Deang Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 I will list her here for a couple of days, and then to AudiogoN she goes. Dennis Had modifed AES AE-25 triode push-pull amp. New Svetlana KT-88's from Triode Electronics installed last April, a recent rebias showed very little loss in output. Tubes are probably still good for almost 3 years depending on usage. They were $170 for the matched quad. NOS Amperex 7308 PQ USN-CEP White Labels put in over the summer. This is the dual triode version of the 6922 gold pin, hand matched to 1% tolerance. They were $210 for the pair. Just installed NOS RCA EL-84's. They were $45 for the pair. $1450 http://www.upscaleaudio.com/ae-25.htm http://www.superamp.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 If anyone has been following your comments over the last few months they have seen you rave about your love of this amp. My question is, what happened and what are you thinking of moving to now? ps- Did you ever try this amp wired in ultralinear mode? I almost think it would be better for your listening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted October 8, 2002 Author Share Posted October 8, 2002 Simple Evolutionary Transition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 To what? Where are you going to now? DId you get all fired up with your tube pre and 4004 Mk II? If that is the case, then you would have definitely preferred the Superamp wired in Ultalinear (I thought this from the very beginning, actually). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poleelop Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 I'm pretty curious too. Why the change? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted October 8, 2002 Author Share Posted October 8, 2002 Kelly, sometimes you trip me out. I'll have a set of fully restored (Rel Cap PPMFX Mulitcaps, Mills resistors, Madisound inductors, rewired with .9999 OFC) and modified (Scan-Speak 2010 tweeters) DQ-10's, being driven by a 200 watt dual mono monstrosity and AE-3. What the hell do I need a ultralinear amp for:) Shall we try this again? S imple E volutionary T ransition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted October 8, 2002 Author Share Posted October 8, 2002 There should be nothing surprising here. I've said many times that most of my "heavy" listening is actually done at low to moderate volume levels. I may like to do some Metallica from time to time, but it's not like I'm assaulting my hearing when I do it. If you'll remember, I originally went with the SuperAmp after comparing it to the Bryston. I simply went with what sounded better. My problem with the stock SuperAmp was that I couldn't get enough drive during movies/dvd's. It sounded fine, though somewhat weak. So I remedied that by getting the DJH version -- and have in fact been happy ever since. I'm certainly not selling it because I think there is a problem. We are moving things around in the house. We have new carpet in the basement, and have actually been spending quite a bit of time down there. I'll be building the second system there, and moving the T.V. as well. So, it will be DQ's, big amp, SVS sub, television, dartboard, hang around, family area. The livingroom is being transitioned to "the quiet room". Books and Chairs. Something else I like to do, but don't talk about it much. I like Sci-Fi, King, Koontz, history, and of course...that Book. So, I think I'll be O.K. with 8 watts upstairs:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 Oh, I DID miss that one didnt I. Indeed, I didnt see it because for some reason, SET was the last thing I thought you were going for based on your listening habits and music taste. This will be an interesting course. Still not sure how it will float... NOTE: I obviously wrote this before seeing above... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazman Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 Dean, You're as slippery as a politician! What are you planning to replace it with? At 8wpc, sounds like a 300B SET. Give up some real details. Klipsch out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted October 8, 2002 Author Share Posted October 8, 2002 Jazzman, you're good. I'm not ready for 2A3 yet. I guess I'm just a coward. I'm taking a hard look at this: http://www.midwest-audio.com/pages/755440/index.htm However, no moves until all input is received from Kelly and Fellow Forum Members. I guess that would be Kelly & Co. Kelly, now wait a minute, weren't YOU the one that started this whole thing last year by telling ME I was way too hung up on the power thing. Something about your Moondogs being able to shake the very foundations of the earth:) I won't budge on the AE-25. I can't. If I go lower I can't afford the upgrade. Besides, I've got quite a bit invested in the NOS tubes. So, I MAY end up having to keep the SuperAmp -- but thankfully, that is not a bad thing. Rich Text Editor stinks. I can't get it to work half the time for me. Anyone else having problems with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leok Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 hmmmm deang goes class-A pp to SET. And then there's better SET and then clearly some very good looking SET. There is more fun to be had, no question about that. leok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazman Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 Dean, Well, well. I made a comment about your avatar in another post, and here it's all revealed. This manufacturer seems to be in your geograhic area. If you're going SET, no need to be a coward about the 2A3 vs the 300B. Their 2A3 offering was given a very healthy review by the TNT writer(did you read it?), though the only downside is their 2A3 monobloc product is not available yet. I'm nowhere near Kelly in terms of technical knowledge and experience with tube equipment, but at the price of the Midwest offerings, Welborne Labs 300B and 2A3 products as "monoblocks" should be given very serious consideration when you can find them for sale as "used" or(previously owned). The Welborne Labs parts are also first rate. Don't take these as "homer" remarks because I have Moondogs. I get no commissions! You probably know as much if not more than I about parts, but everything I was able research before plunking down my dollars showed Welborne Labs were on the money when it came to the components used in their products. That's part of what makes a well built previously owned Welborne Labs set of monoblocks a good buy when compared price wise to "new" Midwest Audio, Classic 300B Stereobloc, or Classic 300B Monoblocs. This is of course offered without any direct listenening comparison of the two manufacturer's products. Just dollars and cents. I'm sure you will enjoy whatever choice you make. I'll soon be saying, "Welcome to the SET world." Klipsch out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted October 8, 2002 Author Share Posted October 8, 2002 I would love a set of Wellbourne Labs monoblocks. The only problem is they hardly ever show up, and when they do -- they be gone! I'd have to sleep next to the computer and the AudiogoN site, with my finger taped to the mouse. I may opt for patience -- but these folks are less than 2 miles from my house. He (Patrick) has already offered to bring the 300b stereoblock to my house, and let me borrow it for the weekend. I'm just one of them people -- if I get that thing in here -- It's staying. Knowing this, I declined the offer (it killed me, really). After I've thought this out, and if the SuperAmp sells, I'll have him bring it over for a listen. The main thing here is that I'm looking at a major convenience/security issue in the customer service area. If it blows up and catches on fire -- I drive down the street. No decisions until you guys are done bombarding me:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 I wouldnt go this route yet. Perhaps get a listen, but I dont believe the Midwest Audio offerings are quite on the same page in some ways. Also, I am not sure what you mean about the Welborne Labs offerings disappearing so fast via Audiogon. They actually stay around longer than others with the Laurels getting a lot of time; hell, there was a $1300 pair with the Ultimate Upgrade installed that sat around for quite a while. I couldnt get anyone to go for them. The Laurels dont sell quite as fast as the Moondogs. Again, counter to what you might think, I actually prefer the bass in a good 2A3 amp but I recommend getting monoblocks regardless. Out of curiosity, ask the guys at Midwest what kind of output transformers they use. This is really ALL important in SET amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted October 8, 2002 Author Share Posted October 8, 2002 Well, that's it then. I wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 Since the guy is so close, why not audition the 300B and 2A3 amp? Most on here have no way to audition any kind of SET amp let alone a new model. See if he will let you take a model home over a few days to get an idea of his product quality. If I were you, I would take advantage of this opportunity as it does not come around too often. I would not rush into buying them, however. But it would be a great education and worth the headache tenfold. Keep in mind that all SET amps are not created equal; but that being said, it's great to hear anything you can! Give it a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Cornell Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 Dam Dean, you almost wanna make me post my conrad johnson, and sacrafice a set of chorus on E-bay! Thats a sweet amp, and i also see some tubes here better than my Russian EL s. HHmmm Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 For those interested in Dean's SuperAmp DJH, I had made a few pages for Chris when selling his amp. Here is a reprint of the intro to the manual with a description of the AES Superamp along with the differences of the DJH model that Dean is selling. The three thumbnail pics link to full 1000pix wide versions. LINK: Cary/AES Superamp Description notes with pictures & DJH Additions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Bey Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 When I decided to get Laurels, I waited for the right moment with my finger taped to the mouse button. I didn't wait more than a couple of weeks (really had to go to the bathroom by then) before a pair showed up. It was probably the smartest move I've made in stereo in the last 20 years. FWIW, I too would wait. Why take a chance on quality (at that kind of price) when you can get a well known quality product? The trial and error stuff is for the rich web designers like Kelly, who can afford to buy one new amp after another, "Honey, I just ran up another $3K on the credit card, is that OK?" "Yes, dear, I'll just slip a little extra in the envelope this month." Actually it was Les Lammers who guided me in that direction, Kelly having not yet purchased his Moondogs. For that I owe Les a debt of gratitude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edster00 Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 Dean- I would take advantage of the opportunity to listen to the Midwest Audio amps...certainly can't hurt, and as you said, they are just around the corner. Keep your eyeballs peeled for Welborne amps and be prepared to "pull the trigger" with an email to the seller to establixh your interest and get a dialogue going. Then you have time to check the seller and the amps out thoroughly. just my 2¢ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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