PDA

View Full Version : Baja's system



baja
21-09-2008, 16:16
hi keith,
nice to see the allinic amps - and to get the impression, that they are quite amazing.
I own I full silvaweld system that contains the otl tube reference 100 monos (developed and built by mr. park) a swc 1000rc line pre amp and a swh 550 mkII phono pre (both pre amps are special versions built exclusively for the former german distributor blackforestaudio, bfa). although they are really terrific unique, I'd like to sell the line pre and the otl monos - because I have to shrink my systems. probably there are some interested guys around?
I enclose a few images. probably it's nice to see them in comaparison with the allnic amps ...
best,

swc 1000rc line pre with power supply
http://hifi4me.de/img/silvaweld-swc%201000rc%20bfa-0_1214676580.jpg


http://s2.directupload.net/images/080921/iduuyed2.jpg (http://www.directupload.net)

open heart with blue kr 300b in the power supply
http://s5.directupload.net/images/080921/y9w4jmj6.jpg (http://www.directupload.net)

line pre without power supply
http://hifi4me.de/img/silvaweld-swc%201000rc%20bfa-2_1217855393.jpg

otl tube reference monos with 8 new highly selected NOS tubes by german tube guru rainer röder
http://s6.directupload.net/images/080921/lt2twljd.jpg (http://www.directupload.net)

http://hifi4me.de/img/silvaweld-otl%20tube%20reference%20100-4_1217852223.jpg

behind the naf integrated is the phono pre and at the right site of the audio rack stands the tube rectified power supply of the phono pre
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/9506/test1zh5.jpg

http://s5.directupload.net/images/080921/57bjcfh3.jpg (http://www.directupload.net)

phono pre open heart
http://s2.directupload.net/images/080921/q4y4lmla.jpg (http://www.directupload.net)

purite audio
21-09-2008, 19:59
Hi Baja, sory to hear you are selling your amps, they look great and I have been told that the OTL's are amazing! Which direction is your system turning towards? Regards Keith.

baja
22-09-2008, 07:26
hi keith,
in sum I've spent to much time (and money) in audiophile gear - regarding my limited capabilities. after indulging in my system for a few years (honestly there was no upgrade, that could fit to my budget) let's say I'd like come back to music. the wilson benesch turntable and the audioplan konzert mkII speakers are sold already.
my next system will be a pure stereo system, containing a garrard 301 (norma-hylee-tech 301 project), a pair of altec 604h in rebuilt 612 custom cabinets (still wondering if I should go for new GPA's series II or III with ferrites or if I should wait for a vintage pair with alnicos) and an integrated amp (I keep my new audio frontiers, because this is a very unique item). also the mr67 tuner, the silvaweld phono pre and the einstein cd player will stay.
best,

u72
22-09-2008, 18:16
Hi,
Nice system your selling there :)
Would you please tell me what your using as a rack?
I like the low profile and 4 shelves idea
would suit my system very well :)

Ali Tait
22-09-2008, 18:44
Looks like an Ikea table from the "Lack" range.Very good as a hi-fi rack,and inexpensive too.

Marco
22-09-2008, 18:51
What's happened to some of the pictures? :scratch:

Marco.

u72
22-09-2008, 18:59
Looks like an Ikea table from the "Lack" range.Very good as a hi-fi rack,and inexpensive too.

Cool yes your right, £55 and in black too! :D

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/00045560

Cheers!

Marco
22-09-2008, 19:05
Nothing wrong with Lack tables, especially on certain suspended chassis belt-drive turntables.

Marco.

baja
23-09-2008, 08:58
Cool yes your right, £55 and in black too! :D

Cheers!

yes, try it! for £55 it's not a pig in a poke. btw I've got some amazing response to this 'rack' from serious asian audio enthusiasts - of course on the quiet.
it's really cheaply built, out of veneer, but inside there is a pretty tricky construction of cardboard lamellae/combs. essentially needed are rubber rolls under the shelf.
fun with lack!
best,

Cotlake
23-09-2008, 17:00
Tortlyte technology at Ikea prices :) I used my Ikea Lack coffee table to support the 401 Slatedeck for Heathrow. I've even spiked it now!

Ali Tait
23-09-2008, 18:48
That the one you had at the last Owston Greg?

Cotlake
23-09-2008, 20:57
Ali, Yep, you're right!

baja
15-01-2009, 08:44
short update - sold the amps and speakers and coming close to my new music-system:

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/9093/61704088oo4.jpg

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/6883/87390605zf8.jpg

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/3976/72798923fj0.jpg

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/9453/27670265jt5.jpg


only the speakers must be built - short preview - this will be one of the drivers

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/1333/25344485xp1.jpg

twogoodears
15-01-2009, 09:02
Hello Baja!

Would you please describe, at yr. convenience, the merits of the Berlin-made Norma-Hylee arm and overhauling & tuning of yr. SUPERB 301?

Thanks in advance.

baja
15-01-2009, 09:30
hi stefano,
yes, I will deliver a 'detailed' description later on - currently the whole system is very fresh, the speakers are still waiting and unfortunately I have a lack of time.
but in short, in comparison with my former wilson benesch turntable with a.c.t. 2 arm (btw I keep the same cartridge and phono pre) the impression of a somehow scrawny and always thin sonic gets lost and the garrard sounds more 'conscious'. although not everything is perfect yet, it makes my skin crawl from the first moment on.
you're right, it's a norma hylee tech performance that contains the full overhaul, the tonearm (last generation), a special built plinth (I've desired one in smaller size and a special wood) and extra plugs for power and interconnect wires.
it was a 'blind buy' - but honestly, the result is much more precious I've expected by a 'custom built' unit. technique and shape are 100% perfect - my tribute to nht!
best,

Marco
15-01-2009, 09:34
Hi Baja,

Your pictures above aren't showing up at directupload.net, with a message "No hotlinks allowed!" Could you please fix this so that it doesn't spoil the Gallery?

Cheers!

Marco.

baja
15-01-2009, 09:42
hi marco,
ok?
best,

Marco
15-01-2009, 09:55
Nope. All I'm getting are 'blanks' with the same message as before...

Do you need to be a member of the directupload.net site, and logged-in, to view these pictures? Try logging out of directupload.net and see if you can still view the pictures here.

If not, and I'm right, you'll need to use Photobucket or Imageshack, or something else along those lines.

Marco.

baja
15-01-2009, 10:10
marco,
now with imageShack ...
best,

Marco
15-01-2009, 11:32
Hi Baja,

Now we're talking - that's better! :)

Thanks for doing that. Lovely Garrard!

Marco.

Beechwoods
15-01-2009, 22:24
Wow. Your room looks perfectly 70's retro, and the gear looks amazing. I'm drooling over the 301 too :)

Thanks for the pictures.

baja
14-02-2009, 15:55
speakers are finished - coming to an end ...
best

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/2040/alllh5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/9413/all2nk7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/8190/all3xx3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

baja
24-06-2009, 15:03
update:

the new system is finished for 95% - just missing is a mc step-up - I'd like to go for altec peerless 4722...

changes:

* the crossovers has been upgraded for the high tone
* the amp got not tubes: 845B instead of the golden dragons - rca 12ax7 long black plate, square getter (50th) instead of ei ecc83 - nos tung-sol 5687 instead of raytheon 5687.
* instead of the einstein cdp an acousticPlan vadi (with a special chrome front instead of the typical blue one - and still waiting for optional plugs at the rear to use the cdp's dac for other digital storages) the vadi has an ingenious tube stage and is also tube rectified - tubes are: EZ80, EL84, EF86, 75C1 and E88CC - all over hand made, including the transformers. this item "sounds" unbelievable ...

i'm still wondering if i should go for a pair of mcintosh mc30 instead of the naf integrated - but this means to sold the naf first - probably this might be a not a bargain? does anybody have audited both 6l6 and 845 tubes? - i'd be glad for any suggestions ...

thanks

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/323/gb0.jpg
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/963/42797921.jpg
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/9414/gb2w.jpg
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/3633/gb3.jpg
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/1124/gb4q.jpg
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6642/gb5w.jpg

Marco
24-06-2009, 16:49
I like that system very much, so congratulations! It encompasses so much of what I value in hi-fi and demonstrates real thinking outside of the box, which is at the core of what this forum is about :)

What exactly is in your speakers in terms of drive units and components?

Can we have a real loving close-up of the 301 and also the arm and cartridge? :cool:

Marco.

baja
24-06-2009, 17:44
marco,
thanks for the flowers ...

inside the speakers is a GPH 604-8H series II - it's a derivative of the altec 604-8H (not to compare with the latest altec 604K or L) - instead of alnico magnets this item comes with ferrite. I've audited several different altec 604 (B, E and H with alnico in different enclosures), also Votts and 19th, some with original and some with custom made crossovers - at least I decided to go for the GPA's because they are familiar with my more "modern" taste - they are less "sticky" (yes indeed, this is what some vintage-lovers prefer) and I fell in love with the tangerine phase plug - the enclosure is a rebuilt of an altec 612B custom cabinet, that was used as smaller monitor cabinet in some famous studios (nice image at the bottom) - originally it was built out of redwood, what is protected nowadays - I use similar wood that is known as piano-wood, varnished in light ivory - inside the enclosure is nothing but lambswool and an acoustic foam pad - wiring is auditorium 23/shindo like but from a different source - the crossovers are custom made by jabo laboratory - his philosophy is to work with auto-transformers and vintage oil paper capacitors - it's quite special and some altec enthusiasts are pretty "dissing" this philosophy - however I love it.

the garrard is re-built by norma hylee tech berlin - my wish was a smaller plinth and they were astonished how good this smaller solution work out - the arm is developed by norma hylee tech, too. it's called ZA tritonus - although it's not a re-built of a vintage 12", the arm comes close to an old (super rare) neumann.

the cartridge is a lyra - that I've bought NOS as clavis but it looks like a first generation lydian - ok, I stopped wondering about this because it sounds great - phono pre is an all tubed silvaweld swh-550 mkII built for black forest audio - but as told before I'm planing to add a step-up ...

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/8357/all4jo7.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q18/CONVERGENCE_2006/beatlesinstudio2.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/8584/dscf9623.jpg

aquapiranha
24-06-2009, 21:24
Well, I am speechless!

Absolutely wonderful stuff, truly awe inspiring. Thanks for sharing the pictures and description with us.

:)

Marco
24-06-2009, 23:04
Well, I am speechless!


Me too... TOTAL QUALITY :eek: :youtheman:

I just *know* I'd love the way those speakers play music!

And the old Lyras like that have a different sonic balance, and IMO are much superior to the bright, toppy stuff they make today.

What do you think, Baja?

Marco.

Barry
24-06-2009, 23:29
Wow Baja

You have got some absolutely gorgeous looking and I'm sure wonderful sounding kit there. I'm most envious, not only of the equipment but of your beautifully clean and uncluttered room as well!

I would be interested in learning a little more about the pick up arm you are using on your 301.

Thanks
Barry

baja
25-06-2009, 13:50
@barry,

here you get more information:
http://www.deutsch.norma-hylee-tech.de/html/tonarm.html (sorry, only german)

@marco

in my experience it is worth to refurbish the old lyra systems if possible - there are some guys in japan who are specialists in this issue - what I like is the dynamic sonic of the cartridge - but honestly the whole environment shifts the sound - before I owned a wilson benesch turntable with a.c.t. two arm and the same cartridge - this was always somehow scrawny and astonishingly it changed with the garrard 301 to what I was looking for: earthy in a positive sense ...

best

baja
30-03-2010, 18:00
second amp - still a little work to do ...
regards,

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/6277/6c33c.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/7158/amp2m.jpg

Ali Tait
30-03-2010, 18:42
Nice! I see 6c33c's.What's the circuit?

Beechwoods
30-03-2010, 18:43
That's a gorgeous amp, Baja :)

Marco
30-03-2010, 18:55
Nice! I see 6c33c's.What's the circuit?

Are those the same valves the Almarro uses? If so, I thoroughly approve! :)

Baja's whole system is nice (an understatement), not just his amps :cool:

Marco.

Ali Tait
30-03-2010, 19:39
Yes,and yes it is!

Jonboy
30-03-2010, 19:41
Baja's whole system is nice (an understatement), not just his amps :cool:

Marco.

+1 Totaly agree, very very nice :)

DSJR
30-03-2010, 19:44
I'm speechless :lol:

Lovely looking system and I always very much enjoyed listening to a Lydian a mate has on his Hyperspace/AceSpace arm - very refined and "subtle."

I know what you mean about the earthiness of the 301 and 401.. lovely!

baja
30-03-2010, 19:50
thanks for the flowers...
it's a custom built integrated - using 6c33c triode single ended, class a - about 2x 8 watt at 8Ohm THD 2,9%
 - no feedback
 - frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz -0.5dB 
- frequency response: 15Hz - 25kHz -1.2dB 
- sensitivity: 0,405V. nice vintage all tube concept with gas rectifiers and amperite 20 seconds delay tube.
it's quite different in comparison with my 845 amp - but it's not a goal to compete both amps - because they have their individual qualities.
I enjoy to have both ...
regards,

Marco
30-03-2010, 22:38
Nice one, Baja... Incidentally, where are you from? :)

Marco.

Light Capture
30-03-2010, 23:47
You really have an eye for design in your projects. Sweet system and room too. Quality all the way!

Can you tell me about your cd player. Looks interesting and unique like all your gear.

The Grand Wazoo
30-03-2010, 23:49
Very, very nice.
I liked it all when you first shared it with us & still do!

goraman
31-03-2010, 01:32
what are these things for with all the caps and transformers? are they outboard PSU's?
and if so to what?
They look like something I've seen in Frankenstines monster.

"GIVE MY CREATION LIFE"!!!!


Great system, and not off the rack, lots of time and money to get it right but it looks as though you did.
You can't go to Tim Buck2 HiFi plop down enough to buy a house and come out with gear like yours.
What you have is priceless and a true labor of love.
Cheers!

baja
31-03-2010, 07:28
'frankensteins' = these are the crossovers of the altec (gpa) 604h.
regarding the cdp: it's an acousticplan vadi. 6moons (http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/roadtour21/2.html). because I don't like the blue front I ordered it individually with a chrome one. the cdp is full tubed, non oversampling and also with tube rectifier. I haven't upgraded the cdp already - but it offers the opportunity to add a terminal with interfaces for pc/mac etc. actually to use the amazing d/a converter of the cdp for an external digital source ... before I owned the einstein last record player for years - for my ears the vadi is much better in all points - amazing, never expect of a cdp - but honestly in my recent rig the garrard is superior ...
regards,

goraman
01-04-2010, 04:26
Crossovers!
MY HERO!!!

baja
22-03-2012, 21:01
addition to the family - just wondering to start a mono set-up with my second SE amp. anyway I'm still tracing some VITAVOX parts, as AK15/40 woofers and CN157 horns - and suit crossovers - CN233. I'd be glad for hints ...
best
http://s1.directupload.net/images/120322/zek69w8p.jpg (http://www.directupload.net)

http://s1.directupload.net/images/120322/aoq6q3w9.jpg (http://www.directupload.net)

Marco
22-03-2012, 22:01
Hi Baja,

Awesome stuff, as usual... Bet they sound amazing! :eek:

Good to see you again - don't leave it so long next time until you pop in and say hello! :cool:

Marco.

baja
23-03-2012, 08:02
... I vow improvement :)

so next step is to 'upgrade' my amp to mono (switchable)

http://s1.directupload.net/images/120323/temp/fx6zb6ju.jpg (http://s1.directupload.net/file/d/2838/fx6zb6ju_jpg.htm)

then I'd like to go on with my main project - and I'd be much obliged for any information to get the missing parts: AK15/40 - CN233 - and another pair of CN157 ....

http://s7.directupload.net/images/120323/temp/ad2h49pm.jpg (http://s7.directupload.net/file/d/2838/ad2h49pm_jpg.htm)

baja
20-04-2012, 17:44
rough (iphone mic) sound impression ... HERE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWJSjNkYVGY)

baja
10-06-2012, 15:57
something in addition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-PbFGRKoEc&feature=channel&list=UL
best

baja
25-08-2014, 14:11
Nothing really new - moved in-between and just bought an optional switch to plug my MacAir to the DCP.
Best,

http://up.picr.de/18690769gj.jpg

http://up.picr.de/18854733tn.jpg

http://up.picr.de/18690768at.jpg

baja
09-08-2015, 08:53
Just added a new youtube file of the Mono System, playing "Summer Time" ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2OAXJC4xH8

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/68/4a/c2/684ac277ddb48e141aaabdb85c2158a2.jpg

struth
09-08-2015, 09:02
That is something spechall ;) love it and some nice photos too:)

baja
09-08-2015, 09:17
Thanks Grant ...

Some additional photos of some mixing ups :

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e6/40/54/e64054c36bb7be589bfb797d49d2bc58.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/7d/0e/c2/7d0ec2e27e8db28ca07b250c3cc1b54e.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/7f/0e/f1/7f0ef1648c974471fc9a40b1827b27ad.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/85/2d/d0/852dd065f6e61773ada6aa74127fb682.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/96/93/ee/9693ee4c88a4630a83877de1d50deafa.jpg


I'm very happy that I got a COSSOR 6x5g as rectifier for the DAC ...

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/ed/3e/f6/ed3ef6a6d623b352bbe8becb3f149871.jpg

struth
09-08-2015, 09:25
A cossor valve...hell i aint seen one of those for many years...they made some great stuff

The Black Adder
09-08-2015, 09:31
Beautiful system, Baja... Stunning in fact.

Would love to hear it. 10/10

dougmon
09-08-2015, 13:27
That is a really gorgeous system. And the room...music and sunlight, unbeatable.

baja
09-08-2015, 19:45
Thanks for the flowers!