Boogiebabies
Well-known member
I had the opportunity to play and scope out a IIC+ with an Export transformer.
With no load the plates see 460V with the X100/X101 (Same Tranny) and 500V with the 105.
Under load using a quad of medium plate current 5881's in both amps the X100/X101 was at
447V and the 105 was 493V.
The difference in tone was noticeable. With the same pre's and power tube in the same position on
both amps, the Export had cleaner cleans and a less pronounced high end. It's tended to have a pleasant, but minimal
sag at higher volumes. Compared to the 105 the biggest difference I noticed was power, by which I mean volume.
The 105 is endless and very loud. The master volume does effect the overall tone as the louder, the fatter. To my
ears you could get into the range of the Export, but it was easily at twice the volume. The Export sweet spot is lower on the
dial, but it only gets better for both as the Master increases. I could see how the Export could excel at different genres a bit
easier than the 105. It has a really wonderful clean breakup like Keef, but with excellent note articulation. The 105 although louder,
seemed a bit more urgent and stiffer, but still very pleasing. For the ultra high gain fans, the differences were not as dramatic as I expected.
They both sing, but the Export does sag a bit differently in a pleasing way. The high end is slightly subdued, which is not such a bad thing.
The amp with the Export had enough gain for three amps, gobs, shall I say. EQ'ing the 105 differently gets you in the ball park, but there is no denying the headroom.
It just does not squish like the Export. A nod to those with a more aggressive nature. It's amazing what 40 or volts can do. Both great amps with slightly different
manners. All in all, one of the best sounding IIC+'s I have ever heard. Thanks to Frank/Dodger916 for allowing me to play the amp and give the review.
It is one sweet amp !!! And a gain monster.....
With no load the plates see 460V with the X100/X101 (Same Tranny) and 500V with the 105.
Under load using a quad of medium plate current 5881's in both amps the X100/X101 was at
447V and the 105 was 493V.
The difference in tone was noticeable. With the same pre's and power tube in the same position on
both amps, the Export had cleaner cleans and a less pronounced high end. It's tended to have a pleasant, but minimal
sag at higher volumes. Compared to the 105 the biggest difference I noticed was power, by which I mean volume.
The 105 is endless and very loud. The master volume does effect the overall tone as the louder, the fatter. To my
ears you could get into the range of the Export, but it was easily at twice the volume. The Export sweet spot is lower on the
dial, but it only gets better for both as the Master increases. I could see how the Export could excel at different genres a bit
easier than the 105. It has a really wonderful clean breakup like Keef, but with excellent note articulation. The 105 although louder,
seemed a bit more urgent and stiffer, but still very pleasing. For the ultra high gain fans, the differences were not as dramatic as I expected.
They both sing, but the Export does sag a bit differently in a pleasing way. The high end is slightly subdued, which is not such a bad thing.
The amp with the Export had enough gain for three amps, gobs, shall I say. EQ'ing the 105 differently gets you in the ball park, but there is no denying the headroom.
It just does not squish like the Export. A nod to those with a more aggressive nature. It's amazing what 40 or volts can do. Both great amps with slightly different
manners. All in all, one of the best sounding IIC+'s I have ever heard. Thanks to Frank/Dodger916 for allowing me to play the amp and give the review.
It is one sweet amp !!! And a gain monster.....