Getting some glass for my ass.

[ben62670]

I am finally biting the bullet and getting some tubes. It will be pre only. I can't afford more than that for now, but I have seen what tubes can do.

[ben62670]

Well the parts are on the way:)

[GV#27]

Well the parts are on the way:)

Well what are ya building?

[ben62670]

Grounded grid Pre, and a low voltage tube buffer to install in my Denon 2900. I think
I may remove the SS analog stage from the circuitry, and remove the video section too.

[GV#27]

Kewl,Is that a Rosenblit design?

[ben62670]

The GG is:)

Edit: Threadjack. In an active XO does a small impedance bump at an active XO point have an adverse effect?

[GV#27]

The GG is:)

Edit: Threadjack. In an active XO does a small impedance bump at an active XO point have an adverse effect?Assuming you mean driver impedance ,no.

[ben62670]

Thanks again:)

[GV#27]

Is the pre a full kit with chassis or just a parts kit?

[ben62670]

Parts minus the case, pot, and jacks. I plan to finally finish my active/passive/tube DIY pre:)

[treitz3]

About time. ;)

[ben62670]

About time. ;)

I have had a fair amount of experience with tubes, but no cash. I have been researching for quit a while, and I feel comfortable enough to get it on now. SS is nice, but tubes can fix a lot of wrongs:)

[treitz3]

You are getting wise OB1.

[ben62670]

I have known the powers great one, but their is only so much water in the well;)

[treitz3]

Patience, my friend. Good things come to those who wait.

[ben62670]

Patience, my friend. Good things come to those who wait.

Does this mean I am getting a visit from you soon:)
Love Ben.

[ben62670]

Well the stuff has shipped. I am very excited to say the least! I can not wait!!!

[Lasareath]

Well the stuff has shipped. I am very excited to say the least! I can not wait!!!


I'd really like to see that active/passive/tube DIY pre!

Maybe you need to sell those Big SDA's you made, sell them for $5000 on ebay!

Crank out some active/passive/tube DIY pre's and make some cash selling them!

[ben62670]

When I get that active passive/tube pre done I will do a demo here for select Polkies. Something may sound good in one system, but not another. I am not really into making big bucks off Polkies, but who knows where this will lead. I do it for fun mostly.
Take care Sal.
Ben

[Lasareath]

When I get that active passive/tube pre done I will do a demo here for select Polkies. Something may sound good in one system, but not another. I am not really into making big bucks off Polkies, but who knows where this will lead. I do it for fun mostly.
Take care Sal.
Ben


You can do like Bob Carver, he makes those Tube Amps in his spare times and sells them off for $5000 on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180422190969&

[ben62670]

Bob is a legend. I am an amateur DIY guy. It is like my cables. I am not looking to make a killing, just love making things that sound real nice on the cheap. I figure I can pull my multi function pre off for less than $1200. Most pre's of high quality that are just tube, or passive/SS and cost at least that much new so I hope to be able to hook some of us up on the cheap. I have been listening to some nice gear that others have had, and figuring out what sounds best. Tube design isn't really complicated, SS isn't real hard either. Passive is simple. It has been almost 2 years since I wanted to do this. Funds have been making this a real slow possess, and I want it to be a solid unit before I show it.

[ben62670]

BTW Sal those monsters are not going anywhere. They are very temperamental, and it is tough to tune them to a room, but when setup right they keep calling me back. I may add a 3rd tweeter to each array to help with power handling, and they need some weight added to the PR's, but other than that they are not going anywhere. The new Morel 308 tweets have brought them up a huge step.
Ben

[ben62670]

I don't have class, but I got glass:)

[concealer404]

I don't have class, but I got glass:)

You got glass for your non-classy ass? :D

Pics?

[BIZILL]

you tease...

[ben62670]

I mounted all the big parts on the bottom so I can have the tubes sticking out of the chassis. I have an hour an a half into it.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh83/ben62670/DSCN1634.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh83/ben62670/DSCN1635.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh83/ben62670/DSCN1636.jpg

[nooshinjohn]

Looking good Ben...

[thsmith]

Ben, ARe you in need of some tubes to go with your project? I may have some I am not using.

[Face]

Time to dump the rat shack solder and go with Cardas.

[ben62670]

I have Cardas right there. The rat Shack stuff makes for the cleanest joints. I tried WBT, Cardas, and have gone back the the shack;)
Well I built another one. This time it is a low voltage piece that I may drop in my Denon 2900.
I am short two zeners:( This one took a little over an hour.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh83/ben62670/DSCN1638.jpg

[disneyjoe7]

Can't wait for what you think :)

[ben62670]

I think that health care in GA sucks, but the little Red Head that took some X-rays of me was hot $hit!

[disneyjoe7]

I think that health care in GA sucks, but the little Red Head that took some X-rays of me was hot $hit!


WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA :)



Wait for the Bill :)

[ben62670]

I'll put it with the rest;)

[GV#27]

Wait for the Bill :)Universal healthcare, embrace it.;):eek:


Like those Wima's .I used the MKP 4's in one of my BOZ pre's.

[ben62670]

A lot of people talk crap about universal Health Care but Canada has it going on. In the USA you are EFed without insurance.

[GV#27]

Our system has it's problem but many advantages.

[ben62670]

Well it has been running for about 16hrs. At first it sounded good, but then at lower volumes it sounds distorted. Again only 16rs, but I am in a hurry here! BTW the distortion is in both channels, and for now the pot is after the pre, and the pre is being used like a buffer between the Denon 2900, and my passive 100k pre. Don't know if that is an issue. The gain is 16db.

[disneyjoe7]

Too high of a gain for a buffer? Just thinking at loud. :)

[ben62670]

The funny thing is when I turn up the volume(again the pot is after the tube pre) it cleans up.:confused:

[disneyjoe7]

Since pre amps and I assume buffers are designed to work in class A mode, is the bias set too low? Where the higher volume you have a cleaner sound due to a better signal to noise ratio?

[ben62670]

No idea. I need to not over analyze it till I get some time on it;) I must say the 2900 is playing real sweet SS since the mods. I have two outs on the Denon so I just switch between "the two sources" for an AB kinda thing.

[disneyjoe7]

Need a tone generator and a scope. ;)

[disneyjoe7]

Or turn up to cherry plate level note bias, then back down to 40% of that level. Should get you close, may waste a tube in the process but it's all in a TEST ;)

[ben62670]

It's regulated to 12.16vdc on the heaters. Not adjustable. I did change places on two of the three tubes. Sounds better. It may have been a bad connection which makes sense. The higher signal voltage could cross the resistance of the bad connection better. IDK the tube thing is new to me.

[disneyjoe7]

Bias to a tube isn't the heater ;) Bias is the grid voltage which controls plate current?


Still thinking, what do I really know?

[ben62670]

fixed

[disneyjoe7]

How?

[ben62670]

Don't use both sets of outs for L+R on the Denon at the same time;)

[george daniel]

ain't no solid state behind this man,,tubes,,you'll have to guess who he is,, should not be too difficult,,sorry for threadcrapping,,temporary loss of self control.:)

Edit-- taken in Chicago while playing "Dazed and confused"
DUMBA$$ edit--can't remove the name from the pic--oh well.

[ben62670]

I am in need of more tunes:)

[GV#27]

I take it you found 2 more zeners?

[ben62670]

That pre is still not done. The other pre had the zeners. They looked like regular rectifying diodes. All the zeners I have seen looked like little glass beads. The distortion is back again at low volumes:(

[GV#27]

Yeah some zeners (I believe the 1 watt'rs) look very similar to the 1N400*series rectifier diodes.

[ben62670]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjrSAuhTFPE

The internet is a wonderful tool:)

[ben62670]

Well I have tube project number 3 done. I was missing 2 zeners. I used an LM7824 instead. I will correct it when PE sends out my parts.

[disneyjoe7]

Ben,

I confused didn't have a kit amp? Why are you trying to re-engineering the amp with other parts?

I'm afraid to ask what are you trying to do?

[ben62670]

This is the kit tube buffer. This is the one missing the zener diodes. I installed a voltage regulator in it for now. Later when my parts come in I will replace the regulator with the correct diodes. I have a new found love for zeners in the PS. They are nice and quiet. The regulator has some noise. The kit was only $60. I am going to replace the tube. I think this buffer sounds very close in SQ to the Grounded Grid pre. The modded Denon 2900 performs great, but the symbol spash isn't as good SS, and the mids are a little sweeter. Not a big difference, but a difference non the less.

[hearingimpared]

No idea. I need to not over analyze it till I get some time on it;) I must say the 2900 is playing real sweet SS since the mods. I have two outs on the Denon so I just switch between "the two sources" for an AB kinda thing.

I definitely want you to mod mine.

[ben62670]

I definitely want you to mod mine.

Consider it done my brother. It makes me shake my head in disbelief how simple it is. I just don't get why they don't do it from the factory that way:confused:

[ben62670]

Well I have the tube buffer running. The little one tubed wonder is pretty damn sweet with less than 3 hours on it.If it improves like the GG pre I will be stoked. I got the goose bump now:)

[ben62670]

Well I have a Raytheon/CBS tube on the way for my tube buffer. I described what I don't like about the upper mids and he decribed what it was to a T.
He name is Brent Jesse, and he is a pleasure to deal with:)
http://www.audiotubes.com
Ben

[NJPOLKER]

Did he go over his return policy with you? Your right he is awesome to do business with.

[ben62670]

He did. If I don't like the tube I can return it for another:)

[NJPOLKER]

Beautiful
How can you beat that??

[ben62670]

You can't :)

[ben62670]

Well I have received two sets of tubes to run in my Grounded grid, and the China tubes sounded best. I am very upset about that. $10 tubes bested more expensive older tubes:( Well I hope the tube for my buffer comes in soon, and beats the chinese tube in there.

[ben62670]

Well I have a little time on the new CBS/Raytheon tube in the buffer between the modded Denon 2900 and tubed pre. It is coming in. I think this is NOS and haven't been burned in yet. A hair bright, and the bass isn't heavy, but again I think this hasn't been used. Brent Jessie was a big help on these, and the china tube has been shelved by this tube. Much better hiss free playing at low levels.

[ben62670]

I'm a tard. The tubed pre inverts the signal. I reinstalled the Raytheon tubes. I also flipped the 180 phase button on the active XO. Much better. Freaken bass is super, and the center image is solid. Now I need to roll the who flung poo tubes with the phase corrected. Live and learn. I am floored by the huge sound stage. Tubz is where it's at.
Ben

[headrott]

Well I have a Raytheon/CBS tube on the way for my tube buffer. I described what I don't like about the upper mids and he decribed what it was to a T.
He name is Brent Jesse, and he is a pleasure to deal with:)
http://www.audiotubes.com
Ben

Ben, this guy is a great guy with great tubes. I've bought a few from him and have never been disappointed.

[ben62670]

He is definitely a pleasure to deal with. Between him and a friend here on Polk I am very pleased with the sound.

[Tony M]

First off ,I'm sorry about those closings you mentioned before.I hope and pray something else comes up for you.


Now, That picture of the tubes up close shows background evidence of your intensity to your hobby. I would love to frame that photo and hang it up.

Ben, your workbench makes me think of what Einsteins' workbench might have looked like.:D

[Tony M]

Ben, your workbench makes me think of what Einsteins' workbench might have looked like.:D

I meant to say Thomas Edisons' workbench..:D

[mhardy6647]

I meant to say Thomas Edisons' workbench..:D

Einstein's workbench looked like a hat :-P

[ben62670]

Well I got me some o these.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=027-684
I'm very excited about them. I only have an hour on them and everything sounds better than the Wima's. I can't wait till they burn-in.

[ben62670]

Well I have to say I am really enjoying the new tubes and caps. Smooth and organic ear pleasing sound. I am running a tube buffer after my phono pre. Very sweet indeed. I have toyed with the idea of building a tube phono pre, but I think money would be better spent elsewhere.
Ben