The ultimate reference, and I am sure nothing at Canjam will compete. I bet it's gonna be a great show for you man. Hope you have fun, and I can see you being at celebrity level with the Aegis.One last listen go the reference setup with Caldera and AC before heading off the airport.
L0rdGwyn's DIY Audio
- Thread starter L0rdGwyn
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That's an autoformer volume control (AVC), a type of volume control that is superior sonically to a conventional resistive volume potentiometer. It's in a separate chassis to avoid mains noise leaking into it from the power transformers of the amplifier.
Yes, if you were to get your hands on one, you can implement it in front of any tube amp, just turn the amps potentiometer to max and use the AVC to adjust. Slight disadvantage that way compared to using the AVC straight into the amp as the potentiometer lowers the AVC's secondary load a bit, but probably not very audible I would guess.
Mentioning direct-coupled amplifiers above reminded me of the direct-coupled 45 design I'm sitting on. Methinks if I ever build it, I'll put the power transformer in a separate chassis and an AVC inside the signal chassis...
Thanks, Wes! Haha we'll see, I have no idea what to expect. But I hope people like the commercial Aegis, Jude loving it gives me hope.
Yes sir, Judes enthusiasm with just the new production stock tubes made me even more excited to hear one.
Yes sir, Judes enthusiasm with just the new production stock tubes made me even more excited to hear one.
He's not wrong, those tubes are actually quite satisfying!
That's awesome, as I have high hopes for new production tubes.
Back from CanJam, had a great time. Was fun talking tubes with everyone and explaining the Aegis circuit. Really got incredible feedback on it, it was great to see and hear listener's reactions, really looking forward to some of the impressions posts to see what other people thought who I didn't get a chance to talk to.
Here's a pic of all the Aegises lined up in the ZMF room before the show started.
First thing I did when I got home was fire up the main rig and plug in the Atrium open since I used it as a sort of reference for my own setup at home when listening to some other gear. Seems I won't be selling this amp / DAC combo any time soon!
Here's a pic of all the Aegises lined up in the ZMF room before the show started.
First thing I did when I got home was fire up the main rig and plug in the Atrium open since I used it as a sort of reference for my own setup at home when listening to some other gear. Seems I won't be selling this amp / DAC combo any time soon!
Nayyte
100+ Head-Fier
What amp is the bronze one 4th in line?
How did the commercial version stack up against the ones you built?
I think they compare very well, and people who tried both felt the same way, and the DIY version had the advantage of using NOS tubes. I think over the next week there will be some impressions coming out from the show.
More listening to the Caldera today. I switched the input tubes in my HY69 amp from RCA 5687 to RCA 7044. I haven't gotten around to polishing up the taller tube shields for the 7044 and E182CC, so they will have to go bare and show off their glow.
This amp already sounds very good, but really looking forward to getting the new output transformers in, then it will truly be complete.
At last I am going to be putting the Finemet core line output transformers in my PCM63 DAC. They will replaced the Sowter 9705. Reached out to Dave at Landfall to get a new top plate with cutouts for them. They have roughly double the primary inductance of the Sowters, and Finemet is a much better core material than M6, I'm expecting a pretty significant sound upgrade.
The matte black powder Dave coated the DAC chassis in has been giving him trouble lately, so recommends against it, thinks Columbia may have messed up a batch. I like the amber LED on the front, so I am going to go with a different color on the top plate for a two tone look. Going to do this clay texture from Columbia coatings. Sort of a burnt orange with black speckling, I think it will look nice.
This amp already sounds very good, but really looking forward to getting the new output transformers in, then it will truly be complete.
At last I am going to be putting the Finemet core line output transformers in my PCM63 DAC. They will replaced the Sowter 9705. Reached out to Dave at Landfall to get a new top plate with cutouts for them. They have roughly double the primary inductance of the Sowters, and Finemet is a much better core material than M6, I'm expecting a pretty significant sound upgrade.
The matte black powder Dave coated the DAC chassis in has been giving him trouble lately, so recommends against it, thinks Columbia may have messed up a batch. I like the amber LED on the front, so I am going to go with a different color on the top plate for a two tone look. Going to do this clay texture from Columbia coatings. Sort of a burnt orange with black speckling, I think it will look nice.
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What effect do you expect from the shields? Working as a Faraday's cage? If so, is it needed?
Also, do these shields function as a funnel for heat? If so, how big is the difference?
Also, do these shields function as a funnel for heat? If so, how big is the difference?
Yeah they are grounded and act as a shield. I initially installed them when I was working with the D3a which is very sensitive to RF interference. They aren't strictly needed, but I like how they look and they don't hurt. They do sink away quite a bit of heat from the tubes. The tubes are nowhere near the max plate dissipation however so either way would be fine.
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Will you also try some version of 6N6P? @bcowen has good versions for you. You would need an adapter but could then also waste your money on 6H30-DR.
No I probably won't! I'm very happy with 5687, 7044, and E182CC.
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