[OJNeg]

I was able to get a 57mm cap in there but had to bend the leads under.

 

[JamieMcC]

  I was able to get a 57mm cap in there but had to bend the leads under.

 
That is super info thank you.

 

[OJNeg]

Just an update for those interested: Out of all the tubes I've tried so far (8 pairs) the E90CC and E92CC are without a doubt the most proficient. The best I've heard for my preferences (neutral) and headphones (HD800/HD600) is the E92CC. The E90CC is good but seems to have a more rounded character. I'm going to try to grab a few more E92CC's (perhaps of the Telefunken variety) to see how the different brands will compare. Other than that, I'm going to try hacking in some high-mu, high-g there soon.

 

[FishHead]

I am currently establishing a baseline with the 6j6 with the mundorf Mcap EVO. Using my AKG 701's I find I am very happy Simple pleasures for simpe minds.

 

[Daveze]

Which Mcap EVO are you using? I have been considering the Al+Oil as a decent cap that I can get for a decent price (ClarityCaps are tougher to get at a decent price in Oz) and avoid shoehorning a slightly oversized cap in place.

 

[FishHead]

Aluminum / Oil. No bad things to say. The next tube to roll in will be the E90cc but the 6J6 is doing such a nice job that I just have not wanted to change it. I have the clarity caps esa up for audition at some point currently sitting in a box and finally I have the auricap ega to try to get in there. If you find 600v auricaps don't get them as they are too big.

 

[Daveze]

Any feedback on the comparisons? 

 

[FishHead]

I am finding the e90cc are more tword the transistor side of the house. They are very detailed yet a little less musical than the 6J6. It is a little early to make any conclusions as I have only 30 or so hrs on the e90cc. I am moving so it will be a bit before I am able to come back to the comparison.

 

[OJNeg]

I am finding the e90cc are more tword the transistor side of the house. They are very detailed yet a little less musical than the 6J6. It is a little early to make any conclusions as I have only 30 or so hrs on the e90cc. I am moving so it will be a bit before I am able to come back to the comparison.

Yep, that's more or less in line with my thoughts. At this point, I've heard a few folks also say they like the 6J6 more than the E90CC. I can definitely see why. The 6J6 tends to be more macro-dynamic and have more bass slam. At the same time they also have a more organic texture than the E90CC which is slightly dry in nature. It's going to come down the the headphone in question.

 

[UKToecutter]

The problem is that all listening is subjective.
Personally, I find the 6J6 type tubes a little 'harsh'.
The one exception I've found is the Mullard M8081 / CV4031 which I feel is the best of the 6J6 types.
I've been swapping round between a pair of Valvo E90CC's, SQ (special Quality) Miniwatt E90CC's and a pair of RFT ECC960's.
For my setup and my ears the Miniwatt and the RFT's are the best.  I can't tell them apart.
 
The Torpedo is a fantastic amp.  I love it!!!
 
Many thanks to dsavitsk and tomb for providing us all with hours of entertainment.

 

[tomb]

  The problem is that all listening is subjective.
Personally, I find the 6J6 type tubes a little 'harsh'.
The one exception I've found is the Mullard M8081 / CV4031 which I feel is the best of the 6J6 types.
I've been swapping round between a pair of Valvo E90CC's, SQ (special Quality) Miniwatt E90CC's and a pair of RFT ECC960's.
For my setup and my ears the Miniwatt and the RFT's are the best.  I can't tell them apart.
 
The Torpedo is a fantastic amp.  I love it!!!
 
Many thanks to dsavitsk and tomb for providing us all with hours of entertainment.

Thanks for the kind comments - you've given us a lot!!
 
I mostly agree with you and understand the impression that the 6J6 gives a better bass slam, but you are correct that they are a little "harsh."  That's because the distortion is a bit higher and you'll hear it on loud and elevated multi-voice passages.  I've also purchased the Mullard CV4031's that you've recommended, but I'm not certain that they're that much better than a good Sonotone 6J6W or similar.  That's only my opinion, though.  I have some ECC960's but have not got around to trying them, yet.  One other tube that people might try as a somewhat cheaper alternative to the E90CC is the E92CC.  It's almost an identical tube with slightly different ratings.  It has a tad bit more distortion than the E90CC, but is still in a much better class than the 6J6.
 
That said, a little perspective is perhaps in order: even with the 6J6, the sound quality far surpasses other tube amps in its price range.  Realize that the 6J6 is still available for $1 (ESRC Tubes until tomorrow!) or a bit more at most places.  This final rendition of the Torpedo has taken some time and a lot of work from Dsavitsk - even Morgan Jones and Kevin Gilmore helped along the way to pinpoint/solve the noise issue.  As a result, I can finally brag: the Torpedo is truly one of the finest tube amplifiers available.  The fact that it's available in PCB form as a DIY kit makes it even more valuable and unique, IMHO.
 
Anyway, I know I'm a MOT, so my motives and opinions are supposedly questionable and biased, but still ... it's wonderfully exciting to be able to supply something from Beezar that performs at this level of quality.

 

[Punnisher]

MOT or not, I totally agree with your last statement. I've listened to a lot of amps that fall on either side of the Torpedo's pricetag and I always favor the Torpedo. It's the best amp for dynamic headphones I've ever used.
 
I'm so glad the E90CC was discovered because I wouldn't be making that claim otherwise. It brings a whole new level of awesome to the amp.

 

[dsavitsk]

Is now a good time to say that we've been talking about a Torpedo 2 for a while? We've prototyped a few designs. The idea is not to make an incremental improvement, but to make a totally different amp with a different topology and different tube type in a similar form factor while reusing some of the major parts. So it won't render the T1 obsolete which is not going anywhere, and it will likely cost a bit more. Hopefully we'll have something concrete this winter/spring?

:veryevil:

 

[UKToecutter]

It is a good time to say
I await the official and detailed announcement with baited breath.

 

[JamieMcC]

Is now a good time to say that we've been talking about a Torpedo 2 for a while? We've prototyped a few designs. The idea is not to make an incremental improvement, but to make a totally different amp with a different topology and different tube type in a similar form factor while reusing some of the major parts. So it won't render the T1 obsolete which is not going anywhere, and it will likely cost a bit more. Hopefully we'll have something concrete this winter/spring?

 
Sounds very interesting