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Post by musicman on Mar 12, 2014 14:36:15 GMT
Sent my Ember back to Jeremy for the supercharger upgrade, I have a 12bh7 tube on the way in and a couple of the e80cc tubes that sound great with the Ember. Biggest problem now is Ember withdrawal.... Yikes, did not think running co-axial out of the Asus STX into the Harman-Kardon avr 510 would make that big a difference. Sound is really nice and detailed, but lacking in warmth and soundstage. Tried with the rca outs as well, but the Ember sure makes a great deal of difference. Will be a happy camper when it arrives back form Jeremy's. Already told wife not to bother me after it gets back for at least a day. She is fine with that, as no meals, calls, dog, or goodnight kiss. Perhaps I went to far!
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Post by musicman on Mar 18, 2014 13:35:28 GMT
Got the Ember back from Jeremy yesterday with the supercharger upgrade installed and have been listening for about nine hours. Had been using the E80CC tube and it was getting alot of air play. Now with the upgrade, can use the 12BH7A tube I bought, an inexpensive tube from eBay just to try the signature. Running that one for three hours, caused me to buy two more of them, one used with good readings and the other a NOS that had really good review. This tube seems to be more open and the individual details of the various instruments, is really pleasing. I am finding instruments that were in the background, that are now more noticeable. The horns and flutes have more detail and smoothness, not harsh at all. This was defiantly a worthwhile upgrade for me. Listening awhile longer and comparing it back to the E80CC the 12BH7A seems much more expansive, this is now my number one tube.
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dicky
quite active
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Post by dicky on Mar 20, 2014 17:32:51 GMT
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solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
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Post by solderdude on Mar 20, 2014 19:43:01 GMT
Great pictures.
Very clean build as well.
As you can see Jeremy loves symmetry and goes out of his way to make his products as symmetrical as possible.
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Post by jhelms on Mar 20, 2014 23:34:21 GMT
Looks great and a damn fine build! Someone knows their way around a soldering iron I see  (Frans gets frustrated with my symmetry... HA! ) |
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Post by jhelms on Mar 21, 2014 1:17:07 GMT
Frans and I were talking and decided to get all of your opinions....
Power LED:
- No power led, just use the tube led
- Keep the power LED at the back of the amp so it is not distracting
- Put the LED up front so it is easier to see that the amp is on (lesser chance of accidentally leaving it on)
Power Switch:
- Keep the power switch in the back / hidden for a clean look
- Move the power switch up front (toggle visible and easy to access)
Let us know your thoughts! There is no right or wrong here. We just want your opinions on the matter. If we get a large enough response, and there seems to be a coherent theme among what you all like - we will look into working things into future designs. Thanks!
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Mar 21, 2014 5:39:14 GMT
Hi Jeremy.
I personally like to see the power LED since it really doesn't stop you from getting to turn it off. I'm not sure if this is possible but perhaps there could be included on the colour presets for the tube, no colour option so that there is no light at all? That way people can choose whether they want a light or not and also what colour.
I would rather have the power switch on the front. With a toggle on the back it is very easy to push the wrong way or send the amp flying. You need to hands to turn it on and off. One to hold the amp still while the other is flipping the switch at the back. This means that the Unit needs to be in a very prominent position and can't be embedded in a unit. Otherwise it could be fiddly to turn on and off.
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Post by Thujone on Mar 22, 2014 20:00:24 GMT
I've been meaning to make an account here for a while, figured this is as good a time as any. Jeremy and Frans, you guys rock. Between the quick communication and service from Jeremy and the technical help from Frans on other forums, I am truly thankful. Regarding the LED and switch questions, I've always kinda wondered what the point of the power LED was considering there is the tube LED already. Personally, it doesn't bother me at all (I can't even see it from where my Ember is situated since it's behind the tube). I remember when I first noticed it thinking "has that always been there? If not, is it bad that it's on?" Again, it's not aesthetically displeasing by any means but I find it unnecessary. The power switch was something I really didn't like for a while, but I don't have an issue with it now. Every now and then I try to switch it in the wrong direction since my amp is on a shelf; it's not to easy to see the back without pulling it out. I'm used to my Schiit gear that has a toggle up for 'on' and down for 'off' so the left/right gets me every now and then. All in all though, I'm happy with its location. I don't have troubles switching it on or off with one hand (usually grip the acrylic with my thumb and pinky and use my index finger to flick the switch). Definitely a happy camper with my newly super-charged Ember  -Pete |
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Post by chinook9 on Mar 22, 2014 20:13:30 GMT
I have the Sunrise but the questions still apply. I am very much like Jeremy in liking to keep designs symmetrical and clean. I expect that's the reason the power switch is in the back and that's where I like it.
The LED under the tube is all I need.
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Post by panspormia on Mar 23, 2014 14:33:38 GMT
Just received my Ember (+ SC option). Kept it on all night; no heat (except for the tube itself!). Love the `open` design and symmetry! I`m hearing things I`ve never heard before (from songs I thought I knew inside-out!). FWIW: Foobar + FLAC + Saffire Pro 24 DSP + Beyerdynamic DT-880 (600 ohm) + Ember (with SC option) = PROFIT! --------------- In answer to J and F`s request for opinions: Power LED: - No power led, just use the tube led Power Switch: - Keep the power switch in the back / hidden for a clean look (perhaps a `push-button` switch for that `cool` factor, but more importantly because my fat sausage fingers tend to grope/fumble with the existing toggle switch (kinda like my first date!) when power + IN`s are connected. If a push-button is not do-able, maybe a toggle switch that moves `UP + DOWN` (rather than sideways?). Just my $0.02 worth... --------------- Anyway, hats-off to Frans and Jeremy; Ember (with SC option) is a beast!! Really happy! |
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Rabbit
Administrator
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Post by Rabbit on Mar 23, 2014 15:24:41 GMT
Up/Down would be easier to remember. However, I seem to remember the up down light switches work the opposite way to the Brit switches!! I kept trying to turn lights on when I meant off while I was over there!! The left/right toggle means that you need two hands to switch on and off. One to hild the amp steady with while you fumble away at the back!! Welcome to the forum.  |
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solderdude
Administrator
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Post by solderdude on Mar 23, 2014 17:47:18 GMT
Hi Panspormia and Thujone,
Welcome to the forum !
Appreciate the feedback.
I also like the symmetry of Jeremy's designs but I don't want it to interfere with performance.
This takes a lot of pinging back and forth and changing designs now and then till we are both 'satisfied'.
I like my PCB's tidy and compact but wouldn't go the the lengths Jeremy does to get the symmetry.
Of course for open frame designs looks are also important.
My designs usually end up in closed enclosures so it isn't that important.
I have been trying to persuade Jeremy to put the power switch on the front (for easy access) and the power LED nearby.
Of course the LED under the tube is also a power lED as it were but when disabled you do not have visual confirmation the amp is on.
For the Ember that isn't problematic of course as it doesn't get hot.
Jeremy came up with the idea to ask for opinions of users and other forum members to see what they think about it.
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Post by jhelms on Mar 24, 2014 3:00:24 GMT
Yeah the symmetry is quite a monster to get it both functional and beautiful. So many, many hours - days - weeks - months are put into each layout that no one ever knows about. Ends up being an email ping pong match back and forth between Frans and I until we agree (he keeps me in line big time to make sure the functionality matches the visual) Definitely keep the opinions and thoughts flowing as they may help shape future layouts! Always cool to hear what you guys think, like, do not like and so on. Not responding to any direct thoughts or opinions as it will express my own and may skew results. Just enjoying the feedback - thanks guys!  |
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Post by musicman on Mar 25, 2014 1:31:32 GMT
My two cents worth would be just the tube led, but for me the power switch on the front would be much better. As it is now, with the input cables on one side and the output cables on the other side of the switch it does not leave much room. I have large hands I guess (from pulling out money from my wallet) and it is sometimes not easy to move the switch without moving the amp. I am considering putting some kind of on off cable between the power cable and the wall outlet and running it back up to the desktop. Not the best but would make it much easier. Have to check into it further. Thanks for all you have done on this amp, it has transformed my listening pleasure to be sure. NOW if I can just stop buying tubes............
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2014 6:32:28 GMT
I was just thinking about the question of where I'd like the power switch.
While I like the placement on the rear of the unit because of leverage but it occurred to me today, why not a rotary on the front instead of a toggle?
About the LED, I tend to prefer the tube to not be lit at all but I don't mind being able to control the color. I find that kind of fun. I can always dim it by putting a tiny piece of paper over the center of the socket.
Having a separate power LED seems somewhat unnecessary if the tube is lit. That said, I could dig a separate power indicator.
If I sound ambivalent it's because I am. I guess I lean towards not having a separate power LED.
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