What Octal tubed preamp do you like?

Dmason · « **Reply #60 on:** 12 Apr 2006, 08:08 pm »

Don

I think the idea of the Silver Iris with Monica and Charlize, perhaps a bottle or two, would make a spectacular OB rig. I never ever thought of that combo. A DIY tour de force, no doubt about it. Really like that stuff that trashes convention, and sounds better, T amps, NON OS Dacs, open baffles, it gots it all. For a few extra bucks, one could get a pair of B&C compression drivers of similar specs to the eminence one, and go forth again.

Eloquence and diplomacy, very nice writing, your posts. Sharing of ideas, and experiences. Far greater value than the alternative.

acresm22 · « **Reply #61 on:** 12 Apr 2006, 08:15 pm »

Thanks for the mention Don...

Yes, I still have the Mapletree Line 3A SE pre, and would be willing to part with it. If anyone is interesed, send PM. Thx.

Dan

-Richard- · « **Reply #62 on:** 12 Apr 2006, 09:03 pm »

Hi Don/nodiak

Nice piece of writing!!!! It is quite clear that what you are hearing with the
Silver Iris Coaxial has been reshaped to work better for your listening aesthetic...

Darrel understands that this speaker is a work in progress and you are quite
right in suggesting that he is looking for feedback toward a more evolved
version...not the usual method used by speaker designers...but then Darrel
is unique in his approach...he seems to have an extremely transparent agenda
to evolve the state-of-the-art of Open Baffle design...

The OB experience itself is truly unique...not only does the sound "penetrate"
the listening space in an entirely musical and highly saturated presentation...
but the paradigm behind it begs for an essentially open architecture...
working with OB's is simple compared to most other approaches to sound
reproduction...

This may seem disconcerting to some who are used to speakers that are
closed off from having so much of a presence in the room...people who see a
driver positioned in a simple board for the first time have a hard time taking it
seriously...they simply are not prepared for its amazing sonic character...
truly an eye/ear opener...

One thing the DIY approach does in Open Baffle design is to get one off the
"my-speaker-is-better-than-yours" arrested personality syndrome...which we
see demonstrated here by some...once one leaves that behind we are on our
own...and that is when the "learning" curve starts to climb steeply and steadily
toward some form of self-knowledge...

I am grateful for having the opportunity to continue to learn...that is the essence
of what these forums have the potential to help us to do...

Warm Regards -Richard-

ndpjr · « **Reply #63 on:** 12 Apr 2006, 09:58 pm »

Miklorsmith,

I'm really looking forward to your review of the Yamamoto 45. Ever since seeing in the "Response Audio" thread that you had ordered the A-08S I've been looking forward to see what type of write up you give it. From what I have read you bought a really great sounding and looking amp. I have a Korneff 45SE which is really nice and I enjoy but I've not had another 45 amp to compare it to. I hope to get a 2A3 and 300B amp in the future so I'll have at least some experience with how they sound and hopefully will be able to hear other manufacturers models in the future as a comparison.
I would be glad to loan you the Korneff if you would like to see how it and the Yamamoto vary in sound. That would be interesting to hear since the Yamamoto uses such great components. I know you have probably seen this write up but if not and for anyone else that would like to read on the Yamamoto amps, it's a really interesting report: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/yamamoto2/45.html

Richard & Nodiak,

Thanks for the reports on your experimentation with the B200's and the Silver Iris. I have a pair of the Silver Iris but have not had a chance to build a set of baffles yet. Your ideas will help a lot when I do start on mine.

Richard,

That 45 amp you have really looks nice and I'm sure sounds as good as it looks. If you would like to compare it against another 45 amp then I would be glad to have Miklorsmith send the Korneff to you if he wants to compare it with the Yamamoto or if he doesn't then I could ship it straight to you.

Dmason,

On your Korneff I see you use the EML 45 tubes. What type of difference do they make over the NOS 45 tubes like the Sylvania. Do you use the EML45 or the EML45 Mesh.

Thanks for the input from all of you. It is so helpful to others like me that want to try different ideas.

JLM · « **Reply #64 on:** 12 Apr 2006, 10:24 pm »

Don,

I agree with you that the Silver Iris is a triple, which is a real success story for Darrel on his first commercial at bat. And that it should only get better. Honestly I believe that the Decware forum, where he "developed" much of his hi-end audio purist ideas deserves much of the credit. BTW his "real" job is restoring historic homes that he shares with his wife. Their craftmanship is good enough that he has work lined up for years just in their small home town.

Unfortunately large open baffles just doesn't fit into my current situation. Perhaps I'm a proud papa, but I do prefer my present speakers to the SI/OB. As I've stated before, if I hadn't found the Fostex F200A drivers and Martin King transmission line design to work together so well ala Bob Brines, I'd been going the open baffle/2-way route, probably using the B200's (based on timing and all the personal recommendations), and looking for a fast sub to pair it with. OTOH some love the F200A in O.B.

nodiak · « **Reply #65 on:** 12 Apr 2006, 10:54 pm »

Darrels 15" "Augies" , his next step in OB's, have been shipped, and received by a few of us. So far they are working great here on a very small flat baffle - 18" wide x 19.5" high, legs keep the drivers bottom edge 8" off the floor. Have so far used a 1st order passive xo to mate them at @ 300hz to: Fostex FE107e, Coral 103a (older Fostex 103 alnico clone I'm told), and a Tannoy coax made for ceiling mount (in plush elevators?). All sounded good enough to make it seem most any widerange or 2 way placed above the Augies should work out. I'll be letting them work in over next few weeks and trying different drivers with them, as well as biamping. 8" Hemptones are waiting in the wings breaking in.
Expect to hear many different configurations as everyone gets them up and running.
Bottom line is they are a succes too.
Glad Darrel follows through on his ideas.

JLM, I would like to hear the Brines F200A's someday. They seem to satisfy those who have them. 2 of their owners turned me on to the Audiosector nos dac, much appreciated part of my system. Good crowd to be in.
I'm wondering how the Augie w/widerange will compare to other proven systems such as those.

If OB's run free, why not thee ? (Thanks, Bob).

Don

-Richard- · « **Reply #66 on:** 13 Apr 2006, 12:07 am »

Hi ndpjr,

Your kind offer is most intriguing...I am deeply touched by your thoughtfulness
and consideration...

I chatted with Mr. Korneff for well over an hour...closer to two...when I was looking at
everything out there that had "legend" written into its historical persona...

A lovely chap!!!! Self-effacing and honest in the way you wish everyone was who
is connected with audio...it always amazes me...the difference between the actual
designers of audio gear...who tend to be such lovely people for the most part...
and the dealers who sell their products...

May I get back to you on your generous offer in a little while? Over the next few
weeks my life will be turned upside-down somewhat...but things should look clearer
for me toward August...it would certainly be very interesting to hear the legendary
Korneff 45 amp!!!!

Roger Modjeski's 45 actually generates 4 powerful watts...as opposed to 2 or less
watts which is traditional with most 45 SET amplifiers...which I find very helpful in
making my speakers play optimally...within the range they were designed for...
which opens up the possibilities for using Roger's 45 in many different applications
that with most 45 SET's is impossible...

I am tempted to tell you to just stick your Silver Iris Coaxial's in a hole in a board
for now...as simple as that...is there math involved, like in the application of
the Golden Mean, in OB speaker design? Actually, ndpjr, the Open Baffle
implimentation is amazingly forgiving...there are so many variables that just
jumping in is better than pondering over details...at least for your first "taste"
of the OB sound...once your get a whiff of what OB is doing for the sound you
can work with Nodiak/Don to see what you can do to flesh out an even more
resolving musical presentation...this kind of Open Architecture is very mutable
as Don pointed out...and lends itself to a great deal of experimentation...

Just jump in...to let the SIC's begin to burn-in and see how you feel about it...

I played mine in their box and then independent of a baffle for while on the floor...
and would you believe...these drivers actually sounded good!!!

Let us know how things are unfolding for you...

I will keep in touch about your offer to audition your legendary Korneff...thanks
ndpjr, for your kind and generous offer...

Warm Regards -Richard-

ndpjr · « **Reply #67 on:** 13 Apr 2006, 01:32 am »

Richard,

The offer is open as long as you want, just let me know when you're ready. Hopefully in the next 2-3 weeks I'll have a chance to try the open baffles. A lot of good ideas have been contributed by people on the forum and that really helps give a starting point to build from.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #68 on:** 13 Apr 2006, 02:17 am »

ndpjr - that is a generous offer. I hereby accept. The Yamamoto has a cool and very annoying caviat - order one and pay your money today and you should, hopefully, have it in a month.

Mr. Yamamoto does not stock the amplifiers, rather beginning a new one for each customer and building it to order. This process takes around a month. I'm told mine will be here late this week or early the next. Figure in a few days or so of break-in and I'm in business.

I've had the TacT 2.2XP for about three weeks and it's been a frustrating process optimizing it. In some ways, I'm glad I haven't been trying to internalize a new amp and the new preamp at the same time. It's frustrating enough figuring out how to calibrate the damn supercomputer.

I now have it working well and the amplifier has a welcoming home. It will be most fun to get it all working together.

After I've had it for a few weeks and gotten everything up to snuff, I'll shoot you a message and we'll arrange a brief demo. I'll be glad to post my impressions of both amps to the best of my abilities. As it is, I'm getting ready to throw a great deal of observations into the Giant Fan that is AC. Scatter thee, hard-won and meaningless thoughts!

ashok · « **Reply #69 on:** 13 Apr 2006, 02:30 am »

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update on the tubalizer. It is on its way from Italy and I hope to receive it before the end of the week. However, I will not be able to try it out for about a week or so due to travel. Any way, here is how I am planning to use it:

.

The Axiom level control is also on its way. I would like to try open baffle speakers too, but that will mean disposing the TS-1's first (spousal constraints, although she is a music lover) and I am not ready to do that yet. All in all, interesting times ahead.

Ashok

-Richard- · « **Reply #70 on:** 13 Apr 2006, 02:37 pm »

Hi Ashok,

I am very interested in your impressions of the Tubalizer...thanks for keeping
us informed...

I am particularly interested in their assertion that it adds Tone Shaping to
the sonic matrix...that could be good copy-writing or a fascinating alternative
to expensive tube preamps...your take on it should help to clear the air!

Warm Regards -Richard-

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #71 on:** 13 Apr 2006, 03:20 pm »

There is definitely something to be said about putting a tube in front of a Tripath. I've been experimenting and will continue to do so with a variety 12AU7's that plug into my CDP that has a SET output. Some tubes disappoint while other amaze. Hence, don't be too quick to draw conclusions without rolling a few different bottles.

As for me, the Charlize is the end of the amplifying road. Being superior and $8000.00 less expensive than previous amps I’ve owned, I have no desire to look further at the amplifier equation. With a good tube in front, what more could anyone ask for?