All the Scott tube gear I have heard is just awe inspiring not to mention some of the quietest phono stages I have heard. Was wondering when your brother had it done because I might have had my ears on it.
Finished one of the s-5000 yesterday, also had a hand in the first biasing mods we have done for one.
Remember when the Japanese companies were in a race to virtually eliminate THD? I've tried to find, specifically, the Kenwood receiver ads from that time, but my old hifi mags are MIA. I thought the claim was .003% THD, but possibly even lower. Most audiophiles claimed these products were the most vile things ever foisted on listeners.
I'd like to find one or two of those vile things and decide for myself.
Tempted to say "from the sublime to the ridiculous"... but the Crown power amps actually don't sound too bad. Their preamps, though, are another story entirely...
I am not sure if this counts. It is a custom piece done by a design engineer at White Instruments and a Tech at an Austin company referred to as HiFink. Late 60's design/build. Done as a prototype that is still in service I am told.
Some of the old techies might recognize the volume pot as it is a Mac piece taken out of the spare parts bin.
You are just saying that, right? Even the designer says it is the ugliest piece of gear to ever come from his board. Frank Lloyd Wright said it best "form follows function"
The guy is a computer geek for the last 30+ years. I have been up his can to get back into audio. I had to buy my adcom as his promised Pheta 2 passive pre is still long gone. 12 boards exist but have never been populated.
I am promised the second prototype for a/b testing to the GFP-750. I am not holding my breath for delivery
Barrier strips are a thing of the past but as I am told the easiest way to eliminate power supply noise is to not have one.
If nothing else I gave you something that no one has ever seen
well, I can actually kind of tell that :-)
That said, when I think of "mil spec" I think of hand-laced wiring harnesses; the wiring in that little pre-amp is neat, but not at that level.
The PCB looks to be mil-spec glass epoxy, and those deep yellow capacitors are not, shall we say, cheap, offbrand junk :-)
well, I can actually kind of tell that :-)
The PCB looks to be mil-spec glass epoxy, and those deep yellow capacitors are not, shall we say, cheap, offbrand junk :-)
Cost was never a concern. Peter used to joke that suppliers gave away the best parts but sold the junk. (if mil-spec parts can be refereed to as junk)
The thought process back then was never build what you can buy. The guy that built this unit was the head teck at a McIntosh dealer going back to the mid 1950's. Old geezers rock
This is the first time photos of that unit have been made public. Not like their egos needed stroking but they both think it is cool as hell that someone liked the work.
Waiting for some parts so the DAC project is stalled. Cold and rain outside, perfect to clean and lube this old '73 Pioneer RT-71 RTR. Needs a VU meter bulb, a tiny screw base. Haven't seen one of them in a long time.
Make yourself necessary to someone. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
It's very clean and shows light use. Thanks Ed! The belts are somewhat stiff but pliable enough to work. Probably best to invest in some. The one working direction light went out too. Quiet deck in my system, no buzz or hums.
Jasper likes it and claimed it, but would like a larger one he can fit and lay on comfortably.
Make yourself necessary to someone. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
Hey Carl! My listening buddy likes them turning reels. Gotta watch him at rewind time when the tape slips off the feed reel and skips around.
Make yourself necessary to someone. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
My 2-channel as it currently sits. I am in the middle of making some custom stands for the DQ-10's since the originals dont place them high enough for me. I think this is considered vintage? I'm never sure. The picture is currently missing the SL-7
Harmon Kardon 330B damn near as old as I, mate beautifully with SDA CRS+'s. If 20 watts can sound this rich I wonder what big boy watts will sound like...
Kittehs and moving reel to reel tape are not a good combination; don't ask me how I know this.
I can imagine! Nice DIY flexi rack, although it doesn't look like it would flex at all.:cool:
I trust my cat more with my audio gear than some people I know. He has good listening taste as well.:biggrin:
Make yourself necessary to someone. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
Our pair o'kittehs are OK in general around the hifi - but Zappa did once, as implied above, make a move on a playing tape one day with predictable results.
Comments
Marantz CD5004
Adcom GFA-545
Bottlehead Quickie Tube Preamp
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>This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
Exercise Room, Wadia 171 iPod Dock, PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ Sky XLRs, Perreaux PMF3150 Amp, Dreadnought, Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables, SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers).
Synology 713+ NAS on Gigabit LAN serving PW MkII DAC & DirectStream DAC.
Man that is an awesome view. Congrats.
Monitor 5Jr, Monitor 5, RTA12, RTA 15TL, SDA 2A, 1c, SRS 2, 1.2TL, CRS, Atrium.
I agree. It is a rarity to see pristine Monitor 7s out in the wild.
>
>This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
I'd like to find one or two of those vile things and decide for myself.
Tempted to say "from the sublime to the ridiculous"... but the Crown power amps actually don't sound too bad. Their preamps, though, are another story entirely...
Some of the old techies might recognize the volume pot as it is a Mac piece taken out of the spare parts bin.
You are just saying that, right? Even the designer says it is the ugliest piece of gear to ever come from his board. Frank Lloyd Wright said it best "form follows function"
The guy is a computer geek for the last 30+ years. I have been up his can to get back into audio. I had to buy my adcom as his promised Pheta 2 passive pre is still long gone. 12 boards exist but have never been populated.
I am promised the second prototype for a/b testing to the GFP-750. I am not holding my breath for delivery
Barrier strips are a thing of the past but as I am told the easiest way to eliminate power supply noise is to not have one.
If nothing else I gave you something that no one has ever seen
In fact, it reminded me of an interesting DIY (not by me) preamp I have at home - when I get a chance, I'll take and post a coupla photos.
Funny you would mention mil-spec. Everyone involved has done that work
If it had remote volume I would be using one now
That said, when I think of "mil spec" I think of hand-laced wiring harnesses; the wiring in that little pre-amp is neat, but not at that level.
The PCB looks to be mil-spec glass epoxy, and those deep yellow capacitors are not, shall we say, cheap, offbrand junk :-)
Cost was never a concern. Peter used to joke that suppliers gave away the best parts but sold the junk. (if mil-spec parts can be refereed to as junk)
The thought process back then was never build what you can buy. The guy that built this unit was the head teck at a McIntosh dealer going back to the mid 1950's. Old geezers rock
This is the first time photos of that unit have been made public. Not like their egos needed stroking but they both think it is cool as hell that someone liked the work.
More to come
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
Jasper likes it and claimed it, but would like a larger one he can fit and lay on comfortably.
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
I see Jasper likes the R2R also. LOL!
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
My 2-channel as it currently sits. I am in the middle of making some custom stands for the DQ-10's since the originals dont place them high enough for me. I think this is considered vintage? I'm never sure. The picture is currently missing the SL-7
Office: Belkin PF60/PN43E450/Marantz 1501/PSB 400/Image C4/WD Live TV
2-Channel: Yamaha C4/M4(2)/DQ-10's/DQ-1w(2)/SBT/Pioneer R2Rl/Technics SL-7/AR EB101
Desk: QSC RMX850/Behringer B2030P
Meanwhile, back on topic (and 100% kitteh free by design, with a door to keep 'em out and everything)...
I can imagine! Nice DIY flexi rack, although it doesn't look like it would flex at all.:cool:
I trust my cat more with my audio gear than some people I know. He has good listening taste as well.:biggrin:
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ & Pro 11+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS* Twisted Pear Buffalo III Dual Mono ESS Sabre32 DAC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
... and back on topic...