Bada PH-1 Exposed - Pix, caution 56k users

[NiceCans]

I recently purchased a used Bada PH-1 from a fellow Head-Fi member as an alternative to my META42 for driving my HD600. Upon initial listen I found only little improvement over the META. However, with a little time to become better aquainted, and after listening to a variety of material, I have come to see a rather significant improvement.
-(I apologize for being unable to provide an accurate audio description with proper audiophile terminology and such. My intent here was to post pics of the Bada's internals rather than an audio review.)-
The Bada definately brings out a great deal more texture and character, particularly regarding strings.
For instance acoustic guitars display more of the tonal characteristics I am used to hearing when I play my guitar. I cannot describe it, but there is a certain quality about the sound of wood & bronze vibrating in harmony that was just not quite there before. Cymbals sound more real and have that chrystaline splash I am used to hearing with live performances. There is an overall improvement in presence and everything sounds just so much more real. Soundstage was also improved in both size and definition/placement.
While this amp is only a Hybrid and not a pure-bred valve design, perhaps this is what tubes are all about? Perhaps what I am hearing is more the difference between silicone & glass? If so, I may become a 'glass-head'

Anyway, to the pics:

And YES, as previously stated in other threads the tubes ARE soldered in!

 

[EdipisReks]

there might be room to put some sockets in there, which would make the amp much better, in my opinion. i like the sound of the Bada, but the limited life of the soldered tubes limits the utility of the amp, to me.

 

[NiceCans]

yes, I agree . . . the tube life is a concern to me (but fortunately this was a relatively inexpensive purchase).
I was thinking that there may even be a way to 'remote' the sockets so the tubes become external, thus also reduce temps. Oh, well . . .leave that for when it becomes necessary.

Anyway, I knew there had been some discussion regarding this and thought someone may find the pix helpful. My curiousity got the best of me

I am enjoying the sound alot! So fluid and rich

It does my Senn's good!

the downside: now I am really curious as to what a real tube amp can sound like

 

[drminky]

Tube life is probably not too much of an issue here (you'll probably upgrade long before the tubes die!

), the tubes probably have very long life on them if they are anything vaguely like most minature/sub-minature small signal tubes.

Heat, on the other hand looks like being a real issue. Some of those caps are MIGHTY close to the tubes! I'd be looking into machining slots or drilling holes into the case above and below the tubes to allow some airflow in there. It'd also give you the advantage of peering in and seeing them tubes glow

 

[NiceCans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drminky Heat, on the other hand looks like being a real issue. Some of those caps are MIGHTY close to the tubes! I'd be looking into machining slots or drilling holes into the case above and below the tubes to allow some airflow in there. It'd also give you the advantage of peering in and seeing them tubes glow

I agree, which was my excuse to open the case

It has slots underneath the tubes, and some at the very rear of the case (way way far away from the tubes), but none on top.

Since it will require a machine shop to make some nice neat slots, I temporarily placed some spacers between the front panel and the case, thus leaving a gap for ventilation.

Unfortunately I think that there is nothing that I can do about the proximity of the caps. Or am I mistaken?

 

[drminky]

No, not really much you can do. Its that big black electrolytic (the one that's a few mm away - best seen in 2nd last pic) that's the main worry - the others are probably fine. You're not really going to be able sub it for one much smaller or move it to the back of the board (due to the size). I suppose you could try and slide in some reflective foil (like aluminium foil) between the cap and the tube to reflect some of the heat away from it, but i don't know how much difference it would honestly make (might be better than nothing). Its more the sort of thing to keep an eye on - if you plan to keep the amp for a long time, you might want to replace it after a couple of years.

 

[king896]

OMG my poor Bada (I am the previous owner

). I am happy you like it nicecans, it was a great stepping stone for me and got me through my first couple of major purchases before I sold it. I found that it had a nice balanced tubish sound (compared to my later PPA that I owned) that was softer on the ears then the PPA, and was great for the price (it also has a preamp out that I found extremely useful when I had speakers set up also). I was actually interested in opening the amp up but I was afraid to damage anything so I shied away from it. Also for ventilation I threw a fan behind it on a low setting and it kept it cool to the touch.
Btw those pictures are great!

 

[erix]

I don't think you'll ever kill those tubes. Are they 6021's?

Most of those tiny tubes were designed for military aircraft - seems they're not affected by nuclear blasts...

You'll be replacing caps long before you need to replace tubes.

ok,
erix

 

[acs236]

If memory serves, they're 6N16 Russian military grade tubes, but I've also heard that they have a short life.

 

[number1sixerfan]

It's a really great amp, but it gets too hot and the life on the tubes IS an issue. Once they die, there isn't much you can do if you don't know how to solder.

 

[NiceCans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by king896 OMG my poor Bada (I am the previous owner ). I was actually interested in opening the amp up but I was afraid to damage anything so I shied away from it.

I just took a butter-knife to it, no biggie!

Quote:

Originally Posted by king896 I found that it had a nice balanced tubish sound

If this is what tubes are all about then I am sold!
How's this for a new signiture: "Tubes - because life is not bit-perfect"

Quote:

Originally Posted by acs236 If memory serves, they're 6N16 Russian military grade tubes, but I've also heard that they have a short life.

The tubes are "6N 16B" if it makes any difference. I will keep my fingers crossed that you have heard wrong.