[Zachik]

Very nice Jonathan. That Icon does look attractive. My lost that I have not heard it yet. I suggested to Zachik to get the copper top with the wooden chassis. Maybe no contrast? @Zachik I'm waiting for you to pull the trigger because you won't be disappointed with how Ultimate sound.

After more than a month, not only am I glued to Ultimate but it gets better and better. I'm pretty much sold on the sound. That's what is most important to me.

Oh, I am definitely ordering an UltimatE. But as I said before, metal chassis in either black or Ferrari red. No copper or wood for my ultimate.

 

[Zachik]

To add: I am currently on vacation, far away, so hard to keep up and besides, I don't have it in my heart to start the discussion with Eric before my WhispEr is in my hands

 

[UntilThen]

metal chassis in either black or Ferrari red

That I have to see. Can be a show piece.

 

[UntilThen]

To add: I am currently on vacation, far away, so hard to keep up and besides, I don't have it in my heart to start the discussion with Eric before my WhispEr is in my hands

Ah ha... that WhispEr is one special sounding amp. I'm missing the 6P15P and 6P14P sound.

 

[jonathan c]

Oh, I am definitely ordering an UltimatE. But as I said before, metal chassis in either black or Ferrari red**. No copper or wood for my ultimate.

** a V-12 with six ‘angled’ Tung Sol 6Y6GA a side … .

 

[UntilThen]

** a V-12 with six ‘angled’ Tung Sol 6Y6GA a side … .

Maybe something like this?

 

[Zachik]

Maybe something like this?

I'm not sure if I am Manley enough for that amp...

 

[UntilThen]

I'm not sure if I am Manley enough for that amp...

They have a womanly version.

 

[Leicachamp]

Good idea not having speaker outs!
Can’t see myself using the speaker outs.

Unless it sounds great using speaker outs to power headphones.

In theory if both headphone Jack and speaker out is 3w then the speaker out would be underpowered when they see 32ohms, 600 ohms etc…

Any tried speaker outs for headphones?

 

[UntilThen]

Ultimate owners are in for a treat. Remember this name.

Fonon 6F6M1 metal base 1951-1952. Country of manufacture - Russian Federation.

This is the equivalent of 6F6gt. I've been transfixed by the sound of this power tube for the last 6 hours, thanks to Eric.

In time to come, this will be as famous as the Melz 1578 although that is the 6sn7 equivalent so it's a different tube.

 

[UntilThen]

Any tried speaker outs for headphones?

I can't see the need to try speaker outs for headphone because the amp is so powerful through the headphone out.

I've driven my bookshelf speakers through the speaker outs. They sound very good in nearfield, so why would you not have it, seeing it's included in the price?

 

[Nick Ryan]

Good idea not having speaker outs!
Can’t see myself using the speaker outs.

Unless it sounds great using speaker outs to power headphones.

In theory if both headphone Jack and speaker out is 3w then the speaker out would be underpowered when they see 32ohms, 600 ohms etc…

Any tried speaker outs for headphones?

I’m going to try a pair of Coral BX2000 very sensitive at 103db at 8 ohms

 

[UntilThen]

It's driving these speakers. Axis Voicebox S.

 

[UntilThen]

Eric suggest I call my amp UltiMatt.

 

[Deleeh]

Have fun with your new UltimatE toy.
Eric will build mine at his leisure and start soon.
We also agree on the final configuration.

I brought this up with my Elac El50 Mk2 speakers but it went uncommented, probably he forgot.
I will see if he will have speaker connections or not.
If necessary, my Akai AA 1150 will drive them.

My configuration now looks like this for the UltimatE:

Wood drivers
Mundorf Silver/Oil caps
Mundorf solder
XLR in and out (out via headphones)
Rca in and out (out 6.3 jack)
Upgrade socket, Alps and Rca plug
I also agreed to the 6SN7 socket instead of the 9 pin socket for the driver tube.
Since the 6SN7 is more stable and less susceptible to damage, it is also cheaper to replace the adapter if something should happen. (Purely for information)

@UntilThen
Eric sent me a photo of yours.
I took a closer look at it now that I've cleared my head a bit from this strange week.
It's complaining on a high level on my part and maybe a tad too German,() but I think purely for comfort purposes your XLR connectors on the top right would be better if they were turned 90 degrees to the right.
The headphone jacks would probably be rotated 180 degrees as well.
Or is the operation as it is now good for you?
For left-handers it is probably good, for right-handers a little suboptimal but not necessarily bad.
Please take with a grain of salt.
I'm a metalworker by trade and that kind of thing sticks out in my mind sometimes.
Sometimes I'm a bit too fond of detail myself, especially when I do things myself.
So no criticism or anything, it's more a question to you and how you think about it frankly.

Should I wait to buy the Russian tube you mentioned?

UltimaTT wirh double T sounds good,is freaky.Nice idea from Eric,