UltraSonic Studios Amps

[UntilThen]

Delays in delivery of transformers, again.

It will be worth the wait. There were a few delays with my Odyssey too. If I were to do it again, it would still be the same spec. I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[UntilThen]

Initial ETA was 12/2021 but "thanks" to Sowter screwing-up my OPT order - not before 3/2022

Hey Zachi, have you got your amp?

 

[Zachik]

Hey Zachi, have you got your amp?

Not yet. Hopefully Mischa will complete it in May... Right @A2029 ?

 

[audiargent]

It will be worth the wait. There were a few delays with my Odyssey too. If I were to do it again, it would still be the same spec. I wouldn't change a thing.

I believe there should be an update, today or tomorrow

 

[UntilThen]

I believe there should be an update, today or tomorrow

Well we're waiting to see the black swan.

 

[SonicTrance]

@audiargent
Here it is, finally! The black Odyssey featuring KT170's, a pair of 5C3S's and a pair of 6SN7W's!
The "Audio gd theme" is intentional to match equipment

 

[mfgillia]

@audiargent
Here it is, finally! The black Odyssey featuring KT170's, a pair of 5C3S's and a pair of 6SN7W's!
The "Audio gd theme" is intentional to match equipment

Gorgeous! What are the full specs and included options?

 

[audiargent]

@audiargent
Here it is, finally! The black Odyssey featuring KT170's, a pair of 5C3S's and a pair of 6SN7W's!
The "Audio gd theme" is intentional to match equipment

What can I say, the workmanship looks excellent.

I hope it sounds as good as it looks! I sure it will.

I will start with the "cheaper" tubes, a JJ set of KT66, 5U4GB and 6SN7.

Then we start the rolling.

 

[SonicTrance]

Gorgeous! What are the full specs and included options?

Thanks!

These are the included options:

Dual rectifiers

Dual 6SN7/6SL7 input tubes

EL34 – KT170 output tubes (auto bias)

2 x RCA inputs

2 x XLR input

Source selector switch on front panel

Impedance switch on front panel

Bottom mounted tube sockets with black decorative rings

Mundorf caps

Gain switch

Triode/Ultralinear switch

Power output is 10W in triode mode and 15W in ultralinear mode.

 

[audiargent]

Gorgeous! What are the full specs and included options?

I may be biased - but I think, aesthetically speaking, it is the most stunning amp he has designed.

A black swan as @UntilThen nicknamed it.

Can't wait to put it thru it's paces and se how they push the HE-6SE!

Thomas thinks it will output close to 10W at 50 ohms, in ultralinear, so should be a beast, thanks to the impedance matching.

Any new production 6SN7 or 6SL7 tubes you can recommend? It will also take any other driver tubes, according to Tomas, providing I find adaptors.

 

[UntilThen]

Visually stunning, a work of art. Hard to believe the Black Swan looks as good if not better than White Gandalf.

Tomas, since this is an SE amp, what advantages are there in dual rectifiers?

 

[audiargent]

Visually stunning, a work of art. Hard to believe the Black Swan looks as good if not better than White Gandalf.

Tomas, since this is an SE amp, what advantages are there in dual rectifiers?

I fell in love with the big EML 5U4Gs, and asked if it could be done. Definitely needed a bigger mains transformer!

 

[UntilThen]

I fell in love with the big EML 5U4Gs, and asked if it could be done. Definitely needed a bigger mains transformer!

I do think that the cheaper and slimmer 5C3S pairs better with the monster KT170. That big mains transformer in black is gorgeous. I didn't think Sowter will do black output transformers. Did Tomas have the end caps spray painted black?

I'm getting a 596 rectifier with custom made adapter from Jack of Woo Audio.

On the whole though, it's a unified look. Main controls all in front make sense but is this chassis wider than the silver Odyssey or the same size?

Power wise in both black and silver are the same @ 10w and 15w (triode and ultralinear) but you do have that impedance matching switch.

I suppose you could use pairs of 12au7, 12at7 or 12ax7 as drivers too? With adapters of course.

 

[audiargent]

I do think that the cheaper and slimmer 5C3S pairs better with the monster KT170. That big mains transformer in black is gorgeous. I didn't think Sowter will do black output transformers. Did Tomas have the end caps spray painted black?

I'm getting a 596 rectifier with custom made adapter from Jack of Woo Audio.

On the whole though, it's a unified look. Main controls all in front make sense but is this chassis wider than the silver Odyssey or the same size?

Power wise in both black and silver are the same @ 10w and 15w (triode and ultralinear) but you do have that impedance matching switch.

I suppose you could use pairs of 12au7, 12at7 or 12ax7 as drivers too? With adapters of course.

I think the case is 38 cm wide.

I do not know what he did to the end bells, but he had assured me they would be black!

Yes, about the power, apparently the amp sounded better with lower voltages and slightly less power than envisaged, I fully trust Tomas on this.

I may switch to KR Audio KT150s, they have a special edition that has an interesting shape, apart from sounding good of course.

As I said before, initially I will just out current production JJs in it, and see how things go.

I also have the Tung-Sol 6SL7 Gold-Pins and 5AR4s - I'll see which sound I prefer and go in that direction.

Yes the impedance switch helps, especially for the 50-60 ohm range which is were the HE-6SE and Susvara lay. Exactly the power figures I needed, and all class A.

As regards to the 12A*7, yes it can be done, Tomas confirmed.

 

[UntilThen]

Get yourself a pair of Tung Sol 6SL7gt black glass round plates. NOS 6SL7 are still OK in price. Forget about current production drivers.

Sylvania 6SL7gt as recommended by Bcowen which I bought one are also good. Or Brimar 6SL7. Good 6SN7s are more costly and less gain. There are lots of good 12at7 which I've tried. GEC A2900, Telefunken ECC801S, Mullard PQ 6201, etc. Or even a pair of RCA 5691 red base. You need only one pair to start off with.

Have a look here or on ebay.
https://tubeworldexpress.com/collections/preamp/6sl7gt