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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 13, 2010 13:47:14 GMT
My two have just arrived..... I will go and take some photos right now
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Post by oink1 on Mar 13, 2010 18:08:45 GMT
My two have just arrived..... I will go and take some photos right now Waiting patiently... ;D
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 13, 2010 22:01:13 GMT
OK, I've taken some pictures. Both amps arrived superbly packaged. The G2 uses the same IRF 630N and LM317 but has a larger power cap (6800uF) and a sprinkling of other goodies such as a "tube selector" switch (for either 6 or 12 series tubes), two holes in the bottom of the enclosure so you can trim the pots without having to take the amp apart and a few other bits and pieces that are different from the G1 (you will see from the photos) It is slightly larger than the G1 (wider) but still manages to look cute. I will not waffle a load of crap and will just come straight to the point..... this is one helluva improvement over the G1! The "scale" of the sound is so much bigger, you thought the G1 was good at bass? This is a G1 with a MASSIVE subwoofer strapped onto it.... no joke, the bass is possibly the deepest I have heard through a pair of headphones. Mids and treble are silky smooth yet nothing is recessed or vague, you can pick out all the details of a recording without them making your ears bleed..... the tone is as sweet as a nut. I know a few guys here are waiting for a G2 to arrive, I can confidently say this is one of the best (if not THE best) amps you will have ever heard.... there's no other way to say it, I could write paragraphs of shite but that wouldn't make it sound any better.... believe me, you are in for one sonic treat! She's only been "cooking" for 6 hours but, already, I've got this down as the most musical amp in my entire collection (yes, even the MF amps and the WAD).... I don't know what Peter Cheung has done to achieve this level of performance from such a simple design but, whatever it is, he has pulled it off big time Forget the "technical" side of things and forget it's a switched mode PSU that is powering this amp..... listen to the music and I am sure you will agree with me that this is one AWESOME music reproduction device.... I have no intention of "modding" it or changing it in any way, to my ears it does everything I could possibly expect it to (apart from the musicians appearing out of it in front of me!) it is a seriously nice amp and rewrites the book (if you are to believe all these who judge sound quality on "technical measurements" and mathematics)...... I know there are going to be disbelievers who will slag this amp off because it has "valves", others will slate it as it "can't possibly be good.... look at the distortion figures", others will criticize the use of a switched mode power supply....... I used to be one of those people, thought I knew better than the manufacturer, and would try to make things sound better..... sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't (you can't turn a Sow's ear into a silk purse..... if the inherent design is bad no amount of "tweaking" will make it good) This is one of the first amps EVER that I have NO DESIRE / OR NEED to tamper with..... the SQ is absolutely the best I have yet heard so I'm not going to attempt to change it. Thing is, many armchair enthusiasts (who know best) will try to convince me (and you) that what you are hearing is "distortion" and can't possibly be classed as "REAL" music...... these people are idiots and, 9 times out of ten have never even "heard" the amp.... They are so "expert" they can improve the sound of an amp (or steer you away down another route) from the comfort of their armchairs. I've had enough of this bullshit..... I use MY ears to evaluate equipment, not some bloke sitting in his living room "imagining" what it sounds like based on his experiences / using measuring equipment / whatever.... I, too, use "measuring equipment" but seldom mention it as my "ears" are the final judge of what sounds good or bad. Maybe I didn't need to go into that rant but it's really starting to piss me off reading all these posts from the "experts" who've got an opinion on everything THEY have never HEARD. In "my" opinion, using my ears as a reference point, the Indeed G2 is, "indeed", possibly the nicest, most musical amp I have EVER heard...... Listening as I type this (not drugged up or drinking) and it's audio Nirvana to my ears. Ian...... I asked Sian to phone me 4 or 5 times and the G2 does not pick up the incoming signal..... it's as quiet as a mouse in that respect...... Obviously, if you sit it directly on top of a wireless router (for example) things may change but as long as you don't have it sitting right next to your mobile it seems fine to me...... Gain is 20dB.... not as "immediate" as the Bravo.... here's the good bit (for you, anyway).... with a CD, on Pause, crank the Volco up to MAX and it is deadly silent.... no hiss, no buzz.... just inky black silence...... I know this was one of Peter's main objectives with the G2..... he has achieved his goal.... "external" influences don't impede on the sound..... Well..... I think I have said enough for tonight..... for those of you awaiting your G2, sleep easy, you're in for a sonic rollercoaster Mike.
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leo
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Post by leo on Mar 13, 2010 22:17:29 GMT
You like it then Mike Just a quick question, does the additional heatsinks get warm? just wandering how effective those metal pillars are at transferring the heat from the pair of heatsinks infront with the Mosfets bolted on. Not being picky, just wondering is all
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2010 22:24:42 GMT
Thing is, many armchair enthusiasts (who know best) will try to convince me (and you) that what you are hearing is "distortion" and can't possibly be classed as "REAL" music...... these people are idiots and, 9 times out of ten have never even "heard" the amp.... They are so "expert" they can improve the sound of an amp (or steer you away down another route) from the comfort of their armchairs. I've had enough of this bullshit..... I use MY ears to evaluate equipment, not some bloke sitting in his living room "imagining" what it sounds like based on his experiences / using measuring equipment / whatever.... I, too, use "measuring equipment" but seldom mention it as my "ears" are the final judge of what sounds good or bad. Maybe I didn't need to go into that rant but it's really starting to piss me off reading all these posts from the "experts" who've got an opinion on everything THEY have never HEARD. Ian...... I asked Sian to phone me 4 or 5 times and the G2 does not pick up the incoming signal..... it's as quiet as a mouse in that respect...... Obviously, if you sit it directly on top of a wireless router (for example) things may change but as long as you don't have it sitting right next to your mobile it seems fine to me...... Gain is 20dB.... not as "immediate" as the Bravo.... here's the good bit (for you, anyway).... with a CD, on Pause, crank the Volco up to MAX and it is deadly silent.... no hiss, no buzz.... just inky black silence...... I know this was one of Peter's main objectives with the G2..... he has achieved his goal.... "external" influences don't impede on the sound..... Aah .... odd and even harmonics eh? Thing is Mike, using a piece of equipment confirms what you're supposed to hear. Equally, it can be done the other way - get a piece of equipment to measure correctly and then compare with an unmodded one to see whether it improves the sound. Then do an A/B and see if you can pick the modded version in comparison to the unmodded!!! If the figures say it's better, then the BRAIN tells you it's better!! I don't give a monkey's about measurements. Merely tools for setting something up. Looks as though Peter is reading here. The complaints about other versions and praise have been taken into consideration. If it's lower in noise, that's a bonus for people in noisy places (like me). The lower gain is more sensible too, I think. I much prefer the lower gain of the Miridy. The hiss levels on the Bravo are way under the music. You'd have to listen at daft volumes to hear it. The lack of interference has perked my interest in the Indeed. Takes a brave manufacturer to take it on the chin and revamp. Good for Peter. (If that is what has happened) Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 13, 2010 22:33:20 GMT
You like it then Mike Just a quick question, does the additional heatsinks get warm? just wandering how effective those metal pillars are at transferring the heat from the pair of heatsinks infront with the Mosfets bolted on. Not being picky, just wondering is all Hi leo, Yes..... the "finger test" confirms that the "dummy" heatsink (connected to the main heatsink via a standoff) does dissipate some heat...... far from "ideal" but better than "one" I suppose..... I will "measure" the core temperature with my Fluke tomorrow to see how effective this sinking method is..... Yes..... after all I said about test equipment, I will be employing my Fluke 116 tomorrow to measure the temperature hehe........ it's all fun
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leo
Been here a while!
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Post by leo on Mar 13, 2010 22:39:53 GMT
Fun indeed I noticed it was mentioned the bias is ran higher with the new G2 version so any additional heatsinking would be a benefit Only thing that really concerns me with any amp is reliability, if thats ok then thats great. Regarding sound , as with all amps as long it provides the listener enjoyment , thats all that matters
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 13, 2010 23:05:04 GMT
Fun indeed I noticed it was mentioned the bias is ran higher with the new G2 version so any additional heatsinking would be a benefit Only thing that really concerns me with any amp is reliability, if thats ok then thats great. Regarding sound , as with all amps as long it provides the listener enjoyment , thats all that matters It's providing me with the BEST entertainment I've had for YEARS Leo...... PM me your details and I will send the RockGrotto sample over to you...... trust me, your ears will be amazed
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2010 23:15:28 GMT
Hi Mike, I hate to be bloody rude, particularly to my host, but on behalf of all us guys who are still awaiting our G2s, shut the fcuk up!! ;D Mine is somewhere between here and China and it could be a week or two before it arrive. If you carry on like this I shall be climbing the wall by the time it arrives Please enthuse quietly in future to preserve my well being . Thanks for your co-operation in this matter, Impatient of Sheffield.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 13, 2010 23:42:56 GMT
By the way,,,,, for the armchair enthusiasts..... there are a couple of resistors (and a capacitor) hidden between the heatsinks
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Post by attilio on Mar 14, 2010 0:30:53 GMT
Wow, I can't wait to hear it.
attilio ;D
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 14, 2010 10:51:23 GMT
hmmmmm. I don't know why this should be the case this morning but in the past hour I have heard two mobile phone type signals through the G2..... I haven't got any music playing but the amp is switched on and headphones sitting right next to me.... Funny but it didn't pick up incoming signals last night
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2010 11:07:56 GMT
hmmmmm. I don't know why this should be the case this morning but in the past hour I have heard two mobile phone type signals through the G2..... I haven't got any music playing but the amp is switched on and headphones sitting right next to me.... Funny but it didn't pick up incoming signals last night ALIENS Mike, Have you any info regarding bias settings for the G2, and where to attach multimeter leads to obtain them, as this can now be done from underneath the Amp.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 14, 2010 11:11:13 GMT
I'll double check with peter and get the measuring points.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2010 11:43:15 GMT
hmmmmm. I don't know why this should be the case this morning but in the past hour I have heard two mobile phone type signals through the G2..... I haven't got any music playing but the amp is switched on and headphones sitting right next to me.... Funny but it didn't pick up incoming signals last night That's the funny thing with the Bravo as well. It's not consistent. Sometimes it behaves and at other times - hums and spurious sounds. Got me wondering whether the neighbours are using some odd piece of electrical equipment. ;D Would it be an easy job to make some kind of metal frame that bolts down onto the pillars and so close it inside a box with some rubber feet on the bottom to stop it slipping around? It's surprising given that it is made in a place where mobile phones and electrical noise must be all over the place!! If it's something as simple as the bias then it's easy though. So far, the Miridy hasn't made a noise - but then I haven't played around with the biasing. The thing is, get this aspect right and it's a killer amp!! Ian
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2010 12:48:56 GMT
Hi Guys, Mike, Ian, anybody, , HOORAY, my G2 just arrived - not unpacked it yet but being a total newbie to valves since my step-dad used to send me off to get the accumulator charged for his valve radio 60 years ago, I need some guidance. What to do first, what not to do, how to set the bias etc, where to position it, etc., etc.,. I'm sure others may find it useful too - I hope so. All replies warmly welcomed and will be rewarded by me posting my findings ;D . Look forward to hearing from you SOON!! Dave. EDIT: now unpacked and examined - first thought: must drill a couple of holes in top perspex cover to allow bias to be trimmed from top - comments?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 15, 2010 13:14:28 GMT
Hi Guys, Mike, Ian, anybody, , HOORAY, my G2 just arrived - not unpacked it yet but being a total newbie to valves since my step-dad used to send me off to get the accumulator charged for his valve radio 60 years ago, I need some guidance. What to do first, what not to do, how to set the bias etc, where to position it, etc., etc.,. I'm sure others may find it useful too - I hope so. All replies warmly welcomed and will be rewarded by me posting my findings ;D . Look forward to hearing from you SOON!! Dave. Dave, All you have to do it fit the valve into the socket (line up the pins and push the valve home) then connect the amp up and switch it on! As simple as that mate..... don't worry about bias at the moment, just have a good listen to it. Mike.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2010 13:42:34 GMT
Thanks Mike, will do! Not trying to be hyper-critical here, just trying to help, (Peter please note), but the 3 pins on the mains plugs were not very shiny/clean. TBH it was difficult to see where the black plastic insulation ended and the brass(?) pin conductors started in some places - anybody else find this? A few minutes with a Brillo pad made them look better. Now looking forward to warming it up - watch this space Dave.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2010 14:21:08 GMT
Hi Peter, Mike and all other interested parties, First impressions: -
[glow=red,2,300]OH MY GOD!![/glow]
How can it be? Why do expensive HP and pre amps have to be so big and so expensive when something so small and inexpensive out-perform many of them. Not that I've heard a lot of expensive amps but this is stunning IMHO. I'm listening to mp3 tracks out of my iPod that I am very familiar with and hearing things I've never heard before, particularly in the bass area. I'm now going to feed it from my mod'd Beresford 7520 DAC and play some FLAC files from the PC - should be even better. In terms of SVPP this has got to be my best buy by far. More to follow. Cheers, Smug and Satisfied of Sheffield.
PS and yes, I like it, a lot!!
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 15, 2010 21:19:01 GMT
Right guys,
I will prepare the RG sample of the G2 ready for dispatch to members who are interested in sampling it.
First on the list is Leo followed by Attilio....
I'd ask that each member who is taking part in the audition writes a few lines here once they've had a good listen to the G2.
Leo, it will be on it's way to you on Wednesday. I will give you details of who to send it to once you have had a good poke around under the bonnet.
Mike.
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Post by clausdk on Mar 15, 2010 22:12:33 GMT
I think it would be cool with a groupbuy, so that the slow people among us (me) also can get one at a discount..
Is Peter a member here ?? If you are and read this, please consider it...
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Post by clausdk on Mar 15, 2010 22:28:17 GMT
Whoops I just checked eaby they are at 85 $, so I got me one as well..
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 15, 2010 22:57:10 GMT
Claus,
Peter IS a member here and I trust he will make an appearance in this thread somewhere down the line.
I don't want to organise "group buys" or such like until I am 100% happy that this amp delivers the goods..... Let's wait a few weeks until it has gone round the members to see what the collective opinion is.
Mike.
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Post by clausdk on Mar 15, 2010 23:11:18 GMT
Claus, Peter IS a member here and I trust he will make an appearance in this thread somewhere down the line. I don't want to organise "group buys" or such like until I am 100% happy that this amp delivers the goods..... Let's wait a few weeks until it has gone round the members to see what the collective opinion is. Mike. To late for me, curse you Ebay ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2010 8:52:42 GMT
Ok
had my G2 running for a couple of hrs with supplied E. Harmonix 6922 and PSU on loop before listening test.
First impression is, very nice, not creaming my pants yet, as the Bravo and Miritiy are a tough act to follow.
Its giving me a very strong prior warning of incoming texts, and not quiet as strong on outgoing ones. No HISS at all, at anything other than insane listening levels, and NO HUM at any level.
The sound is very spacial, easy to place individual instruments, and nice detailed clean deep Bass, accurate smooth Mids and crisp top end. cymbals, violins etc are very nice.
Overall very nice and i am pleased with it, more time for it to settle, and then maybe some extra pairs of clean underwear will be required.
Will report back tonight with a days running on it.
Mick.
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