My Excellent Adventure

heiney9

On 11/22 I recieved a Dared VP16 integrated tube amp. Upon opening the box the shipper failed to pack the very heavy item properly and there was some damage. (2) Rear binding posts were bent as well as some chipping to the piano finish. The seller was very responsive and sent me a partial refund and I went on line and bought the exact replacement binding posts.

I had to wait a couple weeks for shipping from China but they arrived safe and sound. The amp came with new production JJ/Tesla 6V6S power tubes and Tung Sol 6SL7GT driver/input tubes. I was not impressed with these tubes so I purchased (6) 1950's RCA grey glass 6V6GT power tubes and (2) pr 1950's RCA "red base" 5691 (military 6sl7GT) input/driver tubes.

What an AMAZING difference the NOS RCA tubes made. One problem is this amp, in order to keep the output power high, is a manual bias unit. The previous owner either wasn't aware or didn't care. So while performing the repair we decided to check the bias for the JJ/Tesla and then install the RCA 6V6's and bias those.

The bias voltage should be 200-250m VDC. The JJ's tested between 160-175m VDC. That's quite a bit under biased. Put in the RCA 6V6's and biased each of the (4) at 220-225m VDC. Each has it's own bias pot/resistor and measuring point.

My good friend Aaron who lives close and is part of our little local audio group has the iron and a bit of know how so he performed the binding post repairs while I "supervised" Here are some photo's.



The damage




Inside/Bottom view




During and after the repair



For once reading the directions before rather than after........



Setting the bias


I got home late last night so I haven't heard it yet, but we did let it run on a small pair of Polk bookshelf speakers for about an hour and then re-checked the bias to make sure. Only one tube had drifted a bit.

I had fun!!!

H9

megasat16

It's dangerous to bias the tube amp like that. J/K. I am glad you had fun.

Happy Listening!

Face

I have to bias my Welborne ST-70 the same way, what a PITA!

Glad it all worked out for you.

heiney9

Didn't even realize Rob was taking video. Technology is everywhere and you never know who's doing what, when.

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I have to say this amp sounds absolutely superb with my 5B's. The RCA tubes are magnificent and I can see why the RCA 5691 and RCA 6v6GT grey glass, black plate tubes are being hunted into extinction. What an open, creamy, velvety smooth sound this amp has. :).

I am loving the sound!!!!

H9

Pauly

Looks like fun. Glad you guys got it up and running again.


Pauly

engtaz

Congrats Thanks for sharing.

SCompRacer

All hail A2, master fixer.

Good to hear you got the binding posts replaced Brock. You sure did a nice job of cleaning up the exterior of the Dared. It looks pretty kewl lit up.

A McAlister PP150 I owned had to be biased from the underside with the cover off. My pinky strayed while adjusting and I got bit good.

heiney9

Yeah, the bias procedure while simple is a bit of a PITA. Dared explained they kept this amp manual bias to keep the output wattage up. They felt by adding auto biasing it would loose valuable horsepower. It's not a big deal as these 50's RCA 6V6's are superb and I don't plan on doing a lot of tube rolling.

This thing is incredibly sweet!!! I can't get over how high, deep and wide the sound stage is, as well as how lush and full everything sounds, but at the same time every instrument and voice has it's distinct place with pinpoint imaging. No sloppy bass or rolled off highs; and mids to die for..............creamy, lush!!!!

This was shipped from the previous owner with JJ/Tesla 6V6S and (new production) Tung Sol 6SL7GT and while it sounded pretty good, it now sounds fricking fantastic. A perfect match for the modded 5B's.

I am absolutely thrilled!!!

H9

george daniel

I have to bias my old VTL's with the bottom cover off,,,it's a pita too,, but when set/adjusted properly,,the payoff is so good,it outta' be against the law.;)

heiney9

george daniel wrote: »

I have to bias my old VTL's with the bottom cover off,,,it's a pita too,, but when set/adjusted properly,,the payoff is so good,it outta' be against the law.;)

+1000 .

All the caps and large resistors have insulation on all leads ala Auricaps so while caution is still necessary, if a probe slips and touches a resistor or cap lead it's less likely to cause any type of catastrophic event .

This newer version has actual probe points on the PCB, on the earlier model one had to measure across the resistor leads :eek:.

H9

P.s. I hate to say this but sometimes I enjoy this little office rig better than the main rig!!! Something about the intimacy of a lower powered tube amp and smaller book shelf speakers in a smaller space. Sometimes I swear the group or singer is right here in the room with me

Face

Near field can be a lot of fun. Treat the first reflections and you'll get a "headphone" effect.