Yves-Bernard André introducing YBA Signature series
State-of-the-Art & Reference Level components from cutting edge designers across the globe World class performance, technology & construction quality......and wrapped in elegant aesthetics
PASSION 550A PRE+DAC "Dynamics were powerful, yet subtle when required, and fast. The quietness I’d already noted let me hear a lot of detail -- real detail, not the fake detail created by goosing up the high frequencies. Speaking of the highs, they were open and extended, with plenty of sparkle."
"Orchestral color was just gorgeous, with fully developed harmonics making the RLP sound rich and natural. I recently auditioned a DAC that made it difficult to distinguish between the solo violin and cello. The PRE550A had no such problem. Orchestral violins had a rich sheen, with abundant high-frequency extension."
To hear how the YBA reproduced a solo instrument, I cued up Ottmar Liebert’s One Guitar (24/96 FLAC, Spiral Subwave/HDtracks). The detailed realism the YBA PRE550A retrieved from this high-resolution recording was amazing.It reproduced the sound of Liebert’s guitar incredibly well -- not only the notes, but also the extraneous noises inevitably produced by a guitar being played by a master. Notes were harmonically complete, attacks and decays were extremely lifelike, and some of the initial transients were startling in their forcefulness" "YBA’s Passion PRE550A lived up to its French origin by producing unfailingly beautiful, realistic sound. Its extended highs were gorgeously smooth, with nary a bit of peakiness. The midrange was very detailed and harmonically rich -- little to grumble about there. Very highly recommended."
We HIGHLY recommend the music of Margriet Sjoerdsma Her tribute album to the music of Eva Cassidy is a very special treat. Link to her shop for CD and WAV downloads: https://shop.margrietsjoerdsma.com/
The sonic signature of this amplifier is very pleasing, it’s little cooler sounding than my Yamaha, and has more of the rhythm and timing that I associate with Naim products, but with a more three dimensional presentation. The longer it was here, the more I enjoyed it.
My Harbeth SuperHL5+ 40th Anniversary loudspeakers were absolutely singing, whether I was indulging in hard rock at window rattling levels or rather more laid back classical music, I felt a tremendous emotional and indeed physical connection with the music.
The IA350 offers 115 Watts into an 8 Ohm load. That translates into effortless delivery in a typical UK lounge. Whether playing vinyl or little silver discs, the music simply flowed. Music streamed from a Naim NDX, fed a diet of FLAC files from a Naim UnitiCore which is also here for review, really came alive. The gap between digital and analogue sources is narrowing!
Anyone with the budget and a desire to get real joy from their music collection really should short list the YBA Passion series.
• Rohm flagship 2xBD34301 DACs • DSD512 via I2S and USB • Vishay capacitors • Linux-Based Streaming System • DLNA, Airplay 2, NAS support • 48VA German Ul-Type Transformer • Roon Ready Certification Ongoing
YD302 DAC
YP302 Preamp+Headphone
• 2X XLR Input • XLR & RCA Output • Four Connectors for Headphone Output • Powerful 7W @32Q Headphone Amplifier • 48VA German Ul-Type Transformer
YT302 SACD/CD/MQA Transport
• Full Support of SACD DSD Output via I2S • Top-Loading Design with HD870 Drive • Advanced FPGA for 10 I2S Pin Output Modes • External Master Clock Input • YBA Patented "BlueDiode" for enhanced resolution • 48VA German Ul-Type Transformer