AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Vista Audio => Topic started by: Audiovista on 6 Sep 2007, 12:39 am
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Another small batch of this little amp is built and ready to enter the market. I just love the way this little inexpensive amp sounds and can't resist building few units when time and resources allow.
As I keep one unit from each batch for myself, they are always little different then previously built ones.
Original specs are similar to the model P9 and chassis is borrowed from the model P6:
http://www.vista-audio.com/Custom/custom.htm
Modifications are made in order to increase a typical SE amplifier signature at expense of some convenience items:
- No headphone ouput: simpler wiring at the ouptut, lower hum aa
- One set of speaker terminals: 6 ohms only, works well with 4 and 8 ohm speakers, some power is sacrificed. Output transformer with single secondary winding has lower leakage which reduces distortion at high frequencies :D
- MAIN and DIRECT inputs: MAIN input goes through the volume control; DIRECT is intended for use with a preamp and is fed straight to the grid of the input triode 8)
- Improved thermal management: this amp runs cooler than the P6 :thumb:
AND
Single stereo volume control potentiometer: well, this is actually added convenience :wink:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=11623)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=11624)
HOW DOES IT SOUND?
Unbeliveable for the price, if you really want to ask ME :lol:
The little one is holding its own against heavyweights, such as Trafomatic's Experience One (using mighty 2A3 and hugely oversized Double-C transformers). Yes, there is a difference, but again, at this price point, i82 defficiencies are minor and more than acceptable IMHO.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=11622)
AND WHAT IS THE PRICE?
Here's the thing - since the last batch just about every material used here has gone up (partly due to dollar decline, partly due to supply shortage) transformer iron, copper, steel..... :bawl:
However, this project is more about fun than pure business, almost like a business card for Vista-Audio and I decided to keep the price unchanged: $380.00
Next batch is likely to cost more.... :(
What would really help is paying for the amp by a check or money order, I'd like to avoid PayPal fees if possible, but I'm not going to lose sleep over the 3% charge either.
Boris
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Any plans on making another P3-PPEL84? I need an inexpensive but slightly more powerful amp for my bedroom system. Thanks.
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Hi,
The P3 has evolved into the model i84 with higher power (15Wpc).
http://www.vista-audio.com/index.htm
Boris
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Hi,
The P3 has evolved into the model i84 with higher power (15Wpc).
http://www.vista-audio.com/index.htm
Boris
Thanks, but the reason I asked about the P3 was because I wanted to spend about half of the i84 cost, since it will be use in my el cheapo bedroom system.
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What is the on/off switch on the back for? It's a 5w amp? Thanks!
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Yup, I got that....unfortunately the P3 was an early proto and when it did its job I priced it to move quickly disregarding actual costs.
What speakers do you have? The i82 is great with single driver boxes (there are some really inexpensive ones based on Fostex drivers) and some more efficient two-way speakers (rule of thumb: if it's 90dB or more efficient, chances are good that the speaker is an easy load).
I can vouch for these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Tekton-Design-Fostex-6-Inch-Full-Range-Monitor-Speakers_W0QQitemZ250158998025QQihZ015QQcategoryZ14991QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Pics of my pair are here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=1001
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I'm running Hornshoppe Horns (93-94dB?), going back and forth between an Audiosector Patek and a Response Audio Jolida Signature 502. So it is a 5w amp, with the power switch is really on the front, the one on back isn't working, right?
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Yup, I got that....unfortunately the P3 was an early proto and when it did its job I priced it to move quickly disregarding actual costs.
What speakers do you have? The i82 is great with single driver boxes (there are some really inexpensive ones based on Fostex drivers) and some more efficient two-way speakers (rule of thumb: if it's 90dB or more efficient, chances are good that the speaker is an easy load).
I can vouch for these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Tekton-Design-Fostex-6-Inch-Full-Range-Monitor-Speakers_W0QQitemZ250158998025QQihZ015QQcategoryZ14991QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Pics of my pair are here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=1001
Well, I was using Celestion 3s in my bedroom, but I just replaced them with the Hsu HB-1s, which are 92 dB at 1 meter and 6 ohms impedance. I'm also using a heavily modded Dynaco Pas preamp with a McIntosh MC2505 solid state 50 watt amp. I'm planning to sell the Celestion 3s and McIntosh. That's why I'm thinking about buying a replacement amp.
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I'm running Hornshoppe Horns (93-94dB?), going back and forth between an Audiosector Patek and a Response Audio Jolida Signature 502. So it is a 5w amp, with the power switch is really on the front, the one on back isn't working, right?
It seems that the 5 Watter likes Hornshoppe Horns 8)
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=35476.0
Power switch is on the back, the thingy on the front is indicator light (PCL82 does not light as brightly as some other tubes, so it's good to have LED on the front).
Boris
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All gone now....except for my personal units....
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Boris will you be making more or is this the end of them?
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Hi,
Thanks for asking!
I hope to be able to make another batch in the future, but have no specific plans at the moment. I still have materials to build a few on a custom basis, with different chassis and reasonable lead time (3-6weeks). One of the following varieties:
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=12585)
or upgraded version
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=9841)
more details at
http://www.vista-audio.com/Custom/custom.htm
Boris
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If anybody is interested, I have one for sale that has never been used, and at a discount. See adson AC in amplification for sale, or agon.
I just never got to use it as the amp I have been waiting for is arriving tomorrow. Originally this was supposed to be a temporary setup for my office and then to be given to my sister-in-law, but she doesn't want a tube amp. So, that's why I'm selling, and why it hasn't been used.
-- Jim
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Hey jrebman, very interested; ). Just sent you a pm.