[Poultrygeist]

If your 6n3 preamp is like mine:

Blue #1 to #5 port ( AC6.3 )
Blue #2 to #4 port ( AC6.3 )
Blue #3 to #3 port ( AC160v )
Black #4 to #2 GND port
Blue #5 to #1 port ( AC160v )

[magnet]

Hi PG

I think that you have one of these (2 x 6N3 & 1 x 6Z4 with the red capacitors, clear perspex etc): http://www.ebay.com/itm/251399731990?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

If so, would you please post the uF, Volts & other details on the four biggest capacitors

On my preamp, the text on two of the caps is not legible & completely wiped of on the other two

Thank you

[Trikster]

First post here, came over from the thread on Audio Karma. Some great looking builds here  is there a clear winner for best out of the box? Thinking about doing one of these with the tube preamp above.

Is there a way to add headphone support to the preamp?

[Wind Chaser]

I spent a good portion of yesterday at my friend's house trying out my modified YJ TPA3116 amp with my friend's Altec Model 19's... What was really impressive was the amp's level of transparency and detail. It was not analytical in any sense, but very musical. We played a variety of music and the amp had no problems driving the Model 19's 15" woofers in reproducing some pretty heavy and fast percussion. The soundstage and pinpoint imaging was remarkable. Every musician had their place in the image. I think these amps match very well with efficient horn-based systems.

I was using a pair of Pioneer BS22 speakers, but as good as they are ...for the money... they really aren't that great; and they certainly don't reveal anywhere enough information to properly evaluate a 3116. To get an idea of what these little amps can do, you'll need far better speakers.

I'm not too keen on cheap preamps either. New or used, I have yet to hear a preamp under a $1000 that I would want to own. But these insanely inexpensive little amps, when properly matched with compatible speakers, can only be rightfully understood in the context of a reasonably high end system.

[Poultrygeist]

Hi PG

I think that you have one of these (2 x 6N3 & 1 x 6Z4 with the red capacitors, clear perspex etc): http://www.ebay.com/itm/251399731990?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

If so, would you please post the uF, Volts & other details on the four biggest capacitors

On my preamp, the text on two of the caps is not legible & completely wiped of on the other two

Thank you

I can make out two red caps which are Wilma .33

[magnet]

I can make out two red caps which are Wilma .33

Thanks PG

On mine, on the 2 caps that text is barely visible, it looks like 0.47

I tried the seller but he isn't helpful; could be language problem

Again, thanks for looking

[magnet]

I got the magic 6n3 tube buffer today. Shipping was reasonably fast considering its coming from China. The build quality of the pcb and soldering is better than i expected.

Hello erikjan

I bought one 4 weeks ago & yes, soldering looks good for C&C. However, after running for 30 minutes or so the transformer gets quite hot; a bit more than 15W wouldn't hurt. But sounds OK & "warm" with my B/B 3116 amp

On mine, text on 2 of the big capacitors on the end of the pcb next to the tubes is almost gone & on the 2 big ones on the inside [next to the tubes] text is completely gone. The 2 outside ones look like 0.47uF but not sure. I asked PG & he thinks 0.33

Would you mind looking at the 4 biggest capacitors & posting the uF, Volts & other details, assuming the text on yours is OK? The seller wasn't forthcoming with the info, when I asked

Thanks

[Poultrygeist]

My 6n3 makes little if any heat.

[magnet]

My 6n3 makes little if any heat.

Mine looks as tho it could have been in an accident. No text on some caps, slightly bent spacer that separates PCB & top perspex, transformer that looks 2nd hand & also has one primary lead cut very short [no insulation stripped at end, just a straight cut], length about 0.75", & it [transformer] runs quite hot. I'm swapping emails with the seller

I ordered Russki 6N3 replacements, waiting. BTW, did you change the 6Z4 or just the 6N3s? I'm thinking about rolling the 6Z4, but it'll require swapping a couple of pins; will wait until the 6N3 Russkies arrive & give them a try before proceeding onto the 6Z4

[Poultrygeist]

My 6n3 preamp is by Yuan Jing and doesn't have any of those QC issues.

No need to replace the rectifier tube.

[magnet]

My 6n3 preamp is by Yuan Jing and doesn't have any of those QC issues

The QC doesn't seem to have affected the sound, thank The Almighty. Coupled with an off-the shelf, unmodded blue/black 3116 & playing Sabina Sciubba + Antonio Forcione - Meet Me in London, the combination sounds unbelievable for so few $s. I'm time poor hence no mods to the blue/black 3116 yet. I have a Feixiang 2.1 3116 modded, but it's not in the same league as the b/b with no mods

Russki tubes arrived today so will fit a couple tomorrow & see if I can discern any change

I'm glad I read your post about the 3116 with the 6N3/6Z4 

[Poultrygeist]

I'm thinking the new Dayton "Air" B652 with AMT tweeter would be the cat's meow with the 6n3/TPA 3116.

Definitely C&C.

Just dropped a pair into my cart.

Love the standard B652 ( revised ) version with this combo even more than the Pioneer B22.

http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-b652-air-6-1-2-bookshelf-speaker-pair-with-amt-tweeter--300-651
 

[Folsom]

The amp is more suited for something like SongTowers than those speakers.

[Poultrygeist]

The amp is more suited for something like SongTowers than those speakers.

Song Towers don't qualify as C&C.

[Folsom]

No, but just because the 3116 is C&C doesn't mean its talents are meant for low-hifi.

[Wind Chaser]

These amps cannot be rightly understood in conjunction with anything C&C.

[Folsom]

Unless you DIY your speakers, many in the C&C range. Maybe second hand.

[Poultrygeist]

No, but just because the 3116 is C&C doesn't mean its talents are meant for low-hifi.

I could say the same for the 3116 powering my Lowthers but here we discuss inexpensive gear.

[ClefChef]

I am writing to confirm that linear power supply makes a big difference in my TPA3116 sound. I bought a cheap Astron RS-12A just to try and I am quite surprised by the results. $30 well spent!

[Wind Chaser]

Would an Astron RS-20m (12 volts & 20 amps) work with the 3116? I might be able to pick one up for $50.