For anyone who might be interested: Nelson Pass-designed ACA amplifier kit "back in stock" :)

24

Comments

  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,899
    They did a good job with 'em, too -- I really didn't do very much of the work. I did smoke test 'em, though. They were a little young to really be ready for working with lethal B+ voltages on the plates of the 2A3s!
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    no triodes in an Amp Camp Amp :)
    Three "elements" in a transistor, but it just ain't quite the same thing ;)

    If you want to dip your metaphorical toes into the SET water, here're a couple of nice options. L'il pricier, though.

    https://bottlehead.com/product/single-ended-experimenters-kit-3-for-headphones-sensitive-speakers/

    wawdp4tllo2k.png
    (Compactrons, baby!)

    https://bottlehead.com/product/stereomour-ii-stereo-single-ended-integrated-2a3-amp/

    1elbqyyufvl9.png

    What do you think of the Bottlehead SEX amp?
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,899
    edited March 2018
    verb wrote: »
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    no triodes in an Amp Camp Amp :)
    Three "elements" in a transistor, but it just ain't quite the same thing ;)

    If you want to dip your metaphorical toes into the SET water, here're a couple of nice options. L'il pricier, though.

    https://bottlehead.com/product/single-ended-experimenters-kit-3-for-headphones-sensitive-speakers/

    wawdp4tllo2k.png
    (Compactrons, baby!)

    https://bottlehead.com/product/stereomour-ii-stereo-single-ended-integrated-2a3-amp/

    1elbqyyufvl9.png

    What do you think of the Bottlehead SEX amp?

    I haven't heard the current iteration -- I heard the original way, way back in the late 1990s. It was pretty respectable -- the 2A3 amplifiers outperformed the original, though, in every respect (as they should). They cost more, too, though.

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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    edited March 2018
    @mhardy6647 I got an eye on a built one circa 2007.
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,899
    edited March 2018
    Got some 95+ dB sensitive loudspeakers with a benign impedance curve to match with it? If so -- go for it.

    or


    buy the amp and use it as an excuse to get some high-sensitivity loudspeakers.

    bwahahahahahahahahahahhhhaaaaaa!

    (or use it as a bitchen headphone amp)
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    What do you think of the Klipsch reference RB-61? 95db sensitivity.
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,949
    I would go higher in the Klipsch food chain before going for those.
    verb wrote: »
    What do you think of the Klipsch reference RB-61? 95db sensitivity.

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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Clipdat wrote: »
    I would go higher in the Klipsch food chain before going for those.
    verb wrote: »
    What do you think of the Klipsch reference RB-61? 95db sensitivity.

    Klipsch has got the RB-81's on sale right now for 279/each! 98db sensitivity.
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    My goal with the ACA buy is to try full range single drivers, but I wouldn't mind also trying efficient 2-ways. So, my questions are:

    Any recommendations on single drivers and corresponding plans or kits? If I build something, I would prefer narrow baffle width and smallish footprint generally. I don't mind going vertical 8' or less. Simple is better and basic plywood is cool. I do have a shop and tools but don't have a lot of floor space in the listening room. Maybe Frugel-horns? I don't want to spend untold hours on this - I just want to whip up something basic and see how I like the low power approach.

    Opinions on how Zu Omen's might match up? Other Zu's?

    Other systems - either single driver or 2-way - for <$800ish used? I don't have much floor space, so corner horns are not possible.

    I do have pairs of Hartley 220MSG 10" and 207MSG 7" FR (ferrite, not alnico), but they're packed up to sell and I sorta doubt they're efficient enough anyway. Here is an interesting system, but I think I would prefer something without a crossover. Looks like I'd need to add a phase plug somehow too. Any thoughts/experiences?

    Thanks for any help,
    Craig
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Got some 95+ dB sensitive loudspeakers with a benign impedance curve to match with it? If so -- go for it.

    or


    buy the amp and use it as an excuse to get some high-sensitivity loudspeakers.

    bwahahahahahahahahahahhhhaaaaaa!

    (or use it as a bitchen headphone amp)

    Found this article interesting:
    https://www.dhtrob.com/overige/tubefriendly_lsp_en.php
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,899
    vcwatkins wrote: »
    My goal with the ACA buy is to try full range single drivers, but I wouldn't mind also trying efficient 2-ways. So, my questions are:

    Any recommendations on single drivers and corresponding plans or kits? If I build something, I would prefer narrow baffle width and smallish footprint generally. I don't mind going vertical 8' or less. Simple is better and basic plywood is cool. I do have a shop and tools but don't have a lot of floor space in the listening room. Maybe Frugel-horns? I don't want to spend untold hours on this - I just want to whip up something basic and see how I like the low power approach.

    Opinions on how Zu Omen's might match up? Other Zu's?

    Other systems - either single driver or 2-way - for <$800ish used? I don't have much floor space, so corner horns are not possible.

    I do have pairs of Hartley 220MSG 10" and 207MSG 7" FR (ferrite, not alnico), but they're packed up to sell and I sorta doubt they're efficient enough anyway. Here is an interesting system, but I think I would prefer something without a crossover. Looks like I'd need to add a phase plug somehow too. Any thoughts/experiences?

    Thanks for any help,
    Craig

    How much of your money would you like us to spend? :)


    For all-in kits, Fostex has some cool ones; check www.madisound.com

    For cut-your-own... well... a folded, tapered TQWT (or a non-folded one, if you have the vertical clearance) is relatively straightforward to build (well, not for me -- nothing's pretty when I build it!) and is capable of good performance with myriad drivers.

    You've doubtless seen my Bob Brines designed folded, tapered mass-loaded TQWTs loaded with the venerable Radio Shack 40-1354 twincones, yes? If not, they look like this...

    9599007591_1f3e441faf_b.jpgDSC_6399 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr
    12289315386_cf252f4e11_b.jpgDSCN5289 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

    I had these enclosures built for me from Baltic birch plywood, BTW.

    I would expect the Zus to be a reasonable match -- they do tend to (heh-heh) polarize people. Tekton, if memory serves, has some pretty sensitive and simple loudspeakers, too (as well as some non-simple ones).

    Also, you might want to think about a full-range driver (ahem - let's be honest: "extended range" driver) with a supertweeter. Get a nice, sensitive sweet sounding tweeter (there're quite a few options, new or vintage, at many price points) and cross it in very high first order with a good quality capacitor and an L-pad to adjust to taste.

    Does any of this help any?
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,899
    edited March 2018
    verb wrote: »
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Got some 95+ dB sensitive loudspeakers with a benign impedance curve to match with it? If so -- go for it.

    or


    buy the amp and use it as an excuse to get some high-sensitivity loudspeakers.

    bwahahahahahahahahahahhhhaaaaaa!

    (or use it as a bitchen headphone amp)

    Found this article interesting:
    https://www.dhtrob.com/overige/tubefriendly_lsp_en.php

    TL;DR ;)

    In seriousness -- at a quick glance, it looks like it makes some of the points I like to reinforce about matching loudspeakers to amps with high output impedance (low damping factor). I didn't see anything clearly and blatantly wrong or stupid, so the prognosis is good. :)

    I'll peruse anon; thanks for providing the link.

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  • Jim Shearer
    Jim Shearer Posts: 369
    I am a single driver fan myself, but they are not for everyone. Single driver speakers will not give you ear bleed SPLs, nor can they produce chest thumping bass. If you can accept their limitations, then you may find that the right single driver speaker can deliver a mid-range goodness that is only equaled by the finest multi-way speakers, but at a very modest cost.

    You mentioned Frugel Horns. That might be a nice build! I can recommend the Frugal Horn XL for the Alpair 10.3 driver as a good choice. And Madison has the A 10.3 on sale now:
    https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/approx-6-fullrange/markaudio-alpair-10-gold-6-full-range-gen-2/

    Or, if you want something smaller, the Frugel Horn mk3 with the Alpair 7 might do.

    If you chose either of these drivers, there are serious caveats about break-in and installation. Some users have complained about driver failure which IMO was entirely due to operator error. I can elaborate if you want to pursue these drivers.

    If you want to try a really cheap project, there is a project on DIYaudio.com using either dual Vifa TC9FD-8 or single Dayton PA-130-8 drivers in a Karlsonator style box built with foam core board!

    Keep us posted!

    Cheers, Jim
    A day without music is like a day without food.
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Wow, thanks @mhardy6647! Very helpful. Much reading to do.

    Single Full Range
    I picked up a pair of 40-1354a's for $32 and am thinking maybe a non-folded ML TQWT, although I prefer the proportions of your folded ones. I do have some birch plywood but it's 3/4 I think. Did your builder use 1" or double-up? They look very substantial.

    Tekton's
    I really would like to try the Double Impact, but paying $3k AND waiting months for delivery makes it much much less appealing.

    Zu's
    I think I'll monitor on-the-line for used Omens and buy if there's a very good value.

    Supertweeters
    I will read up and may try adding later.

    Thanks again for all the info.
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,899
    The cabinets are 3/4 inch on the folded TQWTs.
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    The cabinets are 3/4 inch on the folded TQWTs.

    Gotcha, thanks.
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    If Mr Hardy lets me borrow his ACA, i’ll tell you exactly how the Omens work with her ;)
    I keep making excuses why i CAN’T drive up to him.
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,899
    It is kind of our (the Forum's) ACA, not mine per se -- and it's warmed up and waitin' to go to your abode at our earliest mutual opportunity (or shipped in a box, if necessary)!
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Jim Shearer wrote: »
    I am a single driver fan myself, but they are not for everyone. Single driver speakers will not give you ear bleed SPLs, nor can they produce chest thumping bass. If you can accept their limitations, then you may find that the right single driver speaker can deliver a mid-range goodness that is only equaled by the finest multi-way speakers, but at a very modest cost.

    You mentioned Frugel Horns. That might be a nice build! I can recommend the Frugal Horn XL for the Alpair 10.3 driver as a good choice. And Madison has the A 10.3 on sale now:
    https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/approx-6-fullrange/markaudio-alpair-10-gold-6-full-range-gen-2/

    Or, if you want something smaller, the Frugel Horn mk3 with the Alpair 7 might do.

    If you chose either of these drivers, there are serious caveats about break-in and installation. Some users have complained about driver failure which IMO was entirely due to operator error. I can elaborate if you want to pursue these drivers.

    If you want to try a really cheap project, there is a project on DIYaudio.com using either dual Vifa TC9FD-8 or single Dayton PA-130-8 drivers in a Karlsonator style box built with foam core board!

    Keep us posted!

    Cheers, Jim

    Somehow missed this post. Many thanks for the great suggestions, Jim! I'll look into those.

    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,899
    vcwatkins wrote: »
    Jim Shearer wrote: »
    I am a single driver fan myself, but they are not for everyone. Single driver speakers will not give you ear bleed SPLs, nor can they produce chest thumping bass. If you can accept their limitations, then you may find that the right single driver speaker can deliver a mid-range goodness that is only equaled by the finest multi-way speakers, but at a very modest cost.

    You mentioned Frugel Horns. That might be a nice build! I can recommend the Frugal Horn XL for the Alpair 10.3 driver as a good choice. And Madison has the A 10.3 on sale now:
    https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/approx-6-fullrange/markaudio-alpair-10-gold-6-full-range-gen-2/

    Or, if you want something smaller, the Frugel Horn mk3 with the Alpair 7 might do.

    If you chose either of these drivers, there are serious caveats about break-in and installation. Some users have complained about driver failure which IMO was entirely due to operator error. I can elaborate if you want to pursue these drivers.

    If you want to try a really cheap project, there is a project on DIYaudio.com using either dual Vifa TC9FD-8 or single Dayton PA-130-8 drivers in a Karlsonator style box built with foam core board!

    Keep us posted!

    Cheers, Jim

    Somehow missed this post. Many thanks for the great suggestions, Jim! I'll look into those.

    You got distracted by my drivel :|

    Yes, a bunch of good info in Mr. Shearer's posts!
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  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,581
    This is exactly like I hoped that this thread would evolve. Lots of good information about appropriate speakers to mate with the ACA. Unfortunately, it appears that only a couple of us were able to snag one of the latest kits. Let us know how the builds go.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,899
    I am using these with the ACA, in case that wasn't obvious.

    24051079897_d03eddae1b_h.jpgDSC_9984 (3) by Mark Hardy, on Flickr
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    edited March 2018
    here is the kit I built
    https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/full-range-speaker-kits/fostex-bk-16-folded-horn-kit-pair/

    9f9kkd8682oh.jpg

    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    @mhardy6647 newbie question. Other than sounding anemic, presumably, at low or moderate volume levels (avoid amp clipping), is there risk of running lower efficiency speakers on a low power SET amp?

    Just a placeholder until I get some higher efficiency ones of course! Please advise.
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,772
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    I am using these with the ACA, in case that wasn't obvious.

    24051079897_d03eddae1b_h.jpgDSC_9984 (3) by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

    If I had a nickel for everytime I saw that pic I'd be a gazillionaire... B)
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,899
    verb wrote: »
    @mhardy6647 newbie question. Other than sounding anemic, presumably, at low or moderate volume levels (avoid amp clipping), is there risk of running lower efficiency speakers on a low power SET amp?

    Just a placeholder until I get some higher efficiency ones of course! Please advise.

    Not really. A SET will start to sound congested/strained as it slides into nonlinearity. It can be fairly unpleasant with the wrong recording :/
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,899
    ken brydson wrote: »
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    I am using these with the ACA, in case that wasn't obvious.

    24051079897_d03eddae1b_h.jpgDSC_9984 (3) by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

    If I had a nickel for everytime I saw that pic I'd be a gazillionaire... B)

    If didn't have all that junk, maybe I would be too.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited March 2018
    Is that a Sony Slant deck? 366?
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    ken brydson wrote: »
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    I am using these with the ACA, in case that wasn't obvious.

    24051079897_d03eddae1b_h.jpgDSC_9984 (3) by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

    If I had a nickel for everytime I saw that pic I'd be a gazillionaire... B)

    If didn't have all that junk, maybe I would be too.


    Are you calling my Bryston DAC junk? :)

    Did you ever use it?
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,899
    george daniel wrote: »
    Is that a Sony Slant deck? 366?

    TC-377
    Dump find. Works well (except the counter belt needs to be replaced)
    Decent sounding basic mechanical transport, single motor, three-head deck. Good for auditioning found tapes. :)

    16102128209_95e707b923_h.jpgSony TC-377 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr
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