Erik Mandaville Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 When this amplifier is done I would be interested in 'sending it out' for some of you to listen to on your own systems. I would be very interested in anyone's input, and would like as much criticism as possible -- totally open, and honest, with no regard whatever about my feelings etc. Flabby bass response, poor highs, congested-sounding, whatever! I would want to know your opinions. If some of you live within close proximity to one another, than one of you could listen to it for a weekend, and then pass it on the other guy -- like Leo and Chris, maybe... Tell me if the wiring should be improved, different parts layout, whatever your thoughts and impressions -- all of it would be of great value to me. Take the bottom cover off and look inside (if you know what you're doing, and don't have the amplifier plugged in when you do it!). I just wouldn't want changes made, if I can ask that. Tell me what you think, and I will consider anything and everything if it seems reasonable. For ease of packing and shipping, this is going to be a stereo amp, since I already have a chassis I can use for it. What I may do is try to source some good used transformers and chokes, which would ease the financial strain a bit. The other parts -- caps, resistors, etc., will be inexpensive. This first amplifier would not have 'decoration' on it. No wood trim, rack handles, nothing. Just a basic amplifier in a basic box. The sound is the single most important element, and dressing it in its Sunday best can come some other time when we have it tweaked. A 5Y3 rectifier is starting to sound good if I use tube rectification. They are inexpensive, too. I already have some on hand in my drawer-full-o-tubes. What do you all think about this -- good idea? bad idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 Great Idea, Erik. Count me in. I will be moving to NYC next week and will be more than happy to give them a listen. I am listening to a pair of ALTEC 604's and it would be nice to see/hear how they handle different high efficiency speakers other than Klipsch. Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike82 Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 Hi Eric: I'd be happy to give it a critical listen, but not being a tech, I won'tbe able to offer any design/construction advice. Regards, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leok Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 Fine with me Erik. Chris & I are close enough for a non-mail transfer of the amp between us and possibly even a common listening and discussion session. Fun to be on the consumer side of an amp. Jeff was extreamly patient with my "suggestions" .. are you sure you want me to look at this? Of course I'm assuming Chris is interested. leok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 When everyone is done, and all the fiddling is complete -- it comes to me for a baptism by fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 Count me in Erik Great Idea ! I'll have to out my soldering Iron in a vault while its here though Please make sure I'm in line before Dean as I'm sure he will put the pour thing in thermal melt down Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Mandaville Posted August 10, 2003 Author Share Posted August 10, 2003 You all are great! I want every bit of input I can get. Leo: tear it to shreds! but let me make the changes. And Craig: you keep that Weller well away Dean: Baptism by fire sounds scary! But go for it. I already have the PSU just about finished -- on paper at least. It's the other stuff I've really got to study. I'm thinking along the lines of a combination of direct and interstage coupling, and wish I could just take advantage of the great stuff from MagneQuest. Just too pricey, though, which goes against the grain of things just a bit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 Hey, how come no one's afraid of my Weller! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Robinson Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 ---------------- On 8/10/2003 10:22:00 AM leok wrote: Of course I'm assuming Chris is interested. leok ---------------- You betcha. Nice idea, Erik ... The poor things will have frequent flyer status by the time they make it back to you. Good news is that they'll be fully broken in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 Hey, how come no one's afraid of my Weller! Were are all scared of your Iron if you get near are heritage Xovers but with a amp I think were safe because your so frightened to touch a amp which has always struck me funny !! Erik put some 1/2 amp fast blow fuses in it for Dean Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 I'm in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 I don't know Dee, you're a still a rookie -- I think you need to go through 40 more amp-preamp combinations before you can become part of the "drop kick the weenie amp around the country program". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cut-Throat Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 Hi Erik, Yes, you can count me in this also! - What a generous offer on your part. The only other person I know on this forum that is in the Minneapolis area is Randy Bey (and I'm sure he would like to try out the 2A3's) , so you could get a two for one here. Maybe there is someone else also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnalOg Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 Hey, count me in! Let a novice opinion average in to all this. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 Eric, We are in the planning stages of a monthly Baltimore/Washington/Virginia area forum member get together. We could get 6 or 7 opinions at one time that way. If that is something you'd consider I'm sure we'd be happy to accomodate. You may want ask the Wisconsin folks also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai2000 Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 Erik, you'll definitely need a different (i.e. European) perspective, too. So obviously it'll will also touch down in Germany . Great idea - I just wish I was living closer. But who knows....strange things DO happen in life every now and then................! Wolfram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 Poor Erik, I guess he's going to have to build 5 or 6 of them to accomodate all of the testing. Just think -- total shipping for all of this might end up costing as much as the amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhawk92 Posted August 10, 2003 Share Posted August 10, 2003 Erik- While I don't have a preamp, and Reg has the Acurus, we might be able to work a 2-for-1 here in CT. Reg has been thinking about building up his kit preamp, but I don't know how busy he is to get that done. Overall, I'd say you will probably have enough input for them, but if you need any more, there are a couple folks here in CT who could take a listen. And you won't have to worry about us poking under the hood like some of the others! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Mandaville Posted August 11, 2003 Author Share Posted August 11, 2003 Well, I have to admit I started thinking more and more about shipping costs. I will make the effort to share with as many people as possible, but this was again part of the reason for hoping for more folks living nearby. Danke, Wolfrom! I also wish you were a little closer. I posted another note this morning about using the majority of parts from my Moondogs to build this thing -- it will be a monoblock pair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodger Posted August 11, 2003 Share Posted August 11, 2003 Good Day: Ben C. and I are not THAT far apart, perhaps a dual audition in the Rochester/Buffalo area if Ben is interested. My Wellers are kept out of reach - my wife has to bring them out. Thus the technical portion is not my area. My qualifications would be in the execution of correct sound - staging, realism, flaws in detail. Win dodger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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