[jERiCOh]

Same for me. I was working at fisrt on the Mauro Penasa's My Ref Rev C (speaker chipamp) and I got more involved on the Bijou than my current project. The tubes are soooo appealing. Getting my Chipamp done today then I'll be able to get back to that beauty.

 

[zkool448]

Quote:

Originally Posted by breizheau /img/forum/go_quote.gif .. and will work again on the balanced Bijou. I received wires from Navship and have almost finished to populate the PCB.... The 2 customized irons are at home, i just have to find time ! But after reading all the post, i can't wait to listen to it....

git r done guys

 

[breizheau]

I just have to find time......

 

[balderon]

My Bijou has been disassembled for a couple weeks to add my latest (and hopefully) final round of upgrades. I didn't realize the physical size of the Mundorf MKP caps when I originally developed the case. Unfortunately I'll have to redo most of the case to gain the 1/2 inch needed to fit these monsters under the covers. I am pondering what can I build next and reuse my old case!

I am looking forward to the day I can once again listen to this great amp.

 

[fishski13]

balderon,
the Mundorfs are worth every penny. i'm only using 150uF/channel, but w/HD650 i find the bass to be perfect.

 

[balderon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishski13 /img/forum/go_quote.gif balderon, the Mundorfs are worth every penny. i'm only using 150uF/channel, but w/HD650 i find the bass to be perfect.

fishski13, I am anxious to get humpty dumpty back together again! Did you experience any changes or improvements in SQ after initial powerup/burnin?

 

[fishski13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by balderon /img/forum/go_quote.gif fishski13, I am anxious to get humpty dumpty back together again! Did you experience any changes or improvements in SQ after initial powerup/burnin?

i maybe have 50 hrs or so on the caps - i haven't detected any burn-in.

with the Mundorfs, music sounds "tighter" and more focused. dynamics are a little more obvious, with a cleaner, leaner, punchier bass (note: i'm only using 150uF). trebles and transients are a little sharper as well.

i love the pairing with the HD650. with the K701, if i had to choose between the 150uF film and the 470uF 'lytics, i'd go back to the 'lytics. the mids and trebles are wonderful, but zero bass. i need to decide if i want to lay out cash for more Mundorfs. right now, i have an M3 that suits the K701 nicely. i'm also antsy to build a preamp/B22 and a bridged Nelson Pass F5 i've been slowly accumulating parts for over the last 3 months.

i'm also playing around with wire with the Bijou. i just recently added a PEC pot to my M3 and hardwired in some old Chord Co. wire, with no input RCA jacks and plugs at the amp - pot or hardwiring, i don't know - but it was nice improvement. i much prefer my Jupiter solid silver/cotton wire and Furutech rhodium plugs with the Bijou over the decent copper i have lying around. i'm going to hardwire some 1m silver wire to the SA in the Bijou as well. but first...

i'm soldering Regal's Mod this weekend. i'll have a whole week off of work to get some relaxing HP time in, and check out a couple of new albums.

 

[rolotube]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishski13 /img/forum/go_quote.gif i maybe have 50 hrs or so on the caps - i haven't detected any burn-in. with the Mundorfs, music sounds "tighter" and more focused. dynamics are a little more obvious, with a cleaner, leaner, punchier bass (note: i'm only using 150uF). trebles and transients are a little sharper as well. i love the pairing with the HD650. with the K701, if i had to choose between the 150uF film and the 470uF 'lytics, i'd go back to the 'lytics. the mids and trebles are wonderful, but zero bass. i need to decide if i want to lay out cash for more Mundorfs. right now, i have an M3 that suits the K701 nicely. i'm also antsy to build a preamp/B22 and a bridged Nelson Pass F5 i've been slowly accumulating parts for over the last 3 months. i'm also playing around with wire with the Bijou. i just recently added a PEC pot to my M3 and hardwired in some old Chord Co. wire, with no input RCA jacks and plugs at the amp - pot or hardwiring, i don't know - but it was nice improvement. i much prefer my Jupiter solid silver/cotton wire and Furutech rhodium plugs with the Bijou over the decent copper i have lying around. i'm going to hardwire some 1m silver wire to the SA in the Bijou as well. but first... i'm soldering Regal's Mod this weekend. i'll have a whole week off of work to get some relaxing HP time in, and check out a couple of new albums.

I've had a similar experience with Tubecaps. 200's on the output firmed up the sound significantly with HD650's, without sacrificing bass extension. I wouldn't go back to electros now except perhaps for low impedance phones. The 701's just don't work with my Bijou the way it is now (no NFB probably doesn't help), but I reckon its close to ideal for the Senn's.

There were no obvious burn in effects with any of the new caps (Tubecaps throughout PS & at the output, Supreme Silver/Oil for coupling), just a slight mellowing of the sound; or perhaps it was me getting used to it? But any effects may also have been masked by constant tweaking. Shinkoh resistors have certainly helped & it is still improving with these - increased spaciousness, depth & overall clarity. All signal wiring is Jupiter or Audio Consulting solid AG, input jacks are ETI Phonopods.

Biggest change has come however from a pair of Bugle Boy 6DJ8's (1962) - a staggering improvement. I now understand why such a fuss is made about these tubes. The last tweak has been a HiFi Tuning fuse & I kid you not, it HAS made a difference! Improved focus & clarity of the soundstage as well as a slight tightening of the bass were the obvious changes.

This is now undoubtedly the best amp I've ever heard. I find it hard to get enough of its liquid, mellifluous, MUSICAL sound. Once again, I'm rediscovering my music collection & marvelling at the detail & musicality that many CD's can offer.

I'm waiting on some parts from Jeff Rossell to finish the SOHA II I've started, but I suspect it won't be in the same class as the Bijou.

 

[holland]

Try a bypass of the Mundorf with the MKP1839. It's cheap @ Mouser. That has really woken it up for me and has made me not notice the veil on my HD650 (I'm one of those that find it a bit stifled), but YMMV. My tastes are clearly different. I prefer the 6N1P, I don't much care for the Bugle Boy 6DJ8 or the A-frame 6DJ8. It's too thick. I found the Mundorfs a bit soft up top, but the MKP1839 seems to have cured that for me. I haven't tried the Obbligato coppers or golds yet.

SOHA II vs Bijou. Class, hmm, not sure. I find it hard to classify amps in categories like that. It's different for sure. Mine is no longer stock and running at Bijou type voltages (ha! to the stacker guys ) and using some tubes, I forget which exactly but it's an ECC82 that was recommended sometime back. Bijou is what I would say is more "liquid". The SOHA II is edgier and more raw. As with tubes, much of the sound varies with it. If using low-Z, I would lean more towards the SOHA II.

I haven't built my EHHA yet (taking a break and just enjoying music), but from the raves, it sounds like that is one to keep an eye out for.

 

[zkool448]

Hi guys, yes! it's finally done!

Thanks for all your help everyone and especially to Alex

More pics of my build at the build gallery. Cheers!

 

[chobint]

Wow, well let me be the first to say... that looks fantastic. That is probably one of the most beautiful bijous I've seen built on head-fi. I dare say that its one of the few that gives Ferrari a run for his money : D

 

[fishski13]

zkool,
absolutely stunning. i have a huge appreciation/respect for your chassis DIY/woodworking abilities. if my B22 looks half as good as your Bijou, i'll be pleased.

like you need to worry about what style of VU meter you should go with

. no matter what, it will be a work of art.

kudos!!!

 

[Dantes]

Wow ! Beautifull casing !
Very impressive !

 

[runeight]

Agreed on that case zkool. You have a very unusual viewpoint on amp design.

Is the amp working ok?

 

[zkool448]

Many many thanks guys

Quote:

Originally Posted by runeight /img/forum/go_quote.gif You have a very unusual viewpoint on amp design. Is the amp working ok?

lol It works flawless Alex, you're the man

It sounds exactly as it did, perhaps even better than first time I gave it a good listen. cheers!