A note about the gain of the Mini Torii. With a standard two volt source,  the amp can be taken to around 1/2 volume (5 or 6 clicks) without distortion. Interestingly enough when you use a variable source with a max output of 5 volts or so, you can find a magic point on the source volume where the amp really starts to hit. So with the gain control on the amp set to 1/2 volume or less, the amp can tolerate and enjoys a lot of gain at the source or preamp. On the other hand, if you're driving the amp with an IPOD or perhaps off a single DAC chip where you're lucky to get a full volt of output, then you can run the Mini Torii volume at almost max or max.

Steve

Still in the process of setting up my office system. Some cleanup and finally carried the HDT's up the steps.

So, was thinking tonight let's take the Mini Torii downstairs and have a listen. Hooked the amp up to my Von S VR4's (90db) the CSP2 and ZP3.

Amp is out of the box stock. Extremely impressed. Silky smooth yet incredible detail along with a bass I was having a little trouble getting over. It was almost as if I had a bass guitar plugged straight into the amp. One of the best live replications I have heard. On top of all this I had plenty of power to listen at my normal listening levels and even pushed it a bit above that to test things out. I would not have an issue listening to this amp full time on these speakers although will be happy when I get all setup in the office with the HDT's.

Anyway great amp and an extremely good value in my mind.

Regards,
KimKman

Quote:


One thing you can try is running some 12AT7's in the front end and see what that does with the OD3.  BTW, the OA3 is a 75 volt tube, meaning that is the voltage drop it shows to the grid of the output tube.  The OA3 is showing the grid the highest voltage (least drop) of all the VR tubes.  The OD3 shows the output tube grid the lowest voltage, hence the lower output.

I actually listen to mine with the stock tube compliment I ship in the amps.

Steve

I am still impressed with the Mini in stock form with the 6P6S(6n6c) tubes. Bass guitar is astounding. Will play though

I think that the 6v6 variant sound best . I scored 3 5992 on Ebay braned 6V6gta Sylvania, and they sound great. I gess every body was slipping that day. The 6l6 sound good maby fuller and more relaxed with less focus. Just my opinion.   Brian

I am using the Mini Torii as a main home amplifier, not an office system. It has all the authority, spank, heft, or whatever your favorite term is for something substantial. I think that some of the other amps, such as the SE84 would be better in an office system.

If your speakers are 2 OHM impedance you might want to ask Steve whether or not to order the Mini Torii with the regular (not-EX) transformers.

Thank you all for your feed back. I stand notified. When I first contacted Steve Deckert and told him of what I wanted from a system, what I have and my musical preferences, he reccomended the Mini Torii SEX because my speakers are 8 ohms and very efficient.
He's the guru and I am not, thus I had already decided to defer to his advise. Your comments further validates what I've been reading about this rig. Can't wait to get my hands on one.
I will play it with the stock tubes for a few months  at first until I get used to its sound and it breaks in (I'd also appreciate any comments as to how long this takes). Then, I may do some tube rolling, although I suspect that Decware did a lot of that until they settled on what they felt works best. No harm in exploring though.
Once I settled on the best tube combination for my taste and use, I may explore rolling the caps w/V-caps, Mundorf or maybe even Audio Notes (if any of you has experimented w/that on the Mini I'd also like to hear about it). Not being a tech person I would probably consult w/Steve before any cap replacements.

RR,
What/who did the new pots? What kind are they? Please do tell.