[eric343]

Kevin: dammit! Not another amp! I hope it's not too much better than the KGSS, otherwise I'm gonna be in debt for the rest of my life...

zzz: Did you self etch those PCBs? And where did you get the p/s layout?

(and it looks like those PCBs are crammed enough as it is... my attempt to do both channels on a Eurocard-size PCB may be futile...)

 

[kevin gilmore]

You really need to replace the input pot with a goldpt.com unit.


The new amp is definitely better. It is also about twice
the physical size of your current amp, and has a standby
of about 300 watts.

Two different front end sections. One is fully solid state
and is identical to the current unit's first two stages.
The second one is a cascoded tube front end.

Three different versions of the output section depending
on whether you can get some of the parts or not.
This output section is cascoded fet's and grounded
grid output tubes. Flat to about 250khz. Into a 2 headphone
load even.

I just can't quit.... But this will be it i think unless i can
find better parts.

 

[eric343]

So Goldpoints are better than DACTs, you say?

 

[kelly]

Quote:

Originally posted by eric343 So Goldpoints are better than DACTs, you say?

I think they cost a bit more.

Gilmore amps are by far the most interesting ones to look at on the inside. What this means for how they sound, I can't tell you but I'm not wholey convinced that the hobby is exclusively about that.

Thanks for posting the pics, zzz. Very cool.

 

[eric343]

Of course this hobby isn't just about sound! If it is then we'd all have Wilson Grand Slamms and Kevin would be peppered with requests for custom built watercooled monstrosites.

(hey, I can dream, can't I?)

However, this hobby is definitely partly about saving money, despite what the abovementioned person seems to think (no offense meant, Kevin

). It's also about owning lots of cool gadgets (just ask Joelongwood) or having bragging rights [or is that common to nearly every hobby?] on a particular piece of gear (just ask Markl). And for some it's all about building stuff (just ask JMT or Kevin, not to mention Apheared).

I'm sure you have your own additional reasons for being into headphones (and Head-Fi), as does probably everyone else...

 

[kevin gilmore]

I build this stuff because typically i can't buy it, regardless
of the price. Now i could certainly buy a balanced max
for about $4000, but would not be able to rig it to run
on batteries. At that price my balanced unit is a serious
bargain.

The stax manufactured amps are woefully overpriced
in the USA market. More than a factor of 2. While they
are certainly NOT bad amps, they just cannot compete
pricewise either.

Gonna pay $20k for a burmeister headphone amp.
Not gonna happen.

So I build absolutely the best thing i can. If the design
ends up inexpensive to build, that is just an extra bonus.
I will never ever design anything to meet a specific price.

I have over one year of design time in the new hybrid
tube amp. Try this tube, try that tube, try various different
lateral and vertical fets picking for best sound...

And grand slams are indeed wonderful. However even
with my knowledge of what is inside and how they are built
i do not own a machine shop capable of building these
things. Its all about the chassis...

 

[eric343]

The Burmester is $20k?! Damn!

Your amps are downright cheap in comparison...