| Mmmmmm! Hot Italian Sub [message #11110] |
Fri, 10 June 2005 04:41  |
BillEpstein
Messages: 886
Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (2nd Degree) |
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Got a pair of 65 year old National Union 45 tubes. Shoot! They can collect SS and I have to wait.........
Anyway, I had to try them before the DRD's arrived so on down I-71 to Ron's place. In his Yamamato A-08 they sounded less romantic than the similar vintage RCA's he uses but equally detailed and robust.
It's fascinating to hear the marked difference between designs and even within the same family of amps.
Like push-pull. EL-34 ELLA is clean and effortless on attacks and transients but lacks that "hear into the music" SET thing. Ron'e MAC 240, heard briefly last night has some of that but a bigger, meatier sound.
When you first hear the Norh SE-9 you are struck by that "tube aura" that surrounds the music; the 'lushness' or 'tubiness' is so apparent and gives all your CD's or records an ambience that let's you hear into the venue or studio. Or is it a false kind of thing created by 5% or more distortion?
Ron's 45 Amp has just a touch of that tubeiness but with better detail and air so there is more of a sense of 'reality' to it. The 45 tube also seems to have very well-defined attack on sounds like drum beats and brass staccato tonguing. That's what I hope to find after I build the DRD's.
And the hot Capicola, Mortadella, Genoa salami and Ham on fresh-baked Italian bread at the neighborhood Sub and Pizza shop? Class "A".
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| Thoughts on SETs [message #11112 is a reply to message #11111] |
Fri, 10 June 2005 11:44  |
akhilesh
Messages: 1275
Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (3rd Degree) |
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Mine is a Cap coupled amp with the high mu 417a driver tube driving a 45 in SET mode.
Sounds sweet and gives adequate power for 95 db + speakers. BAss is atrifle muddy, even though the output impedance apprently is 1-2 ohms. I haven;'t measured it. May be more.
Call me crazy, but I like my SETs old fashioned: one large output transformer as opposed to the parafeed or drd designs.
Dammit, a SET output tranny is SUPPOSED to cost money & be hard to build...these little tricks like DRD or the parafeed designs are just ways to "weasel" out of the large cost of the output tranny!
It's kinda like an old fashioned small block engine versus these new high rpm bangers.
half kidding! -akhilesh
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| Re: Thoughts on SETs [message #11115 is a reply to message #11112] |
Fri, 10 June 2005 23:05 |
RC Daniel
Messages: 18
Registered: May 2009
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Chancellor |
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Hi akhilesh FYI, last time I looked - admittedly a while ago now - DRD did require a conventional SE "large output transformer." IIRC, DRD has two "clever tricks": 1) recycles some output stage current for the driver (via a plate choke) and 2) uses a cap (oil preferably) from the top of the output cathode R to B+, ancient WE style. The means a little lower current draw on PSU, should be less heat in output bias circuit (I think), less PSU in signal path, and DC coupling. This should add up to more modern performance than ye olde RC coupled circuits with premium-ish parts at (probably) less cost. I would do things (only) a little differently than the DRDs I have seen however... I am in no way associated with those making $$$ from these designs - just willing to acknowledge something clever - if not all that new. Cheers
Ray
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| Re: Thoughts on SETs [message #11118 is a reply to message #11116] |
Sat, 11 June 2005 15:56 |
RC Daniel
Messages: 18
Registered: May 2009
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Chancellor |
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Hi akhilesh IIRC = If I recall correctly. It took me a while to work this one out  I understand the need to rant on occasion - I like to listen. Better to let things out than bottle and depress. BTW, let us know if you ever want to sort out the muddy bass issue with your amp - I'm no expert but may have a couple of ideas. Given that you are using it in a triamped system - and if you are enjoying the way it presents music - then forget and continue to enjoy... Keep well
Ray
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