[ianmedium]

So as not to take the thread way of track here is a link to some photo's I took of the inside of my new amp and a few more thoughts on it.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/632518/new-portable-tube-amplifier-tu-05-b-from-analog-squared-paper-japan-is-very-interesting/15#post_9072203

 

[SoundFreaq]

Ian, what a beautiful little set of tubes you got there. Though I don't think it's too portable. But I can see myself toting it to bed... You've got me filled with lust!

 

[ianmedium]

thanks mate. It is lovely sounding and i already have the tube rolling bug! I have ordered a matching set of Tung-sols to replace the Sylvania's so it will be an all Tung-sol tube set. Also, just order a complete set of vintage NOS Mullards so I can see what they do as well!

It is most certainly a transportable rather than portable amp. I have as I said constructed a wooden structure to hold it firmer in place and have been experimenting with damping materials and have found that the stuff you put on car dashboards that is really grippy so you can place things on it without slipping is really good underneath the amp at damping vibrations.

To put in in context though it is only when silent anything can be heard. I was listening tonight and on really quiet passages there is no background noise which is great.

 

[SoundFreaq]

NOS Mullards are a great set. I'll be the first to admit my knowledge of NOS tubes is lackluster at best, but I wonder if some of the unconventional sets might find synergy with the PF. Such as overly "bright" tubes, or what would be the equivalent of the Genalex Gold Lion matched quad that I love so much in my LF for its extraordinary smooth highs and robust lows... No idea. I just would think the PF being a refreshing and unconventional earphone just might enjoy a set of tubes that have been set back in the corner of some warehouse because they didn't "fit" the sound others wanted. 

 

[cooperpwc]

Quote:

NOS Mullards are a great set. I'll be the first to admit my knowledge of NOS tubes is lackluster at best, but I wonder if some of the unconventional sets might find synergy with the PF. Such as overly "bright" tubes, or what would be the equivalent of the Genalex Gold Lion matched quad that I love so much in my LF for its extraordinary smooth highs and robust lows... No idea. I just would think the PF being a refreshing and unconventional earphone just might enjoy a set of tubes that have been set back in the corner of some warehouse because they didn't "fit" the sound others wanted. 

 
An inspired post.
 
Ian's new amp and then this got me thinking. I just tried my PF IX again with the Earmax Pro but this time using a 76 ohm impedance adapter so that the OTL Earmax Pro can provide enough current to drive the Piano Fortes. Initial impressions were pretty good. Then I switched to a a matched pair of Brimar Ediswan CV2492. These were the British military equivalent to the German Cca, made at Thorn-AEI Rochester in 1966. They have wonderful layering but were just too bright with my DT880/600s. As SoundFreq suggested, they are sounding great with the PF IX. The transparency is breathtaking.
 
I think that I have found the power tubes of choice for the PF IX. However tube rolling the driver tube could get pretty interesting. I am currently using my favored Mullard ECC81 (1956 with D getter, branded Amperex with the Bugle Boy logo). It is a classic Mullard, nice and warm with good detail. But I have some other good driver tubes...
 
I may have a new amp for my PF IX. Thanks guys!

 

[cooperpwc]

Now I am breaking all the rules. I replaced the impedance adapter with the Stepdance (which outputs the desired <1 ohm impedance). So I am daisy-chaining the UD100 into the EMP (volume set to 12:00, i.e. half) into the Stepdance into the PF IX. 
 
The EMP is essentially acting as a (valve) gain stage for the UD100 which has none.
 
And I think that I may really be onto something...

 

[cooperpwc]

Dang, Ian. You are my hero. Tubes have breathed fresh life into the Piano Forte IX.

 

[ianmedium]

I love this! Well done Paul and SF you both have inspired me to experiment even more! Now, a question. of the four tubes the tung sol's glow the brightest and the sylvania's are much dimmer.

I am assuming (please correct me if i am wrong and I will write to the maker to confirm as well) that the Tung sol's are the power stage and the sylvania's are the pre amp stage?

Anyway, hopefully Canada post are more efficient now Christmas is over and these new Tung Sol's arrive mid week to replace the sylvania's and we will see what happens then!

I cannot though, with the set included, how the levels of clarity have gone through the roof. How the PF's with this amp ( and from Pauls findings it appears with all tube amps) can pull so much detail out of the music and yet at the same time the musicality has increased to the same degree.

I am really looking forward to hearing what SF finds with his liquid fire but Paul. I am so happy your finding the same as me with tubes and these earphones. Tubes, though I have listened to them a lot are a bit of a mystery to me. These past few days I have been reading all that I can on them and plowing through every yuotube video I can find on them! It is fascinating and I can see why so many with tube amps have so many tubes sitting on shelves in the background. I always thought it was that if one blew then they had replacements on hand... How naive I was :rolleyes:

Shikita san has recommended a brand to me from Japan, just have not found them yet, they are made by a company called 'Kobe Kogyo' and are called 'ten' so I will keep an eye out for them.

The great thing about the type of tubes he uses are that they are cheap. Heck the mullards are only around $7-10 a tube depending on which number. Those are tested and matched tubes and NOS and in the original box.

 

[cooperpwc]

Ian, I am so blown away that I already changed my signature. Usually I wait a few days...
 
The EMP has a single Driver (input) tube (ECC81/12AT7) and dual Power (output) tubes (ECC88/6922). I am not sure how your TU-05 is configured.

 

[ianmedium]

Thats wonderful Paul and I know how considered you are when you make changes to your equipment so what you are saying speaks volumes. I have written to the maker to ascertain which tubes are the power and which pre and will update on the amp thread. My gut told me ages ago that the PF's would be great with tubes and I am so happy that others than me are finding the same as well.

 

[tomscy2000]

BTW, people... I've heard of the news for a couple weeks now, but forgot to tell people. The FI-BA-SS is officially discontinued. Word from official distributors is that they've stopped making it. There were rumors of it being discontinued for some time, but the distributors now know for sure. There won't be anymore new FI-BA-SSes coming in stock, insofar as I know.

 

[MuppetFace]

On the one hand, that sucks because the FI-BA-SS is awesome.
 
On the other hand... maybe a replacement is in the works? Which could be potentially awesome.

 

[SoundFreaq]

Now you guys have inspired me to trade in my P-51 Mustang for the best possible little portable amp. The ALO continental caught my eye with its tubes, but reports say it isn't so good with low impedance stuff. And the FAD is the epitome of that. 

 
Earmax Pro / TU-05b probably not as portable as I'd like. Any other suggestions? I know my P-51 is supposed to be pretty great with low impedance stuff as it is. I know Ian, you liked your SR-71, but I am looking for the portable equivalent of yours and Pauls revelations - if possible. 

 

[ianmedium]

I know ALO have come out with a v3 but don't know the specs. Just today the fellow wh made my amp came out with a smaller hybrid amp running two 1u4's I posted the link on the amp thread, it looks like a much smaller version of mine if the tube size is anything to go by.

 

[ianmedium]

Here is the link


http://www.analog2p.com/tur06/tur.html


He also hand makes the leather carry case you see in the picture!