Project Ember

The Ocean is the exact same version as the 'old' Bravo with the same flaws and the same sound, just a different enclosure.

The good news is that the Ocean and other Garage1217 amps have a 'similar' tube sound.
The garage 1217 amps however do not have the problems that plague the Ocean like crosstalk above certain levels, distortion due to non-linear behaviour of the used current sources, cheap part that have a tendency to fail sooner or later, better PS, better quality parts e.t.c.

So the amps are same tonality but much more headroom, lower distortion, better longevity but for this reason they are much more expensive simply because of costs of better quality parts and PCB e.t.c.
Ember is on another technical level and best suited for those that like to swap out tubes very often.

and i have been listening to songs that i am really not that keen on, just because everything sounds so good.

Also the fact that it's been designed and sold by enthusiasts who know what they're doing, they are providing what they know others want out of their amp. Tbh, if you added up the costs to get the parts and get it assembled, you'd see exactly what good value it is. Jeremy isn't making a fortune out of this and I'm well aware of that. He should be selling it for more. So when I see questions about vfm, it kind of makes me feel very protective. Especially when you see the time and effort that Frans has put into it.

The thing is that enthusiasts know what other enthusiasts want rather than produce a big profit making amp like a business. Being open frame keeps the cost down and Jeremy really couldn't supply it at the same price with a posh case.

It's an enthusiasts amp with the best support you could ask for. The designer sits in this forum and answers everyone with the patience of a saint!! The seller sits in this forum, desperately trying to be as neutral as he can about an amp he uses and loves himself.

The power supply again, makes real sense since the amp is capable of producing huge dynamics and so needs a robust supply. If you think about it, just a supply could end up costing near £200 if you got something like a Little Pinkie for instance. It would double the price but a power supply in that league is what the amp deserves, but Frans and Jeremy are looking for a cost saving supply that offers real value.

So all in all, it is terrific value for money. The sound is beyond its price point. Yes, it would be nice to have a posh box and big power supply, as long as you accept that costs would have to reflect that.

So Techboy, I think you'd be hard pushed to find something better value at this level of performance. As long as you like a tube sound with enormous dynamics!!

I prefer the Ember to the V8. The v8 used to sell at £450.

It mostly is the output R that works wonders for Grado's (and AKG's Xx01's)
As you loose a little amplitude/volume (because of voltage division) this is compensated by increasing the gain.

The bypassing of the input cap alters the grid voltage (that is there because of grid leakage due to the relative low anode voltage).
With some tubes (those with lower currents) it may be best to use a capacitor coupled input.

Also have a try on high output R, may get a bit too lush though.

It's the reason why all those jumpers are there so you can 'adjust' to your taste and/or headphone.

Line out issues...

I got a question about the functionality of the line-out and headphone socket on the Ember.

The Ember is primarily intended as a headphone amp but CAN also be used as a tube-buffer (with volume control) so sort-of like a pre-amp but without extra inputs.

The line-out is more of a 'bonus feature' than a primary one.

Once the amp is activated the output signal splits into a separate section for line out (with voltage division resistors) and to the headphone socket and it's respective output Resistance selector.
This means the RCA line out signal will always be present and is not 'affected' by anything that may be connected to the headphone socket and does not 'mute' when a headphone is connected.

Some owners, however, would like to use it as a pre-amp and like to 'mute' the line-out the moment a headphone is plugged into the amp.
This avoids having to adjust the amplifier chain or switching it off when using a headphone.
Similar to what happens when a headphone is plugged into a mobile phone, TV or some stereo receivers.

Fortunately the amplifier is fitted with a headphone socket that contains a switch that could do this.
The option is not used because not every one would like the line-out to be switched off when a headphone is inserted.

Because the amplifier is a DIY device and the components are there but only the wiring for it is missing the Ember line-out can be changed so it has the ability to mute the line-out when a headphone is inserted in the headphone socket.

This involves cutting 5 traces on the BOTTOM layer and soldering 1 short wire and 2 longer wires.
How to do this is shown in the picture below


The traces are shown from the TOP side but are located on the BOTTOM side.
So when looking for these traces remember they will be 'mirrored'.
Cut the 5 traces where they are marked. make sure the copper trace is open circuit by removing a small part of it.
Solder wires as indicated by the orange 'wires'.

After this modification the line-out signal will be muted whenever a headphone is inserted in the headphone socket.

Is the Ember an upgrade from Sunrise II in terms of sound quality? Or is it worse because it isn't pure class A? Has anybody heard both?

Would a 6n6p tube have too much heater current for the Ember? I believe it is around 750 on these tubes?