Headamp Blue Hawaii Special Edition - Page 195

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnakChan 

I had a cruel nightmare last night that Currawong sent me over his blue BHSE to my doorstep but without any tubes.

 

This hobby is really detrimental to my psychological well-being.

I'm not sure which is the most worrying: The lack of tubes, that you dreamed of something to do with me or that you dreamed that I bought a blue BHSE. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwmclean 

 

Both the DACT or RK50 are used in the Justin’s BHSE, both are vastly superior to the ALPS RK27 used in the Violectric V200.

All linear pots and stepped attenuators have increased resistance at lower the volumes and has nothing to do with SS or tube topologies.

I’m not surprised a DACs volume control would do a better job than the ALPS RK27 it really is a cheap pot and sounds like it. 

There is no doubt that a digital sound level setting, carried out from the DAC, is better than an analog setting from the amp -i.e., a potentiometer with its resistive tracks/wiper and all the associated circuitry and connections. And I'm talking about a good quality pot, in perfect condition. With my K-01/SRM007-tII/SR009 combo, I get a better sound quality by setting the amp pot to  "full volume" and using a -17 to -20 dB attenuation from the DAC; this is a way to partially bypass the amp pot. The best solution would be to totally bypass the volume control circuitry on the amp, with direct inputs like some power amps (for speakers) have. But maybe the top-end pot of the BHSE (I should get mine soon) brings no perceptible SQ degradation... Any opinion about this, David1961? did you try pot/digital attenuator combinations with your BHSE/K-01 combo?

"I find tube rolling with the BHSE to be very difficult. I think the only real way your can get an accurate feeling for what the differences are is to have two BHSE going at the same time"

Either this says it is too close to call, so stop worrying...or you need a pair of matched BHSEs, with matched tubes. Colour code those BHSEs, the cooler (sound) with a blue front plate, the silver plate for the one with harder sound.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil95 

There is no doubt that a digital sound level setting, carried out from the DAC, is better than an analog setting from the amp -i.e., a potentiometer with its resistive tracks/wiper and all the associated circuitry and connections. And I'm talking about a good quality pot, in perfect condition. With my K-01/SRM007-tII/SR009 combo, I get a better sound quality by setting the amp pot to  "full volume" and using a -17 to -20 dB attenuation from the DAC; this is a way to partially bypass the amp pot. The best solution would be to totally bypass the volume control circuitry on the amp, with direct inputs like some power amps (for speakers) have. But maybe the top-end pot of the BHSE (I should get mine soon) brings no perceptible SQ degradation... Any opinion about this, David1961? did you try pot/digital attenuator combinations with your BHSE/K-01 combo?

Thanks for your comments -- the best explanation I've heard on this to date . . .

The RK27 used in all the Stax amps and most high end equipment is not a high end pot by any means.  It's better than the <1$ stuff out there but it has serious issues compared to the better attenuators. 

Justin, you wrote a while ago that after the batch you are currently working on the BHSE will only come with two pro Stax jacks. Do people who are on the list now for the coming batch need to contact you if they want two pro stax jacks, or will you contact each of us when the time comes to deal with these issues? And what about color? Do you build the BHSE in a certain color unless otherwise specified?

Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PedroH 

Hi Justin, I've sent you two emails querying about the estimate date for shipping of my BHSE. Got no reply.

Need that information to plan my rack reorganization and prepare to complete payment. It's important that you keep the communication flowing - particularly with your customers.

Thanks, Pedro

On January 11, he posted 4 months. Do the math...

Quote:

Originally Posted by PedroH 

Need that information to plan my rack reorganization

Hmmm, yes, this sounds like a very serious problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PedroH 


It's just that my rack is custom made and I'll have it adjusted to fit exactly the new amp. But I want to have it done only when the amp arrives, not 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after.

As I'll hire a specialist to do the modifications - and those guys are not sited waiting for my order - I need to plan.

Absolutely, this all sounds very important.

Is anyone using cooling fans on the BHSE?  I'm curious if they might be helpful and where they would be placed in relation to the amp . . .