Painful Reality Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 ---------------- On 7/11/2003 6:04:10 AM DeanG wrote: Good SET is about the iron -- it's responsible for 7/10's of what the amp does -- and these have outstanding iron. Looking at the pictures you can see that they are well laid out with good parts. These weren't thrown together by a weekend warrior. ---------------- These particular amps are using Tango's "workhorse" the U808. This OPT is a compromise as you can use it in push pull design and in SET design. I would not qualify it as outstanding. It's a nice OPT but of the "experimenter grade" quality. For sure these amps seems to be really nice and at around 1000. these could be no brainers. I'd check for the availability/cost of the Western Electric driver tube though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 I stand corrected. Thanks for the additional insight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triode Pete Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 The Tango U-808 is a universal SINGLE-ENDED output transformer & is not designed for push-pull. It's designed for triodes like the 2A3 & 50, & pentodes (6L6). I guess that's why it's universal. I've had 2A3 monoblocks with U-808's. Great sounding output transformer probably attributed to a good design & the high quality control of manufacturer. They'll cost about $300+ per pair. The U-808's also have 4 primary impedance settings, 2, 2.5, 3.5 & 5k ohm. To me 3.5 k sounds best. May explain the low 2.5 watt rating! The amps on eBay have DC on the filaments --- too bad; with a proper power supply design & build (there should be no hum!), I prefer the live sound of AC filaments. That's one of my theories why I prefer the sound of 2A3's over other higher filament voltage triodes like the 50 & 300B. You really need DC filaments on these higher power triodes to eliminate hum. I think the DC filaments take away some of the "life". The quality of amps components are very important but just important (maybe more) is the quality of the build. The Wright mono's are high quality-built with basic components (Hammond transformers). Have fun & enjoy, Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painful Reality Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 ---------------- On 7/11/2003 11:19:39 AM Triode Pete wrote: The Tango U-808 is a universal SINGLE-ENDED output transformer & is not designed for push-pull. It's designed for triodes like the 2A3 & 50, & pentodes (6L6). I guess that's why it's universal. ---------------- Hum... Er.. Dean, it's finally me who stand corrected!!! I guess I mistook the screen grid tap for a center tap in the U808. Seeing "a third wire" and the "Universal" mention made me wrongly assume that the "universality" was in the sense of the Hammond 125 serie, I'll shamfully admit. This being said, I still wouldn't describe them as outstanding. Especially in a PP configuration... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted July 11, 2003 Share Posted July 11, 2003 They sure are pretty though and look well built. Still looks to be a good deal at the present time. Pete, your comments on the filiment type is interesting. Care to elaborate if possible? It's tough when you start squishing those transformers together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted July 13, 2003 Author Share Posted July 13, 2003 Interesting ending to this auction. The pair of amps went for $1600, as one would expect sniped in the last seconds. Bummer for the guy who'd had a good bid in for several days, he put in a snipe bid at the last second, literally, but only for the same amount as the winning bidder who had bid the same amount a few seconds earlier. The seller had agreed to fax the schematics, but didn't. I didn't contact him again with a second request. Thanks guys, for the posts, I learned ALOT on this thread. Best regards, Dee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.