AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Vista Audio => Verty Audio => Topic started by: Audiovista on 14 Jun 2015, 02:36 pm
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If you have anything custom made (by anyone), upgraded, or modified - share your pictures! I will post some of the custom products that were made for me, by me, or by Verty's principals (Dayens, Trafomatic). Feel free to post anything you have, in any form or shape.
First, work in progress, a real "Desktop Amplifier". Only one channel shown - two channels need two desks :thumb: Believe it or not, it is fully functional, now needs mechanical packaging. :scratch:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=122768)
I was not kidding, huh?
Anode power supply and filtration. It's 4000V, I was super careful not to drop my camera while taking pictures...
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=122769)
Output tube and output transformer. Massive! For reference, the two tubes on the left are 20B, which are the size of 2A3 tubes.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=122770)
It takes about 3 minutes to start this amplifier, in a carefully controlled automated sequence.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=122771)
Mighty 450TL
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=122773)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=122772)
Even when heavily underrated, anode gives bright orange/yellow glow.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=122774)
Custom amplifier by trafomatic
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I think we get the picture - Dr. Frankenstein![/size]
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=122802)
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Yeah - I'm the one on the far right! :lol:
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Yeah - I'm the one on the far right! :lol:
"Hump, what hump?"
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And when you hear me sing... oh wait... wrong musical! :duh:
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My very own Phono-1, original (not MkII). Standard unit, with additional bypassing inside. Used stone paint then clear coat to close seams and make it look like a brick. Turns out the paint works well as a deadening material. Should have removed screws for better "brick-likeness", but did not think of it when I was working on it :duh:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=25247)
Custom phono preamplifier by Vista Audio
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Experience One from Trafomatic
Standard unit:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=123560)
And my own, upgraded unit - can you tell the difference? :wink:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=123561)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=104871)
I even asked for custom engraving...
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=123562)
Custom amplifier by Trafomatic Audio
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And my own, upgraded unit - can you tell the difference?
Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger? :green:
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Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger? :green:
Something like that :)
I exchanged ideas with Trafomatic and they executed perfectly. A real reference piece!
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Sexy.
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Sexy.
With all the might of its 3.5W, per channel :), it will mate well with your Klipsch RF-7 II :thumb:
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Here's a custom two channel mic pre I built for my friend with a home studio. His idea was to bypass the mic pre's in his Pro-Tools interface with a tubed based unit.
Each channel has a -12dB pad, phantom power (48V regulated) and volume. There is a line / mic switch that allows the unit to be used for mastering as well.
Transformer balanced inputs for the mics, unbalanced 1/4" line inputs and transformer balanced line outs. I built this into a surplus "NABU Adapter" box and have a custom front panel on it's way. :thumb:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=123699)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=123700)
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Nice work! Thanks for posting and I'm looking forward to see it again, with the front panel! :thumb:
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Here it is with the new faceplate. Of course, the machining is precise and my drilling isn't so...
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=123843)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=123847)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=123845)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=123846)
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Somebody will get a very nice piece of studio gear! 8)
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Thank you sir!
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Zoran (left) and Dejan from Dayens came the other day with new toys - Tizo Plus speakers and Ecstasy III integrated amplifier, both modified from standard versions :)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=125729)
Custom speakers (Tizo Plus) from Dayens - Wenge finish, made to match my living room furniture (high WAF for slim design).
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=125730)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=125731)
Ecstasy III was modified to change tape monitor loop to Direct In (direct access to the power amp section) and Variable Out for use with a subwoofer.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=125732)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=125733)
Custom speakers and amplifiers from Dayens
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Cool thread. Just about all my audio gear is custom. Here's a set of speakers I built around '89:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=38269)
R-speaker w/ribbon tweet
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=126202)
L-speaker with HiVi tweet
7" Eton Kevlar/hexacone woofer in 8" PVC pipe with an 8" coupler on the back - dipole horn loaded short line? The ribbons couldn't go low enough for the x-over - started buzzing. The little HiVi sounds nice and mates well w/woof. Originally had a Seas Scanspeak tweet in a smaller PVC coupler on top. Thinking of getting some 4 ohm tweets. Hook in series and have a front and rear firing. Placement is extremely hairy. Those are old Hercules stands filled w/lead shot. 8 ohm - 90dB - down to about 35Hz. I run full range and have a sub for < 40Hz which I usually don't use for music.
More to come
neo
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Custom amp by Dan Fanny of American Hybrid Technology
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=48064)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=126215)
Built on a Dyna 70 chassis - 50wpc - EL34/6FQ7 Originally built as a tweeter amp for my triamp system, but full range it has some slam. Under those diodes where the rectifier used to be (red things first photo) is a solid state circuit which includes an IC. When new this amp put out a perfect square wave at 1 and 10KHz. Rise time 2-3 u sec.
neo
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The speakers are super cool!
And the amplifier... is that power transformer in the background of the lower picture? Love those capacitors, by the way :thumb:
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Why BIG caps were used?
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FullRangeMan,
The big blue caps are for energy storage and delivery. They make the speakers play. Each is 5400 MFD @ 200 V. Connected in series adds up to 16,200 MFD @ 600 V. Overkill?
The smaller caps and resistors across the terminals are to speed up the discharge. Those are conventional x-over caps 400 to 600V rated.
The speakers are super cool!
And the amplifier... is that power transformer in the background of the lower picture? Love those capacitors, by the way :thumb:
Thanks, the credit for the amp goes to Dan Fanny. Yes, that's the power transformer behind the amp. It vibrated, so I had him take it off the chassis. That left a space or should I say opportunity? I saw those caps advertised in the back of Audio magazine (I believe), and Dan gave them his seal of approval. I knew the benefit of storage caps from my electrostatic direct drive amps, also built/designed by Dan. They make the amp sound effortless, like it's not there. He designed the boards - input, inside, and rectifier.
I had some work done on the amp and two different techs commented on how nice it sounds. It needs a good cleaning. I haven't been using it lately as it needs some more work.
This is my custom version of AHT phono stage:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=126249)
Power supply:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=126250)
It has the Teflon boards w/silver traces. I have some regular Vishay 102's. The super version has space shuttle Vishays - encapsulated and immune to temp change. Those cost $60/ea wholesale in '90. The Non-Signature also has a bigger power supply and a fancy box. Cost about $5.5K direct in the '90's. I was told it was the only 5 star component in TAS for 3 years running.
neo
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Thanks NEOBOP. :thumb:
I surpised;
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Each is 5400 MFD @ 200 V. Connected in series adds up to 16,200 MFD @ 600 V. Overkill?
Just one correction - the three capacitors connected in series will yield equivalent capacitance of 1800MFD. Still, at 450 or 500V of operating voltage they can store a lot of energy... equivalent to 145000-180000MFD at 50V which would be voltage inside a high power solid state amp. :thumb:
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"....It has the Teflon boards w/silver traces..."
Teflon boards... hmmm... something to think about :thumb:
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Oops, caps in series is like resistors in parallel. Guess I was so used to adding value of caps in parallel I had a brain fart.
I deferred all electronics decisions to Danny. He was a tube god before AHT and modified high end gear like ARC and Levinson. He would point out the flaws in their designs, and they were many. When I asked him about the phono stage performance and where I could skimp, he indicated the Teflon board (already made w/silver traces) was worthwhile. The space shuttle resistors would have been nice because the piece is temp sensitive and DC offset is set manually. There's 2 plug-in resistors on each channel, 1 for gain and 1 for load. Perhaps you'd be interested in the ICs and configuration? It's deceptively simple and the IC is still highly regarded. This design is now owned by Walker ($20K/pop) so I don't want to post a photo of the inside. When Dan left the audio biz he was considering selling to both Walker, Basis and Herron, all expressed interest.
I wish I had photos of the electrostatic tube amps. They were made on the chassis of the Acoustat amps and used the original power transformer. Dan designed new configuration and had boards made. Each (mono) had 4 cap tubes. I found some relatively high voltage photoflash caps and we made banks of them (20?) to get 5KV. Those suckers packed a wallop. 5KV storage caps are hard to source.
BTW, I want to order a phono stage, go to the web site?
neo
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Quality of resistors is very important for noise performance of phono amplifiers, and even more important for your preamp to prevent offset drift.
5kV capacitor bank - too bad no pictures are available of that amp.
For the order you can contact me via website or directly at audio @ engineeringvista . com (I added blank spaces hoping to confuse web crawlers - there are no spaces in the actual address).
Thanks,
Boris
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Tara 30a, custom designed preamplifier from Trafomatic. A real massive beauty!
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=126868)
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Customized Menuetto integrated amplifier, by Dayens.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=127402)
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More pictures, this time a real integrated amplifier: tube amplifier paired with a dedicated preamplifier, including headphone amplifier and tone controls. Custom made for a NY company Symbol Audio.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=129318)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=129314)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=129317)
Custom amplifiers by Vista Audio
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More pictures, this time a real integrated amplifier: tube amplifier paired with a dedicated preamplifier, including headphone amplifier and tone controls. Custom made for a NY company Symbol Audio.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=129318)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=129314)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=129317)
Custom amplifiers by Vista Audio
That's boss.
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The "desktop amplifier" from the first post in the final assembly stage. Finished unit will have four levels.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138134)
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That's my first and last amplifier built.
I was around 19 years old and studying basic electronic
(Tubes only, no transistor)
at Institut Teccart in Montreal.
I did my own design and schematic and gather parts from
old TV parts that I got from left and right.
The tubes were (If my memory serve me right) 6SN7, 6F6 and 5Y3 ???
of course it was mono and the 6F6 penthode connected
gave probably a big maximum of 4 watts.
By the way, it worked fine first time it was connected
and did not blow up to my surprise. :lol:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138138)
That's where I did the built, the captain's mess...
A real pig style... :lol:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138139)
I hope all of you had a good laught at those pictures, because I did.
Guy 13
By the way:
My basic electronic diploma was not a waste.
It was usefull for different types of works all my life
and-or until now.
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The "desktop amplifier" from the first post in the final assembly stage. Finished unit will have four levels.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138134)
Wow impressive!
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Hi Guy 13 - thanks for the pictures! Not laughing at all - that reminds me of some of my early work (I think I posted pictures before). I am trying to find another picture of my bench while testing a 4kW class D amplifier, some 15 years ago. Definition of "creative mess" :)
Mr. FullRangeMan - in a few days I hope to get picture of designers standing next to this monoblock - I think you will be even more impressed when you get proper size reference :). In the meantime, I'll post few more pics of an almost-finished assembly.
Thank you both for chiming in :thumb:
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Gary Dodd built this for me a few years back from a Knight Kit KB-85 amp from around 1960. It puts out about 50+wpc using 6L6GC's
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=82659)
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Nice! Love instruments on the front. Good, robust, tubes. Only heard them in a good guitar amp and inexpensive Chi-fi. I wonder how they really sound in a competently designed audio amplifier?
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The original Knight Kit amp used EL37 tubes. Most users switched to the 6L6GC since the EL 37's are incredibly rare/expensive. The rest of the amp has Sylvania fat base 5AR4's and 6H30Pi's. It stays in my system Oct.- June. During the summers it's just too hot in Texas for tubes.
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...During the summers it's just too hot in Texas for tubes.
Then you definitely wouldn't want this one... :nono:
:lol:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138131)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=122774)
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I'm attempting to build a DIY turntable. I now have all the parts back from the machine shop so I'm getting excited!
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138436)
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I'm attempting to build a DIY turntable. I now have all the parts back from the machine shop so I'm getting excited!
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138436)
Very cool. Definitely interested to follow this build.
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Yes, very cool! Keep us posted, that could be very motivating for a lot of us.
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Thanks guys. A very good friend has been holding my hand thru gathering all the parts. He built his a couple years ago ( albeit more upscale than mine) and his is the best turntable I have heard. I do have to say, IT'S SO MUCH FUN BUILDING SOMETHING and if I can do it, you guys can too. There aren't that many parts on a turntable. Here may be a better pic.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138450)
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hi5harry,
Is that going to be a rim drive or belt drive? I like the industrial look too.
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Thanks GB, It's going to use the Teres Verus rim drive /idler wheel. I've never owned anything other than belt driven turntables but I'm really enthused by what people are saying about this drive system. I guess I will know soon.
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(http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx354/mlb3164/Mobile%20Uploads/801FFB2C-0188-45F5-8C1D-C5F0C501AB32_zpstodsbvsi.jpg) (http://s771.photobucket.com/user/mlb3164/media/Mobile%20Uploads/801FFB2C-0188-45F5-8C1D-C5F0C501AB32_zpstodsbvsi.jpg.html)
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Interesting! More details please... :)
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Then you definitely wouldn't want this one... :nono:
:lol:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138131)
I've been trying to figure out where I've seen that. I think it's an adaptation of an old design. The red high V wire replaces the lightning bolt supplying the electricity to bring the Frankstein Monster to life. KT88 input tubes? Is it a coincidence your name is Boris? Do you, or have you known anyone with an unusual neck growth?
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138652)
I think we deserve an explanation.
Regards,
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I might have a bolt or two misplaced in my head - just ask my wife or teenage kids :? And other people have already figured me out... let's see if you can: which one am I?
(where is emoticon for evil laugh when you need one :scratch:)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=122802)
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None of the above. You're one of these guys:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138676)
:drums:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138677)
neo
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I could be any of them 8)
Love them all!
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And this is how the setup from the very first post turned out (140W SE monoblock amplifier). As a commissioned work, it did not go through the photo studio, the customer was eager to receive it:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=138130)
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(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=152986)
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Vintage 1959 Jensen G610B with custom cab paired with Vintage NYAL OTL 3 with custom case.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/Jc0xEB.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnJc0xEBj)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/921/H80EBH.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/plH80EBHj)
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Wow! Love the speaker!
The OTL3 - are those PL509 tubes? I have a few of those and PL519, bought last stock from Ei. Still hoping to make a PP amp with them (don't have enough for more than couple decent OTLs). Under-appreciated tubes, IMHO.
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A few pictures during the process:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=155422)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=155423)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=155424)
Finished project:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=155425)
Use of Thorens parts and 65lbs. of 6061.
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High level of machining skills and good tools! Good eye for design, too - I wouldn't mind seeing more pictures of the T/T :thumb:
Thanks!
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Thanks, here is another. Notice I'm using some of Sonny's Excellent IC's.
Top stage holds spindle and motor. Vibration isolated from lower stage which has tone arm mount. Belt drive, Less than .001 inch run out of platter.
No noise from TT, Sounds as good or better than any cd I have heard depending on recording of course. Probably not a benchmark but it sounds as good as any TT I have heard.
Runs 33 1/3 and 45's.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=155440)
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All NYAL OTLs use 6LF6 driving tube. Hard to find nowadays!
More custom stuff---
Fanless 12-core computer sever for music
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/XyOVMD.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnXyOVMDj)
Wow! Love the speaker!
The OTL3 - are those PL509 tubes? I have a few of those and PL519, bought last stock from Ei. Still hoping to make a PP amp with them (don't have enough for more than couple decent OTLs). Under-appreciated tubes, IMHO.
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Very neat looking, but lots of RF leaks.
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Hi,
Yes, I intended to direct RF leak in certain ways so that the RF will not bounce back and forth within a case.
@Taipei
Very neat looking, but lots of RF leaks.
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RF from the outside will creep in where there's any gaps.
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All NYAL OTLs use 6LF6 driving tube. Hard to find nowadays!
More custom stuff---
Fanless 12-core computer sever for music
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/923/XyOVMD.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pnXyOVMDj)
With silver color it would look great next to Bob2's turntable :thumb:
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Just realized I never got around to adding my turntable build. It's a trimmed Lenco L75 with an aftermarket spindle and idler wheel. The plinth is a combination of glulam and constrained-layer damping with a total of 4 Baltic Birch and 4 MDF layers. The TransFi Terminator air bearing linear arm is for stereo--I have two wands, one for MM and one for MC. The Pioneer PA-70 arm is a medium/high mass arm for a Miyajima Zero mono cartridge.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=156375)
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Great job ACHiPo! Looks very nice. Love the veneer!
The linear arm is working well?
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Very interesting combination with linear arm! I wonder if you tried one cart with both arms and if there are noticeable differences.
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Great job ACHiPo! Looks very nice. Love the veneer!
The linear arm is working well?
Both arms are great. The TransFi is amazing--really like everything I put on it. I've only run the Zero on the Pioneer, but it sounds sublime.
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Very interesting combination with linear arm! I wonder if you tried one cart with both arms and if there are noticeable differences.
I haven't done much A/B/A comparing. The Pioneer sounds good with the cartridges I've put on it, but I've only tried medium to low compliance cartridges, which fit well with its mass. The TransFi could probably do anything, but I haven't tried the Zero on it yet.
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Finally at the point where there is hardware ready for prototype assembly... Spark-OEM power amplifier, fitting parts into the chassis.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=157382)
And matching preamplifier, partly assembled... USPS was busy well past holidays and parts traveled to Serbia much longer than usual.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=157385)
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Spark-OEM, preamplifier assembly.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=157635)
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Spark-OEM: preamp + power/distribution amp.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=158824)