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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 2, 2007 22:50:33 GMT
More PRon to follow.... hold on to your hats........
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insanitybeard
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Post by insanitybeard on Aug 2, 2007 22:57:53 GMT
Yes I did notice the central ecc81 flare up a bit on startup Mike, not being particularly au fait with valve kit I assumed it was just normal when switching the unit on. Still, those TAD tubes ain't quite premium NOS are they?! So are the internals half decent quality? Is there somewhere I could pick up a decent input valve for this thing? Being somewhat uneducated I did wonder why it had only one input valve yet two outputs- presumably one for each channel? Too many questions............apologies. Thanks for the links Mike, I'll try to take it all in when time and mindstate allow!
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leo
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Post by leo on Aug 3, 2007 2:17:44 GMT
Cute looking little thing isn't it. So theres no transistors in this just valves driving the phones through a honking great coupling cap? No wonder it struggles driving some headphones. Didn't realise they cost as much as that  If your wanting to replace the ECC81 I'd go for a NOS Mullard, you can normally find these on ebay, look for ones thats checked and tested ok though, not had much use,low noise etc |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2007 2:25:33 GMT
Leo
They charge more for the flashing valves !
SandyK
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leo
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Post by leo on Aug 3, 2007 2:34:34 GMT
Leo They charge more for the flashing valves ! SandyK  if you was into diy and had 650 quid to blow you could build a real kick arse valve head amp for that, my custom wound Sowter output transformers for my hi-fi valve amp didn't cost that much |
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insanitybeard
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Post by insanitybeard on Aug 5, 2007 23:34:27 GMT
The only problem in my case is knowing how to construct an amp in the first place............. Still, guess I've come to the right place to learn.............  Well, I've got some half decent ecc81s' on the way so it'll be interesting to check out the improvement in the sound especially with the decent ecc88s' that Mike has endowed it with. Still ain't gonna change the fact that it won't be able to drive the grads to decent volumes without distortion........The search continues!  |
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insanitybeard
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Post by insanitybeard on Aug 16, 2007 15:27:47 GMT
Well, the CD player has returned from repair so I've hooked up the earmax along with the decent output valves Mike put in it. The amp also now has a NOS Philips ecc81 fitted, burning in at the mo. Mike, I entirely agree with your comments regarding the lack of impact with music with a lot going on. With this type of music when she runs out of steam the sound gets very murky and definition goes to pot.  I'm looking forward to sampling the solo and comparing them both. P.S, Mike mentioned valve rolling in an earlier post.....could somebody explain what this means?  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 16, 2007 23:42:07 GMT
How do the 6N23P-EB sound in her?
Mike.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 16, 2007 23:48:39 GMT
I'll let someone else explain, I'm tired ;D
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insanitybeard
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Post by insanitybeard on Aug 17, 2007 0:04:30 GMT
I'll get a few more hours listening before I form too much of an opinion chap but first impressions are good, though I still find myself frustrated with the grads when being driven by this amp. I've got a Philips ecc81 input valve installed now so in combination with the reflectors it's got the best possible chance! I've left it powered up now as well instead of switching it off after each listening session. I'll let you know how she sounds after a bit of burning in!
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Post by dc on Aug 17, 2007 7:22:45 GMT
I'll let someone else explain, I'm tired ;D quite simply it means to replace the stock valves with other ones the term rolling comes from the act of "rolling" or rocking back and forwards the valve in its socket until it becomes free |
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insanitybeard
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Post by insanitybeard on Aug 17, 2007 10:02:52 GMT
I see! Thanks. |
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insanitybeard
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Post by insanitybeard on Aug 20, 2007 22:56:13 GMT
Well, the amp is sounding pretty good to my ears Mike. The trouble is at the moment the CD player is burning in, the amp and valves are burning in, the headphones are burning in, even the damn interconnects are burning in! But the sound has improved for the better. Although the new input/output valves havn't improved the amps' tendency to distort when driving the grados hard, the sound I'm getting with the right kind of music is getting my toes a tappin! Still suits less complex/ accoustic music better but play just that and it's enjoyable with the senns or the grads! I even had some electronic up fairly loud with the grads earlier and it sounded good.  P.S, did you get the CDs' Mike? |
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insanitybeard
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Post by insanitybeard on Mar 24, 2008 0:12:29 GMT
Ok, I think I'm gonna be flogging this thing soon.... anybody be interested in getting a listen to it before I do? Bottom line is it never (in my opinion) came near matching the Solo in terms of power, detail, dynamics and definition with practically any of the music I listened to through it despite the improved valves fitted by both Mike and myself..... and as a result I've listened to it very little since getting the Solo. It looks nicer than the Solo but that's about the only area in which it was better! Not a good enough reason to keep it though..... but by stating the above maybe I've done myself no favours in trying to get rid of it!  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 24, 2008 1:13:25 GMT
A lovely little amp with high impedance 'phones beard, if I weren't already way oversubscribed with amps I'd buy it just for usage with the HD-600... actually, PM me with the asking price.... I may just go for it.
Mike.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 24, 2008 1:38:31 GMT
I'll let someone else explain, I'm tired ;D quite simply it means to replace the stock valves with other ones the term rolling comes from the act of "rolling" or rocking back and forwards the valve in its socket until it becomes free Just like rockin' and a rollin' with a woman.... in and out, round and round and then roll off when you're finished ;D Rock and roll baby! |
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insanitybeard
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Post by insanitybeard on Mar 24, 2008 10:35:41 GMT
Ha, they don't like it if you roll off 'em too quick though do they?  I'll rig up the HD600s to her and listen a bit more before making a final decision but the truth is since I got the Solo I've barely used the thing. It would almost be worth keeping for it's looks alone but I could better use the cash elsewhere...... how much would you be prepared to spend Mike? The thing cost me 650 quid and there's no way it was worth that but I was hoping to maybe recoup two thirds of what she cost, fanciful that may be though! |
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Post by winston on Apr 5, 2009 5:23:50 GMT
earmax over priced over sexed have listened one word boring
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if you was into diy and had 650 quid to blow you could build a real kick arse valve head amp for that, my custom wound Sowter output transformers for my hi-fi valve amp didn't cost that much
Well, I've got some half decent ecc81s' on the way so it'll be interesting to check out the improvement in the sound especially with the decent ecc88s' that Mike has endowed it with. Still ain't gonna change the fact that it won't be able to drive the grads to decent volumes without distortion........The search continues! 
I'm looking forward to sampling the solo and comparing them both.
I'll rig up the HD600s to her and listen a bit more before making a final decision but the truth is since I got the Solo I've barely used the thing. It would almost be worth keeping for it's looks alone but I could better use the cash elsewhere...... how much would you be prepared to spend Mike? The thing cost me 650 quid and there's no way it was worth that but I was hoping to maybe recoup two thirds of what she cost, fanciful that may be though!