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Post by gomez on Jan 27, 2010 10:06:10 GMT
It would be nice if Henry joined us and saw the 'invention' changing before our very ears ..... I've given him the link. Ian Henry Cooper? I didn't know he listened to headphones   Splash it all over! Looks to me like Henry needs to loosen his headband on the cans man, looks painful |
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Post by andy on Jan 28, 2010 18:45:13 GMT
Bothered to get my infra red thermometer out of the garage today, after 30 mins im up to 89deg c and it appears to have leveled out at that.
Valve is up to 55 deg c so that is about right.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2010 18:54:37 GMT
Valve is up to 55 deg c so that is about right. Ready to drink if it was tea.  Ian |
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Post by andy on Jan 30, 2010 22:37:22 GMT
just had the smpsu die on my amp! about 1 month old......arse.....
now to find a 24v 1A psu
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Post by oohms on Jan 31, 2010 10:03:13 GMT
I bought a bravo (with 12AU7 tubes) just now, i think the first things i'll do are to reduce the gain, build/find a better psu for it, and to upgrade the heatsinks
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 1, 2010 20:40:35 GMT
The Indeed amplifier arrived today so it only took ten days from ordering to arrival, pretty amazing  It was packaged superbly with the amp protected by foam, the Electro Harmonix 6922 valve protected by foam and the SMPS PSU protected by (you guessed it...) foam. Included is an instruction sheet which gives you the specifications and operating instructions. Build quality is first class and components are of good quality with ELNA caps, ALPS potentiometer and Dale resistors. The Electro Harmonix valves are current production and normally run about a tenner each if you were to buy them seperately..... all good stuff. WARNING! This is NOT a desktop "toy" (as some have inferred it may be) this is a seriously nice sounding amplifier. I must admit, I was gobsmacked when I powered it up and put my headphones on.... what a GORGEOUS tone, it makes you want to lay back, close your eyes and let the music engulf you... truly beautiful. The sound is full bodied, warm and the bass extends right down to your toes.... I thought the Aune was nice but this little guy is in a different league IF you like a "tubey" sound (which I do).... close your eyes and you would think you were listening to something the size of a fridge... open your eyes and you will not believe that this little beauty is making "that" sound  For those of you who are still waiting for yours I can assure you that you will not be disappointed, this is one helluva performer and it puts many well known amps to shame. These Chinese guys are punting out some fantastic audio equipment these days and this is no exception. Some may scoff at the amp (without even listening to it) and claim it can't possibly be any good..... their problem...... those of you who have ordered one will soon hear for yourself what this amp can do....... be prepared to be amazed! On a side note, the amp is deadly silent (no hum / buzz). The heatsinks DO run HOT, you can't keep your fingers on them for more than a second.... as long as you don't test them with your tongue all should be fine Hopefully the Bravo will follow in the post soon, I wouldn't think there would be that much difference between the two but you never know until you have the two of them in front of you..... this is going to be a VERY enjoyable thread for all of us as, in stock guise, this is one very special little amp and, I've no doubt there will be hours of fun ahead valve / tube rolling. I'll say no more, for the time being, but will finish with a few snaps for your delectation            |
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Post by gomez on Feb 1, 2010 22:17:05 GMT
Good news Indeed  Mike I ordered the Bravo version lets hope that takes 10 days Can't wait. Did you order the Indeed or the Bravo first ? Ah just checked I paid 22nd Jan so Fingers crossed |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 1, 2010 22:36:47 GMT
Good news Indeed Mike I ordered the Bravo version lets hope that takes 10 days Can't wait. Did you order the Indeed or the Bravo first ? Ah just checked I paid 22nd Jan so Fingers crossed Hi Gomez, I ordered both within minutes of each other. I ordered the Bravo first and the Indeed second. Mike. |
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leo
Been here a while! 
Team wtf is it?
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Post by leo on Feb 1, 2010 23:01:18 GMT
Glad you like it, be interesting to see if the other does sound any different once it arrives.
I can't find my diy one, never tried it with the HD250's tbh, is that what your using with the Indeed?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 1, 2010 23:13:22 GMT
Glad you like it, be interesting to see if the other does sound any different once it arrives. I can't find my diy one, never tried it with the HD250's tbh, is that what your using with the Indeed? Hi Leo, Yes, HD-250ll Linear. I will try a whole cornucopia of 'phones over the coming weeks but, initially, it's the HD-250ll linears. Mike. |
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Post by gomez on Feb 2, 2010 12:17:16 GMT
WOOHOO The Bravo amp has just arrived  got a couple of quick jobs to do Then it's time to get acquainted |
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Post by gomez on Feb 2, 2010 12:44:22 GMT
Well I had to open it before doing the jobs ;D packaging was not wonderful ! OK I suppose just a bit of bubble wrap.  No instructions or paperwork of any kind ?  I take it I can just put the Valve in switch it on let it warm up & use it ? It does look well put together but then Mike would be a better judge of that than me. Mike would it be possible to upload the instructions you got with the Indeed Amp ? |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2010 13:47:57 GMT
My Bravo has arrived too.
Once they're all in, the fun can begin ......
Ian
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 2, 2010 14:17:42 GMT
Well I had to open it before doing the jobs ;D packaging was not wonderful ! OK I suppose just a bit of bubble wrap. No instructions or paperwork of any kind ? I take it I can just put the Valve in switch it on let it warm up & use it ? It does look well put together but then Mike would be a better judge of that than me. Mike would it be possible to upload the instructions you got with the Indeed Amp ? Oh..... the "indeed" amp was superbly packed! Sure, I'll upload the instructions later on. Basically do NOT power up with the headphones plugged in.... switch the amp on first and then plug the phones in..... same on turn off, remove the 'phones then turn the amp off.... it explains all this in the instructions. Mike. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 2, 2010 14:30:16 GMT
Click to enlarge:  |
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Post by gomez on Feb 2, 2010 14:50:07 GMT
Thanks Mike that was quick. Don't see why Bravo couldn't put a single piece of paper in with the amp. But what the hell it's play time |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 2, 2010 14:57:14 GMT
Just noticed... the gain is 20db on the Indeed and 30db on the Bravo so there are going to be differences with regard to volume level between the two.
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Post by gomez on Feb 2, 2010 16:40:25 GMT
Well the volume is bloody sensitive very close to off is plenty loud enough.
Got some hiss at the moment.
Just listened to Gomez - Bring it on goes very deep through the 681's cracking Album for headphones.
Now listening to Jennifer Warnes - The Hunter sounds great so far hiss during quieter passages.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2010 16:46:39 GMT
Well the volume is bloody sensitive very close to off is plenty loud enough. Got some hiss at the moment. Just listened to Gomez - Bring it on goes very deep through the 681's cracking Album for headphones. Now listening to Jennifer Warnes - The Hunter sounds great so far hiss during quieter passages. No hiss on mine using Senn 650. I get hiss on full volume and down to 3/4 or so bu at normal listening level (8 o clock!!!) it's fine. I'll try lower impedance headphones. EDIT: hiss comes in at about 12 o clock on HD681. In all honesty, the HD650 exhibits hiss at about 1 to 2 o clock onwards, but if you played this loud, you'd go deaf. It would be useful to lower the gain. It has a lovely lush sound. It's been on for about 6 hours. Hot. Ian |
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Post by gomez on Feb 2, 2010 16:53:03 GMT
Unfortunately only got the 681's Frans filtered and Goldring Dr150's at the moment ;D sounds good through the 681's though even with a bit of hiss in the quiet bit's.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2010 20:57:02 GMT
It seems appropiate to do that,but with this very simple basic design, it may not be possible. Nevertheless, hiss from an amplifier should never intrude at normal listening levels, even during quiet passages. That is the penalty you pay for using valves, with their much poorer signal to noise ratio than a good solidstate design, in a very basic design without negative feedback..
Alex
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 2, 2010 21:26:11 GMT
I have tested the indeed amp with high and low impedance 'phones (AKG K-501 / Senn HD-250 / Grado SR-225 / HD-681 / HD-600) and there is no hiss. There's a bit of noise if you crank the volco up to MAX but nobody would ever listen at that type of volume, it would probably blow the headphones as well as your ear drums I notice the gain on the Bravo is 30db, may be a good idea to bring it down to 20db (or even less) like the "indeed" amp.... I must admit, I would like a bit more "usage" of the whole range of the pot on the indeed amp instead of just the beginning..... nothing and then "whammo" may give the initial impression that the amp is a powerhouse but I'd like to be able to use 90% of the pot instead of only 10% of it ;D I'll wait till the Bravo arrives and will work out how to reduce the gain (it shouldn't be difficult / a couple of resistors) I've had the Indeed amp burning in for about 30 hours now and it has started to open out a bit more in the midrange and the signature of the EH valve is, as Ian put it, "lush" The bass is just gorgeous (full, deep, satisfying and rhythmically taut).... soundstage is not huge but individual instruments are still easy to follow and detail retrieval is very impressive for an amp costing fifty quid I don't have any complaints with the switched mode power supply (ie: it doesn't "chirp") but this is one area that can most definitely be improved upon and a linear / regulated supply would, undoubtedly, take this amp into another dimension. As a package though, amp and PSU, it is quite exceptional performance for £50 GBP ($89.99 USD)..... hell, some people pay that for an interconnect or a Russ Andrews "superclamp" (a bloody wallwart without a lead ) to think that £50 buys you a stylish little valve amp that sounds good..... well, not a lot more to say. Very early days but I can see these little puppies becomming classics.... the design, alone, is truly pleasing to the eye and anyone who calls them "ugly" has got a white stick and a golden lab tied up outside ;D I hope I'm not the only one who finds them aesthetically pleasing to the eye. They look good, they run HOT, they use VALVES and they sound pretty decent too...... what is there NOT to like? I'll give my Indeed amp another week or so to cook and will then start rolling in a wide selection of valves (this is the FUN part  ) hopefully, the Bravo will arrive shortly to add into the mix Best £50 I've spent in a while..... much better than a night in the pub |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 2, 2010 21:36:34 GMT
It seems appropiate to do that,but with this very simple basic design, it may not be possible. Nevertheless, hiss from an amplifier should never intrude at normal listening levels, even during quiet passages. That is the penalty you pay for using valves, with their much poorer signal to noise ratio than a good solidstate design, in a very basic design without negative feedback.. Alex Alex, Your post went "live" whilst I was typing mine.... I can't comment on the Bravo amp (as it hasn't arrived yet) but the indeed is exceptionally quiet in the normal to VERY loud range..... she exhibits a slight bit of noise at full volco but that doesn't worry me at all as I will NEVER be listening at those levels (only a lunatic, drugged out of his eyeballs, would contemplate strapping a pair of headphones onto his ears and cranking the volume to MAX) (Note to self: Do not imbibe in the devil's water and turn the knob to "max" )................ I think you would be pleasantly surprised if you heard one of these amps forget all this "solid state" shite..... Dave Gilmour doesn't think "solid state V valves" when his guitar is screaming through valve equipment.... neither should you mate. It's all about the music and the enjoyment of the music..... |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2010 21:52:43 GMT
It seems appropiate to do that,but with this very simple basic design, it may not be possible. Nevertheless, hiss from an amplifier should never intrude at normal listening levels, even during quiet passages. That is the penalty you pay for using valves, with their much poorer signal to noise ratio than a good solidstate design, in a very basic design without negative feedback.. Alex Alex, Your post went "live" whilst I was typing mine.... I can't comment on the Bravo amp (as it hasn't arrived yet) but the indeed is exceptionally quiet in the normal to VERY loud range..... she exhibits a slight bit of noise at full volco but that doesn't worry me at all as I will NEVER be listening at those levels (only a lunatic, drugged out of his eyeballs, would contemplate strapping a pair of headphones onto his ears and cranking the volume to MAX) (Note to self: Do not imbibe in the devil's water and turn the knob to "max" )................ I think you would be pleasantly surprised if you heard one of these amps forget all this "solid state" shite..... Dave Gilmour doesn't think "solid state V valves" when his guitar is screaming through valve equipment.... neither should you mate. It's all about the music and the enjoyment of the music..... I didn't notice the hiss until it was mentioned and it start to come in at about 1 o clock on Senn HD650. At that point it's too loud because it is currently being run at a ludicrously low level as far as the volume pot is concerned. It's prone to noise so I'll have to get the collander out and stick it in a cage. It picks up hums and buzzes from the air. Volume pot does nothing to alleviate this, you just have to move the amp somewhere else. The Bravo has too much gain. It's enormous. Comparing with the X-Can V8 makes the V8 seem wimpy. This thing has too much kick ass. I know it's nowhere near run in yet, but I have a feeling that the valve ain't the best to be honest. It's warm, but as it is at the moment, I'd like to get something deeper down and a little more mid clarity. That may be just it's newness but at the price, it's quite amazing when you think for £50 plus £15 for HD681, there is the basis of a really good setup. Highly tweakable too. Actually very good with a poxy Ipod and an easy connection for one too. I also wondered whether the input is a little too sensitive and so prone to distortion on high volume level input. I get the feeling it's on the verge, but that may be my bat ears. Get the valve out Mike!!!! Ian |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2010 21:59:49 GMT
Mike
I am not prejudging what they sound like. I am just spelling out the fact that the extra 10dB of gain is the reason why hiss is evident in low level passages, and why the volume control action is extremely abrupt.
I hope you can find a way to bring it back to the 20dB gain of the other amplifier.
Alex
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It was packaged superbly with the amp protected by foam, the Electro Harmonix 6922 valve protected by foam and the SMPS PSU protected by (you guessed it...) foam. Included is an instruction sheet which gives you the specifications and operating instructions.
Mike
got a couple of quick jobs to do Then it's time to get acquainted 
) hopefully, the Bravo will arrive shortly to add into the mix