Hello from South Lincs

[audioglow]

Have built a number of valve/tube amps over the years – started when I was 8 years old, including a mono-block version of the Ongaku some 13 years ago (when I was younger and the eyes were better) used the Kondo schematic from 1992 and audio trannies from Audionote used silver wire and the best parts I could afford – cerafine/audionote caps, not black gates using a full wave rectifier bridge using US Navy 5R4WGBs, made for submarines, not single GZ37s half wave as kondo uses nowerdays, the amps were built as a prototype on powder coated Hammond chassis so not very pretty and compared with the original for a number of years (friend owned one). Have been through too many “Hi-Fi” boxes to list from Quad to Leema Altairs, from Spendors to Acapellas, but now use mainly a ripNAS server and a Linux server (back up) to hold most of my music (even about 1500 LPs) A Sim Moon DAC, an OPPO player and a home built preamp/monoblocks and MLs. Used to own a NAS Hyperdeck/SMEV and frog – but now I spend my time playing piano/vibes/drums and guitar(s) so music is a big part of my life, mainly jazz but also all genres on the guitar (Clapton/Beetles/various standards along with the wife) so get my analogue kick from there.

Dont let the blue smoke out
Audioglow

[struth]

Hi Ian; Welcome to AoS. Sorry for delay in greeting you, as Ive been busy..lol. so, making amps at 8!! I was barely toilet trained at that age :lol::eyebrows:

Sounds like you enjoy makin things so you will fit in well and should find plenty to interest you. You've some good gear too; would like to see some pics sometime.

enjoy the forum

[Macca]

Hi Ian

Welcome to the forum.

[Anthony K]

Hi Ian, love to see some photos of your setup.

[audioglow]

Hi Anthony
Will try to get some pics posted this weekend
Ian

[Barry]

Welcome to AoS Ian.

Would love to see some photos of your DIY Ongaku 'clone' - do you still have it? What are the ML speakers you have? What are your tastes in jazz?

Lots of questions - we're a nosey bunch here! :lol:

Enjoy the Forum

Regards
Barry

[audioglow]

Hi Barry
Yes I still have the "Ongakus", but might be selling them one day as we are probably "downsizing" after a heart attack (yep it surprized me too)! but still a lot of thinking to do as they are my main amps - but heavy! Speakers are the old Aeons - not the best I have owned and they came from a second system that I once had, after selling my Leema Xandas (wish I hadnt now but they were BIG) Havent yet decided what to replace them with, like the cleanness of electrostatics wish the old apogees were still around. Pre amp is based on a GZ37 and three 12AU7s, a bit like the old "Basie" model from HK. Jazz is a big part of my day having played since I was 16 ish, a lot of Brubeck/Corea/MJQ/Bobby Hutcherson/Gary Burton - you get the picture.
Ian

[Barry]

Ooh - let's see some pictures of your Ongaku! :eek:

Regards
Barry

[mmichbam]

Hi Ian

Good to know there's another hifi fan in South Lincs, welcome.

[audioglow]

not so many of us left!

[Spectral Morn]

Welcome to AOS Ian



Regards Neil

[Floyddroid]

Welcome. Pictures pictures pictures.

[tapid]

Welcome Ian, you sound a very talented individual.You live in a lovely part of the country for cycling I should imagine ( flat) . Enjoy

[audioglow]

Pics posted - not very good and will try to get some more later of the underside - as I said these were prototypes so didnt pay too much attention to a "pretty" layout just functional. They turned out so good (sound wise) couldnt pull then apart...