Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Apr 30, 2021 12:59:20 GMT 12
Next project will be a pair of diy 20w single ended DHT mono amps. The output valve will be Emission Labs 300B XLS to achieve the power and the only option really as I'm not a fan of 211 or 845.
I'm collecting parts now so will be a few months but I'll get there eventually. They will be the first valve amps that I have built from scratch and point to point.....gulp. With 480v b+ I'll be sweating haha.
You can check Triode Dicks Attilla for the schematic and pics etc
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on May 4, 2021 1:57:26 GMT 12
After a few days listening to the speakers I'm really loving the sound. They are really starting to sing. I have also made the decision to buy some decent crossovers. Eventually I was going to use autoformers for matching the mid and tweet level to the Altec 416. Seems like -10dB is about right for the mid so the tweeter will be the same or similar as they are both B&C drivers with identical specs 8ohm/108dB.
So by the time I purchased two pairs of autoformers, quality caps and inductors I would easily be at or over the price of a new set of crossovers from Werner Jagusch in Germany. The other realization was that after spending all that money I may have ended up with just an ok sounding crossover.
After a number of msgs, with the very patient man, the order has been placed with Mr Jagusch. Interestingly he winds the inductors on the same c cores that the autoformers use. I will have 14x 1dB steps so plenty of fine adjustment for mid and tweet. I am a bit apprehensive about paper in oil caps in the crossover vs the extra definition of poly types.
Looking forward to getting my hands on these! Now I have to think up a way to mount the tweeters.......
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Post by cooksferry on May 4, 2021 9:59:33 GMT 12
How do you find the Yamamoto amp? I like the style and finish of his products but sadly have never gone beyond my HA2 headphone amp .
Always one of my Lotto dreams to build a system around the Yamamoto products. Could be ideal for acoustic music and near field listening.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on May 15, 2021 13:55:53 GMT 12
How do you find the Yamamoto amp? I like the style and finish of his products but sadly have never gone beyond my HA2 headphone amp . Always one of my Lotto dreams to build a system around the Yamamoto products. Could be ideal for acoustic music and near field listening. Sorry I've been flat out busy so haven't dropped in here. I love the Yamamoto amp and it's one of the best I've heard bar none. I would happily build a system around Yamamoto products and will consider their phono stage in the future if one comes up. Whilst not cheap the build quality and quality of parts are all top notch. Compared to other Japanese exotica they are priced well. The bass, dynamic ability, and vigor of my A08S is something else. All 2w of it : ) If you lived close by I'd say drop around for a listen.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on May 16, 2021 20:23:34 GMT 12
After buying a Garrard 401 and Wand + 12" arm I sent the idler arm, bearing and motor from the 401 to Ray at the Classic Turntable Company in the UK for refurb. They all had wear and play after years of use. He repaired them quickly and did a fine job. Just managed to get the 401 put back together over the weekend and having a listen now. Extra exciting as I also had a Van Den Hul Crimson SE that I hadn't heard before. The set up needs a bit more attention as I did it rather quickly but the cartridge is interesting. Hopefully have time in the next couple of days to really give it a good set up. As expected the Wand arm punches way above it's price point and is a well known over achiever in these parts.
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Pundit
Post by harvey on May 16, 2021 21:13:03 GMT 12
If that Wand/401 combo sounds anywhere near as good as it looks you're onto a winner.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on May 17, 2021 1:01:35 GMT 12
If that Wand/401 combo sounds anywhere near as good as it looks you're onto a winner. It does sound pretty good. A friend of mine in Sydney had the exact same TT, arm and plinth combo and I was fortunate enough to find my 401 in an identical plinth.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on May 17, 2021 17:15:32 GMT 12
Listening today and something was bugging me. Fuzzy edges and a general lack of focus with loose bass.....grrrr. Just realised that the grub screw that holds the arm stub in the base was not tight. Nipped up and I breath a sigh of relief as all has returned to how it should be. A better shot of the VDH Crimson SE
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Post by colinf on May 17, 2021 19:53:59 GMT 12
Nice Ben, you have much the same setup as me apart from the cartridge. The sound is lively. Which feet are you using? I decided upon Townshend type B seismic pods.
AMR-iFi R&D
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on May 17, 2021 20:08:28 GMT 12
Nice Ben, you have much the same setup as me apart from the cartridge. The sound is lively. Which feet are you using? I decided upon Townshend type B seismic pods. Thanks Colin. Yes it's lively for sure and that's why I think the Wand matches the Garrards so well. Adds a bit of spice so to speak. At the moment I just have it sitting on some Solid Air Audio feet that I already had but they are not ideal as levelling is a problem. I have been thinking about feet considering the Boston Tune Feet as I isolate the maple block the TT sits on rather than the TT itself. I'm sure your Townshend feet do a great job. No nonsense sort of products ; )
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Post by colinf on May 18, 2021 19:50:27 GMT 12
The Townshends are quite good, if a little on the costly side. But then again, we spend thousands on cartridges etc, so I guess isolation should be chosen in the same vein. I had a Seismic Sink way back when that made a huge improvement to my suspensionless 301 of the time. So it was a natural fit to try Max’s latest.
AMR-iFi R&D
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on May 19, 2021 14:44:16 GMT 12
The Townshends are quite good, if a little on the costly side. But then again, we spend thousands on cartridges etc, so I guess isolation should be chosen in the same vein. I had a Seismic Sink way back when that made a huge improvement to my suspensionless 301 of the time. So it was a natural fit to try Max’s latest. Yes they are on the pricey side but will work at least. Do you use 3 or 4 Colin?
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Post by colinf on May 19, 2021 19:04:36 GMT 12
4. They make them in different weight ratings from AA to F. I initially had 4 type A ones but they compressed down too much.
AMR-iFi R&D
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on May 20, 2021 21:04:51 GMT 12
4. They make them in different weight ratings from AA to F. I initially had 4 type A ones but they compressed down too much. OK and do they have the ability to adjust level?
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Post by colinf on May 21, 2021 19:24:00 GMT 12
You can adjust them about 1cm under the spring, but it’s probably better to position them to make it level. Put them closer to where the heavier part of the turntable is.
AMR-iFi R&D
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Post by Citroen on May 21, 2021 19:29:01 GMT 12
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on May 22, 2021 17:36:15 GMT 12
Yeah and at least they provide measurements to back their products up
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on May 27, 2021 14:21:07 GMT 12
Got my Benz Ebony L back from loaning to a friend so was keen to see how it went as I haven't heard it in my current set up. Technically it's a better match for the Air Tight phono stage. After listening it is a better match however I'm comparing it to a cart that costs twice as much in the VDH Crimson SE. It doesn't have the dynamic ability and where the Benz gives up the VDH just keeps giving.
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Member
Post by snewt on May 27, 2021 15:36:45 GMT 12
Does this mean the Benz will be finding a new home?😉
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on May 27, 2021 16:17:18 GMT 12
Does this mean the Benz will be finding a new home?😉 snewt most likely yes. It's technically not the right cart for the Air Tight. This Ebony L is the best all round Benz cart I've tried inc Wood, Ruby, LPS. It's a different animal as low impedance design 3.5ohm @ .26mV
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Member
Post by snewt on May 29, 2021 9:12:56 GMT 12
Just curious Ben, but what did the Ebony L do better than the LPS?
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on May 30, 2021 0:04:04 GMT 12
Just curious Ben, but what did the Ebony L do better than the LPS? I find the LPS more dense which can make it a little slow. It has more meat on its bones than the Ebony though.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jun 9, 2021 18:04:31 GMT 12
Today I was listening to a Sheffield Labs record that just arrived:
the king james version - harry james and his big band
Perhaps the most dynamic LP I have heard. Really great for seeing what your system can handle and my 2w Yamamoto isn't coping with the dynamic peaks. dB app on my phone is saying 70dB ave and 95dB peaks. Onwards with the 20w monoblock plan : )
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Post by michaelw on Jun 9, 2021 19:26:58 GMT 12
Original ? I found one earlier this year at a record fair
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Post by RdM on Jun 9, 2021 20:37:22 GMT 12
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Post by michaelw on Jun 9, 2021 21:18:42 GMT 12
Better music than your usual audiophool fodder,
Plus prices haven't gone crazy on Sheffield Direct to Disc records.
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jun 9, 2021 21:37:10 GMT 12
Original ? I found one earlier this year at a record fair Not sure which version it is but it sounds great and not a click or pop to be heard. You did well at $25 )
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Post by michaelw on Jun 9, 2021 22:36:48 GMT 12
Discogs lists four LP versions; US gatefold and single sleeve - mine is US gatefold with embossed cover Japanes pressing German pressing Seller was not being greedy
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Pundit
Post by Gryffles on Jun 10, 2021 5:32:37 GMT 12
Discogs lists four LP versions; US gatefold and single sleeve - mine is US gatefold with embossed cover Japanes pressing German pressing Seller was not being greedy Just checked mine and its also US embossed gatefold. I paid $45 but its NM / NM so I'm happy
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Pundit
Post by achipo on Jun 11, 2021 10:09:58 GMT 12
Original ? I found one earlier this year at a record fair Not sure which version it is but it sounds great and not a click or pop to be heard. You did well at $25 ) This discussion motivated me to get my copy out. Yours looks just like mine--embossed gatefold. It's going on the turntable next! Edit: I forgot how good this record is!
Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero Wavestream Kinetics phono stage Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp AtmaSphere MA-1 amps Benchmark AHBP amps Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs
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