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Which amp?

post #1 of 14
12/2/09 at 1:49am
Thread Starter 
Over spring break (or summer, depending on time and other scheduling), I am building a balanced amp. I have narrowed it down to the M3 or EHHA, and I cannot decide.

For either, I will be getting custom wooden front and back panels, and thus do not have to worry about the case. The EHHA screws this up because if I have tubes, I want them showing for pure aesthetic value. Thus, I will have to have someone do the holes at the top, as I am totally unskilled at this and do not want to learn on this project (later, yes, but for now I am perfecting other skills).

So, which is easier to build (in your opinion, obviously). What are the sound differences? Obviously one is a tube hybrid and the other is not, but detail, etc.

As of now, I am leaning towards the M3, but some persuasive posts could change my mind. Keep in mind I will almost definitely build both eventually, and the B22 is on the horizon is a year or two (when money permits a full out balanced build with only the best of everything).

Thanks for the help,
Nkk
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post #2 of 14
12/2/09 at 2:07am
EHHA is the most difficult build out of the two, without a doubt - especially taking into consideration you’ll need σ22 and heater psu’s. Also consider the EHHA is still relatively uncharted regarding balanced builds, I know of 2 in existence thus far.
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post #3 of 14
12/2/09 at 2:20am
Thread Starter 
The s22 is needed for the M3 as well. I am contracting that out as I do not want to deal with line voltages yet. However, the balanced thing just closed the deal for me. I had not taken that into account, and definitely should have.

Thanks,
Nkk
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post #4 of 14
12/2/09 at 2:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nkk View Post
The s22 is needed for the M3 as well. I am contracting that out as I do not want to deal with line voltages yet. However, the balanced thing just closed the deal for me. I had not taken that into account, and definitely should have.

Thanks,
Nkk
No, the M³ will not work with a σ22 dual-rail power supply, you need a psu with a single rail like the σ11.
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post #5 of 14
12/2/09 at 2:50am
Thread Starter 
Yes, you are right. I was thinking of the s11.

-NKk
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post #6 of 14
12/2/09 at 10:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnwmclean View Post
No, the M³ will not work with a σ22 dual-rail power supply, you need a psu with a single rail like the σ11.
It will work - you just need to omit a part or two and wire it up a little differently.
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post #7 of 14
12/2/09 at 10:20am
Umm, I honestly think the EHHA is an intermediate build. I'll bet its got less components on it than on a balanced M3. A single S22 is all you need to power the 4 boards.

It would also probably end up being cheaper than an M3.

I have heard a balanced M3 and while it is good, the EHHA is a totally different animal depending on who you ask of course.

GOing balanced on a EHHA isn't much different from building a SE version. Only a matter of wiring up the boards right which is easy enough given the detailed diagrams on the Cavalli Audio website.
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post #8 of 14
12/2/09 at 4:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cobaltmute View Post
It will work - you just need to omit a part or two and wire it up a little differently.
Ok, I stand corrected, I’ve never seen one though

Quote:
Originally Posted by sachu View Post
Umm, I honestly think the EHHA is an intermediate build. I'll bet its got less components on it than on a balanced M3. A single S22 is all you need to power the 4 boards.

It would also probably end up being cheaper than an M3.

I have heard a balanced M3 and while it is good, the EHHA is a totally different animal depending on who you ask of course.

GOing balanced on a EHHA isn't much different from building a SE version. Only a matter of wiring up the boards right which is easy enough given the detailed diagrams on the Cavalli Audio website.
sachu, if it’s a balanced M3 you only need to stuff 2 channels per board and omit the active ground - makes it a little easier and cheaper as for sonics yeah the EHHA from what I’ve read (which is a lot of your ramblings btw ) is Beta22 league and would leave the M3 well and truly out of the equation.
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post #9 of 14
12/2/09 at 5:05pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, so thanks for all of the perspectives. I still think I am going M3 (the fact is by this time next year I will be planning an EHHA, so these are in no way exclusive). I chose the M3 mainly because Iwill be graduating from a compass, and want to have the full progression of quality. Plus, at DIY prices, I am not too worried about wasting money. The only thing that would change this is a balanced EHHA being significantly cheaper, in which case I see will do that.

Thanks again for all of the opinions,
Nkk
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post #10 of 14
12/2/09 at 6:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nkk View Post
Ok, so thanks for all of the perspectives. I still think I am going M3 (the fact is by this time next year I will be planning an EHHA, so these are in no way exclusive). I chose the M3 mainly because Iwill be graduating from a compass, and want to have the full progression of quality. Plus, at DIY prices, I am not too worried about wasting money. The only thing that would change this is a balanced EHHA being significantly cheaper, in which case I see will do that.

Thanks again for all of the opinions,
Nkk
Question for you. If you know you will eventually build the balanced EHHA anyhow. Why not save a few bucks and build just a 3ch M3 now? Not sure you will benefit that much with the M3 to go balanced.
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post #11 of 14
12/2/09 at 7:06pm
Thread Starter 
Lol, no logical reason. The allure of balanced seems my only real answer. I want balanced now, and the whole EHHA thing, although planned, is at the whimsy of where internships may take me. For example, if I do get to work a summer at CERN, I am not building amps. Thus, the whole thing is tentative, and I WANT BALANCED NOW!!!

-Nkk

PS I know none of you know me personally, but anyone will tell you I am about the least patient person on the planet, with everything. I have looked at the cost, and I have sort of decided it was worth it. Also, resale value is better balanced (obviously). Chances are I will keep it as a seperate rig, even if I have a B22, so why not make it as versatile as possible? I will populate a ground channel on one of the boards, so it will be SE active ground, too.
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post #12 of 14
12/3/09 at 9:58am
You might want to check out the M4 here: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f6/m4-...nuator-449462/
It's the same circuit topology as the M3, but designed as a fully balanced design from the beginning. Check with the designer to see where he is at with it. It looked like it was pretty close to fruition but the thread died down back in October.

Of course, you'll need a balanced source (don't think you mentioned what you had).

Is there any point in going balanced if you don't have a balanced source? Just asking, I've wondered for a while.
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post #13 of 14
12/3/09 at 10:53am
I think that M4 thread died down because he is building a whole lot of DynaFETs
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post #14 of 14
12/3/09 at 6:03pm
Thread Starter 
My balanced source has not yet been decided upon, buy I am leaning towards the LD DAC1, for cost effectiveness. I agree that there is little point to balanced without the source.

As for the M4, thanks for the tip. The problem is that it seems to be only differential (SE out is not an option). That is a big minus for me, as most of my stuff is SE, and I would very much like the versatility that an M3 with one ground fully populated would give.

-Nkk
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