A new best amp ever....

Mariusz · « **Reply #20 on:** 28 Jun 2009, 03:04 pm »

Gary knows his sh**t and I am confident that his new products will do very well.

Wishing you all the best.

Mariusz

bummrush · « **Reply #21 on:** 28 Jun 2009, 03:24 pm »

I think it will be truly magical if you can get rid of the switching noises. 98% efficiency is not that big of a deal.

So, square waves or pure sine waves? Switching frequency?
Above taken from a previous comment,what exactly is the benefit of this efficiency this has been trumped all over the digital amp scene and one think i think nobody really understands,from the little bit i get of it ,is that it doesn't matter unless the amp is being used at its full power and which is something that alot of amps when in use are using only a fraction of their power to begin with,so what i'm trying to say is this efficiency spec relevant or not or just more marketing hype.I think Collums when he did digital amp reveiws a couple yrs ago in ,what Hi Fi Critic not sure, said with respect to dig.amps this was pretty much meanimgless.

srb · « **Reply #22 on:** 28 Jun 2009, 03:46 pm »

I don't know how the efficiency of a switching power supply relates to using one with a tube amp, but in most solid state Class D amps with switching supplies, the power consumption at idle (no signal) is far lower than a conventional analog power supply.

Some of the larger solid state amps can consume 200W - 300W at idle! Since many people leave their amplifiers powered on continuously, that would be like leaving 4 - 75W incandescent light bulbs on 24/7 (without any music enjoyment being produced!)

I'm sure Gary can give us some information about idle power consumption and whether it is recommended to leave this amplifier powered on or not.

Steve

gld · « **Reply #23 on:** 28 Jun 2009, 03:53 pm »

Ok, from that aspect of thinking you are correct, efficiency doesn't matter, who cares! I think your missing the point totally. What we have here is a tube amplifier that is operating on batteries. Batteries being the key word here.
There are no other battery tube amps in existance, at least I know of none. This is a first of it's kind and it is very exciting! The efficiency thing is very important here, we are attempting to get the absolute highest efficiency possible to be able to get the absolute most from the batteries. That makes perfect sense to me. I had another guy say to me, it's only 15 watts what makes it so special.

DUH!, it's running on batteries, first of it's kind nothing like it anywhere.

Gary

bummrush · « **Reply #24 on:** 28 Jun 2009, 03:54 pm »

I know alot of people do leave amps on but just the same alot dont,,,and also i hope he addresses the efficiency aspect as to how it relates to amps playing when they are only using a couple watts to begin to begin with .kind of like the damping factor, another are where it seems you never get a clear answer,while with the dig amps i used it was really nothing more then a wow factor and frankly after awhile it got to the point where all the bass,well it was just to much of a good thing.

srb · « **Reply #25 on:** 28 Jun 2009, 04:03 pm »

Quote from: gld on 28 Jun 2009, 03:53 pm

The efficiency thing is very important here, we are attempting to get the absolute highest efficiency possible to be able to get the absolute most from the batteries. That makes perfect sense to me.

Gary

Thanks, I did not even think about the run time on batteries. Makes perfect sense to me, too.

Steve

Audiovista · « **Reply #26 on:** 28 Jun 2009, 04:04 pm »

Don't want to sidetrack the topic, but we should keep in mind that main reason for Class D introduction was lower cost, not higher quality, compared to linear amps. Lot of time has passed since and now Class D is a serious contender in the sound quality department, when inherent problems (EMI, RFI, reliability, etc.) are adequately addressed.

Switching power supplies and tube amplifiers.... obvious benefit is smaller size of the power supply (result of higher efficiency and higher switching frequency). Another benefit is exactly what (I think) Gary is doing here.... using standard tubes with low voltage battery source and being able to offer it for a reasonable price.

Boris

gld · « **Reply #27 on:** 28 Jun 2009, 04:32 pm »

Thank you Boris! I agree totally. The efficiency is directly related to playtime for a given battery, nothing else. The more efficient the longer it can be played for a given battery. Also it is a first of it's kind and it has tubes and I am striving to keep it affordable in these troubled times!

Gary

bummrush · « **Reply #28 on:** 28 Jun 2009, 09:20 pm »

Definitely sounds interesting.Also i dont see how you can argue about the price,seems pretty fair for what seems like a good product.

johnzm · « **Reply #29 on:** 28 Jun 2009, 09:44 pm »

as a soon to be owner of a new dodd pre, i am even more excited to see something like this come out. it will be terrific in my bedroom.

just a question Gary,

can this thing be converted to use a wall outlet? and do you think it would be extremly detrimental on its performance?

Thanks!

bummrush · « **Reply #30 on:** 28 Jun 2009, 10:23 pm »

Great question

Danny Richie · « **Reply #31 on:** 28 Jun 2009, 10:47 pm »

Quote

can this thing be converted to use a wall outlet?

My first thought would be why?

I reasonably good power cable would cost more than batteries and a charger.

I had one of Gary's original reference pre-amps. It had a really good external power supply that weighed about 35 pounds. Cost to produce that power supply was about $1,500.

Not only do batteries sound better, but they are a lot less expensive.

Quote

and do you think it would be extremly detrimental on its performance?

Gary has made a version of this amp before, and it really did sound good, but not this good.

Once you get off the grid, you can't go back.

That would be like asking if you could put some 13" wheels and tires on your Corvette. Yeah, you could actually drive it that way, but why?

gld · « **Reply #32 on:** 28 Jun 2009, 11:02 pm »

WOW, ok i'm not going to make fun of any one, but I am confused!

Like myself, I thought that most audiophiles only dreamed of getting off the grid. My battery preamp lets you achieve that part of the goal, If your into vinyl, well my battery phono stage gets you there. I have introduced a battery amplifier running on batteries, not uncommon these days, but this one is using tubes. It is a first step at getting tube amplifiers off the grid. The many of you who own battery preamps, none of you have ever asked, CAN I PLUG IT IN?
To honestly answer your question can it be plugged in, YES sure. It will totally destroy the magic of this amp and then it would be just like alll the rest.

If you have to plug in there are many many amps out there with only 15 watts and for a lot less money.
Just my 2 cents worth here. It aint hard to hide a battery or batteries and connect a charger when necessary. Especially for the truly awsome musical experiences you will recieve from this tiny battery amp!

I hope I have not offended any one with this post. Give me a break this is what everybody has been waiting for DON'T GO AND PLUG IT IN TOO!

Gary

johnzm · « **Reply #33 on:** 28 Jun 2009, 11:51 pm »

Quote from: gld on 28 Jun 2009, 11:02 pm

WOW, ok i'm not going to make fun of any one, but I am confused!
Like myself, I thought that most audiophiles only dreamed of getting off the grid. My battery preamp lets you achieve that part of the goal, If your into vinyl, well my battery phono stage gets you there. I have introduced a battery amplifier running on batteries, not uncommon these days, but this one is using tubes. It is a first step at getting tube amplifiers off the grid. The many of you who own battery preamps, none of you have ever asked, CAN I PLUG IT IN?
To honestly answer your question can it be plugged in, YES sure. It will totally destroy the magic of this amp and then it would be just like alll the rest. If you have to plug in there are many many amps out there with only 15 watts and for a lot less money.
Just my 2 cents worth here. It aint hard to hide a battery or batteries and connect a charger when necessary. Especially for the truly awsome musical experiences you will recieve from this tiny battery amp!
I hope I have not offended any one with this post. Give me a break this is what everybody has been waiting for DON'T GO AND PLUG IT IN TOO!
Gary

im sorry, i dont mean to offend.

my bedroom setup plays throughout the night. so i guess about 8 hrs a day its on.

id love to have the sonics of a nice warm tube to keep me happy through the night, but i dont have the room for a battery that might be needed for 8 hrs of ontime.

BUT, i do want the sonics!

i guess i cant have the best of both worlds at a price this cheap, can I

Danny Richie · « **Reply #34 on:** 29 Jun 2009, 12:09 am »

I ordered two small Lithium Ion batteries for mine. They will fit into a chassis slightly smaller than the amp (not very big) and it will play it for 4.5 hours before shutting down for a re-charge.

Four of those little batteries would get you 9 hours of play.

johnzm · « **Reply #35 on:** 29 Jun 2009, 01:00 am »

it sounds like i might be able to work with it after all

9 hrs should be enough as long as it is not car-battery sized i can find some room for it

is there any way that we might be able to do a pass-around with one of these like they are currently doing with the glow1/virtue?

i have a few friends who would be very interested, but they are the kind of people who do not know gary's reputation. they instead buy on what they hear and are much less likely to buy without some hands on time beforehand

Danny Richie · « **Reply #36 on:** 29 Jun 2009, 01:18 am »

Quote

9 hrs should be enough as long as it is not car-battery sized i can find some room for it

Trust me, they aren't very big. Gary has them right now so maybe he can tell you exactly how big they are.

Quote

is there any way that we might be able to do a pass-around with one of these like they are currently doing with the glow1/virtue?

That reminds me. The Virtue amp was transformed by the battery power supply.

I don't think that there are plans right now for a pass around unit.

mumford · « **Reply #37 on:** 29 Jun 2009, 01:31 am »

Quote from: johnzm on 29 Jun 2009, 01:00 am

it sounds like i might be able to work with it after all 9 hrs should be enough as long as it is not car-battery sized i can find some room for it

You can probably use 2 batteries. You listen to one and charge the second battery at the same time. When the first battery runs low, just flip a switch and you have a fresh second battery to use and charge the first battery at the same time.

For those that know what they are doing, you can rig a relay controller, so the switch will flip automatically. Here is a link to a schematic of similar concept.

http://www.pacifier.com/~gpimm/relay%20controller.gif

gld · « **Reply #38 on:** 29 Jun 2009, 03:14 am »

The batteries Danny is refering to are LiFePO4 type. That is lithium Iron Phosphate, the same as used in the Chevy Volt. Danny is getting the optional matching chassis battery pack. It includes a matching chassis that will hold 2 of these 12.8 volt 10.2 amp hour batteries. These 2 batteries are playing the amplifier for 4-4.5 hours each play cycle then it, (the battery pack) turns itself off and it will not turn itself back on until it is fully charged. This battery does not have a memory, like all other rechargable batteries and it can be cycled more than 2000 times before the end of it's life. The cost is very high indeed! Just the 2 batteries along with no charger is over $300. The optional battery pack will come with a fast charger which recharges the 2 batteries in 2.5 hours. It will also come with a price of around $700.
You can figure that for every 5 amp hours of battery capacity you have that will run the amp nearly 1 hour, I say nearly cause all batteries aren't equal.
Danny's amp with 2 is playing 4-4.5 hours each time and it has 20.4 amp hours of capacity. A typical deep cycle marine battery of 115 amp hous will last 20+ hours before needing charged. You guys decide what batteries and how big, you just have to provide the proper charger for the job.
The batteries are really small for their power. they measure 4.5"x3.3"x3.0" and they only weigh 2.4 lbs.

gary

S Clark · « **Reply #39 on:** 29 Jun 2009, 06:28 pm »

I don't know how much in common the 6bq5 amps you built for me have in common with the new battery amps ( but I have my suspicions), but they certainly don't play like 15 wpc. With the 91 dB GR AV-3's, they fill a very big room at a loud level with the volume set at 9 o'clock. They are absolutely amazing.