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Thread: Bumpy's system

  1. #1
    Join Date: Apr 2016

    Location: Bishops Stortford

    Posts: 1,250
    I'm Chris.

    Default Bumpy's system

    I have just nearly completed my ideal system with the installation of a pair of DRD 45 monoblocks from Ron Welborne. When I bought these, they were good but not great and had hum through the speakers that with time became increasingly invasive on the music.

    With any bit of DIY kit one is at the mercy of the builder in terms of quality and component decisions. So I handed the amps over to Slawa at SW1X to have checked over, the hum reduced, and any in particular make a start at introducing components that have better SQ.

    As expected Slawa breathed his magic into the amps. Out went the solid state power supply with horrible sounding ceramic capacitors and in came a valve based rectified power supply. Inadequate capacitance on the B+ was boosted with Audionote Kaisei capacitors. The well reviewed EML solid plate 45's were retained but a better driver valve was used to balance its modern sound. Its now a great performer. Other components were improved on.

    I will follow up with pictures of my other components soon.

    drd 45 improved_small.jpg
    Last edited by bumpy; 04-11-2016 at 11:17.

  2. #2
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    I like the look of those Chris. Nice uncluttered appearance.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  3. #3
    Join Date: Apr 2016

    Location: Bishops Stortford

    Posts: 1,250
    I'm Chris.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by walpurgis View Post
    I like the look of those Chris. Nice uncluttered appearance.
    Ron Welborne gained a very polarised reputation. He was a great designer, working with Jack Elliano in the US to produce some very highly regarded products. But, his business acumen finally let him down with many unsatisfied customers. Jack Elliano has his own separate business.

    Looking inside the amps, there are a few obvious areas of cost cutting in components, but the basic design (priced for the DIY market) is good, and nothing a competent person like Slawa cant put right. Who knows what the future might hold for these amps, perhaps silver wiring, Black Gates throughout, and silver output transformers are available from Jack Elliano.

    I particularly like that the amps run nice and cool. It feels like the amps are coasting, but the sound suggests otherwise.
    Last edited by bumpy; 04-11-2016 at 11:25.

  4. #4
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

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    Quote Originally Posted by bumpy View Post
    silver output transformers are available from Jack Elliano.
    Nice. But sounds like mega bucks though.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  5. #5
    Join Date: Apr 2016

    Location: Bishops Stortford

    Posts: 1,250
    I'm Chris.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by walpurgis View Post
    Nice. But sounds like mega bucks though.
    I know, It gets a bit frightening.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Apr 2016

    Location: Bishops Stortford

    Posts: 1,250
    I'm Chris.

    Default

    Music starts its travels from a 1TB external hard drive with its own power supply.

    This is connected via an unpowered USB cable to a Raspberry Pi 2 running Moode Audio software. The RPi is fitted with Wi Fi dongle to allow me to program the music from my seat using a Hudl 2.

    The RPi itself is powered by a Longdog linear power supply - a big step up from the switching power supply.

    Signal out is via USB to an SW1X USB Signature box and thence via phono interconnects to an SW1X DAC Signature. Both these SW1X boxes are pictured and are reviewed elsewhere. My feeling is that getting the signal from digital to analogue is one of the most important places to invest your money.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by bumpy; 04-11-2016 at 13:42.

  7. #7
    Join Date: Apr 2016

    Location: Bishops Stortford

    Posts: 1,250
    I'm Chris.

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    Today we have a look at the Open Baffle speakers. Vintage Alnico drivers throughout, Grundig tweeters, Greencone mids, and Altec subs. All silver wired with improved 1st order crossover components from SW1X including Black Gates and Audionote

    P1070317.jpg

    P1070326.jpg

    P1070329.jpg

    P1070327.jpg

    P1070328.jpg
    Last edited by bumpy; 24-11-2016 at 19:31.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Apr 2016

    Location: Bishops Stortford

    Posts: 1,250
    I'm Chris.


  9. #9
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,771
    I'm Martin.

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    Have you not been tempted to go active with a digital crossover? You seem to have paid a lot of attention to detail with this set up so I guess you considered it.

    Very impressive set up btw
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  10. #10
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

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    look very nice... there were some grundig alnico tweeters like that on the bay earlier. seem nice magnet housings
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