I sold mine a couple years ago, but I've got some 45 tube somewhere. Let me know if/when you get your 445. someday I'll dig out those tubes . . .

very nice indeed !

Here is mine with bottle type Cunningham and EML Mesh Plate 45's

We both have the EML mesh plate 45's. When paired with the vintage tubes they have a fabulous sound. I'm guessing the EML solid plate in the same setup would have a more precise sound but still have the warmth from the vintage 45 tubes. One of the nice things about 45 tubes is that older...

Congrats ! The 445 is a fabulous amp when it is configured correctly. Western Electric WE 417A tubes with adapter are a must. These sell on eBay for $45-$90 each. 45 tubes are available on eBay. I've been buying Cunningham 45's for $80 - $150 / pair. These are fabulous tubes if they are...

FYI Anyone looking for a great amp for LCD-3 or 4 -- there is an Eddie Current 4 45 amp For Sale Trade.

Hi All ~   Does anyone know of a 2.5 mm balanced right angle plug ?    Thanks . . .

same here.  1.35 was a big improvement in SQ imho

  From what I remember reading, DAC Balanced -->  SE is dangerous.  DAC SE --> 445 would be the easiest, but DAC Bal --->  IsoMax PC-2XR ---> 445 would probably sound better.   Craig at Eddie Current suggested the Jensen Iso-Max PC-2XR and I found no decrease in sound quality using this.  It...

I went crazy trying to figure out how to run a balanced signal into the 445.  What I found after researching the internet is that going from SE --> balanced can work, but balanced ---> SE is not recommended and is potentially dangerous to the amp and/or DAC.  I settled on the IsoMax transformer...

I'm using LCD 4's with my 445.  I think this is an excellent combination and there is plenty of power for the LCD4's.   Can you control the output volume on your DAC ?  Maybe the tubes are weak ?   I am using balanced XLR outupts from my DAC into a Jenson IsoMax transformer, (to convert signal...

  my AK 240 sounded very slightly better than the AK 380.  Since I wanted a smaller player to carry to the gym, I sold the AK 380 and kept the AK 240. 

  I agree, 1.35 sounds cleaner & more precise.

  I've checked on new Balancing Act amps in the past and sometimes he has one in stock and ready to ship.  If not I think 6 weeks is typical to build one, but it varies.

I had both the 240 and 380.  The 240 sounded a little better than the 380.   The 380 has the ability to get Pandora and other streaming music.  Unless you want to stream music I would get the AK 240.

^ that makes sense because I can get a contact if I wedge the plug to one side in the jack so the tip of the plug makes contact.  Now I'm just wondering if the plug is too small at the tip (2.25 mm) or if the jack is the problem.  Thanks Toolman !

  So maybe the problem is not the socket in the AK 240 but rather the 2.5 mm plug?  I'm curious if other people have 2.5 mm plugs that have these dimensions.    I get 2.25 mm, 2.44 mm, and 2.5 mm as I measure each contact from the tip of the plug toward the base.  Does anyone know which is...

I just got my 240 back from iRiver.  They were going to replace the 2.5 mm socket that was making a poor connection.  I thought the service and $45 price was reasonable.  Unfortunately they didn't fix the problem.  The right channel still cuts out all the time.   

FWIW:   I greatly prefer my AK 240 over the AK 380 I owned.  Smaller size, better sound, significantly less money. 

Congrats !!   Beats the 12 year old cell phone, eh  . . .

My cables are Plus Sound Audio.  I don't think they were shorting out but I'll pay close attention when I get my 240 back from iriver.  They are only charging $40 to replace the 2.5 mm jack, so that is a bit of a relief.  Now I have to wait 7-10 days without decent sounding tunes when I go to...

I checked the contact at the surface of the socket and that does not seem to be an issue.  The problem is that the  contacts inside the unit are sprung out of shape cause some dumb-ass tried cleaning them with a small cotton swab and Deoxit.   I think I'm screwed . . .         EDIT:  There...

HELP !   My 2.5 mm jack is not making a good connection with the plug from balanced cable.  Right channel cuts out, then left channel, then both. . .  arg!!!   Any suggestions short of sending in for reapir ?

EML 300BXLS work in BA.    Today I had a little trouble setting up my EC 445.  The umbilical cable didn't connect completely.  The light and driver tubes were illuminated but output tubes were cold, and no sound.  I carefully reset the umbilical connectors and it worked  . . . . whew . . ...

I agree in theory.  My thinking is that if the sound quality isn't carried through each stage in the sound system, how do you get it out at the end ?