HPower
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I was going to post this in the alerts section, but thought I would let the Cool Kids in this thread have a look first...
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=185748.0
I am really enjoying my Triode Lab amp again since getting back from Frank, otherwise I would already
have this F3 on it's way to me.
Maybe I should try it 🤔
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Hot Glass,
Those are very nice Altecs, and at that price they "should" sell pretty fast.
My best buddy has Model 19s, and his 19's are originally what got me into horn speakers.
I cannot help but ask what species of wood are your hardwood floors?
Equally as attractive as your speakers!!!
GLWYS
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Well on the tube side of my equation, I heard back from Frank of Triode Labs and after an extensive diagnostics
it seems one problem was, the 5AR4 rectifier that I was using has lengthen the start up noise.
The 5AR4/GZ34 tube itself takes 1-2 minutes to stabilize after it's soft start mechanism.
So it keeps the 2A3 filament's noise from dropping to the speakers before it stabilized the circuit.
Frank recommended going with a 5U4 or better yet a 5T4 which is a metal cased tube that sounds the best,
and very inexpensive.
I do have a General Electric 5U4G...NOS unused sitting on the shelf that I will give a try.
I may also get a 5T4, the going rate is about $30 for a NOS from the 1940s - 1950s.
He also found my left 6SN7 measured a bit noisier than the right one, but it's still quieter than most new production Russians 6SN7.
I may look into a new pair of Shuguang Treasure 'Black Bottle' CV181-Z.
To top it off Frank also updated the circuit, closer to his the new EVO amplifiers.
Frank feels I will see some changes here and there, so it should sound even better now.
He also tested all the ECAPs and they are in good healthy condition.
Frank is going to play it at his house this weekend to enjoy it and give it a final ear test.
All of this for a modest cost and a very personal touch!!!
I think I will probably pump the brakes on any switch until I get a good handle on how the 2A3 is sound after I
get the amp back from Frank on Tuesday.
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I have had the basic STP-SE for about 2.5 years, it replaced a Sonic Frontiers Line 1 that was modded by Chris Johnson
of Parts Connexion (former owner of Sonic Frontiers).
It was a very nice preamp with similar connections as the W4S, but it did have some slight tube noise.
When I switch to the STP, all that you mentioned as well as dead quite, and no dealing with wonky tubes.
I always wondered about the Stage 2, and then a couple weeks ago I saw one listed and figured I would give it a shot
provided I found a new owner for my base model.
Just plugged the Stage 2 in tonight, so far so good.
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24 minutes ago, J M O N said:
I had Triode Lab 2A3 SET Monos and they were absolutely not noisy. Check to see if they need attention or if the noise is coming from somewhere else.
Last week I sold my W4S STP-SE preamp, and then bought a Stage 2 version.
While I was waiting for my "new to me" STP to show up I dropped my 2A3i S down at Franks to have him give it a once over.
Frank from Triode lives about 20 minutes from me, and is a fantastic guy!
It is not noisy after the initial power up, other than a very slight hiss if I stick my head right into the 402, with volume turned up pretty high.
Maybe I should say I am hoping for a blacker bkgd.
In the back of my mind I am wondering if using Frank's integrated with my active set up
would be better served with a true power amp.
My work around is I set the volume knob at about 11 o'clock and leave it there.
All of my Xilica set up (I should actually say Chris's) was done with the volume control of the 2A3i S at that position.
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No doubt it's not the clubs.😭
That was meant to be sarcasm Sheldon.
My point is this might apply to my thought about newer being so much better.
It may be true, but how much better.
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10 minutes ago, richieb said:
I spoke to Mark at Reno HiFi about just this - an F7 or F8. I explained I had experience with the J2 to which he said if I wanted something a little different than the J2 I had don’t buy the F8. Said they are very similar. Ironically he had just taken in an elusive F5, only 100 made, so I grabbed it. The J2 is the only model that has remained in the lineup from the beginning and still in production. Buy a used J - Reno shows one like new. They are on Audiomart quite often -
Sounds like right place right time!
Most of the professional reviews say the same, that the J2 and F8 are very similar,
with the F8 having just a bit more of everything.
I think Mark may also have a like new Demo F8 available right now as well as the J2 demo.
I cannot help but think the newer model (F8) must be better, was hoping we might have some
real world users here that could shed some light.
Speaking of new models... I think need to trade last year's Titleist irons in for the new 2023 models. 🙄
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Just looked at Decware site...
I am not sure I could afford to re-tube that Torii. 🙃
Just for fun I dragged my H3s into the main room and connected them to my CA-150 to see
if they sounded terrible with this old SS amp.
Not sounding too bad... Hmmm
OK, lets hear some opinions on F8 vs. J2?
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On 2/26/2021 at 7:25 PM, rplace said:
First Watt J2. Sold my VRDs and George Wright 2A3 mono blocks. That good.
Hey Rich,
Can you elaborate a bit more on how you are with the J2 VS. your previous Wright 2A3s?
I have been happy with the SS Classe CA-150 on the bass with my Triode Labs 2A3.
Maybe I could be also happy with the F8 and or J2. 🤔
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"IMHO tubes still rule when it comes to sound though."
I have thought the very same thing, especially with Heritage Klipsch speakers.
But I also believe tube have some things that "can" be bothersome.
* can have some noise issues.
* can be extra work to find "that" ideal tube, weather it be new production or vintage tubes.
* can be expensive to find "that" right tube(s)
* there is some tube maintenance involve as they are a wear item.
Back in 2008 I had a Rawson F3 clone on my then KHorns and it was not bad at all.
Later in 2014 I tried another Rawson F5 clone on my Cornscalas.
From memory these were both pretty good, but I admit I never really warmed up to the "home made" nature of the builds.
Since I never had access to compare to the real First Watt versions, I could not say these clone were comparable.
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Hey FW guys,
I am in the middle of trying to decide if I want to try a First Watt amp(s) with my active Peavey FH-1s (Crites Cast woofers) / K-402 (K 691)s.
For a while I have been running:
Preamp: Wyred 4 Sound, STP-SE, Stage 2.
DSP Crossover: Xilica, XP-4080.
LF amp: Classe, CA-150 (XLR to XP 4080).
HF amp: Triode Labs tube amp, 2A3 SET at about 3.5-4wpc (XLR adator to RCA to XP 4080).
I do love how my 2A3 SET sounds, but am wondering if either the J2 or F8 will hopefully retaining most of the SET presentation, while lowering the noise floor and adding that last bit of detail and resolution?
My CA-150 seems to me handling the bass bins fine and does have XLR inputs, but also wondering getting
a 2nd FW amp for bass would yield any improvements.
At first I guess I am really looking for thoughts and comparisons between the J2 and F8 for driving the K 402s in a similar set up as my speaker system?
Logistically the J2 make the most sense with it's balanced inputs but if the F8 is sonically much better, I would rather go for form over function.
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SOLD
For sale is my W4S preamp which is in very good condition and sounds great.
Asking $1500cnd, or $1100usd
For local buyers, I am in Newmarket and could meet with in reasonable driving distance of the GTA.
For more pictures and my feedback, please see my ad over on Canuck Audio Mart.
https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649950275-wired-4-sound-stp-se/
I am the second owner and have enjoyed it for the last 3 half years.
From my memory the previous owner bought it new in and around 2017.
This has been a fantastic preamp and lives up to all the great reviews it has received.
I am only looking to sell because I have a line on a Stage 2 version.
Auditions are welcome for serious local buyers.
Shipping for any prospective US buyers will be from Niagara Falls, NY.
So there will be no cross border shipping hassles. Thanks for looking.
Includes: Original double box, remote, manual, and OEM powercord.
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New LP I picked up today, love how it is sounding.
Thankfully this guy is still with us!!!
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Hey Geoff,
I will report back on performance, after first ride when the snow is gone.
My build is not quite as pretty as Dean's "old" stuff. 😇
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I just did a couple nice mods to my SDGT, heated KTM Powersposts seats front and back.
Should be ready for the cooler rides this spring.
While I was at it, I did a cap "upgrade".
After all the latest talk, I was not sure 🤔 if I should have stuck with the JEMs,
but I decided to try the Jupiters instead.
😮🙄😉
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24 minutes ago, KT88 said:
Cool, a very good bike from Austria.
Thanks KT.
Probably the best all round motorbike I have owned!
Great for touring as well as crossing over and blasting around.
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My KTM runs better with mods.
Better performance and runs cooler.
I even modded a bracket to secure my rear brake reservoir after throwing out 😳 the exhaust valve that it was bolted to.
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On 12/9/2022 at 11:55 PM, amped said:
More...
No personal experience with these, btw.
https://store.acousticsounds.com/c/405/UHQR_Vinyl_Record
I just recently picked up the UHQR pressing of BM, Rastaman Vibration and can say it sounds AMAZING!
I have SACD copies of both Aja and Gaucho, that sound VERY good.
So, another 150 bucks each for them on UHQR vinyl... 🤔
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4 minutes ago, ClaudeJ1 said:
I like the colorful Diffusers on the ceiling!
As long as those diffusers are being held up with Nordost cabling. 🙄
Room treatment is the best tweak I have ever done in audio! 🤓
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When I built my previous Jub-Likes and my current FH-1 / K402s, I decided to wire everything with Supra PLY3.4 Speaker Wire.
Supra talks about various reason why their cable sounds better, but the main reason why I spent a bit extra on this wire is the
fact that all the strands are tin plated and have a quality PVC jacket.
Oxidation should not be a concern, even long after I am gone.
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Tonight I have on a guy that I am a huge fan of>
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46 minutes ago, Mossy bottom said:
This is up there with all my all time favorites...It has aged well.
Ten Years After - A space In Time.
That shot, pic is a HUGE brag post!
Forget the album (which is great), nice system porn!
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Vinyl - Record Spinning
in Lounge
Posted
All Etta does (did, RIP) is fantastic!
Blues, Soul, Jazz, and some all out, Rock and Roll.
👋👋