I own the A06-3 amp, using the EML AD1 tube. I also own the A08S amp and still do. Driving 106dB/W Lowther horns.
First of all, both amp sounds great. That's why I still keep both for use in rotation. In comparison, the A08S sounds more delicate, with finer brushstroke. The A06 sounds much more dynamic, with bigger scale, and revealed more details than the A08. Different taste.
Second, I found the A06 to be very sensitive to noise in the system, either RF or ground loop. I struggled with the noise issue for a while until I optimized the grounding of all connected components, after which the A06 becomes absolutely quite with zero noise even with my horn. The sound also improves significantly, becoming more refined.
Third, in my A06 only EML AD1 tube can be used. I have various vintage AD1s and all of them suffer from low-level hum. Perhaps due to my horn's high sensitivity. I believe the A06 is hum-optimized to the EML AD1 tube, which has different filament construction compared to vintage AD1s. This is the only shortcoming of this amp as I have collected those rare gems which I hope I can enjoy one day in a properly designed amp.
I cannot say if AD1 has that 45 magic as I'm not sure everyone agrees on what that is anyway. I do know both amp can sound wonderful with high-sensitivity speakers.
First of all, both amp sounds great. That's why I still keep both for use in rotation. In comparison, the A08S sounds more delicate, with finer brushstroke. The A06 sounds much more dynamic, with bigger scale, and revealed more details than the A08. Different taste.
Second, I found the A06 to be very sensitive to noise in the system, either RF or ground loop. I struggled with the noise issue for a while until I optimized the grounding of all connected components, after which the A06 becomes absolutely quite with zero noise even with my horn. The sound also improves significantly, becoming more refined.
Third, in my A06 only EML AD1 tube can be used. I have various vintage AD1s and all of them suffer from low-level hum. Perhaps due to my horn's high sensitivity. I believe the A06 is hum-optimized to the EML AD1 tube, which has different filament construction compared to vintage AD1s. This is the only shortcoming of this amp as I have collected those rare gems which I hope I can enjoy one day in a properly designed amp.
I cannot say if AD1 has that 45 magic as I'm not sure everyone agrees on what that is anyway. I do know both amp can sound wonderful with high-sensitivity speakers.