[Monsterzero]

Some live music for a change. Kingfish, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Buddy Guy.

damn, what a lineup!

 

[L0rdGwyn]

Lovely characteristics that I can identify with. When you say pentode amp, you're actually running it as strapped triodes right? As in single ended triodes amp.

That's right, as triodes. But different from your typical trioded pentode SET amplifier. I haven't divulged exactly what's going on only because I don't know if this going to become a commercial design or I will sell it or DIY it. There isn't a headphone amplifier out there doing what this one does and frankly I'm concerned someone might copy the idea. Eventually I'll talk about the circuit though, I'd really like to. It is 100% old school design, just tubes / resistors / capacitors/ inductors, but achieves a degree of sound that would make you think there is silicon inside. I'm very happy with it!

 

[whirlwind]

Okay, pentode headamp is done. I am still waiting for my impedance switch, so I wired internally for high impedance for the time being.

Without tubes. Everything fits like a glove, first time building a tube circuit on a PCB, worked like a charm and cut build time down tremendously.



With tubes - RCA 5R4GY, Tung-Sol 6SU7GTY, Tung-Sol 5881





And in the dark.



Time to tube roll the night away with the Atrium

Beautiful Keenan and without a bunch of glitz! I love the chassis layout .

This amp should be great for planars , should be great for most cans!

Not sure how you did it with all pcb, but I am sure it sounds great!

 

[whirlwind]

Some live music for a change. Kingfish, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Buddy Guy.

Oh wow....I am officially jealous...looks like a killer time!!!

 

[L0rdGwyn]

Beautiful Keenan and without a bunch of glitz! I love the chassis layout .

This amp should be great for planars , should be great for most cans!

Not sure how you did it with all pcb, but I am sure it sounds great!

Thanks Joe, yeah I'm not big on the glitz! Tubes are the glitz will be fun to try some planars, I'd love to show the PCB as I am proud of the work but again I feel I should be a little secretive of the details for now...but it sure makes for a very clean build inside.

 

[whirlwind]

If you want a planar to try, just say the word.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

If you want a planar to try, just say the word.

Ooooh I'll give that some though Joe, although shipping expensive things makes me nervous!

Atrium shot. I apologize in advance if you see this pic elsewhere lol.

 

[UntilThen]

I apologize in advance if you see this pic elsewhere lol.

That's alright. Sometimes I forget where I post a particular pic. Must have post it to Bcowen mailbox.

 

[CJG888]

As promised: behold ye the beast with two arms!

 

[CJG888]

The Ortofon arm provides the DL103 with ideal operating conditions: the extra mass ring, together with the added mass of the cocobolo body (Stanley Engineering), makes this a highish-mass arm. Tracking at 2.8g, it clears all but the 90 microns test tracks. Arm / cartridge resonance is at 8 Hz.

The signal goes to my Pro-Ject Tube Box DS (aftermarket linear PSU, NOS Mullard ECC83s) via a Denon AU-320 SUT.

This is as “103-friendly” an environment as can be found anywhere!

So far, I am getting a very punchy, dynamic sound with tremendous bass extension and a huge “wall of sound” stereo image. Everything sounds very “solid” and tangible.

In terms of absolute resolution and image depth, it loses out to the SME 3009 / AT-VM740ML combo.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

As promised: behold ye the beast with two arms!

Looks gorgeous, congrats!

 

[L0rdGwyn]

Got some new tubes, Tung-Sol 6SL7WGT and a Redcoin 6L6G (Ken-Rad or National Union rebrand I believe). The new 6L6G and Tung-Sol 6SU7GTY are a superb combo, the 6SL7WGT are a bit of a downgrade but not surprising. Rectifier is a Philips GZ34.

 

[UntilThen]

Got some new tubes, Tung-Sol 6SL7WGT and a Redcoin 6L6G (Ken-Rad or National Union rebrand I believe). The new 6L6G and Tung-Sol 6SU7GTY are a superb combo, the 6SL7WGT are a bit of a downgrade but not surprising. Rectifier is a Philips GZ34.

Your amp is very versatile if it can use the lower voltage 6L6G. These are different to the higher voltage 6L6GC. I got a new pair of Ken Rad 6L6G black glass for a friend for $150 and he's happy as a child with a new toy on Christmas day.

On another subject, turntable and tube amps are a natural pairing.

 

[CJG888]

Looks gorgeous, congrats!

Thanks!

 

[L0rdGwyn]

Your amp is very versatile if it can use the lower voltage 6L6G. These are different to the higher voltage 6L6GC. I got a new pair of Ken Rad 6L6G black glass for a friend for $150 and he's happy as a child with a new toy on Christmas day.

On another subject, turntable and tube amps are a natural pairing.

Yes, old 6L6G are no problem. There are a few tubes that will not work, typically lower power models that will be biased over their max plate dissipation, like 6W6. I am compiling a list.

This is one of the best sounding amps I have made, it's up there with the 45 amp I made for Zach. It really does it all, clarity, enormous stage, dynamic, thick, impactful bass, airy detailed treble, and dead silent. I am excited for some people to demo it.

Really love this combo, Philips GZ34, Tung-Sol 6SU7GTY, and Ken-Rad 6L6G. I had to add some isolating pads to choke screws, temporary solution but for parts for a more elegant fix arrive.