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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 23, 2010 9:33:50 GMT
"her indoors" = one's wife, especially a domineering one
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Sept 23, 2010 10:37:36 GMT
70g? I guess it weights more on this side of the pond! Maybe because the inspectors at customs added some lead.  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 24, 2010 22:52:16 GMT
70g? I guess it weights more on this side of the pond! Maybe because the inspectors at customs added some lead. It was a bit lighter this end..... maybe it gained weight on the aeroplane? Eating crisps and "in flight" delicacies such as "paninis"   |
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Sept 25, 2010 13:38:05 GMT
Started listening to the new Little Pinkie this morning, it is paired with X-Can (same configuration as you shipped it out). It is way too early to tell but I swear the background is blacker (no noise). It seems the X-Can is running a bit warmer, does the new Little Pinkie puts out more power?
Cheers.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2010 13:49:08 GMT
Does the unit itself run silently (toroid) ?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2010 13:51:37 GMT
Started listening to the new Little Pinkie this morning, it is paired with X-Can (same configuration as you shipped it out). It is way too early to tell but I swear the background is blacker (no noise). It seems the X-Can is running a bit warmer, does the new Little Pinkie puts out more power? Cheers. Must be due to all the weight it gained on the way over ?  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 25, 2010 14:22:40 GMT
Started listening to the new Little Pinkie this morning, it is paired with X-Can (same configuration as you shipped it out). It is way too early to tell but I swear the background is blacker (no noise). It seems the X-Can is running a bit warmer, does the new Little Pinkie puts out more power? Cheers. 30VA Miguel and it drops to 12V under load. Chris, there is no audible mechanical buzzing from the toroid. |
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Sept 25, 2010 22:51:51 GMT
Does the unit itself run silently (toroid) ? Dead silent! |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 25, 2010 23:13:44 GMT
Does the unit itself run silently (toroid) ? Dead silent! Is it an improvement over the V3i? Comments appreciated. Mike. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2010 9:00:34 GMT
Is it an improvement over the V3i? Comments appreciated. Mike. Come on Miguel ......... Any differences? Is it more dead in between tracks? More dynamic range? Has the amp become more 'easy'? I'm frothing here .......  I can't see it getting much better!!!!! |
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Sept 26, 2010 16:10:02 GMT
Quiet and transparent are the words that best describes the latest version of the Little Pinkie. I almost added effortless since the transients are so crisp and crystal clear but then I realized that the previous version does a darn good job as well. Micro dynamics is also as good, however w/ the blacker background it will make you appreciate the higher perceived detail in the music.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2010 16:23:02 GMT
That's what I think so I wondered just how much better can it get? My V2 is pretty black now in the silences tbh!!
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 26, 2010 19:20:01 GMT
Quiet and transparent are the words that best describes the latest version of the Little Pinkie. I almost added effortless since the transients are so crisp and crystal clear but then I realized that the previous version does a darn good job as well. Micro dynamics is also as good, however w/ the blacker background it will make you appreciate the higher perceived detail in the music. What about the running temperature of the Pinkie? I have tested with V2 / V3 and it runs pretty much cold.... mechanical noise almost non existent and, YES, a much blacker background. They take longer to build, are more expensive for parts but I think the added cost may well be worth it..... "not" just a Pinkie with better parts but a better sounding one. I will await feedback from a few more people before deciding where to go with this. One thing's for sure..... I seem to like those switches   |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2010 20:02:58 GMT
Put your nose against the picture above. Click on it to enlarge it because it's easier to see this. Relax your eyes and look 'through' the picture. Come slowly back and it goes into 3d. So, the new version might give a 3d soundstage?  Honest - it goes 3d!! |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 27, 2010 20:23:28 GMT
Put your nose against the picture above. Click on it to enlarge it because it's easier to see this. Relax your eyes and look 'through' the picture. Come slowly back and it goes into 3d. So, the new version might give a 3d soundstage? Honest - it goes 3d!! Ian... Just out of interest........ "why" did you think it a good plan to put your nose on the screen? Is this your usual viewing style? |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2010 20:52:55 GMT
I had this urge to sniff hot solder and then realised that they hadn't been soldered yet.
As I slowly took my nose away with tearful eyes, I saw the 3d soundstage emanating from the knobs.
Have you tried it yet?
Honest, it goes 3d.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 27, 2010 21:01:56 GMT
I had this urge to sniff hot solder and then realised that they hadn't been soldered yet. As I slowly took my nose away with tearful eyes, I saw the 3d soundstage emanating from the knobs. Have you tried it yet? Honest, it goes 3d. Ian, I ripped a muscle in my lower back the other day.... my monitor is not in comfortable 3D "nosing" vicinity..... I'd have to crawl across the desk to nose it..... I take your word for it though, the switches appear in 3D ...... thing is, I can go into the workshop and view them in 3D close up..... I can also lick them...... Got so excited earlier today that I actually "swallowed" one of them.... quite tasty tho'  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2010 21:17:04 GMT
Got ya curious now eh? Live, it must be brilliant in 3d. A cushion in the small of your back, pushing forward when you sit and once it's in place..... Relax your whole back downwards so that the cushion is pushing back. It gives the muscles a chance to relax. Other than that, order a Chinese delivery and ask if she does massage as a sideline. oooh, I just thought, it would most likely be a bloke.  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2010 21:28:24 GMT
I had this urge to sniff hot solder and then realised that they hadn't been soldered yet. As I slowly took my nose away with tearful eyes, I saw the 3d soundstage emanating from the knobs. Have you tried it yet? Honest, it goes 3d. Don't worry Ian, when I first saw Mikes post I had difficulty focusing on the picture, it appeared 3D to me until I managed to focus. It just means your eyesight is nearly is bad as mine |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2010 21:40:00 GMT
I prepared to scoff, but it actually does! Its like looking through a window with the switches beyond.
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mrarroyo
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Post by mrarroyo on Sept 28, 2010 22:11:15 GMT
I think I have listened to the new version of the Little Pinkie to be able to say that it is indeed a winner. There is no background sound, the sound is very smooth, and it has very good impact/depth. Currently listening to Harry Connick, Jr. using a Sennheiser HD580 w/ an HD650 cable and I am really enjoying the music. You have done a marvelous job Mike. BTW, I truly like the light on switch because it is not overly bright as in some other units. Cheers.
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Post by elysion on Oct 17, 2010 7:55:31 GMT
Mike, I got the modded X-Can V2+V3 PCB's together with the Little Pinkie SE for the V3. I've put the PCB's back into their cases and mounted a pair of tubes in each. Philips E88CC SQ (special quality) with gold pins for the X-Can V3:   JAN Philips 6922 for the V2 (the stock tubes, still in very good condition). I've tested only the X-Can V3 together with the Pinkie SE so far. I'm currently in Giswil (where my parents live) and I only have a UCA222 here as source. But nevertheless, the results are absolutely stunning.    I had multiple eargasms during the last few hours. It sounds so good that I can't sleep (no joke). I need to hear that now! The modded V3 is my new reference... it sounds a lot better than the Neco Mosfet V2 or the Neco Portable V2, I'm almost sure that's at least partially because of the Pinkie SE. 25th September 2010 - Elysion's X-Can V3 UF4001 diodes (faster than 4007), Vishay 146 RTI 3300uF, Panasonic FC 2200uF, Panasonic FM 1200uF, Panasonic FM 100uF, EVOX / Rifa 470nF, Wima 220pF, Wima 1uF, Nichicon MUSE 1000uF (Non polars), input caps removed / replaced with wire links and ceramic valve bases fitted. All parts soldered with Warton Metals "Future HF" 62% tin, 2% silver, 36% lead solder. Stripped down all ready:  Completed job:              Krisno stated more than once, that he thinks that a modded V3 would be a great amp for K701/K702. Until today, I could only compared how the K702 sounds with an unmodded V2 and V3. Now I have a modded V2 and V3 (although only a Pinkie SE for the V3 so far, I will order a Pinkie for the V2 later). Krisno mentioned also that he thinks that the Philips E88CC SQ could be Amperex tubes. Amperex tubes have the reputation to have good bass. I can't prove that those E88CC SQ really are Amperex tubes, but I can confirm that they have good bass. I'm currently using the V3 with the Pinkie SE, Philips E88CC SQ tubes and K702. That combo sounds almost perfect. Every flaw of the unmodded V3 is completely gone, I don't hear anything that would disturb me. I never heard my K702 the way it sounds with that combo. Bass is very good. I think I have listened to the new version of the Little Pinkie to be able to say that it is indeed a winner. There is no background sound, the sound is very smooth, and it has very good impact/depth. Currently listening to Harry Connick, Jr. using a Sennheiser HD580 w/ an HD650 cable and I am really enjoying the music. You have done a marvelous job Mike. BTW, I truly like the light on switch because it is not overly bright as in some other units. Cheers. It would be nice to hear what a power supply of similar quality to the Pinkie SE could get out of the Neco Mosfet. Probabably still a lot undiscovered possibilites with that amp. Alex: What I really like with that modded V3 + Pinkie SE is the warmer sound. It's much more organic than the Neco Mosfet V2 with AD8160 opamps. Maybe some kind of irrational tube magic? I can only guess, but it sounds so damned good that I can't say solid-state amps are superior. I'm a real fan of the Neco Mosfet V2 and I like solid-state amps. But I still find that tubes have something special that I can't really explain in a rational way. I have been experimenting with switch "colours" and have decided to go with a green illuminated switch. Blue was too "common" looking, red was too industrious looking..... green just looks classy when the lights are dimmed (green = "go") The switch itself is made by SCI. It sports silver plated brass solder terminals and the frame is rated at UL 94V-2. They have a nice action to them and, IMO, look very snazzy (especially when illuminated). It is taking shape and should be ready to roll by the end of the year. There is enough room under the hood (just) to fit one of my V-boards so a DC version of the Special Edition Pinkie will also be available. The SE will run alongside to the Pinkie V3i and will be the "luxury" version of the V3i. Both handmade (by myself) from the ground up using home grown (UK manufactured) parts where possible... the SE does the same job as the V3i, does it sound better? I'll let your ears be the judge Miguel will be auditioning the first SE and Elysion (Christian) will be auditioning the second. If there are any of you who own a V3i and would like to audition the "SE" version please express your interest here and I'll see what I can do. I really like the green illuminated switch. I will post more impressions soon. I need some sleep now... |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2010 8:13:40 GMT
I seriously doubt that Mike is going back to valve amps any time soon, now that he has his Panda .
And yes, there are a few things that could make the Panda sound even better, such as getting rid of series PSU resistances and Capacitance multipliers and using a JLH. I doubt that the input JFETs are very closely matched as supplied either.Then there are further possibilities with output devices, the amount of bias current, and emitter resistor values.
Frans would have a great time extracting the most out of one of these, although he wouldn't use a JLH to do so.
Alex
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 17, 2010 9:00:00 GMT
Ah Christian, glad you like it man The dramatic improvement is not all down to the Pinkie SE, 50% of it is down to the board mods / type of component used... those Vishay (BC) 3300uF caps and the panasonics really do help give an open window to the sound. The stock jamicons are far from ideal in this amp. Remember that I have only put 48 hours on your V3 so it will get progressively better over the next 200 - 500 hours. Mike. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 17, 2010 9:10:08 GMT
I seriously doubt that Mike is going back to valve amps any time soon, now that he has his Panda . That's not the case Alex, there is a different amp for every occasion and I absolutely love listening to the likes of Pink Floyd "live" through a valve amp.... the guitar solos sound more lifelike and organic.... did you know that James Guthrie recorded the live Pink Floyd "Pulse" album using valve gear? He recorded it in "Q" sound too.... have a few beers, shove that CD on, plug your headphones into a valve amp, crank the volume up to REALISTIC concert level and you think you're in the audience..... Do the same with a solid state amp and it all becomes a tad more clinical. An amp for every occasion mate, they all have a use |
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