Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jan 5, 2020 0:58:13 GMT 12
The Zu's are more my flavour than JBL. Thing is the Zu's suit my room where I could never get the bass of the JBL's right.
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Member
Post by snewt on Jan 15, 2020 6:17:51 GMT 12
Quick update. The Zu Druids now have 60 hrs on them and are starting to sound good. I was a bit concerned up to this point as they have changed a fair bit. The bass won't make your trouser legs flap but it is the most tuneful I have had in my system which is very enjoyable. To match the Masseto I have found a used Shindo Montille 6V6 and a Shindo Mr T isolation transformer. They haven't arrived yet but will organise when I get back to Aus after my NZ holiday. I've also added some used cables: Auditorium 23 speaker cable and a Sablon Audio Panatela IC.
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Member
Post by snewt on Jan 19, 2020 7:44:34 GMT 12
Sorry Ben, I can't seem to use the quote thingy properly 🙄. Just wanted to know how the cable changes worked out, and how it's all sounding generally. What are you running with now? 😉
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jan 20, 2020 0:01:54 GMT 12
Sorry Ben, I can't seem to use the quote thingy properly 🙄. Just wanted to know how the cable changes worked out, and how it's all sounding generally. What are you running with now? 😉 No worries Simon. The Auditorium 23 speaker cables aren’t a good match with Zu’s. They are very picky speakers. I’m trying out a set of Zu Event speaker cables and they are a lot better. I don’t like mucking round with cables but the difference is obvious in this case. The Sablon Panatela IC is very nice sounding so can stay put! The Shindo Montille is a cracking wee amp and matched with the Masseto the synergy is obvious. I really get the Shindo sound now.
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Member
Post by snewt on Jan 20, 2020 6:11:51 GMT 12
I haven't really bothered with cables too much up to now, but it seems like an area I could explore a little more 😉
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Post by cartridgeguyonline on Jan 20, 2020 14:37:02 GMT 12
And you call yourself an audiophile ?
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Feb 23, 2020 15:09:09 GMT 12
Recent update as an Aesthetix Pandora dac was found for a good price. Added a used 2012 Mac Mini with ten gig of ram already installed. Running Audirvana with Tidal and set it all up in half an hour......very straight forward. The Mac Mini is used exclusively for music. I’m honestly very surprised at the performance. Been great having access to all that music I don’t have on vinyl! This might change the way I grow my vinyl collection ie just buy high quality releases as I find the huge amount of crap on the market depressing. I find returning LP’s a real drag!!!
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Post by Citroen on Feb 23, 2020 15:16:21 GMT 12
With the current price of new vinyl, I'm not at all surprised at your conclusion!
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Mar 21, 2020 13:32:55 GMT 12
The Shindo Masseto has found a new home and I had been searching for a replacement. Had to be a linestage and mc phono in the same chassis as well as been valve. Although the phono could be hybrid. Limits the options somewhat but the answer was Australian made and they come up used now and again.Now I have a Supratek Cortese doing its thing. So far the I’m thoroughly impressed and the phono stage is superb. Dynamic, open and full of energy without losing the beauty of valves. Can be a little hot which I’ll try and tame with different valve combo’s. The local Supratek crew say PSU valves are where I’ll find my sweet spot. I have a mate in the Blue Mountains who has a Cortese and has a stash of valves I can borrow. I had a look inside and was impressed. PSU all film caps, large choke, grid chokes, Teflon and Pio signal caps, silver wire etc.
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Post by Citroen on Mar 21, 2020 16:28:46 GMT 12
Man, you seem to change gear more often than I change underwear!
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Mar 21, 2020 18:30:08 GMT 12
Man, you seem to change gear more often than I change underwear! Haha I know, I know. All been good fun though.
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Pundit
Post by beeman on Mar 22, 2020 12:32:37 GMT 12
Have always loved the look of Supratek been very close to purchasing a couple of times - very nice
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Mar 25, 2020 1:07:10 GMT 12
Have always loved the look of Supratek been very close to purchasing a couple of times - very nice Agree they look the business. I would call the Cortese a bargain new let alone used. Had a mate round who has heard a lot of gear and he reckons best he’s heard my system sound. Gotta say I’m loving it so far
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Mar 29, 2020 15:43:39 GMT 12
Although I’ve been enjoying my Zu Druid speakers with my 2A3 SE amp I know the full dynamic ability of the speakers isn’t being heard. Sean Casey from Zu suggests First Watt as a great pairing. So I gathered all the parts for a First Watt F5 amp build and enlisted a tech to put it together and test etc. This F5 will have raised PS voltage to gain a few more watts power. I expect about 40w Should sound very good as I choose a few upgrades: Dual mono PSU with Toroidy potted TX’s 96,000uF capacitance per channel MUR diodes Z Foil input resistors PRP resistors on amp boards Original Toshiba J Fets Progress pics
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Aug 20, 2020 13:03:33 GMT 12
After a few dramas with the F5 being damaged upon arrival and a visit to a local tech the amp was singing. It was a big aha moment as the speakers sounded like never before so a big synergy moment.
I had spent a looooong time reading through some of the huge F5 thread on DIY Audio prior to deciding the best version of the F5 to build and I'm glad I did as the results speak for themselves. Unfortunately after a couple of weeks something went wrong and the sound changed dramatically for the worst and for no apparent reason. After consulting some experienced DIY folk the suggestion was made to order a new transistor kit and change the TX's to the standard 18v secondarys rather than the 22v I had used (to gain more power) as the J Fets had likely experienced to much current and or volatage.
So I decided to build the F4 boards and give that a crack and then return to the F5. The F4 worked fine and I had no problems however the magic was gone. So new F5 transistor is not far away and I'm hoping things will work out and I can get it singing again.
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 20, 2020 14:38:14 GMT 12
Oh I see... hopefully up & running again soon. Only 2 MOSFETs /ch, thermal pads - no thermal paste necessary?
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Post by colinf on Aug 20, 2020 18:34:19 GMT 12
Hi Gryffles, nice! Let me know if I can help spot something amiss.
AMR-iFi R&D
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Aug 21, 2020 14:30:49 GMT 12
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Aug 21, 2020 14:31:29 GMT 12
Hi Gryffles, nice! Let me know if I can help spot something amiss. Hopefully all will be ok with the new parts. But thanks
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jan 9, 2021 11:41:08 GMT 12
Few changes have taken place over the last few months and more coming!
The system now consists of the below:
Benz Ebony L cart / The Wand 12" tonearm
Air Tight ATE-2005 phono stage
Herron VTSP-3 line stage
Yamamoto A08S power amp
JM Reynaud Offrande Supreme V2 speakers
The turntable arm decision was made after hearing a friends system who uses the same set up and I always left his place thinking how great his system sounded. The amp isn't really ideal for the 91dB eff JM Reynauds but works better than expected in my smallish room. I also use 2A3's instead of 45's for the extra power.
The only changes left are the speakers which will be changed soon as I'm moving to a horn system which will coincide with a move of city and bigger room. The horn system will consist of the below items:
Azura 1200 / B&C DE250
Azura 340 / B&C DCM50
Altec 416-8B / Custom made 280L birch ply vented cabinets
All wiring will be Harmonic Tech UPOCC copper litz
Crossover to be determined however I will DIY that and see how I go.
Will get a pic or two up later!
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jan 9, 2021 12:27:52 GMT 12
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jan 10, 2021 13:10:11 GMT 12
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jan 10, 2021 13:14:45 GMT 12
Fortunately, someone had already done the measurement work re port tuning for cabinets identical to mine and using the actual drivers I have. SO the cabinet ports are tuned. I was lucky to find a pair of Altec 416-8B that have original Altec cones and have been completely refurbed by an expert and the Alnico magnets gauss was checked and re-charged. Feel like I should give mention to simonb for his brilliant arm. I had it singing within 3 hours and that included drilling the armboard and sorting out issues with the Garrard that occurred during transit. It's important to me that an arm sounds great but is also nice to set up and use and Simon nailed it imo.
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Post by RdM on Jan 10, 2021 21:08:55 GMT 12
I haven't really bothered with cables too much up to now, but it seems like an area I could explore a little more 😉
I's be very cautious of the hype!
But I'd really like to know what amp it is, & what visible output tubes in it are, in your avatar picture?
Cheers !!
And Thanks! ;=})
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Member
Post by snewt on Jan 11, 2021 6:20:03 GMT 12
My late father built it Rdm. It uses 211 (vt4c) output valves. Good to see things haven't stagnated Ben 🤣
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jan 11, 2021 13:07:50 GMT 12
My late father built it Rdm. It uses 211 (vt4c) output valves. Good to see things haven't stagnated Ben 🤣 if you're ever in brisbane you are of course welcome to drop in for a listen! Still remember the time in your garage prior to where you are now. My pre and cart with your TT, amps and speakers. Geez did that sound good!
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Member
Post by snewt on Jan 11, 2021 21:23:14 GMT 12
It was the best I've heard it sound too! And iirc your Air Tight phono stage as well. I see you've gone back to one. And if I'm ever in Brisbane I'll be sure to look you up 😁
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jan 12, 2021 10:12:15 GMT 12
It was the best I've heard it sound too! And iirc your Air Tight phono stage as well. I see you've gone back to one. And if I'm ever in Brisbane I'll be sure to look you up 😁 Oh yeah forgot we had the Air Tight that day. Yes I hunted another one down as I should have never sold the first one!! Cool no worries : )
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jan 12, 2021 17:26:18 GMT 12
Update from the cabinet builder today. One cabinet has the beeswax applied
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Apr 30, 2021 12:53:41 GMT 12
After a loooong wait the Altec, Azura speakers are up and running albeit as 2 ways for now. Only fired them up late yesterday after spending the whole day working on them and building the crossovers. The crossovers are 2nd order Linkwitz Riley and look bloody awful but they work well. They sound pretty good for at the current xover point and mid attenuation setting. Still lots of mucking around to be done in the future though. I've wanted horn speakers for so long and finally it's a reality. As per usual any project like this takes a lot of effort and time but it's worth it and I learn so much in the process.
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