I'm really impressed with the new look--very sharp!

Wow, very nice looking amp!

I sure wish Dr Lloyd would participate at <headfi> meets like some of the other builders.

- augustwest

DIY kit please!

I wonder how it would compare to the Eddie Current EC-01 amp soundwise? Certainly looks a lot better.

-augustwest

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i don't think this will come in a DIY kit...or will it? since it's a SE, i imagine it will only be sold as a completed item...don't know for sure, though.

can someone tell me why there are four tubes? is it b/c of the two outputs?

i'm also interested to see how his crossfeed implementation is...haven't been a fan of CF in both meier's and xin's stuff, so we'll see...

Personally I think it looks too pretty. I was hoping for the retro look he has had on his other Ear amps. Yes I do prefer the "uglier looking" ones.

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Don't think it's the two outputs; usually a load resistor is sufficient. That's what Etymotics does, and that's what I did to run Grados (32 ohm). Unless he's sprung for the Sowter OT, which have multiple impedence taps. That would be tres sweet.

What's more intriguing: the short bottles look like 12AU7; definitely not 5751. The tall bottles still look like 12B4A, but that's the output in the current circuit. The 12BH7 is similar, but the photo looks to show an open cathode. hmm.

I think I want to know more about the circuit. I sure want to know if there's room for a TKD pot. I'll wait.

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In case you missed this post .....




Thank you for your interest. I am looking at the ECC99 with both triodes connected in parallel. Otherwise no fundamental change in the circuit topology as it is already optimal for headphone amplification. The input tube will be a 5751 as I believe it is the best miniature tube for high gain applications. There will be no electrolytics in the signal path.

Lloyd

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How expensive are these tubes? Just checking to see if it will cost big bucks to tube roll. I'm not familiar with those two. Right now I'm undecided on the look of the amp. I actually like the styling of the standard amp. I'm also very curious to find out the price.

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the ECC99 is a new tube which runs about $14-15, i believe. you can get various flavors of the 5751 tube at fairly reasonable prices.

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i agree. i reckon it looks pretty nice.

my wallet is screaming already.....

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didn't miss it. it's still not a 5751.

Okay, I'll be the first one to ask...what are the benefits of an amp design that does not use electrolytics? Thanks.

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I think the point here is that the amp doesn't use electrolitics in the signal path with the idea being that once you put a cap in the signal path it could be argued that it has the single greatest effect on the sound signature of the amp. At least that's how I understand it .

Nate

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I assume he is talking about using the cap as a blocking cap for the DC. Caps pass AC, which is the musical signal but the DC, which carries the musical signal and amplifies the sound is stopped by a cap or a output transformer or in OTL, neither but there is no DC, or should be none in an OTL. Now it is assumed that since no cap is directly in the signal path that you don't have the influence of the electrolytic but if you use electrolytic caps in the DC circuit and that flow goes onto the AC signal then that electrolytic does influence the sound and is in the musical path because the electrical flow has come from it and its influence on the DC. I use motor run caps, which are not too expensive and do a fantastic job. Often Solen Fast caps are used but I find they add a dry white sound that underlies the sound. If bypassed with a .1 high quality cap I find that the Solens can do a pretty good job in the pwer supply but I would not want the signal going through this cap as in a blocking cap.