Where is the Earmax? - Page 21

I'm listening to the old valves again, now that I have my power issues sorted out, and they're very well balanced and engaging, but rather soft.  Easy going is the word.  I wish I'd treated them with a bit more respect all those years ago!

Enjoying the EarMax Silver Edition with HD800. Sound Great!

EarMax Silver is a very nice amp!
 

Glad to see people loving the Earmax. My EMP still brings me great pleasure. It's my tube rig. Everybody should have at least one. :-)

I have built an Earmax with steroids. I am using a regulated power supply that can feed 6SN7 or 6F8G tubes. Paper in oil capacitors, Blackgate electrolytics, tantalum resistors…

 

I am testing it with Audeze LCD-2 Rev2, and I feel like I have already found exactly what I want. My search for headphones and headphone amps is over

 

I had the opportunity to compare it with an upgraded WooAudio WA6-SE, and I prefer my Frankenstein Earmax. The mid and high frequencies are more pleasant to my ears.

 

 

The feedback control is to adapt headphones of different impedance.

The front panel is still provisional. I am so amazed with the results that I feel like I don't need to keep working on it

 

I don't think that this is actually an "Earmax" (unless I am missing something). (OTL I suppose but different tubes and design.)  However it does look pretty cool!   

It is a white cathode follower; exactly the same electrical schematic as the Ear-Max or the Chinese Sense G3.

 

As described here: http://headwize.com/?page_id=433 and here: http://www.cavalliaudio.com/diy/cj/main.php?page=history with an enhaced power supply, selected components, and the Alex Cavally mods (variable NFB to adapt headphones of different impedance) http://www.cavalliaudio.com/diy/cj/main.php?page=cj

Edited by Pingfloid - 1/15/13 at 4:14am

This could quickly devolve into a philosophical argument over what is an Earmax. Perhaps the Earmax says I think therefore I am.  

 

That is a nice looking amp by any definition!

Guys, a little help. I picked up an Earmax amp at a garage sale with a bunch of tubes, but no instructions. Can someone tell me what tubes go where. It sure don't want to make a mistake & fry it before I can use it. This is the plain Earmax, not the Pro or Silver. Any help would be appreciated. I searched the web & can't find the info on the placement of the driver tubes.so I'm at a standstill! Please Help! Thanks!

The original one uses ECC81 and 2x ECC86.  I bought mine used too with 2-3 extra tubes, fortunately all my tubes were labeled.  I think the previous owner spent some time tube rolling, telefunken valves are not the cheapest things.  I eventually settled on a Sylvania ECC81 and AEG/Telefunken ECC86 (diamond embossed into the base).  They're groovy little amps for sure.  heres mine

 

Questions (if you please)

Is that Sylvania ECC81 a bad choice?  What tube would be better?

 

Does anyone know if these amps can run off a 24V (AC) power supply?

 

One of the first things I did was ditch the OEM 19V - 750mah wall wart.  I replaced it with a 20V - 2.5A military surplus power supply and it seems to have opened up the amp a lot.  it just sounds more "effortless" overall.  Unfortunately 20VAC power supplies are not easy to find.  Can I run this circuit off 24V AC to further improve its performance?  The two biggest caps in there are richeys spec't at 25V-2200mFd ?

 

thanks in advance!!

Edited by kramer5150 - 1/15/13 at 4:36pm

Hi Austin,

 

The Earmax standard used to come with one ECC81 at the center position (driver) and one ECC86 at each side (outputs)

 

  Replacements for ECC81: 12AT7, ECC801, 6201, 6060, 7728, B152, B309, CV455, CV4024, CV5212, CV8154, CV9859, CV10662, M8162

  Replacements for ECC86: 6GM8, ECC813, 6463, CC86E, CV4504 (it is not equivalent to ECC88, the one that comes with the Earmax-Pro)

Thanks Ping, that is exactly what I needed to know. Best $30 USD I ever spent. the amp & 20 tubes came with it. Have tested 7 so far & all test NOS so far or close to it. Amp looks like it is almost brand new. Guess I should feel guilty - but not so much! Guess I need to do some tube rolling & also read any Earmax related posts to see what combo of tubes are most recommended. Again a big thanks!

Also anyone who cares to feel free to tell me their favs when it comes to tubes they recommend that work best with the HD800 &/or the HD650. Would be much appreciated.

I'd heard this amp once back-in-the-day & never saw or read much buzz about it over here in the states. Heard it was popular then in eu. Got it warming up with some tubes I already had so hope it lives upto my memory. Already see I need to change out some cables cause it is tipping up it s so light. Sort of Bravo v2 like size-wise. Need some stickem on the rubber feet or something.

Wow, sounds darn good with the HD800 & it has only been on for 10 minutes or so & I'm just using jj's I had in a drawer. Will need to compare this little thing against the Crack/Speedball I have once I roll in better NOS tubes. Gee, I do feel guilty! I ripped off that nice older lady today! Will have to ask for forgiveness on Sunday! But why don't I feel sad?
Edited by AustinHorn - 1/15/13 at 9:00pm

Me too. I love the sound from my HD800 out of the EarMax, but mine is EarMax Pro Silver Edition. 

 

, So great!

Hey Austin.... can you do me a favor and comment on the ECC81 tubes you are rolling?  Do you by chance have a Sylvania?  How good/bad is it?  Thanks

 

Oh yeah thanks Ping for the breakdown.  You just expanded my google search by a factor of ~20!!