paully

It is the Paramount (Erik, I don't know exactly what we are changing. We are going from direct to indirect coupled and all sorts of things I am not sure about. Three is a set of directions on how to change the Paramount from 300B to 2a3 on the Bottlehead Paramount page. If you read that you might get a better idea of what we are up to). I have used more 2a3 tubes than 300B. But the interesting thing is there was a much larger difference between, say, RCA old stock 2a3 and the Shuguang 2A3C than there was between the Shuguang 300B and Shuguang 2A3C. The Shuguangs sounded about the same to me. And since I really liked (I mean really liked) the Suguang 2A3C I figured might as well have the extra power so I have left the 300B in. At least until I buy a new pair of 2a3 again and feel the need to switch back, but that could be a while. Truth be told, in my very limited experience, I don't hear the big differences that people talk about with 2a3 and 300B. The finesse (2a3) versus the great mid range but tubby bass (300B). It just isn't like that for me. I do think about going back to 2a3. There just seems to be more options for tube rolling in my price range. 300B, lots of options, most terribly expensive. We'll see.

Oh yea. I have gone back and forth. The 2a3 had no problem whatsover running the Chorus II. I just put the amp on the 4 ohm tap and converted it to 2a3 and let it play. Never had any problem acheiving volume levels that were much too loud for comfortable listening without clipping. I have enjoyed it very much. I am back to 300B right now, not due to any power level requirements, just for fun and listening to different tube types. I really liked the Shuguang 2a3c and picked up some Shuguang 300B to try so I converted the amp back. If I pick up some old stock 2a3 I wouldn't hesitate to switch it back to 2a3.

Before I switched to the Paramounts as my main amp I was using a Dynaco and was thinking about getting a quad. I don't have any personal experience other than to say I read all of the posts on these I saw on Audioasylum. There was not one negative review that I remember. Everyone wo bought a set said they were the best output tubes of all new production and most thought they rivaled, if not surpassed, NOS.

I have to agree it is an entire project that is very involving and very enjoyable. Plus it is a great value propositiong and it allows you to interchange parts with boutique parts and experiement. A good used preamp that you then upgrade, I don't know, but it might be more expensive due to the base price of the used pre versus a scratch build. I would be interested to see a comparison. Lastly, for those of us that can solder and follow directions but are still learning to read a schematic, unless you buy a used pre like a Dynaco Pas-3 with a dedicated following and after market upgrades with directions, actually improving the old pre beyond just replacing parts can be difficult.

An out of the box suggestion, consider a DAC plus a transport. I bought an Ack Dac (1.something) and haven't looked back other than to upgrade the transport and digital interconnect. I think that the DAC is top notch. Generally it is the transport part of the CD player (drawer, etc.) that dies. This way you can spend a larger part on the DAC and then upgrade other parts as you see fit. A really nice, used DVD player makes a fantastic transport. I bought one that retailed for over $1,500 for less than $100 on ebay and when it dies I will just buy another one and not worry about the reliability of a used transport since it can be had so cheaply. The DAC should last decades and you can buy used on Audiogon or elsewhere knowing that the DAC is less likely to break. Anyway, just a thought. An example though there are plenty of DACs to consider: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1254595209&/Ack!-Industries-Ack!-dAck!-2.0 (not affiliated) Happy hunting!

I really, really love mine. And the ability to convert it 6SN7 (or 7N7 and 7AF7 and others) makes it fun to own.

Apparently this is a rather special amp and I am trying to find what would be a reasonable price. Nothing on ebay and not a single amp for sale on the net. Any help would be appreciated if you have seen one for sale. Thanks! Paul

I go the all tube route myself but whenever I see hybrid it is a tube pre and any discussion of mixing the two always centers around a tube pre and solid state amp. I have never even seen a discussion where anyone seriously considering the reverse.

I love my Paramounts, don't get me wrong, but I also love my Dynaco ST-70. And the thought of finding a mess of MK III, which I have been lusting after just for the sheer joy of rebuilding something new and different, is awesome. And Genelex to boot! I am sure you know all about the dangers of leaving those can caps in and what the old tube sockets can do amongst other things that need to be updated. It looks like you probably have some soldering in your future! Don't forget the Dynaco Doctor forum and the Tubes Asylum for vintage gear where you can discuss these things if you need to. Paul

I upgraded from EH 12at7 to CV4024 in my Paramounts. In that application the Mullards are worth every penny. On the EL34 front when you get the itch again I would highly recommend EH 6CA7. Love those tubes, and they glow really well! If you can find a good, reliable dealer who can sort out the rejects and small pin issues the JJ KT77 are some of the best tubes I have ever heard. Enjoy!

Those tubes if Genelex, and it looked like a Mullard GZ34, might be more expensive to replace than the amps. Nice find, I am truly jealous.

Then of course you can upgrade to Magnequest output transformers and chokes. Then you will want to hear what a pair of Paramounts can do. You're just getting started.

No problem with power. I do like my Paramounts better though. But more to the point as the Chorus II are too big for your space buy the Heresy. We're talking $400 and if you don't like them then just sell them for $400. You will only lose shipping if you can't find them locally. Then if you like them updgrade the crossover with Bob Crites. I think you will like them plenty. And if you can build a S.E.X. amp you can tweak the Heresy's by dampening the horns if you want to, upgrading the crossover, etc... But its not like you are going to lose money if you buy a pair so why not?

Next you will be wondering what a 2a3 can do, then maybe a 45... You're in it now!

Echoing another poster, the Mullard CV4024 (supposedly better than the ones marked 12at7 though I can't remember why) have made me very happy. They seem to be a tube of choice. They replaced some EH 12at7 in my system. $50 a pair, or less, should be easily doable if you look in places such as: http://www.langrex.co.uk/sales.html

I originally had my Paramounts configured for 300B but converted them to 2a3. Difference in sound? Not much actually, at least to my ears. I think they are great either way. I just haven't bothered to go back as 3.5 watts seems to be plenty of power in my Chorus II. But knowing what I know now if I had Paramounts configured for 300B the only reason I would even consider converting them is the cheaper tube options available in 2a3. The 300B sound fantastic but to do any rolling gets a tad expensive and NOS are just not affordable at all. I also ran the S.E.X. amp into the Chorus II and at 2 watts volume and dynamics always seemed just fine to me also. Paul

I have said this before, I love the Dynaco I have (I have one of those too) but do keep in mind that your $250 is your entry point. You may not have the trouble I did with my first one, but I ended putting close to $1,000 into it due to problems I had (tubes, sockets, power supply upgrade, transformer, new driver board) etc... I doubt you would spend that much, most of it wasn't absolutely necessary. But some of that vintage equipment looks cheap, and it is relatively speaking, but like an old car you never know what is under the hood. Unless you can solder and do some basic trouble shooting I would think twice. The new kits from Dynakitparts.com, I have always wanted to hear one of those. And Bob Latino's ST-70 looks fantastic as well. But for the output transformers you either have to buy Magnequest or buy vintage, IMHO. But if all that doesn't worry you, a Dynaco is a great option that opens up a world of speakers and I have enjoyed mine though I like my Bottlehead Paramounts more. Also, keep in mind that the ST-35 is the one with the 6bq5 tubes, the ST-70 runs EL34. I don't know the others personally so I won't comment.

The Bottlehead S.E.X. amp can be had for a good deal less. That is an option as well. Look used. I am going to be selling mine. No pressure, but if you want one that is another option. If you can build the kits are really well designed, the manuals are second to none, and the sound is wonderful. I wouldn't part with mine but I went ahead and bought the Paramounts.

I was just wondering if there was any standard maintenance that I should do with my Chorus II speakers to keep them running at peak. I have already upgraded the crossover to Bob Crites crossovers. Anything that needs to be done with the horns themselves?

www.bottlehead.com Paramounts in that price range if you like single ended. And if you are somewhat new to building, the manuals are extraordinary. If I can build them so can you. Also, consider a used tube amp. Lots of good ones at around 50-75% of retail.

It really is a fun amp, and if you overpaid you certainly didn't over pay by much. And tweaking is fun. I have to say it looks beautiful and you got the cage. And sometimes I really miss tone controls. Good buy and enjoy.

Just a thought, but a Paramour II from Bottlehead if you want to try SET is within your prices range. It is a kit.

I had one, it was a nice amp. Money does indeed seem high for that amp. The pre is the week point. You will need to be able to do some work on it. I had mine a year or two and had some trouble due to the age of the parts. Needs new tube sockets, new can cap, etc... I think if you can work on it yourself it will provide some interesting challenges (disconnect the pre, upgrade some parts, etc...). But I wouldn't pay that much and I wouldn't bother unless your are pretty technical.

I can pick up a sweep disc, that sounds like a good idea. Will let me hone in the exact frequency that is bugging me. Also, probably should try tightening stuff down and see if that makes a difference. But I like the sweep idea, I will give it a shot. Thanks.

Mr. Crites can fix those nasty components in the crossover. He fixed mine!