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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2015 14:33:25 GMT
It's taken me a while to get around to reading the manual. I had read people here mentioning by-passing the input capacitors but I didn't realise it was so simple to do. I think it makes a pretty big difference to the overall sound, like throwing the window open! There's more air to the sound with a more solid bass that seems to go even lower than it already did. The level of detail retrieval is outstanding in my opinion. The only downside is the scratchy volume pot but it's a minor irritation I can happily live with.
to recap, I'm driving Sennheiser HD 650's and my source is an ODAC. Input gain is set to low with variable resistance jumpers also set to low. Input capacitors are by-passed.
This is sublime. It's the best sound I've ever heard through headphones.
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Post by ronzo56 on Jan 26, 2015 15:58:30 GMT
I also own the Sunrise II, which also has the by-pass, and until your post about the Ember, forgot you can by-pass the input caps. Just switched them. Does seem to have a little more "something" or the placebo effect has kicked in. Who cares, I think it sounds better and that's really all that matters.
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oldson
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Post by oldson on Jan 27, 2015 19:14:23 GMT
It's taken me a while to get around to reading the manual. I had read people here mentioning by-passing the input capacitors but I didn't realise it was so simple to do. I think it makes a pretty big difference to the overall sound, like throwing the window open! There's more air to the sound with a more solid bass that seems to go even lower than it already did. The level of detail retrieval is outstanding in my opinion. The only downside is the scratchy volume pot but it's a minor irritation I can happily live with. to recap, I'm driving Sennheiser HD 650's and my source is an ODAC. Input gain is set to low with variable resistance jumpers also set to low. Input capacitors are by-passed. This is sublime. It's the best sound I've ever heard through headphones. i too bypassed those caps and it does seem to do exactly what you say. i guess it would take a pretty special amp to beat the Ember, and a much more costly one at that. i very rarely touch my vol pot, so it certainly is no issue for me.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 27, 2015 19:33:08 GMT
The main reason why the input cap can still be selected is because of A: when a source with DC is connected this could cause problems, most sources have no DC on it b.t.w. B: Some don't like the scratchy volpot you get in return
On the Ember, due to the autobias, switching it in and out isn't a problem. For the manual bias versions you may have to readjust the bias after changing the input cap jumper. This is all quite tube dependent as well.
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Post by musicman on Jan 27, 2015 21:14:52 GMT
You have to wonder, when Chinese companies advertise their amps, I would think, they would make sure the add was written correctly. Add form amazon. www.amazon.com/baoshu1889-high-grade-nostalgia-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00P5N2HBW/ref=sr_1_35?s=audio-video-accessories&ie=UTF8&qid=1422392960&sr=1-35 Product Description 6N11+6N5Pclassic circuit Beautiful ancient European appearance will let you fondle admiringly.Bring you work and study, auditory and visual enjoyment.The machine adopts fission structure, small size (for tube amp), bile machine desktop in the ear.Moreover, single POWER supply mode, 50 w POWER transformer provides a stronger POWER, energy and minimize interference. Keep the tube filament ac power supply way, let you hear juice bile.Now some businessmen in order to avoid bile ear problem of ac noise, the tube filament power supply adopted IC integrated voltage stabilizing circuit, but as a result, the sound will be missing a bile machine characteristic lasting appeal.So, the machine stick with filament ac power supply scheme, and with rich experience in circuit and thick process design capability, guarantee the machine noise without communication at the end of the excellent performance. Lotus with 2 RCA socket circuit output (LO) EF820 pure class a tube headphone amplifier Sounds as if you could catch a disease from listening to these!
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 27, 2015 21:34:39 GMT
It looks like HG Well's Time Machine.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2015 0:18:49 GMT
I want one!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2015 1:21:10 GMT
Do you know what I think would be cool?
It's probably not technically possible but it would be nice if the LED under the valve only lit up once the protection light at start-up went out.
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Post by musicman on Jan 28, 2015 1:29:16 GMT
It is technically possible, but would be prohibitive cost wise, for little gain. This amp is really well thought out, I know at one time I wanted the option of having it bring me coffee in the morning, but the wife would be superfluous then!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2015 0:37:40 GMT
That's a very nice offer my friend. I think I'd like to take it up but I'd prefer to get my personal finances sorted first if you don't mind. Right now I simply can't afford to fall in love with valves Well, that went well.
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Post by musicman on Jan 29, 2015 1:24:11 GMT
Well, just got my 6SN7 Adapter from Jeremy, I bought a RCA 6SN7GTB Vacuum Tube, Used for $6 including shipping that the seller said tested about 95%. Wanted something to try the adapter with and figured I would start cheap. Well, if this is any indication of the 6sn7 breed, I think I have found a new friend. Also bought a Sylvania VT-231/JAN CHS 6SN7 GT vacuum tube for $20 and I will try that one tomorrow. Enjoying this one to much to bother with the other yet. I am wondering if I made a mistake buying those Amperex 12at7's now. Music is very open and inviting, no dislikes yet. Solderdude, a quick question, I had removed the tab to take the capacitor out of the circuit and the volume was scratchy whenever I would rotate the know. Now with this tube I am not getting any noise when turning the volume knob. Can this tube make a difference somewhere that would negate that noise? Not complaining just curious.
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Post by musicman on Jan 29, 2015 16:24:45 GMT
The 6sn7 adapter is really a nice piece of work, if you look on ebay or other sites, you can see that this adapter is head and shoulders above the rest. Beautiful construction and works perfectly. Tried the Sylvania 6SN7W tube and it is another jewel. I have been reading up on the forums and seeing the pricing and what are considered good,bad or ugly, and found that some are using an adapter from 6sn7 to 7n7 and have another avenue, as the 7n7's are more plentiful in NOS. Was wondering also if we can use the 12sn7 tube with the Ember? Listening to the Ember with the rca out to a Harman-Kardon avr510 thru Electro-Voice Sentry V speakers is really great, now using a pair of Yamo ART speakers, and sounds fine. Speakers are from the seventies, bought new, still sound great. Thanks Jeremy, Solderdude wonderful products.
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Post by jhelms on Jan 29, 2015 17:19:29 GMT
Appreciated! I think Frans would be best to answer question 1 On question 2 - You cannot use a 12sn7 tube with any of our designs except the new solstice. The reason is that 12.6v 9p dual triodes have a center tap so technically they work off of 6.3V. So all of our current heater power supplies are actually 6.3V. This way, tubes are not accidentally damaged. If the wrong setting is selected, only one side of the tube will glow or work. With 8p like the sn7 series. There is no center tap so they either require straight 6.3 or 12.6v. - With solstice, we implemented the supercharger design which is voltage configurable. In this design we added a 2nd jumper to change the output of the regulator to a true 12.6v. This will allow 12v versions of the sn7 to be run or a resistor can be customized to give an alternate voltage at say a true 7v - The DOWNSIDE to this option (which will have a TON of warning flags in our book) is that if someone selects the true 12.6v setting and sticks in say a 6.3v tube... POOF. Tube is dead. This option is called OHV for "optional heater voltage" and not overhead valve - was added specifically for one to run the 12sn7 family as a more affordable alternative to a 6sn7. Hope that makes sense - on a ton of cold meds - bug finally caught me.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 29, 2015 18:13:03 GMT
Yes, the amount of 'scratch' noise you get when the input cap is bypassed depends on how many electrons make their way from the cathode to the grid instead of the anode. This is the grid leakage current. It differs depending on the physical construction of the tube/grid.
Even with the coupling cap in place you will still hear a bit scratching in the first few minutes and with some tubes it may still be faint. This has to do with leakage of the input cap. There is some leakage because it has a pretty high capacitance and relatively small size.
That extra voltage selector pin should not be easily accesible.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2015 18:47:15 GMT
Solstice?
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