I've moved the great sounding Volt+D to another system and now have the FX tube preamp driving the APPJ/Miniwatt S1 SET amp. The inverted version of my 4 tube MW can be had for $99. I think I paid over $250 ten years ago for the S1. Still love SET driven Fostex Frugal Horns.
I've fallen all over again for the MW's tube goodness and have ordered tube adaptors that allow substitution of 6AQ5's for the 6P1p. When they arrive I'll post impressions.
I've moved the great sounding Volt+D to another system and now have the FX tube preamp driving the APPJ/Miniwatt S1 SET amp. The inverted version of my 4 tube MW can be had for $99. I think I paid over $250 ten years ago for the S1. Still love SET driven Fostex Frugal Horns.
I am now using these new adaptors to convert the APPJ/MW to these fine sounding Ken Rad 6v6 GT tubes. For years I've read about the sweet sound of 6v6 tubes and now I can say it's true. The quiet little 4" HV fan from Walmart keeps the amp at a good temperature.
I traded a pair of nice tubes for these Coral Holey Baskets. These are efficient 3.5 inch full range drivers that were used in high end Sony reel to reels back in the 60's. They have a cult like following and when a pair comes up on ebay it's usually a bidding war. Listening to them you'd never know they weren't at least 8 inch drivers. Amazing sound and if you follow "Glow in the Dark's" Blog you know how highly he regards them. These puppies have alnico motors with fabric surrounds. I wish they made speakers like this today. They could but it would be expensive. I'm using some tops I had in the attic and the venerable H-frames provide the bass.
It's getting to the point where I'm somewhat jaded with the wonderful sound from all these OB's. If you're debating about venturing down the road less traveled don't hesitate. Simple, inexpensive, easy to build speakers that transport one to another realm. You will not look at a box speaker in the same way.
I read on other forums that the Coral Holey Baskets ( alnico ) were outstanding when used in the Frugal Horn Mk3 cabinets. Today I removed the Frugal's Fostex drivers and replaced them with the Corals. In order for them to fit I made supra baffles which are often used in folded horns. To make a long story short I was blown away by the sound. These puppies are incredibly detailed with a sound stage you'd never believe could come from a 3.5 inch driver. The Fostex's have been relegated to my audio closet but I may eventually try them in an upward firing Atmos speaker build ( 5.2.2 ). Stay tuned.
FWIW these Holey Baskets Frugal Horns with the B&G planar tweeters are powered by the original 2.5 watt APPJ/MW ( 6v6 ) with the FX Audio preamp. Plenty of headroom and glorious tube bloom.
Here's what Mr Glow in the Dark says about the Coral Holey Baskets. I believe they're his second favorite speakers. Zeniths alnico are his first and mine too.
I was in Michael's Craft Store over the weekend and found a selection of interesting wooden plaques. With some black vinyl contact paper I dressed them up a bit, cut out some 4 inch holes and mounted the Holey Baskets. I then glued the new plaque baffles to the Frugal Horns and hopefully they look better than the round baffles? They do match the Neo 3 planar tweeters.
Everyday that I listen to the Holeys I appreciate them more. Mids and highs that rival the best Lowthers and they image like I've not heard before. Highly detailed they just sound bigger and smoother than the Fostex's which I thought hung the moon. It's shocking that these 3 1/2 inch wonders were all but lost in 1960's Sony reel to reels. But even without a decent cabinet they probably sounded better than the best decks of that era.
If you run across a pair of Coral Holey Baskets buy them as they are beyond special.