[UntilThen]

Which amp configuration do you think I should ask Eric to put together for the most impact and microdetail? I want an amp that improves bass slam on my LCD 4s. He does ship to the US, right? Also, since I'm not planning on running speakers (my speakers are 84db, way too inefficient for this amp) do you know if he can just build the amp as just a headphone amp? Thanks for your plethora of pictures and impressions especially with the LCD-4 which is my end game headphone.

This Super 6as7 might interest you because I'm impressed from the first song. Drives my He1000se and LCD4 so well. This amp uses:-

6BW4 - rectifier
6SL7, 12AT7, 12AV7 - driver
6as7, 5998, 6080, 6BX7, 6BL7 - power

I'm now using 12AV7 and RCA 6AS7. Tube tone is just beautiful. Sparkling clear, airy and hits hard. It's love at first listen. It's making the He1000se sound like a top notch headphone. LCD4 is great too. Sounds powerful, detailed and very engaging. I want one. This isn't mine but Eric's prototype.

 

[UntilThen]

Ok this unpretentious amp isn't supposed to sound so good but it does. With Sylvania 6SL7gt and Tung Sol 5998, it's an incredible tone. There's more bite and dynamics now with 5998. Needless to say it does sound more powerful. Bass is deep, low and tight. I'm really curious to know how 6BX7 sound on this amp. 6BX7 of course reminds me of my previous Glenn OTL amp. GOTL uses 6 of them in OTL mode but this is transformer coupled and is about 3w into 4ohms. That's what Eric told me. Will even drive my Axis Voicebox S at moderate levels in nearfield with the headphone to speaker connection cable.

 

[UntilThen]

There you go, driving my 83dB and 5ohms Axis Voicebox S speakers at 2pm. With 6SL7 and 5998. Listening level is moderate given it's night time here. The speakers are notoriously inefficient and I would be using my 150w amp to drive it but it's ok for lower volume nearfield listening.

That's how it's connected to the speaker cables.

 

[UntilThen]

5998 driving LCD4 now. Volume is only at 12 noon. Tonally I'm impressed. To think that just 6 hours ago I was using Sparkos Aries and thought that sounded great but this is even better for a lot less. Tubes amps are not bloaty and bloomy as the general impressions might be. This is articulate, great stereo imaging and instruments separation.

 

[UntilThen]

The surprises keep coming as it handle He6se V2 with power and control. Volume is at 2pm with 5998 tube. Soundstage has height and depth. Width is not as wide as some of my other tube amps but this presents a nice 3D soundstage with midrange right and centre. I'm starting to really like this little amp that can roll so many tubes. There's a switch to select 6as7 or 5998 / 6BX7.

 

[xtiva]

Yeah, this amp is sounded so good even with 6AS7 with 12AV7 ... and now with your nice 5889 and 6SL7, this would have made amp to sound so much nicer...

Also amazed at how quiet the amp was.. no noise whatsoever!!!

ps. That 1/4 inch adapter looks so good too Matt

 

[xtiva]

The surprises keep coming as it handle He6se V2 with power and control. Volume is at 2pm with 5998 tube. Soundstage has height and depth. Width is not as wide as some of my other tube amps but this presents a nice 3D soundstage with midrange right and centre. I'm starting to really like this little amp that can roll so many tubes. There's a switch to select 6as7 or 5998 / 6BX7.

yeah that little narrower but that depth and height has made this amp to be a perfect amp for female vocal...

 

[UntilThen]

@xtiva had a go with this amp first, so he knows how this amp sound. To be honest when Eric ask me to try this amp, I'm a bit amp weary but I gave it a go. I'm glad I did because it's a dynamite. Now to switch over to 6BX7.

 

[UntilThen]

Well I have to wrap it up for tonight but not before I try the RCA 6BX7 as power tube.

These are the amplification factor.

6as7 = 2 mu
5998 = 5 mu
6bx7 = 10 mu
6BL7 = 15 mu

6BX7 always sound like a matte tone to me whereas the 5998 is glossy finish. I don't have my 6BL7 here with me but the 6BX7 sounded powerful and punchy. All in all, this amp may not be a looker but boy oh boy, it sounded glorious. It's not a soothing laid back sounding amp. It's a rocket, ready to blast.

 

[hikaru12]

Ok this unpretentious amp isn't supposed to sound so good but it does. With Sylvania 6SL7gt and Tung Sol 5998, it's an incredible tone. There's more bite and dynamics now with 5998. Needless to say it does sound more powerful. Bass is deep, low and tight. I'm really curious to know how 6BX7 sound on this amp. 6BX7 of course reminds me of my previous Glenn OTL amp. GOTL uses 6 of them in OTL mode but this is transformer coupled and is about 3w into 4ohms. That's what Eric told me. Will even drive my Axis Voicebox S at moderate levels in nearfield with the headphone to speaker connection cable.

You should look into the Bendix Solid Plate 6080. Great tube when I used it in my Bottlehead. Very dynamic. I’m looking at his Super Mini right now myself. GE makes the best BX7s imo. RCA and earlier ones were just rebrands.

 

[UntilThen]

You should look into the Bendix Solid Plate 6080. Great tube when I used it in my Bottlehead. Very dynamic. I’m looking at his Super Mini right now myself. GE makes the best BX7s imo. RCA and earlier ones were just rebrands.

I have a pair of Bendix and GEC 6080 here. Just haven't got to it yet. Also have 2 pairs of Svetlana 6h13c (6as7). I have 6 x GE 6BX7 in brand new condition except to try in GOTL. I also have some very good 6BL7, which because of it's higher amplification factor, is louder than the 6BX7.

Got up this morning and I'm back to the Tung Sol 5998 with GE 5691 (special type of 6SL7). I have a matched pair of the 5998 bought brand new several years ago. Long story, came in a tupeware from Vietnam. This is splendid sounding tube.

I did have a matched pair of GEC 6as7 which I sold to Paramesh, which is a pity. That is the holy gill. Had Chatham 6as7 and 6520. Still have Mullard 6080. All these tubes I kept for my Wa22. So I still have a reasonable collection now to use with this Super Mini - what a name. It's not mini sound though. The amp is driving my He6se V2 so well now.

 

[UntilThen]

For your information, I have experience with the Bottlehead Crack amp. It can't compete with this Super Mini. It's just a different basket of fish. If this prototype is made in USA or Europe, this Super Mini will be a best seller now.

 

[UntilThen]

Absolutely brilliant this Bendix 6080wb in the Super Mini. I also have the GE 5691 in it. The bass weight is impressive with great authority. I haven't done an A/B yet with my WA22 amp but I reckon this Super Mini sound much better for a whole lot less.... Just think you only need one driver and one power tube. You don't need pairs.

Btw the only thing hot in this amp are the tubes and the main transformer. Looks like Eric is using interstage transformers instead of capacitors here. See the 2 iron block flanking the GE 5691? Behind would the mains transformer on the left and the choke on the right.

 

[bcowen]

I have a pair of Bendix and GEC 6080 here. Just haven't got to it yet. Also have 2 pairs of Svetlana 6h13c (6as7). I have 6 x GE 6BX7 in brand new condition except to try in GOTL. I also have some very good 6BL7, which because of it's higher amplification factor, is louder than the 6BX7.

Are they the graphite plates or steel plates?

Edit: nevermind. just saw your photo.

 

[UntilThen]

Are they the graphite plates or steel plates?

Edit: nevermind. just saw your photo.

Mine are titanium plates.