolling steve he's very happy over this.my opion is he should buy this amp ive seen the the expression on his face in his voice i think he got a winner hear.could be ha.
I appreciate the simplicity for the purists out there, and the build quality in U.S.A. I don't care about not having a remote, but no tone controls or balance control makes it a no go for me. I want at least a balance control. It simplicity makes it too limited, for me.
Steve, your shirts are truly works of ART... Im thinking of ....... Steve Guggenberg as a more apropo name for you.......... or possibly .. Steve Guttenheim?? perhaps..... :) love you bro
GOOTS! Any chance you could do a video of SIMPLE AMPS LIKE THIS IN THE $1000 mark. Like the PS audio sprout. Sometimes we just need these and I would love to see more. I think there would be enough to do a round up with all that spare time you have waiting for the shirts to be washed LOL
Steve... how does this Van Alstine Set 120 compare to your recent review of the Atoll IN50 integrated? They are both same $1,199 price with similar power specs... which is better in your opinion and why?
Is circuit simplicity good, if done right? 30'ish years back, my vintage 15" Tannoys M.G.'s sounded superb via a circa early 80's? Crimson Electric stereo power-amp. (Model long4got) Under it's hood was one small 100'VA sised (i guessed, maybe less!)transformer feeding two 10,000 m/farad e/litics, 2 cheap (30p?) zenner diodes as V.regulation & the minimum for push/pull of 2 transistors per channel, cheap bog standard components & i guess =/< 40 Watts per ch' max. But i soon sold my previous Quad II's mono valve amps & a large AR power-amp because that Crimson £50 s/h job made my Tannoys sing like never before. (My only upgrade that made a profit) I still remember which tracks i first heard thru it that musically elevated me on an emotional level like never before. Memory can be rose-tinted, but i still often yearn for that sound i had back then, to this day. Maybe it was just good synergy but i would have instantly dismissed it if i looked under the hood before i actually heard it.
Line levels are inputs to Integrated Amplifiers USUALLY up to 1 Volt peak to peak & are generally rated to drive into 47k Ohm input loads EXCEPT Phono Inputs. /// In which case the voltage swing can be much less & input resistance can be much higher so as not to divide the weaker signal. FET, Op Amp, or Tube inputs can have Meg Ohms or greater active input resistance but would still have a passive carbon, metal, or metal oxide resistor of Meg Ohms in parallel. /// Speaker Outs or Amplifier Output Levels can be up to 10s of Volts & up to 10 amps. /// I understand the Amplifier within the Van Alstine "Amp." The specifics of the mechanical selector switch as signal multiplexer referred to as a passive wire to the HIGH gain stage (amp) is somewhat vague. /// I still do not understand if a phono preamp is required.
Hi Steve, nice review. Seems like this one has bang for the buck going for it. Could this be enough to power the LRS in smallish rooms at medium volumes?
Steve, another fine review, much appreciated. Great suggestions on tunes too... as much as I've heard it's always great to find something new. Have you ever gone into detail about any older equipment? Thinking Sansui AU series and other gear from that era, say early~late '70's, maybe early '80's. My (now rebuilt) AU-7500 still grabs me by the ooh-ha, I love it. Still looks brand-new too. Rock on, and cheers from Japan.
Ive read good reviews about this amp for a couple of years. What is unclear to me is whether or not there is a remote attached to it? Franks website is a bit spartan and confusing. This amp is on the preamp page and there is a reference to all preamps have remote capability. So, clear as mud....I have read on Audiogon that some owners have raved about the current capability of this amp....including vs the Belles Aria, which is one of the other amps I am looking at buying. I like the US made, small company, long history attributes of all this. But it applies to both amps...Belles is just David Belles himself. Anyone got input.BTW, will drive Kef R300s or Ohm Walsh 2.
That's one of my references too. Great bass! What about the dog. :) I hate 90's U2. The recordings are way too bass heavy. It's the opposite of thin sounding original U2. I think their best recordings were Unforgettable Fire and Joshua Tree.
I've had lots of good separates over the years. Cary, Audio Research, Hafler, B&K Bryston. Nothing exotic, but good. My.latest Item, Pioneer SX1280, completely refurbished with better caps, resistors and filter caps, is as good as any I've heard driving.my 4ohm Legacy Focus (original) speakers. It's also going UP in value...😁👍
@@jamescox4823 Steve said his Pioneer 1080 was not as good as some other early mid grade separates that he went to. My point is, I find my Pioneer Receiver to be as good or better than other mid grade separates made many years later. It is a beast with massive transformer, power supplies, lot of point to point. To each his own.
@@markceci9896 i have a pioneer rec still in service that is decent. but no receiver I’ve ever heard compares with the set 120 not even close actually. as always this is a subjective hobby so just my 2 cents
@@jamescox4823 Depends on the year. A few years later came the cheapo 80s. For cars and stereos. Most of the crap now is all features and no guts. Cant even work on them.
I’ve been running a JVC receiver since about 81 and in 86 I got some Bose 901v I just moved to a McIntosh power amp and pre amp in 22 With some DIY speakers.
Ha! Never expected to see one of my favorite CDs, “Toots in Memphis”, show up as one of your reference albums! Definitely going to have to check out Holly Cole’s Temptation. Anyway, curious about your thoughts on how the an Alstine might pair with Klipsch La Scalas. At the moment leaning tubes (Decware Zen, Willsenton R8, maybe PrimaLuna, etc), but want to consider all options. Thank you!
Holly Cole Has a very stylized take on her singing. Yes, the bass player is having fun on her solo and the Holly Cole Trio albums. Steve, you mentioned dynamic range being all over. I did not catch distortion if any.
Really excited about the forthcoming Kyte review. If possible please contrast against the original Kyte, which was a Joe akroyd design, were lovely but had ZERO bass. Does the new one deliver?
Don't need bells and whistles but looking at the innerds I can't help but wonder what the SET 120 has that let's say a NAD 316BEE doesn't? The price certainly is very affordable and I suppose I could live with the DIY looks and lack of remote but the sound would have to compensate considerably.
I like listening to music on vinyl LPs but I hate getting off the couch, tripping on empty beer cans, half eaten pizzas rodents etc. That is why I play cds mostly. I can lie back on the couch, drink beer and eat pizzas and fall asleep.
As long as the rodents are dead they don’t introduce high frequency interference. You do have to insure the pizza boxes don’t created unwanted resonance.
What happens when you listen to modern electronic music with a system like this? Modern tracks are more about perceived dynamics vs actual dynamics, so the type of sound a song like Sientelo by Mefjus would have sounds intriguing in this use case.
I own a Van Alstine Super Pas 3 and it has great sound. When you call him he picks up the phone. He is a great guy.
I bought a 1980s era Van Alstine amp built on a Dynaco ST 120 chassis last year. Said to need some repair, I knew nothing of it, but I was intrigued enough to give it a try. Called the Omega III, it was beautifully constructed. I contacted Frank via their forum, and he responded with a schematic, and several tips on common failures he knew of. I successfully determined what was required and have been enjoying my efforts thanks to Frank’s helpful inputs. 85 watts per channel at 8 ohms is a real power house for its size. No Schiit!
I just picked up a pair of M225 Monoblocks from Frank Van Alstine yesterday. I first listened to them at Frank's house and they blew me away. High quality gear without any of the BS. Steve should interview Frank on the show because he's a really interesting guy who's been making gear for half a century.
The M225s look VERY interesting to me… I see a set of modern mono blocs in my future. I may buy a set of Kinki Studio EX-B7s, though. The two sets would really be a GREAT comparison review from a cost/form-factor, sound standpoint!
Yes, Steve, what's wrong with you? Please interview Frank Van Alstine asap.
I've tried the AVA SET 120 Control Amplifier -- which I now own -- with ungodly expensive speakers, dacs, and turntables, and it held its own with esoteric company.
Imagine a $1,200 amplifier pushing $40k speakers, with a $34k turntable and everything sounding damn near perfect. It's that capable.
Hi Eric. What's your take on SET 120 driving Zu Audio Druid V? How's the synergy like?
So good to see a Van Alstine product review. They deserve to be heard by anyone looking for solid simplicity in their audio system and no nonsense excellent sound.
Always loved anything by Van Alstine. I sold High end stuff for 10 years.
I absolutely love Van Alstine's equipment!!
I have a VanAlstine Synergy 450 amp & it is amazing! Drives my Maggie’s with ease!
I've built the Audio by Van Alstine Super PAS 3 pre amp kit, no tone controls. Volume, balance and source, that's it. Wonderful sound, great value.
I have one also. wonderful
I love the photo of Doug enjoying his amazing and impressive system. My fav of the series.
Thanks Steve, really thoughtful review. No remote control because that requires an additional low voltage power supply. The amplifier has only a high voltage, high current power supply driving the main audio circuits. To add a low voltage supply would require a second low voltage power transformer and associated power supply, the receiver board which would interfere with the headphone jack, require changes to the faceplate and inner chassis, and the motor drive volume pot. Not really enough room for these additional parts and would be pretty expensive to execute. The SET 120 Control Amp pretty much follows the KISS standard (Keep It Simple Stupid) and does that in spades with the results you hear.
Just for the record - Mine is - Dunlop Systemdek - with RB300 arm and Shure VMXR cartridge - into a NAD 1020B Preamp I recapped - 2 Krell power amps and some Heybrook HB1 speakers - sweet. Nice room that is dedicated to 2 channel - the benefit of being single, old and grey !
Greetings from Perth - Western Australia.
Heybrook speakers! I have a pair of HB3's . Not too many Heybrooks around!
Hi Steve, I've got to share some love for Frank Van Alstine. You should have mentioned his long career of offering lovely-sounding modifications to affordable Dynaco and Hafler gear, thus giving us audiophiles on a budget an entry into high quality sound. After my roommate mangled my strident Dynaco PAT-5 preamp., I sent it to Van Alstine for his Super-FET modification. He was appalled at the condition the unit was in but attempted the mod as a challenge. The Super-FET was a really amazing sounding preamp and a bargain at the price. I listened to that preamp for a decade and was always grateful that he fixed up my poor butchered preamp. I now have a Super PAS Three preamp that I listen to when in the mood.
Reach arounds, knob feel, and a Schiit sandwich, oh my
Reach around for a friend!
I’m pretty new to the fine audio world, but I have broad and deep experience in the geekery of wine and just a bit less in bicycles. I’ve been watching your videos for several months now with an eye toward building a system, albeit with limited resources. Several products mentioned in this price range seem like they’d be…just fine, perfectly okay. But the review of this amp tells me viscerally that this is the amp for my future system. After years of wading through glitzy, over-oaked, Paul Bunyan cabernets and slimy, too-much rancid butter chardonnays, and bikes with endless baubles that look cool and come with certified bragging rights at the bar but don’t do a thing for how the bike rides, this amp cuts through the noise, as it were, for me. It takes away decisions I don’t want or need to make. It’s the terrific, complete, you-keep-surprising-me-baby house wine that cuts out the desire or need to drink anything else, the bike that some pragmatic artist built and had the good sense to stop when it was enough and far from too much and it compels you to just go ride.
I need a speaker and a streaming source to go with this amp. Same concept; thoughtful, and adherent to Occam’s Razor; only as complicated as they need to be. Suggestions welcome.
You won’t be disappointed with the Van Alstine. True to the music. A speaker that sounds great with this amp are the Zu Dirty Weekends. The Tekton Lore is great with this as well. A good bookshelf speaker would be the Polk R200. Or I’m a big fan of the Elac Uni-Fi reference as well. There are a lot of bargains to be had in the used market as well. Go listen to some systems. Find out what kind of sound you desire. Do Your Research. Good luck!!
Frank is a great guy. I bought his Humdinger device as I had some toroidal transformer hum, he was open to my questions via email and phone and the device worked as advertised.
Van Alstine power amplifiers are also great sounding and affordable: the SET 400, DVA SET 600, and DVA M225 are as good as or better than any amplifier out there.
OMG I love Audio by Van Alstine gear. I used an AVA Transcendence 8 tube preamp as my main squeeze for years. One of those things I regret selling! The Set 120 sounds like the quintessential minimalist design. The limited set of features includes great sound.
Like a race car, built for a single purpose, optimized for peak performance.
The guy who got me into high end audio had VanAlstine electronics, also Proactive Tablette speakers and aTalisman S phono cartridge. Sounded really good, although my musical tastes at the time had zero overlap with his.
I live in Minneapolis, MN and recently just discovered Van Alstine. Minnesota is home to Audio Research, Bel Canto, Wadia, Magnepan, and other small audio manufacturers.
Lots of project time in those winters.
@@orwhat24 You’re actually 100% correct.
How is the Wadia A315 power amp?
Wadia is owned by the McIntosh Group and is based in Binghamton, NY
@@TheBTG88 You are correct about it being in the McIntosh family these days. It was started in St Paul, MN by engineers from 3M in the 80’s. This is also mentioned on their website.
Love AVA. I had an AVA Dynaco PAS3x back in the late 70s/early 80s. I gave some serious thought about buying this amp as the centerpice for my parents system
This is great, with some Magnepans I could build an all-Minnesota system 😍
This will not drive Maggies well
@@ufarkingicehole lucky for me I cannot afford either and this was just a passing fantasy 😆
You could build an amazing all Minnesota system. The best I've heard have Audio Research amplification and large Magnepan in large listening rooms.
@@ufarkingicehole you have experience with this?
@@bryanherr1093 👍
There is a guy in Australia Richard McDonald who hand builds amps that don't have circuit boards and have only a volume control and input choice. His Amplifier is called the Quasimodo and it sounds amazing, of the 50+ amplifiers I have owned over the years his is the most spacious and lovely sounding amplifier I've ever heard. The detail is insane and when you listen to it, it is like walking through a soundscape, it's an incredible amp paired with the right speakers.
Hi. Any chance you have a contact method for mr McDonald? I am searching the web and nothing comes up. Do you know how to contact him?
Steve, very nice video review. It brought back some memories of a different time when real audiophiles would run the other way at the mere mention of remote controls and tone controls. Finally a mention of Fried or IMF. My real first step into better quality speakers coming from Rectilinear III's was TLS 50's, TLS 80's and the last Fried speaker I owned was after the IMF name rights blew up were his M2's. I became friends with Bud and visited the City Line Avenue workshop and offices many times. Bud was a trip...
My frieds still sound great!
This reminds me my Croft Acoustic Integrated Amplifier. Simple and beautiful sound.
Great review Steve. Glad you reviewed the SET 120. You are not only the man, but the man with the coolest shirts!
Sounds like a great little amp and a good honest value.
Holly Cole's Temptation is clearly on my list when I am evaluating impact of changes to my system.
Love the system of the day. That guy is having some fun with this hobby :)
OH yes I am, even after over 60 years of audiophilia. LOL. New amps are in the works for the Tektons which are a design I worked on myself 20 years ago, but Eric of Tekton got them right. Wish I had a better camera but it still was usable.
@@OldTooly It looks great. Keep it up!
I had Van Alstine upgrade my Dynaco ST-150 and I just love it to death now.
I have this amp , and really enjoy it! I have his tube amp (Ultravalve) also its been in my main sys for years, now replaced by the SET 120
How do they compare? Thanks
Interesting. I am considering both at the moment. What's the take away of your experience with them if you would ?
Hah Hah! At 15, in 1979, my first serious audio piece was a Pioneer SX-1080. Loved the sound. Wow...takes me back. I washed dishes for 3 months to pay for that receiver (thank god it went on special just when I purchased it). :)
Amazing viewer system of the day!
Never heard about van Alstine, happy to discover.
love the carver gear
Like a lot of (amateur) musicians, I'm everything but an audiophiliac... still this channel mesmerizes me.
Maybe Steve has already discussed this, but I wonder why some musicians can spend thousands on their musical instrument gear and are happy to listen to albums on a little bluetooth speaker...
Peer pressure and good instruments cost a good bit of coin, they spent every penny on that keyboard,amp or guitar and are searching the couch cushions for change.
As someone who has done many post-amp processors, I totally dig the design concept of that amp. Looking forward to be able to try it as soon as I can. :)
PS Groovy setup at the end. I'm no fan of the TekTon speakers, but I really dig the guts of this gear mix (plus a DBX dx5 for dynamic restoration... Nice!)
Saludos, felicitarle muy sinceramente por compartir sus conocimientos, sus apreciaciones, consideraciones, pruebas, análisis, experiencias, test, reviews y demás, mucha sapiencia, y en lo personal lo considero muy objetivo, sin sesgos, neutral, sabiendo valorar la verdadera Alta Fidelidad, no dejándose llevar por las mentiras del mal llamado High End y sus precios estratosféricos, manteniendo siempre dentro de lo posible la mayor objetividad y sencillez, yo le he aprendido grandes conocimientos y valoro mucho el que los comparta, gracias y abrazos, desde Bogotá, Colombia.....
Thats a very british approach in building an amplifier. Like the british Croft Integrated R or my old Orellé SA-100.
Enjoy your reviews, I love to see inside the gear and quality of the parts used.
Silver faceplate now 😊
Woodbury,MN! I had no idea! It is just a couple miles down Radio Drive from me. I drive by there several times per week. Now I will really need to consider buying locally!
I loved my Van Alstine model 2. It took sound to a new level. Bought it in 1979, or there abouts and had until the mid90’s. Was comparing to a Hafler amp at the time and this amp destroyed the Hafler. They were also selling Mark Levinson and it easily held its own against their sound. In the mid 90’s it refused to power up. Okay, I will take in for repair. No one would touch without the schematics. Called Van Alstine and they suggested I throw it away. Asked about repair, nope they didn’t do. Asked about getting the schematics and nope, they don’t share. Ended up throwing away. Looking back, great parts in there someone would have loved to Frankenstein a amp from. I also have a Dynaco ST-70 that Frank built. No hiding those schematics. Good luck, just realize when their solid-state goes you got a real expensive boat anchor.
I don’t think frank was part of the company that built the model 2 , they were just using his name. The new company after that was audio by Van Alstine .I heard Frank talk about this in an interview.
I don't get it. Is this the same company that offered so much hand holding and even reviewed and repaired botched kit assemblies?
Now they don't provide schematics and suggest you dump your amp?
What happened in between?
Methinks this is a company that just bears the logo, but not the spirit of the original.
@@juanmillaruelo7647 Frank is the Same guy that built kit And great customer service for 50 years , I don’t think Frank was part of the company that built the model 2 amplifier.
So therefore the model 2 wasn’t his , to give
schematics out.
I love that Holly Cole CD it’s an excellent recording!
The simplicity of this unit reminds me of my Audible Illusions Modulus 3 pre amp. Simple straightforward design with such a beautiful sound.
classic bro
Always been intrigued by their stuff.
Hey! Seems to be a nice amp. Just wanted to say that comparison with Schiit might not be entirely fair, as Jotunheim 2 is a headphone amp, not a dedicated preamp. And from my experience with several other Schiit headamps, they don’t work quite well as preamps. Cheers!
The comparison seems entirely appropriate as the the Schiit combo is an amp, headphone amp, and preamplifier just like the set 120. Too bad for Schiit if the preamplifier in the Jotunheim sucks.
Nice to see Van Alstine get some acknowledgement. Perhaps you could do a review of Belles, one of their Aria integrated amps for instance.
Ah, now you’re talking!
I had never even heard of Belles. My dealer loaned me the Aria integrated and I couldn’t believe that I could afford the standard of sound it produced. I’m in the UK which makes it even more remarkable.
Steve, I would be very interested on how you think the Aria sits in the market place?
Cheers
Thinking the same thing as I listen to my Belles Aria integrated powering Rogers LS3/5a's. Sublime!
@@jim586 I'm talking to you. Jim E! My experience is somewhat like yours. I knew the brand/name Belles, but had little knowledge of it. I drove over 3 1/2 hours to a dealer and listened to the Aria integrated through a pair of Vandersteen Treo's and as the cliche goes, my jaw dropped. My ears told me very quickly that what I was listening to was something special. I felt the connection to the music, and didn't want to stop listening but the place had already closed and the shop owner was nice enough not to to rush me. I bought it, have had it for 4 years and my speakers are Vandersteen 1Ci's and I love how they sound with the Aria.
I didn't compare a lot of amps because the Belles checked all the boxes and I made up my mind with little deliberation. I also trusted the dealers opinion and experience, John Rutan of Audioconnection in NJ, a long time Belles dealer. Belles flies below the radar and doesn't depend on marketing and reviews but rather the positive word of mouth from their satisfied customers. The money is spent on the product, not glossy ads and hyperbole. David Belles is a rare breed that does it his way. Pound for pound, dollar for dollar his amps are literally a bargain, and blow away many brands that cost twice the price.
That's my take, Jim. I appreciate your reply and wish you many happy moments listening to the music!
@@donivey2772 I hear you, Don! I have never heard your speakers, but the Aria has the verve and the gusto to match with a wide assortment of speakers and I can just imagine how amazing the Rogers sound. If it's sublime, you know you've entered that audio domain that we all aspire towards! Thanks for the reply!
@@steveo8015 Hello, that is a very nice message.
The Aria is giving me a lot of pleasure. I’ve upgraded the digital front end to a Denafrips Pontus 2 dac and the sound has improved even further. It’s so sweet.
You enjoy the music as well.
Good health to you.
The Van Alstine vs the Rogue Sphinx V3 would be interesting.
Frank started with Dynaco mods. I'm a huge Dynaco fan, couldn't go wrong with Van Alstine.
Beautiful like that yammy 301 CD player simplicity is timeless and I love shape of the knobs which are a similar
Yes I have a Hafler Power amp plus a marantz Preamp and Harmon Kardon power amp for my Home theater !
Which DAC can be added to this so that I can connect my Mac Mini to a DAC to this AMP. Was told I needed an Amp with Volume control and Analog outputs. Wondering if someone has a set up where they are streaming Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz through? Thank you Steve from bringing an amp to us that some of us may not be familiar with!
I have a factory super pas 3. I agree, great preamp.
GREAT pleasures: your music choices here Steve; Holly and Toots are both sensational.
Hemp Headphones, and a Schiit Sandwich…my day is complete! 😂
Thanks for putting up The Van Alstine Integrated Amp, from a domestic company. I have to check them out!
…and Doug's set-up warms my heart! I am recently re-running my Carver C-500 Amp! It's being driven by a Schiit Freya+ w/NOS Tubes. STILL SOUNDS GREAT! I still have my Carver Sonic Holography PreAmp in the closet……hmmmmmm 🤔……Maybe I should bust it out and hook it up!!! THANKS Doug! Would LOVE to hear those Tektons!
The closely spaced Tektons with the Holography engaged can be really impressive, but not all tunes and recordings are improved. But, for one example, ELP -Tarkus will blow you into the next dimension even at low listening levels with Holo engaged and in the correct seating position. Enjoy friend.
I found that I could fine tune the left right balance by the careful management of my ear hair.
Holly cole was a great new discovery …sounded great thru my definitive bipolars with a wide soundstage
Ha! Just received mine today. This amp is the real deal.
Review aside, LOVE that you used this groovin Eno/U2 disc to dig in and that signature shirt style……style maven C.Watts would so approve. Brooklyn rocks.
Nice, thanks for watching
I was excited by the designation of ‘SET’ - but it’s not a single ended triode! That aside, I have a lot of respect for Van Alstine gear, and this amp is cool in its simplicity and character.
Yeah. It's kind of weird that AVA would use that identifier in a "Class A/B" amplifier. A bit of a red herring!
Thanks for turning me on to this company!
Any chance you could do a review of the Ultravalve amp? (Van Alstine’s modern take on the classic dynaco ST 70 which basically put Frank on the map with all the mods he came up with for them)
I have had the Ultravalve in my main sys for years. Its really good after you re-tube it.
I believe it is out of stock now
Wow Steve, excellent review and production, you just get better and better! As for lack of remote, no excuse, complete electronics can be had from China for $9.
Toots, Sly and Robbie! I’m in heaven...
Reminds me of my old Audionics CC2.
It has the same knobs as the bt2 great equipment. My biamped cc2s
Still sound great.
You always introduce me to the new music it's so awesome. I never heerd of this band U2 before, they play the rock and rock very goodly. I will now buy thee album for my phonographic sound producer. Is very nice, no? I will try to heard this Brian Neeno you talk of too. I never heerd of him.
It’s Eno...
Latka! Nice.
A buddy of mine just sold his Pass 100.8 monos in favor of the new AVA 225 Monos for his CLX MLs. 1/4 the price.
Would enjoy your take on the 225s since you have many Pass Amps.
RE the Set 120-A bit more on the tradeoffs between active and passive preamps would be useful. Does the SET have a meaning?
The DVA M225 monoblocks are downright god like in every way. Will shine with any level of equipment. That says volumes to me.
Reminds me of the many British brands amplifiers which have minimalist design and controls
We were just talking about this thing on the patron zoom. Are you a wizard?
Yes
Reminds me of my old NAD 3120 (I still have it) and my old Rega Kytes.
This is cool. World headquarters for this company is about 20 minutes from my house.
try van alstine with vandersteen :D
Love this background keep it around
im trolling steve he's very happy over this.my opion is he should buy this amp ive seen the the expression on his face in his voice i think he got a winner hear.could be ha.
I appreciate the simplicity for the purists out there, and the build quality in U.S.A. I don't care about not having a remote, but no tone controls or balance control makes it a no go for me. I want at least a balance control. It simplicity makes it too limited, for me.
tone controls distort the true sound
Hey Steve ! Have you heard the Sonus Faber Lumina 2’s ? That might be a super match for that sweet little integrated !
I always give you a "Thumb Up" before I even heard a single word. I must bee bribed.
Van Alstine was around when I ventured into Audio in a big way in the 1960s. There was always a mistique around this company.
Steve, your shirts are truly works of ART... Im thinking of ....... Steve Guggenberg as a more apropo name for you.......... or possibly .. Steve Guttenheim?? perhaps..... :) love you bro
GOOTS! Any chance you could do a video of SIMPLE AMPS LIKE THIS IN THE $1000 mark. Like the PS audio sprout. Sometimes we just need these and I would love to see more. I think there would be enough to do a round up with all that spare time you have waiting for the shirts to be washed LOL
Steve... how does this Van Alstine Set 120 compare to your recent review of the Atoll IN50 integrated? They are both same $1,199 price with similar power specs... which is better in your opinion and why?
Is circuit simplicity good, if done right? 30'ish years back, my vintage 15" Tannoys M.G.'s sounded superb via a circa early 80's? Crimson Electric stereo power-amp. (Model long4got) Under it's hood was one small 100'VA sised (i guessed, maybe less!)transformer feeding two 10,000 m/farad e/litics, 2 cheap (30p?) zenner diodes as V.regulation & the minimum for push/pull of 2 transistors per channel, cheap bog standard components & i guess =/< 40 Watts per ch' max. But i soon sold my previous Quad II's mono valve amps & a large AR power-amp because that Crimson £50 s/h job made my Tannoys sing like never before. (My only upgrade that made a profit) I still remember which tracks i first heard thru it that musically elevated me on an emotional level like never before. Memory can be rose-tinted, but i still often yearn for that sound i had back then, to this day. Maybe it was just good synergy but i would have instantly dismissed it if i looked under the hood before i actually heard it.
Line levels are inputs to Integrated Amplifiers USUALLY up to 1 Volt peak to peak & are generally rated to drive into 47k Ohm input loads EXCEPT Phono Inputs. /// In which case the voltage swing can be much less & input resistance can be much higher so as not to divide the weaker signal. FET, Op Amp, or Tube inputs can have Meg Ohms or greater active input resistance but would still have a passive carbon, metal, or metal oxide resistor of Meg Ohms in parallel. /// Speaker Outs or Amplifier Output Levels can be up to 10s of Volts & up to 10 amps. /// I understand the Amplifier within the Van Alstine "Amp." The specifics of the mechanical selector switch as signal multiplexer referred to as a passive wire to the HIGH gain stage (amp) is somewhat vague. /// I still do not understand if a phono preamp is required.
SET?
(Not single ended triode)
Single Ended Transistor voltage amplifier design.
🎶🤫🎶
No remote? That's the only perk of modern audio
Hi Steve, nice review. Seems like this one has bang for the buck going for it. Could this be enough to power the LRS in smallish rooms at medium volumes?
That was going to be my question!
Shame Steve doesn't have the LRS on hand anymore:-/
Does anyone else know?
🎶🤫🎶
I'd think so, it's a high current amp.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Thanks for the reply. I heard Naim power the LRS nicely at only similar wattage. Cheers.
Steve, another fine review, much appreciated. Great suggestions on tunes too... as much as I've heard it's always great to find something new.
Have you ever gone into detail about any older equipment? Thinking Sansui AU series and other gear from that era, say early~late '70's, maybe early '80's. My (now rebuilt) AU-7500 still grabs me by the ooh-ha, I love it. Still looks brand-new too.
Rock on, and cheers from Japan.
Ive read good reviews about this amp for a couple of years. What is unclear to me is whether or not there is a remote attached to it? Franks website is a bit spartan and confusing. This amp is on the preamp page and there is a reference to all preamps have remote capability. So, clear as mud....I have read on Audiogon that some owners have raved about the current capability of this amp....including vs the Belles Aria, which is one of the other amps I am looking at buying. I like the US made, small company, long history attributes of all this. But it applies to both amps...Belles is just David Belles himself. Anyone got input.BTW, will drive Kef R300s or Ohm Walsh 2.
That's one of my references too. Great bass! What about the dog. :)
I hate 90's U2. The recordings are way too bass heavy. It's the opposite of thin sounding original U2. I think their best recordings were Unforgettable Fire and Joshua Tree.
I've had lots of good separates over the years. Cary, Audio Research, Hafler, B&K Bryston. Nothing exotic, but good. My.latest Item, Pioneer SX1280, completely refurbished with better caps, resistors and filter caps, is as good as any I've heard driving.my 4ohm Legacy Focus (original) speakers.
It's also going UP in value...😁👍
point?
@@jamescox4823 Steve said his Pioneer 1080 was not as good as some other early mid grade separates that he went to. My point is, I find my Pioneer Receiver to be as good or better than other mid grade separates made many years later. It is a beast with massive transformer, power supplies, lot of point to point. To each his own.
@@markceci9896 i have a pioneer rec still in service that is decent. but no receiver I’ve ever heard compares with the set 120 not even close actually. as always this is a subjective hobby so just my 2 cents
@@jamescox4823 Depends on the year. A few years later came the cheapo 80s. For cars and stereos. Most of the crap now is all features and no guts. Cant even work on them.
I’ve been running a JVC receiver since about 81 and in 86 I got some Bose 901v I just moved to a McIntosh power amp and pre amp in 22
With some DIY speakers.
Ha! Never expected to see one of my favorite CDs, “Toots in Memphis”, show up as one of your reference albums! Definitely going to have to check out Holly Cole’s Temptation.
Anyway, curious about your thoughts on how the an Alstine might pair with Klipsch La Scalas. At the moment leaning tubes (Decware Zen, Willsenton R8, maybe PrimaLuna, etc), but want to consider all options.
Thank you!
Definitely get a good tube amp for those
Nice bookshelves...........
Holly Cole Has a very stylized take on her singing. Yes, the bass player is having fun on her solo and the Holly Cole Trio albums.
Steve, you mentioned dynamic range being all over. I did not catch distortion if any.
Really excited about the forthcoming Kyte review. If possible please contrast against the original Kyte, which was a Joe akroyd design, were lovely but had ZERO bass. Does the new one deliver?
Shiit Sandwich!🤣🤣🤣🤣....BRILLIANT 👏 👏
Talk about brands few have heard of, have you ever had a chance to audition a Hafler amp?
Sure, when David Hafler was running the company
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac What did you think of them?
Don't need bells and whistles but looking at the innerds I can't help but wonder what the SET 120 has that let's say a NAD 316BEE doesn't? The price certainly is very affordable and I suppose I could live with the DIY looks and lack of remote but the sound would have to compensate considerably.
Good one, Steve............
I like listening to music on vinyl LPs but I hate getting off the couch, tripping on empty beer cans, half eaten pizzas rodents etc. That is why I play cds mostly. I can lie back on the couch, drink beer and eat pizzas and fall asleep.
As long as the rodents are dead they don’t introduce high frequency interference. You do have to insure the pizza boxes don’t created unwanted resonance.
you can do that with records once you get used to the scritch ... scritch ... scritch ...
@@user-ex9zm7bg3x The scritch, scritch is your two brain cells rubbing against each other in your head.
Hope you are OK Steve and the floods haven't done you any damage.
sounds like a straight wire pre-amp section which is ideal.
What happens when you listen to modern electronic music with a system like this?
Modern tracks are more about perceived dynamics vs actual dynamics, so the type of sound a song like Sientelo by Mefjus would have sounds intriguing in this use case.