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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 7, 2007 23:10:28 GMT
Bit the bullet and have just ordered one. I'll return to this thread with my impressions of not only the amp but also the time taken for it to arrive, the packaging, the overall experience and of course........ the sound quality. All I have seen is a picture of the amp, I hope this proves to be a gamble worth taking: As always, I will report back in full Pinkie.
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Fergus
100+
Done a David Ike and is now known as Godkin
Posts: 197
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Post by Fergus on Jan 8, 2007 0:37:28 GMT
Looking forward to hearing your impressions of this little amp.
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rickcr42
Fully Modded
Rest in peace my good friend.
Posts: 4,514
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Post by rickcr42 on Jan 8, 2007 2:44:01 GMT
about damn time you step up to the plate and get a PROPER mode of amplification TUBE DRIVE !!!!!!......................valves to you Brits
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Post by MaN227 on Jan 8, 2007 20:54:15 GMT
As being new to this "hobby" I'm interested to learn as much as I can. Look forward to hearing more about this one.
I really like your "BOOKMARKS" part of this forum being within the forum and not just from the browser.
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Post by digitalmind on Jan 12, 2007 8:04:39 GMT
I had the original of which the one you bought is supposed to be a clone off. At least that is my story and I am sticking wiht it. The unit I had was a Jasmine T-100 it was an USB DAC, heaphone amp, and an speaker amp (4 or 5 watts if I recall correctly). I bought mine used with NOS tubes and it sounded pretty good at about $275. Hope you like yours. I recall having read it having a soft buzz or hum though, that went away when music started playing. However this seems like a new version without the dac and speaker amp, but instead a passive preamp, so that could very well be fixed.
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rickcr42
Fully Modded
Rest in peace my good friend.
Posts: 4,514
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Post by rickcr42 on Jan 12, 2007 19:50:45 GMT
no reason this amp can't drive speakers unless the output transformer has been changed to a line output device.If still a speaker output transformer would be as simple as adding a set of dual binding posts and a headphones/speaker shorting rotary switch for the selction
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 12, 2007 20:59:00 GMT
I've decided against this amp purely on the "good for 32 ohm loads only" reason. I've now got an Art & Music AMPRO on the way from France which I think will be better suited to Sennheisers. I certainly like the look of the thing with everything mounted on the top plate.... just hoping it'll sound as good as it looks
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rickcr42
Fully Modded
Rest in peace my good friend.
Posts: 4,514
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Post by rickcr42 on Jan 13, 2007 16:35:43 GMT
you wouldn't like a cap coupled 5687 SRPP amp for anything but medium impedance headphones so consider this message as just saving you a couple of c-notes........
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 13, 2007 23:44:25 GMT
I haven't received the AMPRO yet but really do wish I'd gone with the DARED MP 5. Quite a few friends (and a couple in the know) highly rate this amp and it uses 6N1 valves which I've got loads of (and which are readily available and cheap as chips). £250 (GBP) www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/dared/dared.htmlIf the AMPRO doesn't fit the bill then I'll definitely be looking at the DARED MP 5... way too many satisfied customers to ignore it and at £250 GBP quite astonishing value.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 13, 2007 23:49:05 GMT
you wouldn't like a cap coupled 5687 SRPP amp for anything but medium impedance headphones so consider this message as just saving you a couple of c-notes........ Same as Miguel, I'm predominantly a medium impedance abuser No time for cranky, prima donna, amp in a million dependant prosaic 'phones like Grado ;D I'm strictly europhile when it comes to headphones.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 14, 2007 0:02:40 GMT
That was generalising and maybe not every Grado headphone out there is below par, the 5 I tried were bloody awfully built and none of them hit the spot sonically so I speak from personal experience only, The yellow bear quite liked the SR-325i and has asked me to upload his 325i avatar again........ how can I refuse the yellow bear's request You "can" see he's happier wearing the HD-600 though....... He hasn't tried the Ergo model 2 on his yellow head......... yet
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rickcr42
Fully Modded
Rest in peace my good friend.
Posts: 4,514
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Post by rickcr42 on Jan 14, 2007 0:18:38 GMT
oops ! then I feel for ya man 'cause even though i am not one of those 'looks good I bet it sounds good' types that is one GOOD LOOKING AMPmore like calling a "preamp" a headphone amp while Grados users need a proper AMPLIFIER but almost a good one dude.was ready to post the "touche' mike" until sanity set in ooooh BABY you left an opening wide enough to drive a truck through but I'll play nice........just this once.................. the rest ? Well one day i'll send you a proper amp and then we'll see if you either eat crow in public or lie like a MF just to save face ;D
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 14, 2007 23:57:10 GMT
I've got it down to an art form Miguel and I really must apologise for constantly slagging the Grado sound quality off when it's really the "comfort" (or lack of it) that prevent me from really giving these 'phones head time and they "are" prima donnas in both the comfort and sound quality departments I don't care what anybody says.
Just have a look around at the heaps of threads where they blame the "amp" as not being good enough for the Grado and all the other threads where they're actually using beyer and sennheiser pads to get some comfort and alter the sonic signature.
I'm sorry but any headphone that depends on third party pads / competitors pads or a select few headphone amps to bring the best out of them doesn't get my vote when it comes to useability or comfort.
I vote with my ears and, believe me, if the Grado experience was a good one straight out of the box without need to "adapt" them with other manufacturers expensive pads or to go in search of an amplifier that they like I'd be sold..... they'd never be off my head.
I just don't find them comfortable. I love the look of them. not keen on the hot glue that hold the leads in place. Not too keen on their "house sound" or their in head presentation. Sorry if that's "obtuse" but it's my opinion.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 15, 2007 0:01:28 GMT
It's a preamp with head out I'm looking for Rick, hence the AMPRO.
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rickcr42
Fully Modded
Rest in peace my good friend.
Posts: 4,514
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Post by rickcr42 on Jan 15, 2007 0:50:11 GMT
Pretty much all medium impedance amps are muscled up preamps because you only need to get down in the 100 ohm output impedance level to drive such headphones and it is voltage drive that counts.Means all tubes can be small signal types exclusively to keep down cost.
Low impedance cans in the 30-60 ohm region are a tough load being close to a speaker impedance than any line level imedance including 600 ohm lines so usually means designs are more like a power amp than a line stage preamp with in fact low powered speaker amps being ideal straight off the 8 ohm tap.
Anything that will get you 2-4 watts like the PP 45s to SE 2A3,SE 6V6,SE 6BQ5/EL84,maybe 6BL7 PP depending on taste.
working on the "project that never ends" 6V6/6BQ5 single ended pentode/triode strapped feedback/no feedback,high gain (6SL7)/low gain(6SN7) low power speaker/all headphones "convertable" amp for like a friggin' year now and I doubt I ever get it done in my lifetime at this rate ;D
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 16, 2007 15:52:35 GMT
How is it that two sets of valves (from different dealers) can take 3 days to arrive from the USA via standard airmail yet this fckin' amp has been in transit for over a week and it's only coming from France...... the latest is "It's being held by customs".... argh!!! 30 bloody euros for so called "express delivery" and it's only just now made it across the English channel... what a crock of bullshit! This kind of thing really pisses me off big style
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2007 18:28:15 GMT
One set of tubes I bought from U.S.A. took 2 months and one week to appear at my end of world. Still an amp from middle of USA came under a week. Go figure.
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rickcr42
Fully Modded
Rest in peace my good friend.
Posts: 4,514
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Post by rickcr42 on Jan 16, 2007 23:44:47 GMT
must be "Royal delivery" mike cause that package you sent me is still lost in space and the first one took months
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 17, 2007 17:49:47 GMT
The AMPRO arrived this morning. The valves that came with it were, to say the least, far from firing on all four cylinders. The 6080 stopped working after 5 minutes and when I removed it it broke in two, looked like it had been in service since the year dot. I've been in touch with the dealer and he's agreed that a partial refund is in order. Fitted a brand new GEC 6080 and the amp sprung to life again but only for 15 minutes. This time it was one of the , equally, grubby looking Sol Tung 5687 that decided to pack in. Replaced both of the 5687 Sol Tungs with b rand new philips 5687 WB and BINGO! she's firing on all cylinders now. Sound quality is unlike anything I've heard with solid state. Dynamics to die for and a soundstage as wide as Australia. I'll her heat up a good few hours before spinning a few of my well known CD's and really having a good listen. 45 minutes in and the top plate is absolutely roasting hot. The top mounted volume control and headsocket may not prove to the most sensible place to fit them as the heat around them is just incredible... the actual volume knob itself is pretty hot to the touch.... would maybe have been a better idea to fit both the head socket and volco well away from the heat.... the top plate is actually acting as a heatsink so you could say the volume control is fitted onto a heatsink..... unusual. (question to Rick.... you've got experience with these designs mate are they supposed to get this hot? I can press my finger onto the top panel for 8 seconds, any longer and it would burn!) I'll pop the base plate later on and take some pics of the guts. So far though, this is a TOTALLY different listening experience compared with solid state... so much more life and vigour.... I could do without a mini blast furnace sitting right next to me but this level of sound quality makes it acceptable
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xerxes
Been here a while!
Posts: 1,115
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Post by xerxes on Jan 17, 2007 18:26:09 GMT
Also suitable for Ampro amps. ;D
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 17, 2007 18:46:30 GMT
Seems to be a bit of a start up glitch too. Fire her up and only the 6080 glows. Remove one of the 5687 and the other 5687 and ECC82 glow.... replace the 5687 (with the amp turned on) and all four valves glow. Something not right here! Fine when you get her going but I'm sure that start up procedure isn't normal
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Post by MaN227 on Jan 17, 2007 19:19:46 GMT
that don't sound good at all, imagine someone without the spare tubes and know how. that'd be total frustration indeed. how much did that AMPRO cost you ?
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xerxes
Been here a while!
Posts: 1,115
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Post by xerxes on Jan 17, 2007 19:44:51 GMT
I don't work for Ampro and I didn't build it, honest. ;D
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 17, 2007 22:09:02 GMT
It's turning out to be a bit of a duffer having to whip the valves out every time you start it up, I've been in touch with the seller and I can either return it or accept a good partial refund should I wish to keep it and fix the problem my end.
Very disappointing and the first amp I have ever had that acted up like this. It would be sent back immediately if it weren't for the fact the shipping would probably cost more than the amp.....
Off to bash my head off the wall.
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xerxes
Been here a while!
Posts: 1,115
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Post by xerxes on Jan 17, 2007 23:39:50 GMT
It's a pretty poor show, you can choose whether ship it back or stick with it and rectify the problem, but imagine if someone with no electronics knowledge had bought it. The question is, do you think the sound it makes, when it's working, makes it worth persuing, or should you just cut and run?
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