sceleratus
Previously known as Iamnothim
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2013
- Posts
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I decided to close down "The Christiansen "DG" 300B Amplifier Build Thread" and start a separate thread for stuff I'm currently working on. The amp's been built for a while even though I've made some mods.
I will also repost the photos of the MLT speakers.
Here's where I am....
The MLT speakers were sounding very nice. Then they got a Lot Better.
Backstory:
I converted the 300B driver board back to differential from capacitor coupled. I was expecting it to be a bit harsh after losing the Mundorf Caps. It wasn’t (At least to my 58 yr old ears) I couldn’t detect any noise. Sound is still buttery with great staging,
The Jensen JT-11P4-1 input transformers that replaced the caps paired very nicely with the Gunginer balanced outputs. I got a very nice performance boost.
In converting the amp to differential I lost my volume pot, which at one point was a 4 deck Goldpoint Attenuator. (Long story if you’ve read the whole thread.) It also eliminated the non-differential Adcom GFP 565 preamp I’d been using. ($450 on eBay). All the volume is controlled by Audirvana software. I also lost some amplitude when the Adcom went away. Still very nice, I only want it louder for some selections. And I can control the volume with my iPhone and the Audirvana app.
The other reason for the Adcom was the Phono Preamp. I was given a B&O RX turntable. I really enjoyed it until it had a problem with a channel and I promptly destroyed it trying to fix it. My hands aint tiny.
The Plan:
I went to Neurochrome (Tom) and picked up his “THAT” Differential TX PCB and the “THAT” Differential RX PCB. (Based on THAT Corporation “Balanced Line Driver IC’s”.) They are tiny and I wasn’t expecting much. After all, the less “stuff” in the signal path, the better. Right?
I was (still am) stunned. It kicked speakers into a gear I didn’t think was possible. They sound like they have 10” sub woofers. The sound stage was expanded too. I have no idea how MLT’s can produce the sound they do with only one driver. I really don’t care….. I just listen.
Phono Preamp:
Tom told me to check out Douglas Self’s boards. “Signal Transfer Company” Douglas is very well regarded in the audio community and has published several titles on the topic. A genuine guru that sells designs to audio manufacturers. I ordered the RIAA Balanced Phono Preamp and Torridal Power Supply. Built… Not tested.
I use a MOTU Microbook as a signal generator and a Rigol DS1052E scope. I’m only a tiny bit technical. I need to build a little voltage divider (I think) to PAD the MOTU down to the level of a MM Turntable cartridge. The phono preamp handles both MM and MC. I built the whole board but I doubt I’ll every buy a MC cartridge.
The Future:
I ordered the Multibit upgrade for the Gungnir. I ordered it 10 days ago and have moved from position 28 to 27 in the queue. My calculations tell me I’ll have it in 6 months. When the testing and enclosures for the preamps are finished I will acquire a Rega RP3 with a MM cart. That fits my price performance spec.
Catch ya later.
Luke
I will also repost the photos of the MLT speakers.
Here's where I am....
The MLT speakers were sounding very nice. Then they got a Lot Better.
Backstory:
I converted the 300B driver board back to differential from capacitor coupled. I was expecting it to be a bit harsh after losing the Mundorf Caps. It wasn’t (At least to my 58 yr old ears) I couldn’t detect any noise. Sound is still buttery with great staging,
The Jensen JT-11P4-1 input transformers that replaced the caps paired very nicely with the Gunginer balanced outputs. I got a very nice performance boost.
In converting the amp to differential I lost my volume pot, which at one point was a 4 deck Goldpoint Attenuator. (Long story if you’ve read the whole thread.) It also eliminated the non-differential Adcom GFP 565 preamp I’d been using. ($450 on eBay). All the volume is controlled by Audirvana software. I also lost some amplitude when the Adcom went away. Still very nice, I only want it louder for some selections. And I can control the volume with my iPhone and the Audirvana app.
The other reason for the Adcom was the Phono Preamp. I was given a B&O RX turntable. I really enjoyed it until it had a problem with a channel and I promptly destroyed it trying to fix it. My hands aint tiny.
The Plan:
I went to Neurochrome (Tom) and picked up his “THAT” Differential TX PCB and the “THAT” Differential RX PCB. (Based on THAT Corporation “Balanced Line Driver IC’s”.) They are tiny and I wasn’t expecting much. After all, the less “stuff” in the signal path, the better. Right?
I was (still am) stunned. It kicked speakers into a gear I didn’t think was possible. They sound like they have 10” sub woofers. The sound stage was expanded too. I have no idea how MLT’s can produce the sound they do with only one driver. I really don’t care….. I just listen.
Phono Preamp:
Tom told me to check out Douglas Self’s boards. “Signal Transfer Company” Douglas is very well regarded in the audio community and has published several titles on the topic. A genuine guru that sells designs to audio manufacturers. I ordered the RIAA Balanced Phono Preamp and Torridal Power Supply. Built… Not tested.
I use a MOTU Microbook as a signal generator and a Rigol DS1052E scope. I’m only a tiny bit technical. I need to build a little voltage divider (I think) to PAD the MOTU down to the level of a MM Turntable cartridge. The phono preamp handles both MM and MC. I built the whole board but I doubt I’ll every buy a MC cartridge.
The Future:
I ordered the Multibit upgrade for the Gungnir. I ordered it 10 days ago and have moved from position 28 to 27 in the queue. My calculations tell me I’ll have it in 6 months. When the testing and enclosures for the preamps are finished I will acquire a Rega RP3 with a MM cart. That fits my price performance spec.
Catch ya later.
Luke
