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EL34 Integrated Amp Entry

BigRiver said:
Thank for this input!

As far as I can tell the Sherwood has been properly restored. I bought it from someone whom had aea audio restore it along with the matching tuner to their platinum restoration and it came with documentation of this service. In addition it was sent back to them on purchase for a once over where it was tested, a couple solder joints were touched up and the output tubes re-biased.

I don't want anyone to think it does not sound good, it does. Better than any solid state receivers, amps or integrateds (minus the First Watt) that I have had. It is solid and can THUNDER in the bass region, I often have to turn the bass down, and often I have to turn it down far, this amp absolutely shakes the Forte iv's down low. It is quite punchy, though to me it does not sound quick (in relation to some other's that I have heard). And likely smeared is the wrong descriptor. I think less articulate in the mid bass with less separation would be more accurate, especially when things get a little complicated. This is in relation to some other more modern tube amps I have recently heard. In addition since the forte's are really sensitive I would like to find something with a lower noise floor.

Although now as I read this while I type it, maybe I need to replace the input tubes and maybe the not so great Sovtek rectifier and see if things improve. It came with a front end full of Telefunken and I am not really looking forward to that re-investment.

I am willing to use an external phono stage if needed, however I also want to keep things as simple as possible for whole house use. The Modwright can be run with or without its "digital" pre-amp, which is basically variable out.
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Your amp may not be properly restored at all.

Last March I bought a Fisher 500C from AEA. It was expensive, and I was stupid. It was represented to me as so good it would be AEA's "legacy piece." There were problems from the beginning and after sending it back once and the FM stopped soon after receiving the unit back, I gave up on AEA and arranged for Dave Gillespie to have a look. What he found was amateurish work and a lengthy list of things improperly done. Clearly, I had failed to do any due diligence before buying the 500C in the first place. There is a happy (!) ending though. Mr. Gillespie removed all the "work" done by AEA and properly restored the unit, incorporating his own improvements. I'm not bitter or vindictive, but I would caution anyone to do their homework before paying the big bucks for "restored" vintage gear. I didn't... like I said, I was stupid.
 
RFP said:
Your amp may not be properly restored at all.

Last March I bought a Fisher 500C from AEA. It was expensive, and I was stupid. It was represented to me as so good it would be AEA's "legacy piece." There were problems from the beginning and after sending it back once and the FM stopped soon after receiving the unit back, I gave up on AEA and arranged for Dave Gillespie to have a look. What he found was amateurish work and a lengthy list of things improperly done. Clearly, I had failed to do any due diligence before buying the 500C in the first place. There is a happy (!) ending though. Mr. Gillespie removed all the "work" done by AEA and properly restored the unit, incorporating his own improvements. I'm not bitter or vindictive, but I would caution anyone to do their homework before paying the big bucks for "restored" vintage gear. I didn't... like I said, I was stupid.
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Thanks for sharing this, and yikes! I did not purchase from them or order the service myself.

Although in my humble opinion the amp sounds really good, TBH I do not have the knowledge or equipment to verify that it is working in optimal condition. Kinda along the same lines - When I mentioned to a local guy that does a lot of work on both tube and SS units (retired electrical engineer who knows damn near everything there is to know about circuits) that the Sherwood I had had been modified with bias pots for each channel, he just about blew his lid and told me to bring it to him so he could "fix" it. I didn't really want to hear more about it at the time so I put a pin in that conversation.

When I picked up this unit - and matching tuner - I went on the sellers word, whom seemed like a decent fella, along with a bit of trust that AEA had done what was listed and had done it right. This service was preformed in late 2016 I think. I have not had any problems with the function, but would be eager to hear more about the findings in your 500C in addition to how Dave Gillespie improved on things.
 
BigRiver said:
Thanks for sharing this, and yikes! I did not purchase from them or order the service myself.

Although in my humble opinion the amp sounds really good, TBH I do not have the knowledge or equipment to verify that it is working in optimal condition. Kinda along the same lines - When I mentioned to a local guy that does a lot of work on both tube and SS units (retired electrical engineer who knows damn near everything there is to know about circuits) that the Sherwood I had had been modified with bias pots for each channel, he just about blew his lid and told me to bring it to him so he could "fix" it. I didn't really want to hear more about it at the time so I put a pin in that conversation.

When I picked up this unit - and matching tuner - I went on the sellers word, whom seemed like a decent fella, along with a bit of trust that AEA had done what was listed and had done it right. This service was preformed in late 2016 I think. I have not had any problems with the function, but would be eager to hear more about the findings in your 500C in addition to how Dave Gillespie improved on things.
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During the 'resurrection' that Mr. Gillespie did on my 500C, he sent me regular, and unbelievably comprehensive, updates on his work. He included much technical and theory information. I found these regular updates absolutely wonderful!

I have created a lengthy document, containing nearly ALL of his updates, and none of my own comments. Also, I 'removed' all references to costs of his work; that seems only proper.

I would be delighted to send you a PDF of this document if you would provide me with your email address (either here or in a Private Forum Conversation). I think you would be dazzled by Mr. Gillespie's knowledge, experience, thoroughness, and craftsmanship.

Just let me know.

Robert
 
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zackthedog said:
If I may suggest--try the Gold Lion 12AX7. (They're not cheap, but far cheaper than Tele's.) You might find that the soft midrange gets a lot tighter and punchier. I had old Tele's in my DAC (which is all-tube output). They tested well enough, but didn't run all that strong in the circuit, and while there was some "magic" in classical and soft jazz, I also found that more demanding jazz and pop tracks lacked "snap," especially in the bass. I was thinking of a buying another DAC! After a couple weeks of break-in, the Gold Lions are much more enjoyable across a wide range of music. I also recently cleaned up a Scott 340 receiver and replaced the worn Tele's with the Gold Lions, with the same effect. Just my .02. :)
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Are you talking about new release GL's?
 
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