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Post by thunderhead on Jun 23, 2013 20:26:43 GMT
I'm surprised that a thread hasn't been started yet so I took the plunge. I am using the same opening statement for the Project Starlight as I own one also.
I built the kit, serial number K0025. The assembly experience is well reviewed on Head-Fi.
This one is named "CRYSTAL". Jeremy likes the custom of naming equipment with girl names like ships; so do I. the Starlight's name is "JEWEL".
It is running a GE 5965 tube (12AU7)--a gift from Jeremy.
I am a "purist' when it comes to setting the tube bias voltage. The recommended voltage is 12V. When the LEDS are used that is where the HIGH LED is on the LOW just turns off, as advertised.
I like to tinker and experiment. I put the INPUT CAPACITOR BYPASS jumper and adjusted the BIAS voltage to 13 volts. Reason being as I owned an Indeed G3 Chinese hybrid amp. I read a lot of mods on Rockgrotto and that suggested 13 volts.
The result is that the LOWS "stood out" more and the MIDS seem almost aggressive.
Running Grado phones (RS-2, SR225i and Allessandro MS-1) are effortless and tweaks and mods are very pronounced.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jun 25, 2013 9:17:06 GMT
Here is a 'special' Sunrise amplifier: It was the first version that was technically upgraded to the second version and has had an auto-bias circuit installed below the amplifier PCB. It also has a switch on the front that can switch between 2 output resistances instead of the usual jumpers. below a picture of the Sunrise (with extra heatsinks) and the Horizon amp.
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Post by chinook9 on Aug 16, 2013 14:59:23 GMT
Has anyone tried the 6N30P-DR in the Sunrise II? If so, do you consider them a decent value at the present prices ($100+).
Have you tried the 6N6P?
I saw both of these tubes referred to in the Ember thread so I checked them out on the Bay and the prices are quite different.
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Post by jhelms on Aug 16, 2013 15:30:50 GMT
Hey Brian, The 6n30p and 6n6p are excellent tubes (get very hot and have high current draw) Personally, I do not feel the 6n30p-DR is worth the huge price tag and yes, I have tried one. There is a current reproduction from sovtek that is actually excellent to my ears (and only about $30) but many that spent the $100+ on the DR would probably argue with that. The 6n6p is also excellent, I listen to one often in my own Starlight. The other good part of the 6n6p is they are still dirt cheap! Per the Ember thread, these can only be used with Sunrise II or Starlight as the current draw is very high.
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Post by chinook9 on Aug 16, 2013 15:45:28 GMT
Thank you for the info Jeremy. I will check out the Sovtek tubes and the 6N6P. Thanks again.
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proid
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Post by proid on Sept 16, 2013 4:49:08 GMT
@frans: How much current does the sunrise consume? I have a shunt regulator kit which work incredible good with my o2, better than using batteries and i want to use it with sunrise but it can output somewhat under 500ma.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Sept 16, 2013 4:57:09 GMT
With a 300mA (2x 150mA) tube it draws about 0.52A continuous and depending on the load peak currents can exist reaching 0.6A.
You could increase the idle current of the regulator to say 650mA, in that case it'll work
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Post by musicman1806 on Jan 3, 2014 1:30:03 GMT
I've been using an HD600 and recently found a good deal on a used pair of hifiman HE-400 (my first pair of planar magnetics) and am wondering if the PSII will have any trouble driving them or other typical planar magnetic headphones ? Also, would a higher gain tube like a 12ax7 help or is it something more to do with the amp its self when driving headphones ?
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Post by jhelms on Jan 3, 2014 2:04:12 GMT
Hello! She will have zero problem at all driving the HE-400 and no need for a higher gain tube.
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proid
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Post by proid on Jan 27, 2014 11:32:18 GMT
Just for fun. My Project Sunrise built in perfboard, powered by Walt Jung Super Regulator, sound much better than before
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 27, 2014 23:32:35 GMT
DIY is rewarding and fun to do ! Looks like a nice build... does it also have different output resistances to choose from ?
As the final results are also dependent on the use of proper ground-planes a PCB with ground planes is preferred and can reach (marginally) better results though. Not as important as it is for fast digital designs though.
An analog power supply is being developed (just takes a bit longer than planned due to lack of time)
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proid
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Post by proid on Jan 28, 2014 4:13:17 GMT
DIY is rewarding and fun to do ! Looks like a nice build... does it also have different output resistances to choose from ? As the final results are also dependent on the use of proper ground-planes a PCB with ground planes is preferred and can reach (marginally) better results though. Not as important as it is for fast digital designs though. An analog power supply is being developed (just takes a bit longer than planned due to lack of time) Yes, it's fun and take a lot of time too. I often need 5 hours or more to finish a project like this and it never work for the first time (in fact just one time out of ten) and a couple of days more to debug it but when it start to sing, the effort is well worth I dont have different output resistance because all my headphone is low impedance. I understand the important of ground plane so every ground point have dedicated path to star ground. I made a linear regulator for the sunrise a long time ago using the regular LM317 and i didn't hear any improvement vs the cheap DC power supply, the Walt Jung super regulator is a different story, much much better
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Post by roamling on May 26, 2014 14:17:43 GMT
I have a question about the Project Sunrise III. Can I use it as Tube Buffer Stage, like the Ember, between my CD player and my amp?
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on May 26, 2014 14:50:38 GMT
Yes, you can use it as a buffer. Only the Starlight doesn't have a 'pre-out'
A buffer with volume control.
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Post by luckbad on Nov 19, 2015 20:45:19 GMT
How's the sound on this baby with HD650s in comparison to the Ember or Horizon?
I'd ideally like a tube character for those and 64 Ohm JVCs.
Saving up to keep one of the Garage1217 amps.
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