• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Stupid 5w SET Amp

bsujeep said:
I just don't have words. I did like the 535 it is really smooth, but with heavier bass. If yours is similar then I can see how it works so good with your heresy's.

So when do you want the SET amp? :scratch2:
Click to expand...

Kick back and enjoy for awhile, I don't need the SET bug until I scratch the tube pre itch. :thmbsp:
 
Hey BSUJeep...A little visual temptation for ya....

...I jumped into the SET world here this past year with excellent results, after much thread reading and forum visits. I'm currently using an 8 wpc 807 custom amp made by Don Allen.

BadAss Bob, Yes your Fortes (like mine) will play plenty loud with 8 wpc (or even less) but you'll want a subwoofer to get the bass grunt you're probably accustomed too. Oh, but the silky extended highs and the lifelike bloomy midrange are soooooooooooooooooo worth it.

Good luck in your futile resistance,

Tim
 

Attachments

  • Stereo pics 12-19-08 022.jpg
    Stereo pics 12-19-08 022.jpg
    72.3 KB · Views: 92
Okay bsujeep, a couple of things:

First, the amp you have is a SEP technically, as the 6BQ5 tube is a pentode. Nothing wrong with that. I personally think that amp gives you much of the flavor of a nice SET, without the ultimate refinement.

Second, this won't cost you your truck unless you're driving a real clunker right now - we can get you into this for about the cost of a nice bicycle, if you don't get bit too bad.

I don't remember how Bill had that amp wired last - does it have a volume knob on it right now? Because if not, you can add a 100K stereo pot as a volume control, and voila, you've eliminated the need for a preamp - CD straight in! For phono though, you'll still need a phono pre.
 
dnewma04 said:
I'm not aware of any production amp using these tubes, I was just mentioning it because it seems to be the next halving of power 2A3>45>71A. Similar outputs required for all 3, just progressively less power.

I do plan on making one at some point. I have a schematic for a 71A amp set aside somewhere.
Click to expand...

Ah - Yes, - The 45 tube must have some special 'musical' qualities associated with it, as I understand a lot of the table radios of the 1930's and 1940's used a 45 tube. Also a lot of the Juke Boxes also used the 45 tube.:music:
 
mhardy6647 said:
The 45 is a fine sounding tube, as is the twin-grid (but even lower-output) 46.
In terms of fleapower, Bob Danielak's "DC Darling" SE 1626 amp (750 mW) is always sure to please!
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1965/darling.html
Click to expand...

1.) Do you own one?
2.) If not, Have you heard one?


BTW- The re-cap of my Marantz 26 is nothing short of stunning. It is amazing what replacing all of these caps will do. About $20 - and a little time (maybe a lot!)
 
Cut-Throat said:
Ah - Yes, - The 45 tube must have some special 'musical' qualities associated with it, as I understand a lot of the table radios of the 1930's and 1940's used a 45 tube. Also a lot of the Juke Boxes also used the 45 tube.:music:
Click to expand...

Oh! I thought you were only referring to current production amps. Loads of 71As were used in old radios. Targeteye would probably be able to comment with more authority about specific models. I'd say that in the old radios I've run into over the last couple of years, they are pretty well split between using 71As and 45s as power tubes.
 
dnewma04 said:
Oh! I thought you were only referring to current production amps. Loads of 71As were used in old radios. Targeteye would probably be able to comment with more authority about specific models. I'd say that in the old radios I've run into over the last couple of years, they are pretty well split between using 71As and 45s as power tubes.
Click to expand...

Well I was referring to current production amps, I just digressed on the old table radios and juke boxes. I did not realize that the 71A was used them also. In fact tonight is the first time I've heard of a 71a.
 
Redboy said:
Okay bsujeep, a couple of things:

First, the amp you have is a SEP technically, as the 6BQ5 tube is a pentode. Nothing wrong with that. I personally think that amp gives you much of the flavor of a nice SET, without the ultimate refinement.

Second, this won't cost you your truck unless you're driving a real clunker right now - we can get you into this for about the cost of a nice bicycle, if you don't get bit too bad.

I don't remember how Bill had that amp wired last - does it have a volume knob on it right now? Because if not, you can add a 100K stereo pot as a volume control, and voila, you've eliminated the need for a preamp - CD straight in! For phono though, you'll still need a phono pre.
Click to expand...

I was gone for a bit. It does have a volume pot in the front.
 
Dude you got blindsided. Dolly was in my rig for a while last fall and it was magical indeed. I also have a Bottlehead that is delicious.

One of these days I'll build the 300B monoblock kits by Bottlehead......
 
bsujeep said:
I was gone for a bit. It does have a volume pot in the front.
Click to expand...
Perfect. If you're not already doing so, run a CDP straight into the amp to see what it sounds like without the 2040 coloring things. Only caveat is, if you have a crappy sounding CDP you'll hear that. GIGO
 
specialidiot said:
Dude you got blindsided. Dolly was in my rig for a while last fall and it was magical indeed. I also have a Bottlehead that is delicious.

One of these days I'll build the 300B monoblock kits by Bottlehead......
Click to expand...

Some days you're the windshield and some days you're the bug and I think I have been splattered!
 
specialidiot said:
Dude you got blindsided. Dolly was in my rig for a while last fall and it was magical indeed.
Click to expand...
Dolly and the original Olson amp have worked their charm on quite a few, now:
  • Me
  • Tapehead47
  • specialidiot
  • doucanoe
  • cableguy
  • Urizen
  • willyrover
...and now bsujeep.

One at a time, they will see...
 
Redboy said:
Perfect. If you're not already doing so, run a CDP straight into the amp to see what it sounds like without the 2040 coloring things. Only caveat is, if you have a crappy sounding CDP you'll hear that. GIGO
Click to expand...

Why would you do that to me? :D I may not have the best CDP, but it is not crappy to my ears. Huge bass, WOW. :music: I have a very small CD collection, probably under a 100, and I haven't listened to it in a long time. I tried hooking my computer up to it earlier to listen to rhapsody, that was a crappy sound. :thumbsdn:
 
bsujeep said:
I tried hooking my computer up to it earlier to listen to rhapsody, that was a crappy sound. :thumbsdn:
Click to expand...

As Nate was saying, Crap In, Crap Out. The better the gear the more revealing it is to your source and the recordings. Rhapsody, I don't think the quality is all that, plus the sound card in your PC is likely not all that either.

I run a low end DAC from my Mac Mini into a NAD 7020 as a pre, then to my tube amp. LOVE IT.
 
All this talk about 45s, Don't leave the common tubes in the cold! A 12AX7/25C5 (x2, Stereo) sounds great to me, as does my creation using a 6L5G and a 12FX5. One can make a SET/SEP out of any decent tube.
 
Enough listening to CD's for the evening, Dolly and I will take up where we left off in the morning. Evening Gents.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom