Post by Owen Y on Jul 3, 2017 20:23:50 GMT 12
22 valves How much gain?
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 3, 2017 21:24:37 GMT 12
Yep, 22 60dB gain. Not a lot of info around on this one. A number of the valves provide voltage regulation though.
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Post by michaelw on Jul 3, 2017 22:53:35 GMT 12
that was a short marriage.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 3, 2017 23:42:14 GMT 12
Short and sweet.
Sounds better at its new home
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 6, 2017 19:53:26 GMT 12
My SPA II phono arrived yesterday and I eagerly headed home to set it up and have a listen. To my dismay nothing happened when I pushed the power button Wow, that was disappointing! Checked the fuse and connections etc. all seems fine. None of the 22 valves light up or the indicator lights on the front panel. Am now waiting for the chap I purchased it from to get back to me. Bugger about sums it up.
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 6, 2017 20:28:23 GMT 12
The tubes in the separate PSU box are cold? Is the rectifier/s tube type or SS?
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 6, 2017 20:47:41 GMT 12
Owen YThere are no tubes in the PSU box. SS rectifiers only
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 6, 2017 22:43:46 GMT 12
OK, all the tube regulators are in the main box (SPA II model) & are not heated & no front panel lights on? Only PTXs & rectifs in the PSU box (all the AC stuff). I presume that it is a 220-240vac model? Does the PTX get warm (careful not to probe around inside when connected)?
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 6, 2017 23:45:18 GMT 12
OK, all the tube regulators are in the main box (SPA II model) & are not heated & no front panel lights on? Only PTXs & rectifs in the PSU box (all the AC stuff). I presume that it is a 220-240vac model? Does the PTX get warm (careful not to probe around inside when connected)? Yes all the tubes are in the main box including regulators. None are heated and no led lights on front lit up.Yes, looks like all AC stuff in psu box. I'll leave it on for a while tomorrow night and see if the Tx gets warm. It is 240v according to label. I didn't even hear a hum/buzz from the psu when power was connected.
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 7, 2017 8:59:55 GMT 12
(Presuming that you don't have a multimeter....) There looks to be 1 PTX + 1 choke. So the heater supply & hi voltage supply could be on same PTX. So one or other could be faulty. You really need to check the supply at the output umbilical to the preamp box.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 7, 2017 16:58:39 GMT 12
I do have a multimeter and there is voltage on both umbilical cables.This beast is way to complicated for me.
Was wanting to send it Clear Image Audio in Tasman but for the sake of freight costs I'm sending it to Warren at WOT in Taupo.
Geez, I'll be pleased when I can finally have a listen!
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 7, 2017 20:16:34 GMT 12
For tube equipment, the first choice would always be 34 Audio (Clarry Schollum) in Akld. Not sure if Warryn does much tube repairs? If volts are reaching the main box, then the onboard PSU regulator cct/s may be faulty. It would be unusual then for the heater supply & the hi-voltage supply to both be out. Very possibly you have HT reaching tubes, but heater supply is dead. In that case, best not to run it for long periods with hi voltage & no heating - not good for tubes long term.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 7, 2017 22:03:50 GMT 12
Thanks Owen.
I have just heard back from the chap I purchased from, a kiwi living abroad, and he has asked me take it to Clarry.
I'll call him and see if he'll look at it for me
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 8, 2017 19:34:07 GMT 12
Gryffles - Clarry tells me his phone landline is currently faulty & it's best to email him (see Repairer listings). He advises that you should try to get a schematic for the device first - otherwise it is more costly for him to try to track one down.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 8, 2017 21:42:35 GMT 12
Owen Y Ok, thanks for the info. I'll see how I get on with a schematic.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 24, 2017 13:06:53 GMT 12
The NVO SPA II is now fixed thanks to Clarry. The small transformer located on the start up circuit PCB had come loose and lifted the tracks to the rectifier. Must of had a bump or two on the way from Shanghai.
Alas, listening will have to wait as I'm away until Saturday. Looking forward to it though.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 31, 2017 21:33:39 GMT 12
Managed to have a decent listen on Sunday and I'm very happy. Doesn't sound at all similar to any other phono stage I've heard.
Exceptional tone, deep bass, very dynamic and not a hint of hardness or sibilance. Not as lit up as the Rhea or Walker though.
Maybe it sounds so effortless and controlled as it has 40dB of headroom?
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Aug 11, 2017 22:51:34 GMT 12
Pic of the NVO SPA II with all 22 valves glowing. I've decided to leave the lid off permanently as it gets very hot.
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Post by colinf on Aug 12, 2017 15:52:41 GMT 12
Very nice :-)
AMR-iFi R&D
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Aug 12, 2017 20:41:31 GMT 12
Cheers colinfI took your advice about the Tesla E83CC and managed to find a nice pair. Very nice indeed!
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Post by colinf on Aug 13, 2017 13:19:40 GMT 12
Glad they are sounding good.
AMR-iFi R&D
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 10, 2019 14:20:53 GMT 12
Many things have changed in my system since I moved to Sydney. The system isn't in the spare bedroom any more but it is kinda in the bedroom as I live in a studio apartment. PTP6 Lenco - speed controller, DC motor, blackwood armboard Reed 1X 10.5" Tonearm Miyajima Shilabe / Shelter Accord NVO SPA II Phono Stage 01A DHT preamp BAT VK60 power amp Custom built speakers JBL 2404 tweeters Eliptrac 400 horn with A55G drivers JBL 2234 woofers ALK Crossovers with upgraded inductors These speakers were built by a gentleman in Queensland for his personal speakers however he sold them to me for personal reasons. They are a labor of love and have been a revelation for me - they do it all.
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 10, 2019 17:02:47 GMT 12
I'm sure there'll be a much bigger array of things to tempt you in Oz
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 13, 2019 11:17:24 GMT 12
Very much so Owen
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 20, 2019 3:17:30 GMT 12
As an update I have sold the Shilabe cartridge as it needed a heavier tonearm to be at it's best. So now I have the Shelter Accord set up and am enjoying it so far. All the normal MC attributes but with nice dynamic bass and overall warmth to keep it all together.
Noise has been a problem with horn midrange and tweeter in the new speakers. They sound great but seem to let everything through so some of the valve gear has to go.
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 20, 2019 8:51:25 GMT 12
Why not use a SUT in front of the NVA Phono? Especially as the NVA allows you to fine tune loading on the SUT secondary. The NVA is only ~62dB MC Gain, I believe, so another 10+dB would be good for the Sheleter Accord (0.3mV?).
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 21, 2019 16:38:16 GMT 12
Could do Owen. I'm in no need of any gain as the Shelter is 0.5mV. I did try my Denon AU340 but something must be wrong with the wiring as loud hum occurred. Haven't got round to checking it out yet.
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 21, 2019 16:47:06 GMT 12
The AU-340 at 1:10 could be OK, should offer the Accord around 470 ohms load from a 47k phoono input. I've listened to a Harmony a few times - quite neutral.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jul 21, 2019 17:28:05 GMT 12
Yep, I thought it should work ok with 1:10. I heard a Harmony a couple of weeks ago and thought it was a bit leaner than the Accord but horses for courses due to it being in a different system.
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Post by Owen Y on Jul 21, 2019 20:02:08 GMT 12
If you haven’t already, Gnd SUT to preamp Gnd. If that doesn’t work, try unGnding SUT. Try Gnding tonearm to either (I)SUT or (ii)preamp or (iii)un- Check tonearm & IC cable dressing, location in relation to any PTXs. Sometimes you’ve got to experiment to avoid him.
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