[spritzer]

It is quite shocking that almost nothing can be salvaged from these amps but once fully rebuilt they do sound awesome. 

 

[kevin gilmore]

latest in progress restoration
http://gilmore.chem.northwestern.edu/myesx28.jpg
http://gilmore.chem.northwestern.edu/myesx31.jpg

 

[hifi2all]

Why Mr. Gilmore is very proud Singlepower ES2 owner, while (as Spritzer noticed) BH's sound is better?

 

[PretentiousFood]

I don't want to speak on anyone else's behalf but I'm guessing he likes it sounds ~fabulous~ once it's properly built.
 
I've never heard a BHSE, but I just finished up my own variation on the ES-X and t's a huge step up from the SRD-7 and SRM-1 mk2. I also got to try it with the SR-007, and the SRM-1 mk2 didn't stand a chance against it. Spritzer kindly sent me a schematic for a version with current sources on the output, which I built. I've since added current sources to the input as well- not a huge difference as far as I can hear. Mine's with 12AT7 like the original SR-X, and EL34s on the output.
 
I'd definitely encourage people to try it as a DIY project. It's fairly inexpensive and simple to build (no hard to source parts!), and I'd be surprised if any of the first party amps sounded as good. 

 

 

[spritzer]

That looks awesome!!!  I really need to finish my mini ESX one of these days.  6S4A's instead of the EL34

 

[PretentiousFood]

That would make a killer office setup! How small can you get the power supply? I got the 2u chassis just to fit the transformer and cap bank, but I'm guessing it'll be tiiiny and run way cooler if you forgo the ccs and EL34s.

 

[spritzer]

It all fits in a 2U/400mm chassis.  I need to replace the PSU as this one is giving me issues.  It's a bad design but I've had it sitting on a shelf for a few years so I thought I might give it a shot.