McChanson amps appreciation thread

[svmusa]

I see, trying to understand the driver configuration, so there are 2 options via a switch.
- a pair in which the GEC L63 are being shown and perhaps other substitutes to be used in pair
- Single drive tube where the ECC34 is installed and other substitutes but it is a single tube.

Did I capture this right?

 

[UntilThen]

I see, trying to understand the driver configuration, so there are 2 options via a switch.
- a pair in which the GEC L63 are being shown and perhaps other substitutes to be used in pair
- Single drive tube where the ECC34 is installed and other substitutes but it is a single tube.

Did I capture this right?

You got it right but let me expand it further.

The Super Ultimate has 2 driver type options selectable via a switch when the amp is powered off.

The 2 driver type options are:-

1) a pair of single triode (6J5 or it's equivalent) Since this is a single triode, you need a pair to serve the left and right channels.
2) one double triode (6SN7, 6SL7, 12au7, 12at7, 12ax7, 6922, 6n23p, etc) Since these are double triodes, you only need one to serve the left and right channels.

There are advantages in going with one double triode tube. For expensive tubes like ECC32, ECC35, ECC33, ECC34 for example, you only need to buy one and not a pair. You don't have to find a match pair.

In the 6J5 slots, you can also use pentodes that are triode strapped giving a single triode - such as c3g. So you can use a pair of Siemens c3g with adapters in the 6J5 slots. C3gs are excellent drivers with clarity and details.

Since Ultimate and all McChanson amps are custom made, you can make any reasonable request from Eric. You can also ask for the drivers to be either 6.3v or 12.6v selectable via a switch when the amp is powered off. This option allows you to use inexpensive 12.6v tubes such as 12SN7, 12SL7 or 12J5 as well as 6.3v tubes. If you go this route, you have infinite drivers to choose from. Just remember that if you select 12.6v and have 6.3v tubes in there, you will damage the tubes. Maybe even the amp.

So for beginners to tube amps, I would not recommend going with the 6.3v or 12.6v option.

 

[UntilThen]

@xtiva is popping over now. I will let him tell you what he thinks of the KT170 Silke amp with Susvara and HD800.

We happen to have the same headphones and we're not twins.

 

[UntilThen]

I would love to have these 2 amps as my own.

Super Ultimate and KT170 Silke amp

 

[xtiva]

I will let him tell you what he thinks of the KT170 Silke amp with Susvara and HD800.

We happen to have the same headphones and we're not twins.

Hey Matt, this was great to be at your home again

Just had the luxury of listening to 3 top-notch amps, Eric's Ultimate, KT170 amp, and Ultrasonic's Oblivion using both Susvara & HD800

I own Eric's KT88 TimE amp and using it with KT170 already so wasn't expecting to see too much difference from my amp but.....

As expected, great body, soundstage, tube airiness but this new KT170 has improved the bass, especially the midbass. The bass was tight yet had a punch to it at the same time. Listening to Viola, you can feel that deep bass from Viola... It Sounded like a completely different amp compared to my Eric's amp... Bass is not over-powering at all just added fullness to the overall music..

Moved on to Ultimate (sorry not sure what tube it had but..), it sounded great as expected but next to this new KT170, it felt like it lacked body and fullness, especially with the bass range. As I listen to classical music, it requires a bit more power than pop, and rock genre, but Ultimate seemed a tad short on bringing out the best of Susvara...

Now with HD800, it brought out the bass and was able to drive it comfortably however compared to this new beast KT170 amp, it lacked a bit of body. KT170 amp could drive HD800 even better, bringing out the little bass it had to its full potential.

Now to Oblivion, with HD800, it sounded amazing with a great soundstage and detail but unfortunately, KT170 still sounded more authoritative, especially in the bass region.

However, despite how good KT170, believe for ears, Odyssey amp still sounded best of the 4 amps.

So if I give Odyssey 10, then KT170 would be about 9/9.5, Oblivion 8, and Ultimate 7.5

This was my very personal opinion..

now time to think about how I am going to configure my new KT170 amp

 

[UntilThen]

Hey Matt, this was great to be at your home again

Just had the luxury of listening to 3 top-notch amps, Eric's Ultimate, KT170 amp, and Ultrasonic's Oblivion using both Susvara & HD800

I own Eric's KT88 TimE amp and using it with KT170 already so wasn't expecting to see too much difference from my amp but.....

As expected, great body, soundstage, tube airiness but this new KT170 has improved the bass, especially the midbass. The bass was tight yet had a punch to it at the same time. Listening to Viola, you can feel that deep bass from Viola... It Sounded like a completely different amp compared to my Eric's amp... Bass is not over-powering at all just added fullness to the overall music..

Moved on to Ultimate (sorry not sure what tube it had but..), it sounded great as expected but next to this new KT170, it felt like it lacked body and fullness, especially with the bass range. As I listen to classical music, it requires a bit more power than pop, and rock genre, but Ultimate seemed a tad short on bringing out the best of Susvara...

Now with HD800, it brought out the bass and was able to drive it comfortably however compared to this new beast KT170 amp, it lacked a bit of body. KT170 amp could drive HD800 even better, bringing out the little bass it had to its full potential.

Now to Oblivion, with HD800, it sounded amazing with a great soundstage and detail but unfortunately, KT170 still sounded more authoritative, especially in the bass region.

However, despite how good KT170, believe for ears, Odyssey amp still sounded best of the 4 amps.

So if I give Odyssey 10, then KT170 would be about 9/9.5, Oblivion 8, and Ultimate 7.5

This was my very personal opinion..

now time to think about how I am going to configure my new KT170 amp

Hi Shin, was great to have you over and give your honest opinion on the 4 amps with HD800 and Susvara. Unbeknown to you, I had actually score the 3 amps just 3 days ago when I was talking privately to @Deleeh.

This was what I wrote to Greg.

The difference in sound quality between Ultimate, Odyssey and Oblivion is probably at most 5%.
My scoring for the 3 amps:-
Odyssey - 10
Ultimate - 9.5
Oblivion - 9.5
I love all 3 and they are distinctly different. Switching between them is better than rolling tubes.

My score is more generous for Ultimate and Oblivion but we both agree that Odyssey is still the best. I better keep this amp well. We both also agree that this KT170 Silke amp is something special. It is indeed very good with HD800 and Susvara. Your placing of it as 2nd after Odyssey is what I would agree but the 2 amps are so close in the enjoyment stakes.

As you noted, KT170 amp has extended sweet treble but it's the midbass and bass that has great visceral impact. That is what keeps me riveted and I can't stop listening to music using Susvara with the KT170 amp. Listening to Metallica 'Nothing Else Matters' literally means nothing else matters.

Somehow I wish I had not listen to it because I cannot unhear it now. The bass is pounding on my chest. The intensity is crashing. I want to listen to all the rock songs all over again. When I have done that, I will listen to all the famous drum solos.

Tomorrow I will put Odyssey right next to the KT170 amp for a one on one comparison. The KT170 amp is not my amp and hence there's no name other than just KT170 Silke amp. That's good enough. I have listen to Eric's other KT170 amps before but this particular amp is just that special. As soon as I listen to it yesterday when I brought it home, I knew I was listening to something special and I would hate it come Sunday when I have to return the amp.

 

[UntilThen]

Moved on to Ultimate (sorry not sure what tube it had but..), it sounded great as expected but next to this new KT170, it felt like it lacked body and fullness, especially with the bass range. As I listen to classical music, it requires a bit more power than pop, and rock genre, but Ultimate seemed a tad short on bringing out the best of Susvara...

My Super Ultimate has Telefunken c3gs as drivers, ITT 5B/254M as power tubes and Tesla EZ81 as rectifier. My main genres are vocals and rock and I feel Ultimate is definitely up to the task on these genres with HD800.

Classical music with full orchestra is demanding of gear. Ultimate with HD800 will sound good but KT170 amp with Susvara is just superb, with great soundstage and fullness of tone. It's like driving a powerful Formula One car.

 

[svmusa]

I have Quicksilver KT Mono blocks with KT150 and can corelate with your description of KT170 sound, I have not personally heard these but no doubt they should probably be improved version.

 

[UntilThen]

I have Quicksilver KT Mono blocks with KT150 and can corelate with your description of KT170 sound, I have not personally heard these but no doubt they should probably be improved version.

I have tested KT150 and KT170 tubes in Odyssey. KT170 is much better. No comparison there. After you have listen to the KT170, you won't go back to the KT150. However if you have not heard the KT170, the KT150 will sound great.

 

[UntilThen]

Odysseus and Penelope. @xtiva you have to come back again for another listen of these 2 amps with Susvara and HD800.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sho...e-no-old-pictures-please.529140/post-18151816

I have only one instruction to Tomas when I ask him to build Odyssey. It has to drive Susvara well. 13w in triode mode and 15w in UL.

 

[UntilThen]

KT170 amp in UL mode. Now it's even more powerful. Volume knob at 9am for Susvara. There certainly is no lack of power in this amp. UL mode sound just as good.

 

[crakers7]

Which Caps will you pick if you order this amp ? Any other mods you thinking about ?

 

[UntilThen]

Which Caps will you pick if you order this amp ? Any other mods you thinking about ?

Duelund. I've not heard it but I will in an upcoming Super Black Ultimate. It will have Duelund and Vcap Cutf, the latter is very good but very pricey at $600. Duelund is about $280, the price of Mundorf Mcap Supreme Silver Gold Oil.

Preamp maybe because it's cheap.
Xlr input only if you really must. On Super Ultimate it makes a difference especially with Yggdrasil xlr output.
Teflon sockets definitely.
Headphone outputs - xlr and rca jack.
Can't think of anything else.

Running with my Philips Miniwatt EL34 metal base. Pretty incredible sounding. @xtiva was here again. I will let him tell you about the EL34 metal base in this amp. The better the power tubes, the better the sound.

I've bias the EL34 at 50mA.

 

[xtiva]

Running with my Philips Miniwatt EL34 metal base. Pretty incredible sounding.

yap it was incredible sounding tube, a very tube bloom-sounding tube.. ( i have the replica, Psvane EL34PH but no way close to this tube...)

Highlight of the day definitely was the Odyssey amp.. it has a very refined sound.. great treble without any harshness or fatiguing with great bass extension. just lovely amp

my still no 1 tube amp!!

 

[UntilThen]

yap it was incredible sounding tube, a very tube bloom-sounding tube.. ( i have the replica, Psvane EL34PH but no way close to this tube...)

Highlight of the day definitely was the Odyssey amp.. it has a very refined sound.. great treble without any harshness or fatiguing with great bass extension. just lovely amp

my still no 1 tube amp!!

Agree on both counts. This is the reason I say GEC 807 is not better than some of my better power tubes. GEC 807 isn't bad but there are better power tubes imo.

Odyssey is my nirvana.