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neutralzz

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Posts posted by neutralzz

  4. Posted · Report reply

    Hi kds5000, what's the problem of pre-amp out? Is it not functioning properly or? I do want to connect it to my amp...This looks like a freaking steal...

     

    there are 2 versions depending on which OEM type maverick got, one is pre-amp volume variable with headphone volume, the other version, preamp volume is not controlled, only headphone volume can be controlled.

     

    the other issue is whether pre-amp out is muted when headphone jack is in, or preamp out is not muted when headphone is plugged in.

     

    i just did a factory inquiry for five sets, they call it type 1A or 2A. but i'm still considering whether its worth the trouble of arranging it to come to sg from factory straight

  6. Posted · Edited by neutralzz · Report reply

    interesting.

     

    reminds me of 翔声's DAC-01解码器

     

    hopefully there is some design different from 翔声 where headphone output does not go through tube, instead goes solid state. only pre-amp out goes through the tube

     

    but if this DAC's headphone out goes through the 5670 tube to give you that warm and smooth sound.. then its a steal, i might get one for the fun of it

  8. Posted · Report reply

    Wow. Was curious to try the Treasure's EL34s to hear how different they are compared to Mullard NOS tubes. If the differences aren't big then I'd save a load of cash!

     

    i get my tubes straight from source as my gf is schooling TCM in beijing and she helps me get stuff straight from factory..

     

    the Treasure EL34 comes as two grades, normal and superior matched, but even for their normal quad grade, transconductance and plate current is very well matched already, identical plate currents usually. the superior matched grade is typically exported to the US.. i.e. to grant fidelity.. but there are backdoor 国内 sales at very good prices.. prices that i might not want to comment publicly..

     

    i've tested both the 2A3 and 300Bs using two different amplifiers but on the same speakers with several pairs of ears listening, the treasure tube triodes promise superbly dark backgrounds. in our opinions, these triode tubes are one of the best we've ever heard, transparency without losing a touch of air & warmth, very musical indeed. with burn other improvements will come.

     

    i cant speak for the pentodes though, but there's talk that either the GE or RCA 6SN7 has warmer vocals than the Treasure tube 6SN7, which is quite a pricey tube in my opinion.. unless you have direct sources in china.

     

    ymmv~

     

    for me what i might just do if i have an el34 amp is just to buy the tubes to try, but if dont like, will just let go for a little discount.

  9. Posted · Report reply

    finally here!!

     

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    shuguang treasure tubes.. 300BZ mesh plate and 2A3Z

     

    tubes were factory matched and shipped straight from factory... sound straight out of box is so superb that...

     

    my pair of TJ mesh plates are getting shelved..

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    the shuguang treasure series.. is indeed the pinnacle of 300B tubes.. best of the very best i've ever came across... i think the only possible rival is tj carbon plate but the carbon plate is not a fair comparison.. (its like a jumbo 300B.. more like 350B)

  12. Posted · Report reply

    LP's really a different sound all together..

     

    check out

    http://philoctetes.org/Past_Programs/Deep_...Quality_Matters

     

    and watch the video, halfway they have a recording of chris whitney, done on tape, but mastered into 2 versions.. a SACD and an LP.. both played one after another.. and you have to listen for yourself.. as to what sound you really like..

     

    i cant remmeber when they do that in the 2hr vid.. probably arnd the 35min mark onwards..

     

    i've been constantly dragged towards the LP side but there's just too many of the stuff i listen to that is hard to find on LP that kinda halts me from doing the migration.. and eventually i'm still stuck on CD format

  15. Posted · Report reply

    the design looks very simple. but looks nice on the outside.

     

    tube amps are actually very easy to build because the principle behind tube amplification is pretty straight forward. the only complicated part is the power supply to me.

     

    i still feel for a good headphone amp the best is still to use a single tube, single stage, else there are too many variables

     

    right now to change the sound of my 2a3 amp, i can change

    1) cathode resistor permutations (2 possible resistors to change per channel resulting in many combinations)

    2) coupling caps permutations (2 possible caps to change per channel resulting in many combinations)

    3) roll pre-tubes to overcome short comings in power tubes which is highly permutative

    4) roll power tubes

    5) interstage coupling with a transformer instead (expensive option)

    6) other output transformers (although i'm using permalloy which is one of the best winding materials)

    etc etc..

     

    with a single tube/single stage with a pair of big good bandwidth output trans which will never reach saturation, you have

    1) one tube to roll

    2) 1 resistor to roll

    3) 1 capacitor to roll

     

  16. Posted · Edited by neutralzz · Report reply

    current head-fi rig, still sub-optimal sound.. still having fun tweaking

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    signal path's generally some diy-shielded mundorf 1% gold in silver wire, ground's all copper.

     

    cathode bypass cap for 2a3 is mundorf silver/gold in oil.. cathode bypass is jenson paper in oil, hermetic vishay angstrohm cathode resistor

     

    decent power regulation via choke & mundorf m-cap, amp still gives sound for 20-25 seconds when power switch is flicked off.. filament is still running on AC.. will probably try to regulate it to DC to make amp quieter

     

    output in dual tap, 8 ohm to speaker, and 300 ohm to headphone via custom permalloy transformers.

     

    continuously running for the past 100+ hours.. hopefully my shuguang treasure tubes will be shipped tomorrow.. have a pair of 6sj7 mesh plates on the way.. '

     

    next project will probably be single ended single stage design

  19. Posted · Report reply

    if you're game enough take a look in the little dot 3 and check the signal wire inside, just after the RCA sockets leading to the amplification circuit..

     

    its typically 30-40cm leading to the volume pot and probably another 5-10cm after that leading into the amplification input

     

    these cheap wires can be a bottle neck no matter how good your external interconnects are

     

    if possible, re-wire with good wire & keep it as short as possible

  20. Posted · Report reply

    Seems like a risky investment :blink: ...40X6m=$240..HD800 proprietary connectors not included, around USD40/per pair without shipment..and a good SE 1/4" jack, audiophile grade solder and skills(with a good temperature controllable soldering iron. It will not be easy to handle the HD800 connectors soldering as well).. :think: The cable sounds interesting and promising for its bass performance, but I still prefer a readily made cable at the moment..

     

    Aron, APS cable not ready yet before Can Slam? :cans:

     

    i'll be doing one for my hd650, so probably when everything falls into place i'll update on the sound signature of it.

  21. Posted · Report reply

    Hi kds5000, the Mundorf Silver/Gold cable for HD800 is self hand made or?

    Where to get this scary bassy cable?

     

    if you are interested to make, ahfaudio has this wire in various thickness of 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm..

    cant remember the exact prices but 0.5mm is somewhere around $17/metre, 1mm is probably 40+/metre and 1.5mm is 70++ per metre.

     

    so if you intend to go double stranded on each side you might need about 6 metres. i would think 1mM is a good diameter.. its not that stiff.. 1.5mm is too thick and stiff

  22. Posted · Report reply

    just wondering, can BG 47uf 16v be used in lods for imod? got lobang to get it at about SIN30 each.. dunno is it considered cheap or not?? =X

     

    sorry to bump an old post.. decided to start reading threads since i'm still bored at work...

     

    but.. BG 16v 47uf so expensive meh?!?!?!

     

    i have 3-4 pieces left... dont remember them being that pricey last time.. maybe four or five dollars thats all

  23. Posted · Report reply

    sorry , a little newbie here...

    i wanted to terminate the cables on my headphone...

    i know stereo got the jack

     

    but the problem is i dont know where can i find the soldering iron...or the lead..

     

    any ideas where can i find it?

     

    if you need wbt or wonder silver solder with silver content, can pop by either well audio or ahf audio, larry hifi etc.. ask to buy a metre.. usually about seven bucks to ten bucks

     

    as for the jack, would be nice if you can find a screw version that uses a screw to tighten before you load the solder on to seal it. may be sonically better as you have prior tight contact before introducing a new metal (tin/silver solder)

     

    other good solders that people can consider's mundorf's supreme solder, with silver/gold content.. but whether its available in sg or not.. not too sure.. can buy online though.. in 100grams,250grams or 1kg amounts.

  24. Posted · Report reply

    Thanks Ical. I've given up my Hi-Fi setup (young kids and tube mono blocks don't go together) and have decided to try out headphones. I've also decided to purchase the HD800 and GS solo combo. I basically listen to records and GS is something I'm familiar with. :))

     

    which tube monoblocks are you using now? an alternative is for you to just get a pair of proper pair of impedence matched output transformers and swop them in to drive your hd800.

     

    i'm currently having my output transformers customized for two taps, one 8 ohm for driver and one 300 ohm for headphones. my amp will be ready in a few days, so probably i m planning to loan the hd800 from sennheiser some day to see if it matches well.

     

    if it sounds good i'll share where i got it done from :P

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