ToneWinner Sound
Contents
We mainly listened in two ways: through the balanced, analog inputs and through the d/a converter (optical, since that’s the cable you get with it). We also tried the MM phono input.
We also switched modes: class A and class AB. Automatic switched to A automatically with us due to the “normal” volume at which we listen and the friendly load of the TAD Evolution Two’s.
Clean!
What is immediately noticeable when we start the playlist is how clean this amplifier sounds. We hear no edginess, no sharpness…. and a remarkable amount of space and flow for an amplifier in this class. ToneWinner has done a really good job with the pre- and power-amp of this AD PRO3+.
This calmness, flow and clean presentation is certainly audible in class A, where it sounds just a bit cleaner and the stereo image is a bit more around us than in class AB. Furthermore, we do not hear very much difference between these two modes. Probably because we do not really get out of class A; even when it is in AB mode.
If we make a direct – and totally ridiculous – comparison with the Pass Labs combination, of course we hear that the Pass Labs flows a bit more and shows a bit more glow and richness, but realize that this integrated amplifier with dac and phono stage costs 2395 Euros! With that in mind, this is seriously impressive!
We had many types of music come by. From Muse to Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson, Massive Attack, The National and for example Vini Vici and Astrix. In short: from Rock to House and some vocal work. As it should be, the ToneWinner has no preference when it comes to genres, rough or delicate work: you just hear what is offered; but amplified. Great work.
Vinyl
We also played a few records using the STD table with the Le Son SL1 MkII cartridge. The result is remarkably good: very quiet, clean and just very musical. In short: conclusion is that the analogue part of this amplifier is spot on!
Digital
But we must point out one thing. The balanced, analog input is fed by the Sonnet Pasithea converter. That gets its signal from the Mutec MC3+ with REF10-120 clock. The AlphaPC with Jcat cards feeds the Mutec MC3+. This combination is, of course, very pleasant.
If we go from the Mutec MC3+ directly to the dac of the ToneWinner (and thus not through the Sonnet dac), we do hear a difference in richness. The ToneWinner’s integrated dac comes across as a bit cool and a bit rougher compared to the Sonnet.
Now we didn’t expect it to be on par – after all, the Sonnet Pasithea costs 6,000 Euros – but the difference is quite significant, frankly. We especially miss depth and power in the bass. But also some flow and “meat” in the midrange. We miss some balls, just to label it.
ToneWinner has used an ESS Sabre 9038pro; a chip we know well and know that it can perform a bit better, if implemented properly. Our guess is that the standard filter was used and/or that the clock driving the dac chip is not really up to par. All not a drama, considering the price. But a point for improvement, considering the level of the amplifier! We will see if we can measure this; the pcb is difficult to reach.
