UltraSonic Studios Amps

[Isaacc7]

Hello guys please be patient while I catch up reading this thread.

I will solve everyone's issues with clarification as I have to go thru My PMs

Also, I would like to state there was a very specific reason for his soldering technique that was developed on purpose.

I will actually pull up a PM for it, but the bottom line is this was specific a technique.
I never seen his type of soldering on point-to-point, as usually leades are twisted, and so did question him about it.

It had to do with the traits of the (modern) transistors used, as they were sensitive to heat and prone to variance and failure with traditional point to point soldering.
The twisting method, although sounding good, would require more time exposure of soldering iron heat on leads, and cause failure of the transistors.

Tomas soldering technique was a uniquely immaculately one, where as you could not detect where some two leads ended, and just looked like one solid line, and what end up happened is that such a method would be more dependant on type of solder and how well soldered without overheating.

If any soldering eventually failed over time, it would be due to materials and any stress, so the overall design of circuit placement had to be thought out well, not just randomly designed. This is why alterations of design for customers would be not greatest idea.

The problem with any tube amps is that eventually they will need service. The issue with service is that the technician may overheat soldering joints to put more blobs of solder on, not realizing they can damage the circuits with heat. Tomas also later upgraded parts for more durability/longevity, as the parts can be easily found, but the issue of heat applied will still be an issue.
I will post the areas to take precautions for future. Once I clarify points we can also discuss closing the thread. With all products, there will always be a certain percentage of items needing repair. To put all this in perspective, only two or three users with issues, regardless of time elapsed, is a very very good rate.

Also, my unit (Oblivion) was a very early unit and spent most it's life being transported in a suitcase. It was supposed to be another users unit, but the meter was damaged in shipping. Otherwise It has never failed from vibration or age(!) which was eye opener to me, because I was always the type to like to solder thick amounts when I worked on amps.

Anyways, please give me some time to read & rectify this situation.

I appreciate hearing from someone that has firsthand knowledge about the construction process that Tomas used. I’m also happy to hear that his technique was a choice as opposed to just being inexperienced. Also will be interested to see your recommendations for where to be careful. Because components are connected by solder instead of mechanical wrapping I’m guessing we should be extra careful when transporting our amps?

As far as “closing” the thread I hope that means that comments will be closed as opposed to the thread disappearing. It would be a shame for all of the talk about Tomas’s amps to disappear.

 

[Isaacc7]

It’s too bad @UntilThen has me blocked, I think he’d appreciate this post…

I have been thinking about someone building me another amp. It would be more specialized than my Odyssey and different enough to justify it being made. Well, justify is the thing. My Odyssey sounds so good, any sort of normal person would just stop. I don’t expect any other amp to sound “better.” So why bother?

Well, yes, the elephant in the room is that I am nuts. Fair. But the other thing that I love about my Odyssey is it just sitting in my room. I mean, just look at it.

It is a piece of art. It’s a functional piece of sculpture. Even when it’s not on it adds quite a bit of class to the room. I could stare at Tomas’s amps all day. The 6bg6 amp he built for himself haunts my dreams.

I would love to own that. Being in the states I wouldn’t even be able to run it without changing the power transformer. That would be OK, I’d just put it on a stand and gaze at it.

So that is my justification for another amp, art appreciation. When an object is designed well enough it brings enjoyment in a lot of different ways. I love how it looks, I love how the switches snap, how the knobs clunk, and how the needles of the meters react as I turn the pots. How I wish I could get another piece from Tomas

 

[mordy]

It’s too bad @UntilThen has me blocked, I think he’d appreciate this post…

I have been thinking about someone building me another amp. It would be more specialized than my Odyssey and different enough to justify it being made. Well, justify is the thing. My Odyssey sounds so good, any sort of normal person would just stop. I don’t expect any other amp to sound “better.” So why bother?

Well, yes, the elephant in the room is that I am nuts. Fair. But the other thing that I love about my Odyssey is it just sitting in my room. I mean, just look at it.



It is a piece of art. It’s a functional piece of sculpture. Even when it’s not on it adds quite a bit of class to the room. I could stare at Tomas’s amps all day. The 6bg6 amp he built for himself haunts my dreams.



I would love to own that. Being in the states I wouldn’t even be able to run it without changing the power transformer. That would be OK, I’d just put it on a stand and gaze at it.

So that is my justification for another amp, art appreciation. When an object is designed well enough it brings enjoyment in a lot of different ways. I love how it looks, I love how the switches snap, how the knobs clunk, and how the needles of the meters react as I turn the pots. How I wish I could get another piece from Tomas

Did you contact Misha?

 

[Isaacc7]

Did you contact Misha?

No, not yet. I actually have another builder in mind but I am in the planning stage right now. I will start asking builders when I am ready to go forward.

 

[mordy]

No, not yet. I actually have another builder in mind but I am in the planning stage right now. I will start asking builders when I am ready to go forward.

Not that many custom builders around - can only think of Wieslaw from Eufonika in Poland and Eric Chan from McChanson in Australia.

 

[Isaacc7]

Not that many custom builders around - can only think of Wieslaw from Eufonika in Poland and Eric Chan from McChanson in Australia.

There are some others. Some of them don’t have a business making amps on demand but can sometimes (hopefully) be convinced if they like the project.

 

[g0ldl10n]

I appreciate hearing from someone that has firsthand knowledge about the construction process that Tomas used. I’m also happy to hear that his technique was a choice as opposed to just being inexperienced. Also will be interested to see your recommendations for where to be careful. Because components are connected by solder instead of mechanical wrapping I’m guessing we should be extra careful when transporting our amps?

As far as “closing” the thread I hope that means that comments will be closed as opposed to the thread disappearing. It would be a shame for all of the talk about Tomas’s amps to disappear.

I never knew Tomas or talked to him unfortunately - however from this thread it's clear to see his overwhelming passion he put into his work, and how proud (rightfully so) of it he was. I am just starting my own journey in circuit design/building, which I am also very passionate about, and I know if it was a thread I put my heart and soul into the last thing I would want is it to be locked/muzzled, and or removed completely regardless of any words spoken by anyone within it. Like I said, I never knew him, and even if I did I can't speak for him, I can only relate to his passion and with that I can only presume it wouldn't be what he would want either.

It would be a shame to see this thread completely locked, and or removed, over what I view as a non-issue - why a non-issue? Because the things that have come up with the amps is just what I call life - crap happens - nothing or no one on earth is infallible, whether that is in a piece of equipment like these amps, or how someone may have said something. Perfection doesn't exist, unfortunately, but to muzzle this thread would be a ridiculous move.

Okay I am done - enjoy your amps!

 

[triod750]

What I like about forums like this is mutual respect and tolerance even if we not always are of the same opinion. Sometimes we can be upset but if we take a deep breath we get over it and move on. We are not always the best version of ourselves which we have in common with each other.

 

[Maxx134]

Hello again to all.
So the story is I was going to request closing the thread last year, when Thomas died last February2023, and basically turn this into a mortuary rememberence thread before closing, but remember "UntillThen" request me to keep it open.

So now I feel this thread has come to a close as any technical topics after Thomas death would not be answered by his death

We could open a new techical thread on the amps, but this one was all about These very, very unique, and now "Holy Grail" type amps, as our designer is gone, and also his mentor is not around.

I must updated the first post that he passed , so I'm going to do some edits in first post, and suggest in the meantime that everyone still reading to try clean up their posts (especially near end of this thread) of any "off-topic" posts or unflattering' posts about Tomas workmanship which is unfair to a dead person no matter what the situation.

I would not like this closed thread to have anything that people may regret in future, and I understand everyone's situations & frustrations.

I really wish Thomas was still with us. I'm sure he would have helped and corrected everyone's issues if he was still alive. He was a very good person.