DRBILL Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 I just finished replacing my Curcio capboards and driverboards. They were not bad, but they were not what I had hoped they would be after a couple of years of careful listening. I replaced them with Triode Electronics (Uncle Ned's) boards. The capboards were a piece of cake. Assembled and installed in an afternoon. The driver boards were another thing. This is a new, inhanced version which allows for dual bias controls and AC balance controls and has jumpers that will allow you to select from a huge tube list. If you are into tube rolling, this is your big chance! As wonderful as this is, they seemed to have spliced together their old manual instead of writing a new one specifically for this new board. This made for some omissions and some confusing information. I ordered the board and parts kit. Between the two, the order was either short 16 items or contained items of the wrong value. When yours arrive, immediately do a parts inventory! This is certainly not a kit for a novice. I had to hunker down and follow the traces to make sure where the jumpers and many parts went. I selected the 5814s for my tube options (4), and the AC balance option. I may add the dual bias controls later. Was it worth it? You bet it was! The improvement in sound (and this is subjective) was as much as the improvement the Crites tweeters and crossovers made. No more muddy mids and pinched bass. It is a thumbs up. Just keep in mind that this is a start-up for Triode and they have had some difficulties which are being rectified. I paid a small price in inconvenience in order to be the first kid on the block. As time passes, I'm sure all will be well. They have been very prompt and cooperative in making things right. DRBILL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwhaples Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 Congrats DRBILL! I've changed parts in my Dynaco FM 3 and was happy with the results. But to dive into an amp scares me alittle.Though the MK IV, I just bought looks simple enough. Enjoy! Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 Congrats! Any pictures to share? I was sent a pair of DIYTube Poseidon boards to use on my Mark IVs, from Shannon Parks. Had you considered those? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest " " Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 it is amazing how few parts these amps really have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSport Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 Congrats Dr. Bill... Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRBILL Posted May 29, 2006 Author Share Posted May 29, 2006 LARRY, I did that a while back. I did the two network boards and the power supply board. I was a little disappointed with it. There was still residual hum that was less than before but still audible. My biggest problem with the FM-3 was tuning. This design presumed an age of very few stations and a lot of space between them. Here in the Fort Worth-Dallas "Metroplex" the FM band is full from one end to the other. Adjacent station rejection is really poor with the FM-3. So, I boxed mine and put it away. I use a Factory Dynaco solid state tuner. I get a lot of razzing from my friends and family. There ARE some things that solid state does better. DRBILL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRBILL Posted May 29, 2006 Author Share Posted May 29, 2006 FINI, No, I didn't. There is so much out there! I like to listen to things a couple of years before I sack them. Let's see -- I'm in my mid-'60's. So .....[sn] DRBILL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRBILL Posted May 29, 2006 Author Share Posted May 29, 2006 "it is amazing how few parts these amps really have" SPEAKERFRITZ, Yes. While I was working on the MARK IIIs I returned my Williamsons to service. I keep them on a shelf to loan out while I'm waiting for parts for clients' equipment. Talk about SPARSE, when you turn these over you think you've been robbed! I think they are the best sounding all-around amplifiers I have ever seen. That "first magic watt" is stunning. So, why, you might ask, are these not my regular amps? TWENTY WATTS! I listen to a lot of heavy pipe organ music. When the 32' Principals kick in, the Williamsons flutter. But I do use one for my center speaker. DRBILL DRBILL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 I like the sound of those boards myself Dr Bill. I got some of the first ones this spring after they sat on back order since November. That's the nice thing about Triode, they don't bill until the item is shipped. When the newly designed boards finally came in, they called me before shipping to make sure I still wanted them. Nice touch. I am running Mullard 12AU7s with RCA 12BH7A black plates for splitters. With my beafy power supply and these driver boards, the amps sound little like a stock Mark III. Much better than the other boards I tried. Yes the documentation was a little weak yet it was ten times better than the other guys. Joe Curcio takes the prize for hard documentation.Shannon Parks is the overall winner with very good hard documentation and readily available help on his forum. fini, Shannon's boards would be the ones I'd recommend for you. The only hassle is chasing the parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted May 30, 2006 Share Posted May 30, 2006 That's good! I have 'em in hand. You know, before he made the Poseidon, Shannon sent me a pair of modified ST-70 boards to use in the MK-IVs. In addition, he sent some PWK memorabilia. Then, when the Poseidon was introduced, he sent a pair, no charge! Good thing I'm so good at procrastinating... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRBILL Posted May 30, 2006 Author Share Posted May 30, 2006 "I like the sound of those boards myself Dr Bill. I got some of the first ones this spring after they sat on back order since November". DEAR 3-D, Were you able to find trimmer pots for the AC balance? I found some on the West Coast. I had to buy a minimum lot of ten. So, if you need some, drop me a PM. DRBILL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted May 30, 2006 Share Posted May 30, 2006 I'm all set DrBill, thanks for the offer. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingjay Posted May 30, 2006 Share Posted May 30, 2006 Dr. Bill, I've got Joe Curico's power supply in my MKIII's. Do you suggest useing Triode's instead. Also, are JC's power supply compatible with the new Triode electronics driver board? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest " " Posted May 30, 2006 Share Posted May 30, 2006 check this site out... http://www.dynakitparts.com/store/catalog.aspx?cid=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRBILL Posted May 30, 2006 Author Share Posted May 30, 2006 Risingjay, Where to start? If your cap boards are performing to suit you, keep them. One of mine failed ten minutes after the initial power up. It was a dud electrolytic cap. Unfortunately, the short worked its way forward and caused considerable damage on the driver board. Joe was no help. He blamed me for not following instructions, wiring errors, etc. NOT! After everything was settled, there was hum. I was glad to get rid of them. But yes. If your power supply is fine, the TRIODE board will work with it. The more I listen to mine, the more impressed I get. It is like a canvass. You can paint it to suit you with the options you choose. The choice of tubes, alone, boggles the mind! DRBILL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRBILL Posted May 30, 2006 Author Share Posted May 30, 2006 SPEAKERFRITZ, Yes. I looked at the link you suggested. It is easy to set type and D. hard to produce a satisfactory electronic product. We shall see what we shall see. I hope they have astounding success. DRBILL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Cain Posted May 30, 2006 Share Posted May 30, 2006 check this site out... http://www.dynakitparts.com/store/catalog.aspx?cid=1 Holy crap, didn't know they were still around. Thanks for a great link. [Y] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest " " Posted May 31, 2006 Share Posted May 31, 2006 can't decide between the st-70 or 2 mono blocks, or bi-amp with st-35 for highs and st-70 for lows... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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