Finished my amp.

intangible
intangible Posts: 262
edited February 2011 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Just want to show her off.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6346/ampd.jpg

It's a Tubelab Simple SE running EL34 output tubes in pure triode. I'm still rather astounded that it works. May be a little harsh on the high end, but I've got a nasty cold and skipped breakfast and lunch to solder, so it's more likely that's the result of my headache. The midrange warmth is fantastic.


Just out of curiosity, do any of y'all know why KT88s are so expensive? I was going to pick up a pair to see if I liked them better than the EL34s, but even the cheapest pairs are >$50.
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited February 2011
    Congrats!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited February 2011
    intangible wrote: »
    Just want to show her off.

    http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6346/ampd.jpg

    It's a Tubelab Simple SE running EL34 output tubes in pure triode. I'm still rather astounded that it works. May be a little harsh on the high end, but I've got a nasty cold and skipped breakfast and lunch to solder, so it's more likely that's the result of my headache. The midrange warmth is fantastic.


    Just out of curiosity, do any of y'all know why KT88s are so expensive? I was going to pick up a pair to see if I liked them better than the EL34s, but even the cheapest pairs are >$50.

    Looks great, but I'm surprised you felt the top sounded harsh.

    Are you using a 12AT7/ECC81 as the driver tube, and if so, what brand? That tube should be the key to your high end.

    Also, are you driving the SDA-2B's you TL'd with that amp, and if so, do you have a full 300 hours of listening/burn-in on the crossovers?

    Last, if you just powered up the Tubelab for the first time, it's going to need to season a bit.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
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  • intangible
    intangible Posts: 262
    edited February 2011
    The 12AT7 and EL34s are both new production Electro-Harmonix, so they definitely need some time to break in. We'll see how things sound in a couple of weeks; hopefully even better.

    I did the 2Bs back in December, so they've definitely got 300+ hours on them. They're quite laid back on the upper end with the 198s, so I don't think they're the cause. I'm very happy that they'll run off of the new amp; don't even need to switch over to ultralinear. Seems like heiney was right about not needing 200 wpc.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2011
    Very nice,
    How long did it take you to assemble it?
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,197
    edited February 2011
    Nice, if you use better tubes it will get rid of the harshness. I say this because if you think about $50 for a pair of KT88's is expensive then I'm guessing the EL34's, 12AT7's and based on the photo that's a Sovtek 5AR4 are very inexpensive. EH are borderline tubes, in my experience. The EL34's are passable but the rectifier and 12AT7's can be improved and it will REALLY improve the sound.

    Nice build and now you should eventually start down the tube rolling path. If you need suggestions for 12AT7's shoot me a PM, I've tried almost all of them. I may even have some I could make you a good deal on.

    There is no better 5AR4 than the Mullard..............I swapped the Mullard for a Sovtek and it was close to a religious experience. :smile:

    Have fun, tubes are wonderful

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,197
    edited February 2011
    I should also disclose everyone of my pieces of tube gear have as much or more invested in the tubes as the unit.

    The SED Winged C are great inexpensive EL34's (more than $50/pr though).

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • intangible
    intangible Posts: 262
    edited February 2011
    It took four hours or so to solder the board and then another 30 hours to do the chassis and wire it.


    I did get close to bottom of the barrel tubes to start with. I wanted to buy guaranteed functioning tubes to start with to make troubleshooting the amp easier and to not spend a lot in case it blew them up. Now that I know it works, I can start trawling for deals. I'll be sure to ask if I have questions.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,197
    edited February 2011
    intangible wrote: »
    It took four hours or so to solder the board and then another 30 hours to do the chassis and wire it.


    I did get close to bottom of the barrel tubes to start with. I wanted to buy guaranteed functioning tubes to start with to make troubleshooting the amp easier and to not spend a lot in case it blew them up. Now that I know it works, I can start trawling for deals. I'll be sure to ask if I have questions.

    I completely understand. I received your PM and will reply when I have more time to elaborate at little bit.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2011
    Very nice!

    I'd check out Genalex Gold Lions for the 12AT7. From what I've heard, their KT-88's are very nice too.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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