Vamp was established by Dimitris Zachariadis, to combine his love for music with his passion for electronics.

Starting from upgrading audio devices, the company soon expanded to the design and production of original products, produced in low quantities. The first digital source of Vamp, which is NOS, shows in a colorful way the concept of its designer.

It is an original Top Loading CD Player, which will be definitely appreciated at first sight. The gold finish and the wooden side panels of the chassis, stimulate a very positive impression, while the small “window” on the front panel, behind of which, the 5687 analogue output stage vacuum tube stands-out when in operation, positively predisposes anyone looking for an “esoteric” CD Player, with emphasis on audio quality performance.

In terms of features NOS offers only the fundamentals. An LCD display with basic indications, the transport control buttons (including a special button that has to be pressed each time a new CD is placed, so that the CD Player can recognize the contents of the disc), a set of unbalanced line level analog outputs (RCA), a USB input (to reproduce music computer files) and one coaxial digital output are the functional features of NOS.

It would be unfair however not to stress that NOS is also equipped with height adjustable feet, making the leveling of the transport a very easy task.

In examining the looks of the player only minor faults are noticed (which is a real accomplishment for a handmade product) since the gold finish has some defects, while the chassis allen screws that extend out of the top plate, are not in accordance to the price level of the specific CD Player. The only serious objection in terms of looks and functionality, is the magnetic clamp that secures the disc. The specific clamp in terms of design and feel stimulates the only negative point, in a carefully designed product.

Article was published on: 2009-08-07

In Depth >>

Removing the top plate of NOS we are faced with  an outstanding design both in terms of volume and order, that impressively catches the eye, as all circuit boards have been designed and built by Dimitris Zachariadis (except those controlling the transport mechanism and LCD display), which is enough to draw our attention.   

The inside part of NOS is separated in three sections. On the left hand side there are 2  toroidal transformers and three stabilized power supplies. The center section accommodates the transport mechanism, the LCD display together with accompanying electronics, the filtering-stabilization circuits of high voltage & filament power and last but not least the batteries charge control circuit. On the right hand side the USB input, the D/A converter, the analog output and the output transformers circuits are located.

It is impressive that every circuit is placed on a separate PCB, while in the coupling among the PCBs many different kinds of cables are used (i.e. the transmission of both analog and digital signal is carried out through RG type coaxial cables), which have been carefully selected from the designer on the basis of their audio quality performance.

More specifically, the power supply system is based on two sizeable toroidal transformers, that supply current to the stabilized power supplies of each stage, through separate windings. In the same section with the transformers, three stabilized linear power supplies are located, which are based on the standard LM317 while the filtering capacitors that are used (2 x 4700 μF before stabilization stage and 4700 μF after stabilization stage), combined with a choke, secure almost perfect filtration of the supply voltage. In the center section Philips CDM Pro transport mechanism prevails. The cast base of the mechanism is fastened through springs, on grooves of the main chassis, while the display’s circuits are located just behind, shielded in an additional metal compartment.

Behind the CD player’s transport mechanism there is a series of rectification stabilization circuits, for charging the batteries that control the biasing of the 5687 grids.

High voltage stage is also interesting as the rectification process is carried through four fast recovery diodes, while the stabilization process is accomplished through an ECL82. One of the positive points of the circuit, is the use of a Jensen normalization capacitor of 330μF.

Very interesting also is the batteries control and charge circuit biasing 5687 grids, which monitor the batteries condition. In case that the batteries are discharged (due to the self-discharge effect), a fast charging process starts immediately when the NOS is turned on and the CD player starts operating after three minutes.

The D/A converter circuit is based on the classic TDA 1543 (widely used in similar applications), that faces new days of glory (production of which has stopped for several years now, meaning that every TDA1543 found in the market, is New Old Stock-NOS). In Vamp NOS CD Player 8 converters are used, mounted in parallel placed on bases, on the opposite side of the PCB, while 8 electrolytic capacitors (4700 μF) are placed on the PCB, mounted directly on the corresponding TDA 1543 power supply terminals. This way a more direct power transmission to the converters is secured, when this is demanded.This kind of construction even though it offers the advantage of parallelism of converters, also raises questions on the CD player’s performance on the issue of linearity and jitter, since each of the eight parallel converters, will never have the same performance with the others in the course of time.

As you have already noticed, no reference is made on the oversampling, recklocking, anti-jitter circuits, etc., simply because such circuits are not existent. The Vamp NOS designer firmly believes that the ultimate musical experience is succeeded only through a minimalistic approach.  
    
The analogue output stage based on Tungsol’s 5687, is purely minimalistic and besides the batteries biasing the grids and the resistors biasing the vacuum tube, we found nothing else. The 5687 drives a Lundhall (LL 1671) transformer that  couples the vacuum tube “output” to the analogue output (simultaneously cutting the DC component), while additionally, obviously takes over the task of output stage’s analogue filtration.

Finally on a small PCB (on USB input) the relevant circuits are present together with a high standard crystal, that set the time base of NOS clock. At this point we have to stress that the modular structure of Vamp NOS allows the future upgrade of each and every part of the player, since the designer’s intention is to develop improved power supply and converter circuits, that will directly replace the current ones.

Article was published on: 2009-08-07

Listening >>

My first contact with Vamp NOS was in “abouthifi.com” premises where it was connected to a Luxman 550Α ΙΙ amplifier and Proac Response D18 speakers. Even though our meeting was arranged with the intention to take the NOS with me for testing purposes, while we were talking with fellow reviewer Demos Dravopoulos- the Vamp NOS attracted my attention with its easy and  exquisitely airy performance. Without facing any difficulty, it was able to rivet my attention and show its virtues of incredible airy feeling around the musicians and its analogue nature, transmitting direct proximity to the listener. Leaving the office carrying the Vamp NOS, with an interconnect cable set of Studio 845, the first positive impressions have been locked in my mind, about the Greek designer’s product.

Connected to my well known system, with the interconnect cables that came along with the player, Vamp NOS confirmed my first impressions, offering an outstanding “open window” feeling, that rivets the listener.

Before proceeding however, to the analytical impressions of the listening tests I have to describe some “eccentricities” of the player on functional level. When a CD disc is placed on the platter, the TOC button on the front panel should be pressed, so that the table of contents to be recognized by the CD player. When the CD disc is changed without pressing the TOC button, the disc is not recognized or the commands of “Next” or “Previous” track will not function. During warm up, the transport mechanism operates normally. This means that when the device is operating after warm up, the disc reproduction will be already proceeded, meaning that you have to re-select the desired track of the disc. In addition during the warm up time an audible noise is heard (when the volume control is on middle to upper level).

Coming to the main listening session, I have to confess that it takes quite some time to surpass the positive impressions created from the musical and open attitude of the player, in order to focus on the distinct ingredients of its character.

What you will discover is that after hours of auditioning, Vamp NOS bears its own character. Like a virtuoso performer, leaves its own signature on a musical work, never being just a neutral spectator.

Starting from low level frequencies, NOS produces extended, solid bass response with lots of energy, up to the lowest level. In direct comparison to Benchmark D/A converter, it gives the impression that the bass energy is doubled (always on the lowest level of the acoustic spectrum). This energy (19a/18a/16a/4a), gives a solid ground for warm, musical sound, without lack of control, accompanied by strong attacks, in the area of 100 Hz (6b/8a/14b/9b). This way Vamp NOS delivers a high sense of drive. In the area of low-mid reproduction the sense of seamless music flow remains the same up to the highest level of acoustic spectrum. Midrange reproduction area thrills the listener, not only with its tonal attitude but also with its proximity. Whether in vocals and acoustic instrument tracks,to small ensembles and big bands, NOS does not only involve the listener emotionally, but also presents an exquisite chromatic sound palette.

Female voices (5b/6a/1a&b) and male voices (10a/11a/12a), are equally delivered with impressive (imposing is the correct expression), presence standing in front of the listener, without any sign of stress or any intention to steal the glory from the rest of the music, while the method that this result is succeeded, is worth of further elaboration. In the high frequency range, Vamp NOS offers grain-free upper harmonics and simultaneously  delivers all the harmonic content (2/9/11/13), succeeding in forming a combination that is very rarely achieved. The combination of relaxed music sense without drastically limiting the upper edge frequency extension. The placing of the musicians on the stage and the stereo soundstage created by Vamp NOS, gives the impression of a live performance.

The speakers are theoretically vanished from the listening room and the soundstage is effortlessly extended between them (even in the cases of compact soundstage recordings), while the places of the musicians are perfectly focused and the relative distance among them is clearly outlined. In cases of big orchestras and choirs the positions of the members of the groups are clearly defined, without any effect in “tutti” passages (6/7/9/13/15/16). In comparison to a “conventional design approach” CD players and DACs, where oversampling technique is heavily used, the listener has the impression that the soundstage is relatively smaller, however a much more solid musical sense is offered, much more appreciated in the long run.

Beyond any virtue of Vamp NOS CD Player, in the areas of tonal performance and stereo soundstage, what really characterizes this player is the total sense of “anti-stress”, lyrical music delivery (13/17/19c/11a). Vamp NOS CD Player does not just reveals the details of the recording, nor tries to impress the listener with shiny frequency edges. On the contrary, it lets the music flow seamlessly and speak on its behalf, by presenting the musical result through its own prism. This anti-stressful attitude in most of the cases is winning, positively perceived by the side of the listener due to its proximity, while in very rare cases, sounds a little loose and noisy, in cases of aggressive and electric upfront recordings (14a&b/12a/3b).    

When matching the Vamp NOS CD Player to any analytical system the result is a relaxed sound communicating a sense of natural and effortless music performance, without altering the character of similarly designed systems to “cheesy”. When matched with similar design approach systems however, it adds this envied open air sense, without vanishing harmonics or exaggerating on them. The accompanying interconnect cables bear exactly the same character with Vamp NOS (delicate, with rich flow and loads of bass), which means that matching with Vamp NOS is particularly successful. However, when using Vamp NOS with conventional interconnect cables, the player renders an extra sense of “polish” in high frequencies, which is welcome according to my taste.

The general impression  I was finally left with after reviewing the Vamp NOS CD Player, is that it carries its own distinct quality that combines the analog sense with full range seamless music flow, while the audio result produced is free of any sign of stressful feeling. What is asked from the listener is to accept a slightly less detailed sound presentation- in other words, it does not own the feature of hyper analytical music presentation, that characterizes devices designed on the basis of DSP technology and “by the book” structure in analogue stage.

Article was published on: 2009-08-07

Conclusion >>

Vamp NOS is a CD Player that stands successfully against other “Digital Monsters”, designed on the basis of DSP, in order to recompose reality (most common examples of such school of design are Weiss Medea and Emm Labs).

NOS offers a sound result flattering the musical work, without making it sound falsified and in 95% of the cases manages to present a better version than the original, which makes the listener to demand this involvement of the player, in the system chain.

If you are determined to purchase a CD player within the specific price segment, NOS deserves a careful audition, since it stands successfully against competition, in terms of musical expression, simultaneously establishing its own school of design, anticipated from music fans of both the vacuum tube world and the solid state semiconductors world.

P.S. While reading the above review, note that the new model NOS 2, is already in production. The new model’s chassis is of slightly different dimensions, with “windows” for both vacuum tubes, a stand by circuit and an improved high voltage power supply.
 

Vagelis Markoulis

vm@abouthifi.com

Article was published on: 2009-08-07