System update and a related problem/question

kirch · « **on:** 26 Apr 2005, 03:50 pm »

Hi Everyone - Quick update on the latest with my "starter set"...

Been about 3 months or so since I jumped into the tube scene. Recently decided to buy a cheap tuner to add to the system and picked up a 50 dollar old Pioneer TX 6500 II on ebay. 25-30 years old and the sucker is in close to perfect condition, and sounds surprisingly good. Picks up stations much better than my 4-5 year old Yamaha receiver ever did. Signal strength for everything, even WSIE is absolutely perfect! (Now if they could just dump the canned music and get back to live jocks and a decent mix, but that's another post for another time.)

I continue to compare the SN TubeDAC+ to the regular CD sound, and I'm really liking it better all the time. Yes, the sound is different, but something about the overall stereo separation and mid-range that I prefer. I undestand it will continue to improve with time, which I look forward to.

This leads to my question/problem - if I decide to add a headphone amp in the future, I don't have any room to connect it to my amp. All four are now taken. Satellite, Tuner, DAC and CD. The second CD is for SACD playback.

Is there some sort of a switch I could purchase to handle another component? Of course one that wouldn't compromise quality of sound? If so, what can I expect to pay for it, and where might I find one?

The wife complains that my music is always too loud, regardless of actual volume, so if I want to listen later in the evening, I'd like to just slap on the Grados. I've been checking out headphone amps, but not sure what or where to even look for this other option I'd need.

Any help anyone?

Scott F. · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Apr 2005, 04:12 pm »

A while back I did a review of the Headroom Total AirHead ($199). Mated with a decent portable CD player and my Grados (SR-80's), it sounded damned fine. It gives you total portablility without sacrificing too much in sound quality (read no tubes).

On the other hand, if you start looking for a dedicated headphone amp that plugs into the wall, you can spend some serious coin. If you go that route, I'd consider something tubed (you should have guessed that one). Not that there is anything wrong with teh solid state versions in fact I own the Slee Solo and love it but for the same money you can buy a nice tubed headphone amp.

just my two shekels

Oh, your question about the switch, you would actually be plugging the outputs from your CD player (or whatever) directly into your headphone amp.

kirch · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Apr 2005, 04:54 pm »

Hi Scott - but I wanna be able to listen to whatever is playing thru my amp, you know, the tuner, cd, satellite, whatever, just like when you plug the phones into your receiver. Is this possible?

kirch

Mike D · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Apr 2005, 05:02 pm »

Does your pre have dual outputs or a tape monitor?

kirch · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Apr 2005, 05:08 pm »

It's a Chinese EL 34 tube "Audio Institute", 40 wpc. Sounds terrific for the bucks. I can connect four components. Tape, Aux, CD, Tuner. But right now, as I said, they're all taken. No other outputs. Thanks -

Kirch

G · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 Apr 2005, 11:00 pm »

Quote from: kirch

It's a Chinese EL 34 tube "Audio Institute", 40 wpc. Sounds terrific for the bucks. I can connect four components. Tape, Aux, CD, Tuner. But right now, as I said, they're all taken. No other outputs. Thanks -

Kirch

You could add a "tape out" or "aux out". Simply install a wire from the grid pin of each input tube on your amp to a RCA jack and solder a 1M resistor from the center lug of each jack to the "earth" lug and viola. You have a "tape monitor" output. It is not difficult. About 15 minutes work and years of enjoyment. Can you drill a couple of holes and do a little soldering?

Bill Baker · « **Reply #6 on:** 29 Apr 2005, 11:42 pm »

Quote

Simply install a wire from the grid pin of each input tube on your amp to a RCA jack and solder a 1M resistor from the center lug of each jack to the "earth" lug and viola.

You could also come right out of the source selector at the same location wher it goes into the volume pot. If I recall, the AI amp has just a passive control stage so the resistor will not be needed (but wouldn't hurt).

kirch · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 Apr 2005, 11:45 pm »

This is all very interesting, but what you don't know is, I'm electronically challenged.

Kirch

Scott F. · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Apr 2005, 12:47 am »

Quote from: G

You could add a "tape out" or "aux out". Simply install a wire from the grid pin of each input tube on your amp to a RCA jack and solder a 1M resistor from the center lug of each jack to the "earth" lug and viola. You have a "tape monitor" output. It is not ...

It kinda sounds like Kirch may be doing some extended listening to headphones.

This may sound a little weird but...... wouldn't you want to drop out the plate voltage to the output tubes? Would a switch on the B+ to the plates keep the output tubes from just sitting there and cooking (or would I zap the shite out myself again)? If not, we should probaly add switch to interrupt the gain stage to the output stage (otherwise you'll get sound out of the speakers while you were using the headphones).

G · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Apr 2005, 09:39 am »

Quote from: Scott F.

It kinda sounds like Kirch may be doing some extended listening to headphones.

This may sound a little weird but...... wouldn't you want to drop out the plate voltage to the output tubes? Would a switch on the B+ to the plates keep the output tubes from just sitting there and cooking (or would I zap the shite out myself again)? If not, we should probaly add switch to interrupt the gain stage to the output stage (otherwise you'll get sound out of the speakers while you were using the headphones).

Good point. You could actually just turn the amp off when listening to headphones since you really won't be using either tube for gain. Merely "tapping" into the signal and using the amp's selector setup for your own nefarious ends.

Scott F. · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Apr 2005, 12:13 pm »

Quote from: G

Good point. You could actually just turn the amp off when listening to headphones since you really won't be using either tube for gain. Merely "tapping" into the signal and using the amp's selector setup for your own nefarious ends.

Better point. Not sure what we were thinking

Hey Bill, have you still got the schamtic for this amp?

G · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Apr 2005, 01:07 pm »

Quote from: Response Audio

Quote
Simply install a wire from the grid pin of each input tube on your amp to a RCA jack and solder a 1M resistor from the center lug of each jack to the "earth" lug and viola.

You could also come right out of the source selector at the same location wher it goes into the volume pot. If I recall, the AI amp has just a passive control stage so the resistor will not be needed (but wouldn't hurt).

I didn't realize it had a pot. I should have known that though huh? The only thing to worry about is the input impedance of the headphone amp. Shouldn't be a big deal though as most sources have very low output impedances.