mwhouston 5,279 Posted November 17, 2020 Share Posted November 17, 2020 (edited) 12 minutes ago, andyr said: Nice-looking case, Mark. Where do you get them from ... and do they have different sizes? Andy Jaycar, 1U, 2U (which this amp is) and 3U 19” rack mounts. Edited November 17, 2020 by mwhouston Link to post Share on other sites
andyr 6,089 Posted November 17, 2020 Share Posted November 17, 2020 23 minutes ago, mwhouston said: Jaycar, 1U, 2U (which this amp is) and 3U 19” rack mounts. Thanks, Mark. Andy Link to post Share on other sites
mwhouston 5,279 Posted November 17, 2020 Share Posted November 17, 2020 I’ve asked this question on one of the vinyl threads and though off thread thought I’d ask it here. Has anyone bought and/or heard the Ortofon Concord Century? I’m thing on adding it to my MM collection. Link to post Share on other sites
Grizaudio 270 Posted November 17, 2020 Share Posted November 17, 2020 On 08/11/2020 at 12:08 PM, mwhouston said: Another mono Salt Cellar setup. I'm curious. What's your favourite full range bass driver and horn combo that's currently commercially available? I.e. 15inch and compression/waveguide. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
mwhouston 5,279 Posted November 17, 2020 Share Posted November 17, 2020 11 minutes ago, Grizaudio said: I'm curious. What's your favourite full range bass driver and horn combo that's currently commercially available? I.e. 15inch and compression/waveguide. I’d go for these. https://faitalpro.com/en/products/LF_Loudspeakers/product_details/index.php?id=101060100 https://faitalpro.com/en/products/HF_Drivers/product_details/index.php?id=502010110 https://faitalpro.com/en/products/HF_Horns/product_details/index.php?id=903010110 Very high efficiency and goes very low. Great for SETs. Link to post Share on other sites
Compass 53 Posted November 17, 2020 Share Posted November 17, 2020 59 minutes ago, Grizaudio said: I'm curious. What's your favourite full range bass driver and horn combo that's currently commercially available? I.e. 15inch and compression/waveguide. 43 minutes ago, mwhouston said: I’d go for these. https://faitalpro.com/en/products/LF_Loudspeakers/product_details/index.php?id=101060100 https://faitalpro.com/en/products/HF_Drivers/product_details/index.php?id=502010110 https://faitalpro.com/en/products/HF_Horns/product_details/index.php?id=903010110 Very high efficiency and goes very low. Great for SETs. Might be a dumb question , but no mid-range required with those choices? Is the horn driver covering everything above the base driver? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
RoHo 464 Posted November 17, 2020 Share Posted November 17, 2020 25 minutes ago, Compass said: Might be a dumb question , but no mid-range required with those choices? Is the horn driver covering everything above the base driver? Strange as it might seem to those used to hifi speakers, this type of 12-15 inch pro woofer are more midrange than bass drivers. The tweeter/horn combo will crossover at about 1-1.5kHz to the 15 incher which will extend down to 40-100Hz depending on the enclosure. You will then need a dedicated bass driver or separate subwoofer to get full range output. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
mwhouston 5,279 Posted November 18, 2020 Share Posted November 18, 2020 23 minutes ago, RoHo said: Strange as it might seem to those used to hifi speakers, this type of 12-15 inch pro woofer are more midrange than bass drivers. The tweeter/horn combo will crossover at about 1-1.5kHz to the 15 incher which will extend down to 40-100Hz depending on the enclosure. You will then need a dedicated bass driver or separate subwoofer to get full range output. The reason why I selected this woofer is that it will go low and extend to 1100hz where I would Xover to the horn. Link to post Share on other sites
mwhouston 5,279 Posted November 18, 2020 Share Posted November 18, 2020 55 minutes ago, Compass said: Might be a dumb question , but no mid-range required with those choices? Is the horn driver covering everything above the base driver? The woofer will extend to 1100hz the horn takes over to 20K+ 2 Link to post Share on other sites
muon* 3,409 Posted November 18, 2020 Share Posted November 18, 2020 Given what Matty says about his LDR Pre, and my other friends experience with the SC, I'm looking at a ePot Mini with the LDR Module from Tortuga Audio to replace the Comos pot in my EL34 amp. https://tortugaaudio.com/products/diy-preamp-components/electronic-stepped-attenuator-epot-v3-mini/ I'll run it without display as my needs are basic, one source is all I need and the ePot mini will have the remote for the basic functions I required. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
aussievintage 4,109 Posted November 18, 2020 Share Posted November 18, 2020 6 hours ago, muon* said: Given what Matty says about his LDR Pre, and my other friends experience with the SC, I'm looking at a ePot Mini with the LDR Module from Tortuga Audio to replace the Comos pot in my EL34 amp. https://tortugaaudio.com/products/diy-preamp-components/electronic-stepped-attenuator-epot-v3-mini/ I'll run it without display as my needs are basic, one source is all I need and the ePot mini will have the remote for the basic functions I required. That's an intriguing device. Seems well thought out with the options they offer. The only thing is I would think twice about putting all that digital stuff in my pure analogue all triode preamp. Link to post Share on other sites
muon* 3,409 Posted November 19, 2020 Share Posted November 19, 2020 9 hours ago, aussievintage said: That's an intriguing device. Seems well thought out with the options they offer. The only thing is I would think twice about putting all that digital stuff in my pure analogue all triode preamp. I'd like the display so I have access to more features but budget is stretched already, but will be happy with just the Mini with Apple Remote, I think I still have a Sony power brick downstairs I can use for it. I'll just add an input socket to the left side of the amp. I've heard too much good stuff about LDR's from some close to me to not give them a try. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Old Man Rubber 784 Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 On 04/11/2020 at 12:49 PM, mwhouston said: Do a Molly (“do yourself a favour”), bin them. Altronics has good tweeters off the shelf. And make/get a suitable Xovers. Went to Jaycar instead and ordered some of these: Titanium tweeters Now - the description on the Jaycar site isn't quite correct, they are silk/titanium. I have removed the plastic surround and hacked them into place. Sadly the mounting holes didn't quite line up with the original ones. Impedence and frequency response are probably different to the originals as well so I should probably do something with the crossovers. Now just waiting for some bass reflex ports to arrive from China so I can finish these and start tweaking. The only original things left are the crossovers and the plastic badges 🙂 1 Link to post Share on other sites
mwhouston 5,279 Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 28 minutes ago, Old Man Rubber said: Went to Jaycar instead and ordered some of these: Titanium tweeters Now - the description on the Jaycar site isn't quite correct, they are silk/titanium. I have removed the plastic surround and hacked them into place. Sadly the mounting holes didn't quite line up with the original ones. Impedence and frequency response are probably different to the originals as well so I should probably do something with the crossovers. Now just waiting for some bass reflex ports to arrive from China so I can finish these and start tweaking. The only original things left are the crossovers and the plastic badges 🙂 I have a pair of those tweeters and they leak. In other words air pressure at the back from the woofers will pump the tweeter diaphragms. At least mine did going back some years. To remedy this either put a sealed chamber behind them In the box to block back pressure or seal around the back of the tweeter. If I remember it is obvious to see where they are assembled at the back. Silicon seal this area. I’d smother the whole back of the tweeter with sealant. One it will stop back pressure and two dampen the tweeters. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Old Man Rubber 784 Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 2 minutes ago, mwhouston said: I have a pair of those tweeters and they leak. In other words air pressure at the back from the woofers will pump the tweeter diaphragms. At least mine did going back some years. To remedy this either put a sealed chamber behind them In the box to block back pressure or seal around the back of the tweeter. If I remember it is obvious to see where they are assembled at the back. Silicon seal this area. I’d smother the whole back of the tweeter with sealant. One it will stop back pressure and two dampen the tweeters. OK - I have to admit I didn't look at the backs of them too carefully, the entire back seemed to be magnet. Without the bass reflex ports installed (they were missing when I got these) I guess I could plug the hole and see if the leakage is significant. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
mwhouston 5,279 Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 6 minutes ago, Old Man Rubber said: OK - I have to admit I didn't look at the backs of them too carefully, the entire back seemed to be magnet. Without the bass reflex ports installed (they were missing when I got these) I guess I could plug the hole and see if the leakage is significant. You could fill from the magnet down to the plastic mount. Could only improve the tweeter and seal it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Old Man Rubber 784 Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 1 minute ago, mwhouston said: You could fill from the magnet down to the plastic mount. Could only improve the tweeter and seal it. I didn't test them after re-assembly, have switched them in for the morning in place of the repaired Janssons. Bass extension without the reflex tubes isn't terrific at the moment but it's fine for a double bass. Streaming "Somethin' Else" (Cannonball Adderley) - the horrible mud from the blown tweeters has disappeared and now they are surprisingly listenable but that piercing brightness might take some getting used to. Not the greatest recording to test a soundstage (very "stereo" release with solos coming exclusively out one speaker). They have become very "studio monitor" sounding speakers if that makes sense. Will disassemble and have a look at the tweeters sealing. Link to post Share on other sites
barbz127 142 Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 Nothing overly unique but about to start wiring up a bottlehead crack 3 Link to post Share on other sites
mwhouston 5,279 Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 26 minutes ago, barbz127 said: Nothing overly unique but about to start wiring up a bottlehead crack I’ve made four. Instructions are good. Just double check everything and there should be no problems. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
mwhouston 5,279 Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 Haven’t made one of theses for quite a while. Mimic chip based phono preamp. I’m happy with the layout which changes every time I make one. As long as they work and run dead silent I’m happy. All carbon 1/4W Rs and a mix of MKT, polyester and low ESR cap. Differential PS is on the brd. Output cap will be a Russian PIO. Compact Al enclosure is sprayed gloss black and now ready for assembly. Link to post Share on other sites
aussievintage 4,109 Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 3 hours ago, barbz127 said: Nothing overly unique but about to start wiring up a bottlehead crack Post some more photos as it progresses. I would like to see how a kit like this goes together. I have never actually built a valve based kit, all my stuff is my own ad hoc ideas 1 Link to post Share on other sites
RankStranger 3,933 Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 My transformer has forgotten the words... I just put a new transformer in my Studer900-based dual linear power supply and it’s working but it’s humming. I had it custom-made on AliExpress so I don’t know if there’s something wrong with it or I’ve just wired something up wrong somewhere, the latter being the most likely explanation on account of me being an idiot. I guess it’s an earthing problem but, while my previous transformer had an “SCN" lead that I connected to the earth pin on my iec socket, this one does not. I’d appreciate any guidance or even exclamations of haughty derision, as long as it’s constructive. thanks in advance 1 Link to post Share on other sites
mwhouston 5,279 Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 Finally complete with only one little stuff up that was soon fixed. As said in an earlier post a mix of MKT, Polyester and low ESR electro caps. All carbon film Rs through. Differential PS onboard. Genuine OPA2134 from RS and machined milspec socket. Two 9V batteries for about 50 to 100 hours play depending on battery type. I often use eBay lithium’s first 100 hours. Cast Al enclosure with bituminised heavy Al in the bottom for resonance and vibration control. Paint is Epoxy Enamel with an etching primer. The finish is gloss and tough. This one is also called “Carbon” for obvious reasons. Some don’t like carbon film resistors but I find they produce a very smooth sound but still let instruments shine in their own space. The preamp is new and requires about 50 hours to burn in. Listening to it now with late model Rega P3 and Gerrott P77i cart. Very nice and to think it will improve. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Old Man Rubber 784 Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 Anyone used these kits for making speaker grilles or have suggestions for making frames to suit some speaker grille cloth? Looking to cover up the faces of the grandfather's axe Dauphins Link to post Share on other sites
planet10 211 Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 [quote]Rega P3 and Gerrott P77i[/quote] I have a tweaked Rega 2 with a Linn Basik and that cartridge :^) dave Link to post Share on other sites
Ihearmusic 633 Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 (edited) On 23/11/2020 at 6:41 PM, RankStranger said: My transformer has forgotten the words... I just put a new transformer in my Studer900-based dual linear power supply and it’s working but it’s humming. I had it custom-made on AliExpress so I don’t know if there’s something wrong with it or I’ve just wired something up wrong somewhere, the latter being the most likely explanation on account of me being an idiot. I guess it’s an earthing problem but, while my previous transformer had an “SCN" lead that I connected to the earth pin on my iec socket, this one does not. I’d appreciate any guidance or even exclamations of haughty derision, as long as it’s constructive. thanks in advance The secondaries could be out of phase? AC lines close to the one IC? Edited November 24, 2020 by Ihearmusic Link to post Share on other sites
RankStranger 3,933 Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 8 minutes ago, Ihearmusic said: The secondaries could be out of phase? AC lines close to the one IC? Thanks, I’ll try those. I didn’t even think of phase. I might have to lengthen the ac to route it further away 1 Link to post Share on other sites
barbz127 142 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Crack is all done and working. Only one progress shot 9 Link to post Share on other sites
mwhouston 5,279 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 1 hour ago, barbz127 said: Crack is all done and working. Only one progress shot Good to see you sprayed the top plate. Link to post Share on other sites
aussievintage 4,109 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 1 hour ago, barbz127 said: Crack is all done and working. How does it sound? I have a special version of my own design that I think sounds fantastic. I believe this one should sound very good too. Link to post Share on other sites
barbz127 142 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Sounds good so far. I've only listened to a couple of tracks to confirm its working; waiting for the oil on the base to dry properly before I bring it inside from the shed. Glad I sprayed the top plate but If I was to do it again I would try and anodise it or something else that has a cleaner finish and less prone to scratching... Assuming such a finish is still conductive for the underside. Bottlehead have a 15% off sale on at the moment for black Friday... Might have to queue up a follow on project. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
crtexcnndrm99 630 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Looking at Bottlehead, the Moreplay looks like an interesting budget option... don’t know if anyone’s had a look at that one? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
mwhouston 5,279 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 23 minutes ago, crtexcnndrm99 said: Looking at Bottlehead, the Moreplay looks like an interesting budget option... don’t know if anyone’s had a look at that one? Godda link? Link to post Share on other sites
RankStranger 3,933 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 (edited) . Edited November 25, 2020 by RankStranger Link to post Share on other sites
RankStranger 3,933 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 23 hours ago, Ihearmusic said: The secondaries could be out of phase? AC lines close to the one IC? Tried both. No change. I wonder if it’s a faulty transformer. Is that common? Link to post Share on other sites
crtexcnndrm99 630 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 45 minutes ago, mwhouston said: Godda link? https://bottlehead.com/product/moreplay-preamplifier-kit/ although I am suspicious of the true value for money for such ‘convenient’ kits... but what do I know! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
andyr 6,089 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 9 minutes ago, crtexcnndrm99 said: https://bottlehead.com/product/moreplay-preamplifier-kit/ although I am suspicious of the true value for money for such ‘convenient’ kits... but what do I know! Obviously SFA, Ash! At the price - I suggest that is value for money, for a tube preamp. However, I note: Output impedance is "less than 3.2Kohms " - that is high! (So not every power amp will be a good match.) Bandwidth is not great at the lower end: 23Hz to 45kHz, -1dB. Andy 1 Link to post Share on other sites
mwhouston 5,279 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 22 minutes ago, crtexcnndrm99 said: https://bottlehead.com/product/moreplay-preamplifier-kit/ although I am suspicious of the true value for money for such ‘convenient’ kits... but what do I know! You are aware this is preamp and not a HP driver. Link to post Share on other sites
crtexcnndrm99 630 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 21 minutes ago, mwhouston said: You are aware this is preamp and not a HP driver. Definitely. Seeing the Crack made me interested in seeing what Bottlehead’s other offerings are. Apparently this Morelay is their latest product. Like their aesthetic 1 Link to post Share on other sites
crtexcnndrm99 630 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 (edited) 24 minutes ago, andyr said: Obviously SFA, Ash! At the price - I suggest that is value for money, for a tube preamp. However, I note: Output impedance is "less than 3.2Kohms " - that is high! (So not every power amp will be a good match.) Bandwidth is not great at the lower end: 23Hz to 45kHz, -1dB. Andy Haha. Thanks Andy 😂 Edited November 25, 2020 by crtexcnndrm99 Link to post Share on other sites
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