If I were take this theory of gankage into the extra theoretical and neigh paranoid realm.. I mean if he ganked my feet who knows what else he stripped out of my amp. I remember asking him when I was asking him about the amp whether or not it was maxxed out and he was like yes definitely. Super maxed out. And I asked if there were audionote/v-caps in it and he was like yes definitely. Well as you can see there are no audionote/v-caps.
Looking at the design as it is now I don't see where v-caps or audio note caps are even applicable.
Actually that reminds me to dig up this:
Dan Chow
to Richard
show details 6/24/07 [Singlepower Electrostatic Amplifier ES-1.xls]
Reply
Since I originally was talking to Mikhail about ordering one someday (Like next year with a payment plan) I had him send me specs:
This is what he sent me, how's this compare to the specs of your amp?
Hi Dan,
That's right. I have the original invoice and configuration for the amplifier. It is what I thought, Rob lives in Plano. The transformer upgrade and the silver wire audio section.
There are lots of upgrades available. Here's the spreadsheet attached to this Email with configuration options. This includes the host of options available, there are some others that I'll send you as well with the other detailed configuration options.
Also, below are the options for the SS-1 that we are completing the configuration on:
Solid-state amplifier with custom chassis configuration:
Reference Section includes:
# 12 Mosfet per channel output running high dissipation class A
# High efficiency cooling system for output devices and differential circuits.
# All Mosfets matched in phase sections and in all four channels
# Teflon milled boards for each output device.
# Tantalum Nitride resistors.
# All associated transistors matched in phase and in all four sections
# All resistors matched to within .01% using Rhoderstien resistors
# Balanced configuration in four separate monoblock units
# NX top grade, Black Gate capacitors in audio section
# Shiltech wiring on signal paths and connection paths
# Teflon milled dividers and insulators for signal path connections
# One absoute direct path input XLR inputs for balanced, Two XLR inputs selectable with a disconnect switch for direct path.
# Two sets of preamp outputs balanced. One set for reference output, one for tunable circuit. Second set is switchable between reference section, and tunable circuit.
# Gold Neutrik XLR input and output connectors
# Two sets of S/E input jacks, can be bridged for S/E high power, or run as 4 channels S/E.
# Cardas Rhodium GFRA S/E input jacks for SE operation, one set for reference section and one set for tunable section.
# One single ended headphone jack.
# Audio Note silver preamp section coupling capacitors.
# Singlepower designed stepped attenuators for volume control.
Tunable Circuit
# 18 Mosfet per channel output running high dissipation class A, three separate banks for adjusting power output and sonics, selectable.
# High efficiency cooling system for output devices.
# All Mosfets matched in phase sections and in all four channels
# Teflon milled boards for each output device, and differential circuits.
# Tantalum Nitride resistors.
# All associated transistors matched in phase and in all four sections
# All resistors matched to within .01% using Rhoderstien resistors
# Balanced configuration in four separate monoblock units
# NX top grade, Black Gate capacitors in audio section
# Shiltech wiring on signal paths and connection paths
# Audio Note silver preamp section coupling capacitors, three value selections for adjusting sonics.
# Selectable biasing switch for operating output sections and differential devices at 5 selectable levels.
# Input section frequency response adjustment selector switch with 6 selectable levels.
# Two XLR inputs selectable as listed above with direct disconnect as above in reference section, one set for both sections.
# Two sets of preamp outputs balanced. One set for reference output, one for tunable circuit. Second set is switchable between reference section, and tunable circuit.
# Gold Neutrik XLR input and output connectors
# Two sets of S/E input jacks, can be bridged for S/E high power, or run as 4 channels S/E
# Cardas Rhodium GFRA S/E input jacks for SE operation, one set for reference section and one set for tunable section.
# One single ended headphone jack.
# Digital stepped attenuator volume control, with digital display.
Poer Supply:
Four isolated separate power supplies in a separate single power section chassis
# Large NX top grade Black Gate power supply capacitor sections in power supply
# 4 transformers for power supply sections
# Very tight regulation for each monoblock power supply section
# Audio Note shunt capacitors for regualtion circuit
# Eight regulated output sections for each circuit.
# V-Cap Teflon capacitors for final regulation stage shunt devices.
# High efficiency power supply heat transfer coupling material
# Custom milled heat sinks for output devices, these are part of the milled side panels of the chassis.
# Hard Gold power connector contacts.
# Shiltech wiring for all power supply paths
# High current, low resistance Shiltech umbilical cables.
Chassis:
# Center Deck 1/4" milled separator between reference circuit and output circuits.
# Isolation chambers for each power supply section internally
# Gun-Metal finish chassis, with brighter polished corner posts
# Milled shaped front panel
# Black Diamond racing carbon fiber feet for power supply and coupling spikes for audio section.
Total cost of unit with SDS style chassis in above configuration Gun-Metal finish, corner posts: $17,250
Total cost of unit with SDS style chassis in Black finish, accented polished corner posts as you current have: $16,500.
Total cost of unit with SDS style chassis in Polished Black finish: $15,700
Total cost of unit with SDS style chassis in Polished Chrome finish: $17,400
Total cost of unit with SDS style chassis in Polished Gun-Metal Blued finish: $16,900
Thanks Again,
Mikhail
And:
Richard Kim
to me
show details 6/24/07
Reply
the specs are based on my amp
You tell me how much of that stuff you see in the amp
So I mean "based on" doesn't equate to matches closely... I never got detailed emails from Richard or Mikhail regarding what exactly was in there and how the design gelled though I did ask and both did promise to send it to me:
Dan Chow
to Richard
show details 7/29/07
Reply
Can you forward me all the emails Mikhail sent regarding design/function? I'd like to look over them before the final, final decision though as of now I am 100 percent sold.
I tried playing a bit with the fun section with the hd650s but I was a bit scared to really turn the dials more than 1 or at most 2 clicks. Though I did turn capacitance all the way, as it was the only one that didn't produce a distortion sound while in the turning process, and turned all the way the sound just cuts out though it comes back after you turn it down a notch. I hope I was correct in assuming that facing the dials all the way left is 0 or off and all the way right is max. I didn't go full bore with them but the changes seemed a bit more subtle than what I was expecting so I was kind of curious if Mikhail relayed to you, or you just happen to know how messing with each dial affects the sound.
Thanks!
Daniel Chow
When he next talked on the phone he'd always agree.. shrug I understand there may have been quite a few emails and it would have been a pain to forward esp if they aren't bound to a nice gmail thread or something... but... aghglgh I wish I didn't give up after I got the amp in my possession. I know I asked Mikhail for it after the fact and I believe Richard too as well later on.. but eventually I gave up.
Either way.. either Mikhail ganked stuff out of the amp or most of it was never in there in the first place... I mean I did ask him repeatedly is Richard's SS-1 better or worse than that config he sent me and he would say that Richard's was the best ever made and would be 25-30k to replicate blah blah. Yes there were some circuit tweaks discovered after the fact blah blah, but mine is still best.
Edit: In fact further digging turned up this:
Singlepower Audio Sales
to me
show details 6/25/07
Reply
Dan, The design itself has been updated in the build, but otherwise it is similar to the unit we made for Richard. We can add more power to this unit as well with a larger output section.
Thanks,
Mikhail
----- Original Message -----
From: Dan Chow
To: Singlepower Audio Inc.
- Hide quoted text -
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 11:29 PM
Subject: Re: Greeting Mikhail re: Icarium from head-fi re. about interest in SS1
Also what are the differences between the design you listed vs Richard's? Is the one you listed as maxed as his? Or more so? And is it more up to date?