REVIEW AND COMPARISON: Eddie Current Balancing Act and SUPER 7

[Radio_head]

If you just need one adapter for the input tube let me know, I've got a spare for my BA that I never use.

 

[Mr.Sneis]

That's basically what I need

 

[Radio_head]

Cool, I'll check if I can find mine and send it out to you.

 

[Mr.Sneis]

Regarding this transformer noise, after corresponding with Craig he basically recommended that I shim the transformer (in more confusing terminology).  The clamps holding the transformers in place are held in place with glue so tightening the worm clamp won't really work.
 
 
Quote:

The clamp that goes around the power transformer to hold the cores tight can come loose in shipping. You need to tighten up the clamp, you can use a small wooded wedge, or small screw driver blade between the clam, and transformer core. You can’t tighten the clamp with it’s screw because it is glued with varnish. To access the transformer remove the side covers, they only go back on in one direction. Then remove the three sets of wires going to the circuit board on the amps right side. Next take out the four top screws and set the top on the left side of the amp. This will fully expose the power transformer. Pound a small screw driver in as a wedge, or find a piece of hard wood. Be sure to plug the three sets of color coded wires back on the proper connectors. You can test your repair before putting the side covers back on by powering the amp up to see if the transformer is quiet.

 
So this is what I did; went to local hardware store and purchased some shims for $1.50, cut off a few inches from the tip of one shim, knocked it in between the worm clamp and metal plate on one side of the main power transformer at the back of the amp.  To get there you have to remove the sides and top of the amp.  By hand you can remove the three upside down lines on the right side of the amp's pcb and then tuck the front panel to the left (or vice-versa). I was quite surprised at how much it dampened the noise, the clamps even appeared very tight from the start from visual inspection.
 
I think Patrick82 would be proud of the audiophile quality wood wedge I used.
 

 

[purrin]

Damnit Craig!

 

[SleepyOne]

Wow you are good! I am very glad I don't have hum problem with my power supply!

 

[econparanoia]

Quote:

 
I bought a BA from Craig in June of 2010 with the PX4/300B setup and a RK50 volume pot. When I first received it the volume control was messed up and I had a bad hum on one channel. I sent it back to Craig and he repaired it stating that a wire had come loose. In June of this year my BA developed a problem with the Line\Can selector switch where the right channel went out whenever you moved the selector switch. Eventually the right channel went out altogether. I sent the BA back to Craig a second time and decided to sell it.
 
While I thought the BA sounded great I was disappointed with the repairs needed and lost confidence in the reliability of the product.
 
Just my experience since you stated you wanted to hear from others.

Usually the units sent for test are built with extra care. The manufacturer might just get sloppy afterwards. It is a bit disappointed to see that there is almost no response to audiosceptic's post. Anyway, Mr. [size=small]Uthus[/size] may want to pay more attention on quality control. 

 

[Radio_head]

Mr. Uthus changed some things since 2010 - to my understanding the wiring is not being done by the same people and issues are few and far between.  Craig always fixes these things for free if theres a problem (not stemming from negligence.)

 

[purrin]

He doesn't frequent the HF forums either, so you won't see any official statement or announcements here.

 

[Hun7er]

There a comparison between Super 7 and Zana Deux ?

 

[Ony38]

Any advice for high efficiency bookshelf speakers with the Super 7?

 

[Ony38]

Someone try PSVANE CV181-TⅡtubes with a Super 7? http://en.psvane.com/?Product/cv181t2/

 

[SebastianL]

Regarding this transformer noise, after corresponding with Craig he basically recommended that I shim the transformer (in more confusing terminology). The clamps holding the transformers in place are held in place with glue so tightening the worm clamp won't really work.

So this is what I did; went to local hardware store and purchased some shims for $1.50, cut off a few inches from the tip of one shim, knocked it in between the worm clamp and metal plate on one side of the main power transformer at the back of the amp. To get there you have to remove the sides and top of the amp. By hand you can remove the three upside down lines on the right side of the amp's pcb and then tuck the front panel to the left (or vice-versa). I was quite surprised at how much it dampened the noise, the clamps even appeared very tight from the start from visual inspection.

So did the noise disappear altogether or is there still some detectable noise left?

 

[SebastianL]

Yup. Swap out the Solens in the interstage and the 10uF 'lytics in the feedback loop. Significant improvements. Stay tuned for details.

Did you ever post your experiments with swapping capacitors in the S7?

 

[JWahl]

Not to dig up too old of a thread I have had the Super 7 for about 2 full days now and couldn't be happier.  S/N 23 here.  Moved from a Burson Soloist, which although I feel is a great value in single ended solid state, the Super 7 is turning out to be a larger step up than I had expected.  I will admit though, I'm new to "serious" tubes amps.  I've owned a Lyr before but was never a big fan.  And I preferred the Soloist the even the WA22 when comparing at a meet with the HD800 I had at the time.  Though I didn't really have enough time with it or my own source and music to test with.
 
The biggest differences I notice in comparison to the Soloist is the startling dynamic contrasts, more holographic imaging, and very realistic instrumental textures. And this is all just with an AKG K712.  Currently using an Anedio D1 as a Source.  I'm also using a Sylvania 6SN7 GTA Chrome Dome as driver tube, a pair of Raytheon 6SN7 GTA, a pair of ElectroHarmonix 6SN7EH, and a pair of RCA Silver Label 6SN7.  Hoping to eventually get a hold of some Ken-Rad VT231's and maybe some 7N7's  in the future.  Still doing my research though.  Of course my next order of business will be upgrading my headphones, and then maybe source down the road.  But right now I'm just enjoying the music.  It really drives the crap out of the K712 

 
 I'd like to thank Purrin and the crew for their insight and impressions.  I've been eyeing this for a while thinking it would be up my alley based on description I couldn't be more happy.  My only concern was that a pure tube amp would only be suitable with certain music, but I can happily report that is not the case here. I can just as well play Hip-Hop, EDM, and Heavy Rock as Classical and Jazz with equal enjoyment.  And also, I notice no noise, besides some slight microphonics on contact with amp with no music playing.  Very black background otherwise. Of course take my impressions with an anti-hype grain of salt since I'm still in the Honeymoon phase.  Hopefully it stays a long one though.
 
Later on next month at a meet I'm organizing, I'll get a chance to compare it to a vintage Moth 2A3.  Obviously I expect a different a different sound but it will be interesting how much of the sound, if any, is shared.  Another member and meet veteran who has listen to the Moth in the past at previous meets says it's the best amp he has heard hands down.
 
EDIT: Some investigation has revealed my amp originally belonged to Mr. Sneis meaning it's already shimmed up, hence no transformer noise.