Hello,
I've only been to this site a couple of times. Quite frankly, I had forgotten about it. However, I did come across it (and this thread) again when I was looking up some info. about Roger Modjeski's 6EM7 amp. Several months ago, one of the members of this forum sent me a message when he noticed that I owned one of these amps. He wanted to know what I thought about it. I decided to put a copy of my response here so that others would know what I thought about this terrific little amp.
It's long winded (sorry about that) but here it is:
I had Roger Modjeski custom build it for me with some significant changes over the "stock" version. Some of the changes I incorporated into the design include:
-a passive volume control was installed
-instead of composite wood boards for the top and bottom, I had the entire chassis built from Black Walnut
-removed the on/off switch......my power cord is now the on/off switch. (I leave the amp plugged in and on all the time!)
-I only use one input (cd), so I had Roger install 1 pair of inputs.....this combined with the passive volume control would make this an integrated amp rather than just an amplifier. If you decide to do this too, Roger can install additional inputs and a signal selector if you need it.
-Instead of using the original binding posts that come with the 6EM7, I had Roger install the same binding posts that were used on the original RM-9 amp. Back when this amp was available, many people complained about this binding post....they weren't beefy enough to hold onto their "garden hose" sized speaker cable....but, it was, and still is, one of the best sounding binding posts you can buy.
Stay away from the large gauge speaker wire with this amp. Those large cables will mask all of the delicate details that this amp can uncover!
-Finally, I had him use a small gauge power cord that is soldered into the circuit rather than the IEC removable power cord that he has started to use on the amp. Once again, the large power cord will do the same thing that over sized speaker wire and interconnects will do....kill the sound! However, he gets so many requests from people who don't know any better about the removable power cord, that he was forced to start installing this as a standard part of the design. Ask him about it....he'll tell you...
This is my first single-ended amp and it is a revelation! The back ground noise is dead silent! Even with the volume control turned all the way up, and my ear right against the speaker drivers, I can barely hear any back ground hiss!
It reveals subtle details in a very easy and relaxed manor....if I had to describe its sound in one word, that word would be "effortless". Some amps just sound as if they are hard at work....this amp barely lets you know its there.....
Give me two words to describe its sound and I'd choose "peaceful" as that second word...
To describe its character a little more, I would say it is like taking a casual evening walk just after sunset. Some amps are like a long jog in the park and others are like your running at full speed....they just tire you out. This amp is not like that at all!
If you were only concerned with a powerful or forceful sound, then this amp isn't for you....But then, I don't think you would be considering this amp in the first place.
I listen to all types of music, from rock to jazz to classical, etc. and I love this amp with everything I have played. I use an old two-way ported speaker design that was built in the early '90's by a company that no longer exists....Maston Audio. The speaker has an efficiency rating of 89 db. and I play it in a room that is approximately 20' x 16'. The walls and ceiling are plaster and the floor is carpeted. I would say the room leans more to a lively character than to a dead or "over absorbed" character. In this room, the amp plays more than loud enough for me....but I've never been the type that listens at very loud levels.
To give you a little back ground about myself, I used to own a High-End audio shop in the early '90's. I was a dealer for, and had plenty of exposure to brands like Convergent Audio Technology, Audible Illusions, Music Reference, Cary Audio, Symphonic Line, Wadia, Aragon and many others. I also had a lot of exposure to componets from Krell, Audio Research, Classe, etc.
While the 6EM7 doesn't have the power and heft that many of those products do, it can produce music in a way that those components will never be able to!
Oh, and the 6EM7, is rock solid. Mine has been on continuously for over 3 1/2 months with no problems (As of this writting, make that 6 1/2 months). It even went through a power failure during a severe storm and came back on without any complaints!
I intend to have Roger build another one for me this fall (Unfortunately, budget constraints have forced me to push this off to next spring.) with even more modifications....that's how much I like this amp!
I hope this helps!
Doug
P.S.
Here's a photo from Roger's website of the exact unit they built for me:
http://www.ramlabs-musicreference.com/SES_Gallery.htmlIt's the 23rd. picture from the top.
Well, that was my response 3 months ago. I've now racked up approximately 4,700 consecutive non-stop hours on that original pair of 6EM7 tubes and they are still going strong! My high opinion of this amp continues to grow and I can't wait to have Roger build a second one for me with some additional changes that I want to implement.
I've also used the amp to drive an old pair of Stax SR-5 electrostatic headphones with great results. Once again, even with the headphones, there is barely any audible hiss with the volume turned all the way up.
I hope this is helpful information for anyone who is considering purchasing one of these little gems!
Doug
