[JohnR]

In October last year I ordered an amplifier from Earle Weston, of Victoria Australia. Earle makes his amplifiers from scratch, including the transformers. When I met Earle by chance in October last year, this struck me as something very very special. I subsequently ordered a custom "Trinity Signature Special," an EL34 triode-mode push-pull amp, 16-20 Watts/ch depending on rectifier. I had not heard this amp at that point but only his 45 SET amp. I gather his amps are still sold somewhat on "word of mouth." Nonetheless I wanted to post a few pictures of the amp that he made for me - he sends images of the amp as it is being constructed. For tube-o-philes anywhere - worth a look.

I have no connection with Earle other than having met with him once, conversed twice, and ordered/purchased this amplifier from him. I don't have any contact details handy right now - I'm not even sure he has a proper website yet - but will post something as a followup.

Onto some pics!

Transformer being wound:



Chassis in Australian "Silky Oak" under construction:



Start of transformer laminations:



Transformers completed:



Internal wiring:



Completed and operating in my system:



I really enjoyed the experience of seeing this amp come to life, I hope you have seen some of it here. Thanks.

JohnR

[Ericus Rex]

A beauty!   

[Wind Chaser]

Nice.  About how much was it?

[JohnR]

Hi, thanks! Around AUD 2k give or take depending on options.

[JoshK]

Work of art!  How does it sound?

[JohnR]

Oh! Fabulous, I would say. With the caveat that, in between ordering and receiving the amp I decommissioned my Quads and built a prototype dipole/ribbon system. So the Weston amp is currently powering the ribbon array from around 2-300Hz upwards, it's a little hard to offer direct comparisons at this point.

[Mr Content]

Heard it today,smooth, good extension in the highs, and I would say has a good sound stage. Heard this briefly in a few cd's today. The speakers John has are still being sorted, but amp had good tone.

Mr C

[mgalusha]

Truly beautiful, very nice indeed. 

[Jehuty]

http://www.westonacoustics.com/

Some hifi porn there! 

[JohnR]

Cool - thanks for the link!

[oneinthepipe]

That is a beauty!  Congratulations.

[JakeJ]

That's a beauty, JR.  Thanks for the pics.

[rollo]

Enjoy john it must have been a trip watching it grow from the winding of trannies to the final tube insertion. Price seems awfully fair for a hand built item. Way cool.


charles

[JohnR]

Thanks Charles (and others) - yes, I did enjoy the journey