Arkless Electronics MC Head Amp

[Arkless Electronics]

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag156/Jez1235/SDC10549_zps3f853043.jpg (http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/Jez1235/media/SDC10549_zps3f853043.jpg.html)


http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag156/Jez1235/SDC10550_zps6763147f.jpg (http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/Jez1235/media/SDC10550_zps6763147f.jpg.html)


It's a zero feedback JFET design with loading infinitely adjustable by loading plugs (the black plugs in the photo of the rear panel).
It is suitable for use with any MM input phono stage but it is envisaged that users of valve phono stages, which are usually MM only, would have the greatest need for a Head Amp.
It is entirely hand made and point to point hard wired on tag strip in the traditional valve manner (no PCB). Power comes from a wall wart type supply and the unit has been designed in such a way that the wall wart is in no way a limitation to the performance.

Prices start at £400 and customers can specify such things as the style of casework and the use of "boutique" components etc, at extra cost, to tailor it to individual requirements or tastes.

[Marco]

Ace! So when can I get a listen? :)

Marco.

[Mr Kipling]

Green led Jez?

Don't red ones sound better!?!

[chris@panteg]

Nice work Jez, that case looks almost identical to my vantage audio psu for my 1210 .

[Marco]

I actually like the casing, as it reminds me of the original Croft Basic Micro:


http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/843/c75h.jpg


Glenn doesn't 'do' fancy cases either, concentrating instead on the quality of what lies 'under the hood'. I believe that Jez also shares that philosophy.

It's a principle I applaud, as ultimately hi-fi equipment is merely a tool for accurately reproducing music, not an ornament to be admired!

:exactly:

Marco.

[chris@panteg]

I quite agree Marco old chap, though that copper amp of yours is a pretty thing, and I've been known to drool over a friends Diavolo amp, must be all that chrome? it sounds wonderful too.

[Marco]

Indeed, allthough I'm sure you can guess that the reason I bought the Copper amp was not because of its looks.... ;)

I'll take looks with kit if they happen to be there in the first place (as was the case with the Copper amp), but only when there are some 'proper knickers' underneath the 'fur coat', as it were :eyebrows:

Marco.

[chris@panteg]

Lol well erm yes you could put it that way, I suspect this head amp could be very good indeed though and people need to know about it I think.

[Marco]

Precisely....which is why Jez needs to send it out on the 'round robin'. I bagsy first go! :D

Marco.

[Audio Al]

Question time

Why is this called a HEAD amp ?

[Marco]

Because it gives you a head f*ck when you hear it - simples! :D

Marco.

[Arkless Electronics]

Ace! So when can I get a listen? :)

Marco.

Very soon! I'm going to increase the gain a bit and have a play with output capacitors over the next few days then you can be the first to hear it Marco ;)
PM me your address and I'll let you know when I post it. I take it you'll be willing to send it on to the next person that wants to hear it?

[Marco]

But of course, mon ami! Addy on its way.... :)

Marco.

[Arkless Electronics]

I actually like the casing, as it reminds me of the original Croft Basic Micro:


http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/843/c75h.jpg


Glenn doesn't 'do' fancy cases either, concentrating instead on the quality of what lies 'under the hood'. I believe that Jez also shares that philosophy.

It's a principle I applaud, as ultimately hi-fi equipment is merely a tool for accurately reproducing music, not an ornament to be admired!

:exactly:

Marco.

It's from the same manufacturer... just a different size in the range... so yes it's the same!

These will be made to order (as I don't think there is a big market for them) so I'm planning on liaising with people as to how they want theirs built. This will include the casework and can go as far as custom built casework with exotic hardwoods etc.... also if people want fancy boutique capacitors and resistors, cable and phonos etc then that can be accommodated.... as can "super regulator" internal PSU and more FET's in parallel for reduced noise (2 per channel in this one). Folks will know my own opinion on fancy cables and connectors etc but hey, the customer is paying so I'll fit what they specify! Obviously if someone wants all of the above it will end up a hell of a lot more than the starting price of £400!

[Arkless Electronics]

Green led Jez?

Don't red ones sound better!?!

Green sounds more organic! :lol:

[Arkless Electronics]

Question time

Why is this called a HEAD amp ?

At one time the cartridge was known as the "pick-up head".... it's a bit of an archaic name that stuck....

[Marco]

Green sounds more organic! :lol:

Yes, but red is more salacious and reminds him of all the brothels he's visited! :eek: :eyebrows:

Marco.

[Arkless Electronics]

Yes, but red is more salacious and reminds him of all the brothels he's visited! :eek: :eyebrows:

Marco.

That's a vicious rumour... like the money "resting in my account" in Father Ted! I never have to pay for it as all I do is tell them about high end audio until unconscious and then.... :mental:

[Marco]

Lol... I was referring to Mr Kipling, since he was the one who mentioned the red light in the first place! ;)

Marco.

[Audio Al]

At one time the cartridge was known as the "pick-up head".... it's a bit of an archaic name that stuck....


In modern words is this your version of a SUT ?

[Arkless Electronics]

In modern words is this your version of a SUT ?

Erm... kind of.... it does the same job as a SUT but in a TOTALLY different way.

[Mr Kipling]

Yes, but red is more salacious and reminds him of all the brothels he's visited! :eek: :eyebrows:

Marco.

Never been to a soup kitchen in me life Mr Marco.

I have a Nait 1 and changed it from a red led one to a green one as green looks so much more. . . er. . . classy.

[Marco]

Soup kitchen? Lol... Never heard it referred to as that before!

Marco.

[Arkless Electronics]

Marco, You better start saving your pennies! I decided that the first one to leave here should be a "full house" version :eyebrows:
It's the dog's dangly bits!! Not heard your ST80SE but if it can beat this I'd be amazed ;) There's head amps.... and then there's Head Amps!

[Wakefield Turntables]

How did I miss this thread ? :doh:

[User211]

I'll give this a listen and provide some forum f/b comments Jez if one gets sent to me... pleez.