Tube amp battle Sunday, Sept 2 1 to 5 pm in south county

daves · « **on:** 14 Aug 2018, 07:03 pm »

We will have three El34 based push pull amps fighting for supremacy, and your vote, on September 2 in our basement. The Dynaco ST70 is the best selling tube amp of all time, and its restoration notably received a phalanx of hovland Musicaps all around. EL34s are EH greens.

Our Eico HF87 has just a basic refresh, but a quad of Mullard EL34s and superb iron have it in fine fettle, along with some RCA 6sn7 gtbs and an Amperex 12AX7.

Our Marantz 8B has undergone a premier restoration, with VAC power filter caps, Vintage Tesla EL34s that are superb, and RCA vintage driver tubes.

I think I will set up the demo in the main room, with the Klipsch RF7s, Juicy Music Blueberry Extreme, Denon table with the MC cartridge, and Musical Fidelity CD player.

Please rsvp, and any suggestions?

Mitsuman · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Aug 2018, 09:03 pm »

Having had the pleasure of hearing a one owner 8B paired with a 7C, playing through Altec Model 19's, 15's, and 14's all in the same day, the 8B should be the clear winner.

OzarkTom · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Aug 2018, 01:14 am »

Quote from: Mitsuman on 14 Aug 2018, 09:03 pm

Having had the pleasure of hearing a one owner 8B paired with a 7C, playing through Altec Model 19's, 15's, and 14's all in the same day, the 8B should be the clear winner.

+1

I wish I could be there for this battle.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Aug 2018, 02:17 am »

There's a fairly decent chance I can make this. If it happens, can I bring a buddy?
(I'm trying to put that audiophile needle into his vein)

daves · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Aug 2018, 12:30 pm »

Bob, guests are fine, and encouraged! I just need a semiaccurate head count, and if attendees could help with snacks and/or drinks.

We are expecting a larger turnout, so some of the good foodstuffs/finger foods include:
Fruit tray...DEBBIE
Veggie tray
Small sliced meats
Chicken fingers
Tea
Juices
Bagels
Pastry
Beers
A couple favorite albums to play
Cheese/crackers.. ..KEN S
Nuts

daves · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Aug 2018, 11:27 am »

John, the only room that has room for another set of swapped speakers would be the family room upstairs. You are welcome to bring a set or two, and we can run them on the Citation II setup upstairs.

We can handle multiple sets, but only one set in the house at a time. I don’t try to push on intruding upstairs, since I have virtual carte Blanche downstairs.

pinkfloyd4ever · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Aug 2018, 06:11 pm »

Noice! I am in!

JohnH12 · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Aug 2018, 12:38 am »

Dave, thanks but it sounds like the focus is on comparing the tube amps, which I'm up for. I need to check with the boss as we may have another commitment.

daves · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Aug 2018, 12:42 am »

Liam and I rooted around in the root cellar, grabbed a nice L rack stand that will hold all, also grabbed a Pioneer P540 Tt with a Shure V15vr, and trial fitted everything.
We have it set up where we can do a blind session, but I’m not into tricking people’ an

d would be glad to announce the lineup unless there are folks who would have more fun trying to guess what is what.

daves · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Aug 2018, 12:45 am »

daves · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Aug 2018, 12:46 am »

At least I’m 90 degrees better in this thread!

dcbingaman · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Aug 2018, 11:59 pm »

Hi, Dave. I finished my Pass Sony VFET amplifier and it sounds great. If there is interest in comparing a "triode-like sand amplifier" with these fine toob amps, I can bring it by. Let me know. it stays in Class A up to 15W into 8 ohms and 20 watts into 4 ohms, and it clips like a tube amp - very, very politely. I think it would be an interesting comparison.

Cheers, Binger

Also, I've also got a copy of Coltrane's lost album. very, very cool. Please send me your address via PM - i think I remember how to get to you hooch, but I'm getting old !!

daves · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Aug 2018, 01:21 pm »

Don, we have a rack space immediate below the Threshold FET preamp that is 8" high by 18" wide by 16" deep, if the FirstWatt Pass will fit that space. I figure we can run each of the tube amps for half an hour for the "battle", at the front of the session starting at 1pm, which would leave the 2:30 to 5pm slot open, if that will work.

We could also put the First Watt in the kitchen, but that space is quite compromised and congested, albeit fun. Upstairs is open, but there is only room for three or four people, and no turntable.

The three tables that are set up include the Denon D51p with the Denon DL301 Mc cartridge, the Thorens TD125 with the Grado blue cartridge and SME 3009 arm, and the aforementioned Pioneer PL540 with the Shure V15 for th demo rig.

Phil G. · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Aug 2018, 06:06 pm »

Dave,

I just registered with the Circle a few minutes ago and yes I will be there on the 2nd. Thanks for the invite!

Phil G.

popthinker · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Aug 2018, 08:00 pm »

I'll bring fruit.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Aug 2018, 08:13 pm »

Phil, welcome to the club/group/clan/circle!

daves · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Aug 2018, 08:23 pm »

Welcome Phil!

This will be a fun one.

dcbingaman · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Aug 2018, 07:13 pm »

The Pass / VFET is in a HiFi2000 4U standard chassis, so it should fit on your shelf. I'll measure its dimensions (width / depth / height) before I bring it over.

KenSeger · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 Aug 2018, 03:55 am »

Dave S.,
I and Jim K. (whom you met up north the other weekend) should be able to make it. I'll bring some cheese (big surprise eh?).

daves · « **Reply #19 on:** 21 Aug 2018, 06:55 pm »

An early roll call..
Ken S
Jim K
Phil G
Kent
Mark B
Rich E and Bob
Gabe B
Kevin
Evan
Mike M
Debbie
Liam and me
Steve A
Don B
Susan H
Tim K?
Geffrey?
Dave M
Willie?
Adrian?