Need thoughts on chassis ideas

Bill Baker · « **on:** 19 Jun 2005, 03:16 pm »

Greetings everyone,
After over a year of fiddling, I have finally finalized the circuit for my Musica Bella 8 watt SET (300B) mono bloc amplifiers and now trying to decide on chassis construction. My thoughts have been as follows:

1) Solid hardwood with copper top plates.
2) Brushed aluminum (like ASL's newer chassis)
3) Custom powder coated stainless steel.

Prototypes are in high gloss black powder coated stainless steel and the circuit is dead quiet. A wood design should be as quiet with grounding to the copper top plate. Both wood and steel chassis would have a lot of versitility with different hardwood being available and different powder coating options available.

I will also need to make the chassis a bit larger than the prototypes to house custom made 18.9v transformers that will allow the use of either 6SN7 or 12SN7 input/driver tubes.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. WHat do you think would be the most desired.

woodsyi · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Jul 2005, 05:33 pm »

Bill,

I think fancy wood with copper top would look fablous. Are you going to offer a package deal with a pair of well matched speakers? I am asking because I have been looking out for a bedroom set that will sound sweet with mostly chamber music, classical guitar works and vocals with acoustic accompaniments.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Jul 2005, 06:28 pm »

Hi Woodsyi,
Looks like the wood and copper combination will be highly considered and will be in the mix of options. I am working on a pair right now that are Cherry with the copper top plate. The goal now is stainless chassis as a standard with custom wood chassis available as options with a minumal, if any, price difference.
As far as speakers go, I am using the Daedalus DA-1 for evaluation of the amps and looking a few others that mate up well with these amps. Both Audio Note and the Omega speakers will also be used in evaluation. On the lower price side, I have a pair of Audio Note AX-TWO book shelf speakers that I have also been using.

How are those Canes doing?

Bill Baker · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 Jul 2005, 07:07 pm »

By the way, I am also considering bringing in the Reference 3A speakers both for Bella evaluation as well as an addition to the lineup.

woodsyi · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Jul 2005, 08:29 pm »

Bill,

The Canes are going well. I tightend a couple of pin holders in the socket and, presto, everything is good. I left them on continuously for 2 weeks to facilitate "burn in". Everything checks out and bias is holding steady. The sound just keeps getting better. I dont' know if the amps are getting better, the Bybees on the drivers are burning in or the additional caps on the crossover are breaking in, but I had to turn the pot down to balance the ribbons with the woofers on my speakers. It isn't just the dynamics-- clarity, harmonic balance, impact, decay, you name it, are all getting better. All parts seem to be congealing into a beautiful organic playback system that disapears and lets in the art. I don't get bogged down on individual notes. Rather, I hear the themes and emotions of the music that transports you into a different place. I know Big B uses SoA amps on these but I can't imagine anyting sounding better on the ribbons than these 120 watts of triode Cane magic.

Keep me posted on your Bella SET blocks and how they do with different speakers. In particular, I am curious if these little amps would mate well with the new hemp/leather Omegas.

P.S. Dan's linestage may also be contibuting to the improvement!

Bill Baker · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Jul 2005, 08:42 pm »

Oh yes, the tube socket pins. With differnt tubes being used and the swapping of tubes from time to time, this can cause the tube pins to open up a bit too much. Maybe I will incorperate some exotit tube sockets into the EXtreme Limited versions. We'll have to see how much this brings up the cost. Not only are the tube sockets I have in mind a bit pricey, the labor to replace all 22 sockets would be outragous.

Nice words on the Canes, would you mind if I used them on my site for some more feedback?

I will let you know how the Bellas sound with Lou's Hemp drivers as I will be bringing in a pair of these shorty. That reminds me, I have to call him tomorrow.

woodsyi · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 Jul 2005, 09:21 pm »

Bill,

From what I have heard, you don't need any more glowing review on the Hurricane extreme mods but you are welcome to use my humble expressions that do not convey the true worth of these masterpiceces. Do you recognize my avatar?

Bill Baker · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 Jul 2005, 01:37 am »

Thanks for allowing the use of your words.
Yes, I do recognize it as this is how I know it's you before even reading a post.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Sep 2005, 02:00 am »

Bella 300B amplifier chassis update:

With teh new facility, I wil lnow have a very large section dedicated to wood working and the construction of the real wood chassis for these amplifiers.

I also have new prototypes being made up by a local machining company! Come to find out, one of the other coaches on my football team (I coach 6-8 year olds with my 7 year old twins also on teh team) works for this company and stopped by the store today to take down some details.

The wood chassis will utilize copper top plates with the outsourced chassis made of stainless steel with a copper top plate also installed but in a unique way. I'll post pictures as they come available.

woodsyi · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 01:55 pm »

Bill,

Can this flea powered Bella drive your Bella/SP AV1 speakers? Or do you have others in mind to mate with the amp?

Bill Baker · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Sep 2005, 02:03 pm »

I think the Bella speakers will need a bit more power than the 8 watter for full potential. There are two amplifiers I have in mind for mating up with these speakers. On the affordable level will be the Signature and Reference 3205s. I will even offer these in a package deal.
The amp I am most eager to mate with them is the 25 watt Bella 300B mono blocs. There are the Bella 25s using twin 300Bs in push pull. These will be a bit more costly at about $4500 for the pair.

Both the Bella 8 and Bella 25 will utilize the same chassis with the 8 having tube rectification and the 25 maintaining a SS power supply.