Glod
1000+ Head-Fier
There is a new Singlepower amplifier ordered, made and delivered. tkam is the guilty together with Mikhail and they have come up with something quite different to the rest of the official and special order models.
I know I am treading on thin ice when I try to describe it and the possible influences from former models. Please correct me. It seems that the main feature is the ability to drive high amplification factor tubes like, e.g. the 5998 and the 6080; and, also less powerful tubes equally well. This is made possible by applying two gain stages, of which the second one is defeatable. The amp has an external solid-state regulated power supply unit with two transformers. The two chassis are housed in boxes that, by the look of them, also were used for the SDS-T.
I would like to thank all of you who gave ideas to what this amp could be called. Especially tkam, who actually already stated that he will call it “The Dragon”. I think that is a fine name, and, really, who am I to dispute it. Nevertheless
, I cannot get rid of the itch of thinking of names in the tradition of earlier Singlepower amps.
Till recently, all special order amps were derived from the well known “base models” from SinglePower Audio Inc. Some were only slightly modified, some extensively, such as the SDS (further development of the Supra) and it’s later extrapolations SDS Accent and SDS-XLR. A year ago we saw the ES-1 electrostatic amplifier and in the end of last year the extreme range made it’s appearance.
"Extreme" doesn’t say much either about what these amplifiers are about more than that the ring of it, well, sounds extreme.
But if we are looking for heritance, the Extreme can explain some of the thoughts behind the new one I think. Prior to the Extreme, there were a few amps build to drive non-6SN7GT tubes. The Slam featured amplifiers are not counted here since that option basically boils down to the use of socket adaptors, usable on almost all Singlepowers nowadays. No, I am thinking of the couple of amplifiers build, or modified, to get optimal driving conditions with 6BL7GTA, 6BX7GT and other tubes that required higher plate voltage work at their best. That idea eventually manifested in the SE concept, with it’s upgraded transformers, adjustable bias and slightly adopted circuitry. The ice was broken to look at other high effect tubes.
It seems that this new amplifier is a further development of this idea: An amplifier that has a double gain stage, which allows for optimal driving conditions for medium gain tubes - and - high gain one’s, by either the use both stages or by by-passing the second. It would seem that if it came from somewhere it would be from the Extreme direction. But - this is The Dragon.
The question is now, what is a good name for this amplifier? Simply "The Dragon" or something that links it to the other Singlepower amps? The owner has probably made up his mind and I think it is only fair that we honor his choice; but a few describing words in addition might not hurt. Would it? One does not choose one's own nickname.
I know I am treading on thin ice when I try to describe it and the possible influences from former models. Please correct me. It seems that the main feature is the ability to drive high amplification factor tubes like, e.g. the 5998 and the 6080; and, also less powerful tubes equally well. This is made possible by applying two gain stages, of which the second one is defeatable. The amp has an external solid-state regulated power supply unit with two transformers. The two chassis are housed in boxes that, by the look of them, also were used for the SDS-T.
I would like to thank all of you who gave ideas to what this amp could be called. Especially tkam, who actually already stated that he will call it “The Dragon”. I think that is a fine name, and, really, who am I to dispute it. Nevertheless
Till recently, all special order amps were derived from the well known “base models” from SinglePower Audio Inc. Some were only slightly modified, some extensively, such as the SDS (further development of the Supra) and it’s later extrapolations SDS Accent and SDS-XLR. A year ago we saw the ES-1 electrostatic amplifier and in the end of last year the extreme range made it’s appearance.
"Extreme" doesn’t say much either about what these amplifiers are about more than that the ring of it, well, sounds extreme.
It seems that this new amplifier is a further development of this idea: An amplifier that has a double gain stage, which allows for optimal driving conditions for medium gain tubes - and - high gain one’s, by either the use both stages or by by-passing the second. It would seem that if it came from somewhere it would be from the Extreme direction. But - this is The Dragon.
The question is now, what is a good name for this amplifier? Simply "The Dragon" or something that links it to the other Singlepower amps? The owner has probably made up his mind and I think it is only fair that we honor his choice; but a few describing words in addition might not hurt. Would it? One does not choose one's own nickname.
