I was curious when you turned on the amp did you get a pop sound and the woofers pushing out and sucking back in along with clipping at all? The forte I have was clipping at over halfway and would clip left channel significantly sooner than the right along with this at this volume the woofers were “floating” or being floppy on a rock song even. I have since disconnected it to send to be serviced with the combination of these things showing up recently.and finally a pic of the Forte and Diffet 3 pre-amp. (planning on new wood side pannels for pre-amp). I'm completely impressed with the performance of these units thus far.
Audire Audio Components
- Thread starter Bostown
- Start date
If the problem is with the amp, the popping sounds like high DC offset that will hopefully be repaired/adjusted. Clipping/distortion may be related to this or another problem.
Preamps can also create high DC offset that can cause clipping or other distortion, and in extreme cases, cause amplifier damage.
Preamps can also create high DC offset that can cause clipping or other distortion, and in extreme cases, cause amplifier damage.
My pioneer sa-9100 is running pre-amp and I’ve put like 1200 into it. So I think the dc offset is in the amp. This may be driving a pair of carver amazing platinums in the next few months.
So yesterday I got a pair of thiels and they came with the mit mh750 cables. I connected them up and yada yada. The spades on the end aren’t big enough for the posts so while play due to the stiffness to the cable the spade came loose off of the positive terminal of the amp. Could this cause damage to the amp? Speakers is fine. I’ll be chopping off 1/2 inch of the ends Putting new bigger spades on and resoldering this coming weekend. I just want to know if the amp will be ok. Everything does seem ok I just don’t want surprises.
Thank you for your question. My sincere apologies for the (extreme) tardiness of my reply. When I got the Otez, it appeared to have spent a lot of time in a salt air environment. I completely disassembled everything and cleaned up all of the sheet metal and heat sinks, and replaced all of the rusty old steel screws with new ones from Grainger. As far as electrical parts go, I believe I replace everything but the transformer, breaker, and the two air-core inductors. Mouser and Digikey love me! The biggest expense was replacing all 32 of the power transistors. I upgraded the big filter caps, replaced the rectifier, even replaced the three-prong NEMA connector. I put some nice adjustable-height feet on it for better cooling and so I can get my hands under it to move it! I pretty much replaced all of the discrete components, including replacing the discrete transistors that were occupying the spots intended for the MPQ6600 with actual MPQ6600 parts. Fortunately, I have a dozen or so MPQ6600 for future projects. Those Darlington transistors (one each on each of the large output boards) were a little concerning because of the pads beginning to lift. My solution was to mount the Darlingtons in such a way as to avoid stressing the pads altogether (see photo). All-in-all, a long but satisfying project!
audireofile
New Member
Julius never provided manuals to anyone. His service was the best. For over 30 years, he never failed to answer the phone when I called, and always enjoyed talking to his customers. I want to post some info for everyone: A few years back, Julius started getting senile and his phone was finally disconnected. He shut down his factory in 1998, but made a lot of equipment first, and still serviced everything as he could.
AMPS: The Model 1 and 2 100 watt (180- 4 ohms) amps had problems, because as an actual Apollo moon mission rocket scientist, Julius assumed we were all as meticulous as him, and would not overdrive the amp. The Model 2 had clipping LED's added to keep us from blowing the amp. Both had grounding issues and should never have over 3' input connectors, because they will pick up RF and blow the outputs. I used a pair of these for years and had no problems. The Model 2 M had meters. His third amp was the 60 watt per channel Crescendo, with truly garishly angled LED's, rather than meters. Later ones dropped these LED's but kept the clipping ones. I twas finally upgraded to 75 wpc. His fourth amp was the Forte (125/250/400 wpc into 8/4/2 ohms), as in four, but not actually the number, because his Japanese dealers said that it was an unlucky number, meaning DEATH! This amp, which a big Chicago dealer wrote had "Gargantuan bass" was the top amp for a while, but eventually he used the same basic circuitry for the Parlando and and Otez,, one being a 100 wpc Class A amp, and the other a 200 wpc A/B amp. Early ones used a single transformer and power switch. There were a few others, like the standing mono amps designed to put behind the speakers. Finnaly, his magnum opus was the Monarch tower. Each of these amps had more and more output transistors, with the Monarch being made as a hollow tower, for cooling the multitude of outputs lining the walls.
Preamps: The Diffet 1 was actually a very good preamp, and easily drove my Supex low output Moving coil cartridge, but had one caveat. If you forgot to tun the volume down before switching to a
normal spurce, it would blow the fuses in you
AMPS: The Model 1 and 2 100 watt (180- 4 ohms) amps had problems, because as an actual Apollo moon mission rocket scientist, Julius assumed we were all as meticulous as him, and would not overdrive the amp. The Model 2 had clipping LED's added to keep us from blowing the amp. Both had grounding issues and should never have over 3' input connectors, because they will pick up RF and blow the outputs. I used a pair of these for years and had no problems. The Model 2 M had meters. His third amp was the 60 watt per channel Crescendo, with truly garishly angled LED's, rather than meters. Later ones dropped these LED's but kept the clipping ones. I twas finally upgraded to 75 wpc. His fourth amp was the Forte (125/250/400 wpc into 8/4/2 ohms), as in four, but not actually the number, because his Japanese dealers said that it was an unlucky number, meaning DEATH! This amp, which a big Chicago dealer wrote had "Gargantuan bass" was the top amp for a while, but eventually he used the same basic circuitry for the Parlando and and Otez,, one being a 100 wpc Class A amp, and the other a 200 wpc A/B amp. Early ones used a single transformer and power switch. There were a few others, like the standing mono amps designed to put behind the speakers. Finnaly, his magnum opus was the Monarch tower. Each of these amps had more and more output transistors, with the Monarch being made as a hollow tower, for cooling the multitude of outputs lining the walls.
Preamps: The Diffet 1 was actually a very good preamp, and easily drove my Supex low output Moving coil cartridge, but had one caveat. If you forgot to tun the volume down before switching to a
normal spurce, it would blow the fuses in you
audireofile
New Member
Whoops: Blow the fuses in your speakers, or worse. The Diffet 2 A added two three position toggles, a plus 12 db, a plus 0 db, and a minus 6 db switch, I think, which was actually only an attenuator, and a second switch with different output loadings for your cartridge. The Florida rep changed a 40 ohm resistor to a 10 ohm for my Supex, at no charge. The Crescendo was the entry level preamp for the Crescendo. It adds absolutely no coloration, but is a bit weak in the power reserve department. The Diffet 2 and 3, were smaller, being half as high. The (battery powered) POCO head amp, was available built into these two preamps. There is a noticeable difference in the tightness and control with the 3 over the 2, but the 2 is still very good, definitely better than my Bryston, as are the amps. Next up was the Andante preamp, the fourth model (Remember no 4's), an unusual dual mono design, with upper and lower circuit boards and separate controls for each channel's bass and treble. No other Audire preamp has tone controls. Finally, he built the Diffet 5, a no nonsense preamp with only two inputs. It is so minimalist that it has practically no parts. The output transistors are big beasts, resembling the POCO's space age pair. Fewer than a dozen were made, and then only for friends who begged for one to drive their Monarch towers (I heard).
Julius did make speakers, but only to use to improve his amps, unless you begged enough. He made a cone and an electrostatic model. We miss you Julius Siksnius.
One more thing: There were other products, mostly prototypes, and some with an earlier name and funky designs, but these were mostly unknown until his shop was sold off.
Julius did make speakers, but only to use to improve his amps, unless you begged enough. He made a cone and an electrostatic model. We miss you Julius Siksnius.
One more thing: There were other products, mostly prototypes, and some with an earlier name and funky designs, but these were mostly unknown until his shop was sold off.
Stereo-Type
New Member
Greetings Audireofile!
Over a year since your last post on this thread!
It sounds like you knew Julius also. May He Rest In Peace:-((
I agree with everyone, he was definitely the nicest guy out there
Living in Southern California, I was able to meet with him a few times between 2007, and when he passed away in 2018.
I've owned his Diffet 1 Preamp and Model 1 Power Amp since new in 1978!
I bought them to drive my DQ-10's, but also for my Tympani 1-D's, & later MG-III's; all current hungry speakers.
I have recently added to the collection a Legato Preamp & Crescendo, Model 2 and Forte Power Amps.
I first met Julius when I brought my Diffet 1 to his home for him to repair. My last visit with him was just to talk about equipment and some of his history. He was completely cognizant, with a great memory still. We had lunch at Sizzler about two weeks before his passing (he was a vegetarian by then).
I remember him talking about helping Dr. Sao Win develop the Win Labs strain gauge semiconductor disc transducer power source module. Julius actually incorporated the SG Demodulator in one of his preamp designs. I wish I had gotten that because I have the Win Labs SDT-10 and SDT-10.2 & Source Modules, along with 4 other Panasonic SG cartridges & Demodulators.
He still had some Win Labs cartridges and power source modules laying around but did not use them, saying he preferred his moving coil cartridge to the SG.
It is not an understatement to say that he was one of the nicest people you would ever meet. We listened to his living room setup with those Planar speakers that he developed, each with its own dedicated mono Power Amp at the base.
The last music I heard on his system was a Japanese pressing 9 volume set of Beethoven's Symphonies that I left with him. Yes, his setup did sound AMAZING!
I would enjoy reading others' interactions and memories of Julius. I've had my Audire equipment for 44 years, & hope it outlasts me!
I'll post pictures of his catalog soon.
Over a year since your last post on this thread!
It sounds like you knew Julius also. May He Rest In Peace:-((
I agree with everyone, he was definitely the nicest guy out there
Living in Southern California, I was able to meet with him a few times between 2007, and when he passed away in 2018.
I've owned his Diffet 1 Preamp and Model 1 Power Amp since new in 1978!
I bought them to drive my DQ-10's, but also for my Tympani 1-D's, & later MG-III's; all current hungry speakers.
I have recently added to the collection a Legato Preamp & Crescendo, Model 2 and Forte Power Amps.
I first met Julius when I brought my Diffet 1 to his home for him to repair. My last visit with him was just to talk about equipment and some of his history. He was completely cognizant, with a great memory still. We had lunch at Sizzler about two weeks before his passing (he was a vegetarian by then).
I remember him talking about helping Dr. Sao Win develop the Win Labs strain gauge semiconductor disc transducer power source module. Julius actually incorporated the SG Demodulator in one of his preamp designs. I wish I had gotten that because I have the Win Labs SDT-10 and SDT-10.2 & Source Modules, along with 4 other Panasonic SG cartridges & Demodulators.
He still had some Win Labs cartridges and power source modules laying around but did not use them, saying he preferred his moving coil cartridge to the SG.
It is not an understatement to say that he was one of the nicest people you would ever meet. We listened to his living room setup with those Planar speakers that he developed, each with its own dedicated mono Power Amp at the base.
The last music I heard on his system was a Japanese pressing 9 volume set of Beethoven's Symphonies that I left with him. Yes, his setup did sound AMAZING!
I would enjoy reading others' interactions and memories of Julius. I've had my Audire equipment for 44 years, & hope it outlasts me!
I'll post pictures of his catalog soon.
Bill Lanham
Member
I have owned Audire equipment since 1983. Julius has on more than one occasion assisted me over the phone with questions or problems through the years. I have a Diffet 2 and Forte, still working great driving Magnepan speakers.
Stereo-Type
New Member
Bill, I can imagine you have your own slice of audio heaven! The Forte is a great high current amp for running the difficult load like Magneplanars.
Which Magneplanars do you have? Also as a curiosity where did you buy your setup?
Back in the late 70's ~ early '80s, I bought almost all of mine from Havens and Hardesty, later known as Stereo Haven ( Curtis Havens and Richard Hardesty ). They were in Huntington Beach California, right down the road from Julius in Fullerton. That's probably why they sold Audire equipment, they just load up the van and bring it on down to the showroom!
Which Magneplanars do you have? Also as a curiosity where did you buy your setup?
Back in the late 70's ~ early '80s, I bought almost all of mine from Havens and Hardesty, later known as Stereo Haven ( Curtis Havens and Richard Hardesty ). They were in Huntington Beach California, right down the road from Julius in Fullerton. That's probably why they sold Audire equipment, they just load up the van and bring it on down to the showroom!
Bill Lanham
Member
In the beginning I drove MG 11s but later I bought MG 3.5s. In more recent years I bought a Mark Levinson no. 23 for the 3.5s and I drive the MG 3s with the Audire now. I bought my Audire equipment from The Stereo Shop in Augusta Ga. In the early 80’s
Hello, do you know anything about his coned JDH speakers? I can't find any info out there? I wonder if there's anyone that's still around on the planet that's heard them.