For the love of a good beard

[ReggieB]

I've had my Beard P35 serviced and upgraded by Mark at Ming-Da UK (http://www.mingda.co.uk/) (in Malvern). I'm really pleased with the result. Mark replaced the main capacitors which were weeping, replaced resisters with some high quality Russian units, and tidied up the power regulator circuits.

The result is fabulous. The improvement was obvious the moment I turned it on. The amp has had a quiet hum, which Mark's work has banished. Once I started listening to music, a huge smile spread across my face. I love the sound from my Beard, but the upgrade has added more detail and insight. High resolution FLAC recording and LPs seem to have a level of insight I've not noticed before. They really sing after the upgrade.

So I'm now a very happy bearded buffoon - smiling broadly on listening to the wonderful music emitted by my Beard amp.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oMfa9gSzci1DHGvEOXL05OhRNz3gogZ1ZGL5IyzHiL9YQK8oX3 qPuJEF84BBzO_4cCmyXKsvBq1TXD1SoEfV7DYUeRH9kNtSKX31 v_h2f8g78B6uKSyO3ax-XpW8UPBvD6ZSxeoTmO62aGuxsYPM5NT2GBhFJg2ejmzJRu8DWE JQIiKrQ1HtT8ok47h3bLgVTFVGrKnKiCmrtrbzaAIfsPhiJvMG 3H8up4J4C2gGVgoPwpu0dJGgozMlqxZ_E_GEm7nKAxwyWHdrxh tyFdCOhcaPn5n9dUuyVY82CJSUAS43cQM35kjJcRjdjxCRtqfk lO0b7DA33u8SuSwfu8EMnmXCmUeqo4UnzWXkRwHmaU4gi_L5Uv cvkJksz3HHpGliMLOoU8MlkFPgnQbzsRpT3gaOnxYoqqpUbo69 49PFYEqzjy8bZc_jdTsuXsWFQnY_ZD_MyvhLiO6sJTHW8qFCE8 iK8QlWUwla4rS2NXvz6WIm0TNfiI-5NRcHj_dzadHkr49rUNUSjBgqsItGkgd0nwb9nFzI-RCXlGVNonpLnpgqcqHo4CP1wBjtb8ZBDpKXbelU92eMXO5fX7z I4ADOSkkTn-CBFp0=w1152-h766-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Tso4076eXkgM49kqvJJe13zxHtzTLmBqjYJyS-In_r5GwIl38oOe1afU25uCzyCuxbFXW3L7cZ9mOyofYm2Egvvi EEXas4GiqMRuTAgc2cT2Bc2pbFqvZ6StTRtmLgnqlrbkX-X2iZvHIAHsexDwNn0SRR0oEmhuCn0ZDtYnMKPQsewGqzaSWCcK bEKd4CQhzsVKUROiK2rkSyG7mcFjbfBShCCLQujXdyEln8Y2KG Ytf8Dw4d7J9dZh3yP5OXPRSjXCxlfnDovrdwKcuqpwZqO6_ZXf EU6cpnctZcYERhALUuvde6hNbHpWQtnH3dhbQ2j7U1LCv3I6Nv MrcgrxcRWoN0p8-LSuvXKZXRVzsSSSvL7ZjZGunKPd_0bP7CkVemCfJlT0LGkMjyo G_dwytUD8ZcxboZbgupXGIlo0GM-1p1BzjEdaZmih_s9zLAODhPlLTNHoGMH5_CCylO3I2jekuitx7 BGoFNHamlFYofhEBvhdh7VvER-v50YkMdi2THbkrArJkswv_ZlnxZ7HXP6TvUSUc7f6uCS2qsew0 p5ujDa5ZSfxGl9rf_IxxF5f5f-HfOgwxzniU-dE9dH9WM27k6IC6Y8=w1152-h766-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bgg2YeG1crjRoor_DU6sCBf93bMvX96mF-USbgUyQWsg1i6MvFMMp5Ex2GUE1hcaKI6NiuzADPhT9jlFkhYz 2kK33-7x2DQLJIMMBulHIeGAL6PWOhOmhLbFc7aoJPRKRgkuuw12K-YjrR139vCWqN_G7Y7w5OhO4W_261-BdN3PqtfbZndE8-WD0cQvDummvDfx831EdwQIN6CVGMR4dsdR4MbWXKf-M6WT_wPzE-eT5rwd3ZtKSDQD-U90RpQoCRLujMKOfILkK1ifgnrqQN-EjRRavqDYC-wCMOCLtCbMTBcv7O001Gwb4RK_xNFrWnE220lXYu6IYJJUkkHk HARSxSTcvuCHA60y8LHkqyXuNb7OVPIWSDtiChstFlmIa9ZTxg LlmO3x2dqmmSEU2IJaE5KCY3lZLhG4afmyRF0LE6g_owpBgiee lFY6aV2l6MIv6lq4CkgDBMrs_wRa0BNMflhD3LoH0Dei0Aqxn5 INVReObI9c2VOzglZ913Hh3NGuIA851cJw_GbaBdYYeLhVE8AE 9n1uGJljgUBR4L2h_SgnHISvnI6VINWPDHmOX9hhaXoF7vjIY7 5w2h0s9dMZ_DLgQO8=w509-h765-no

[trio leo]

I knew Bill Beard and I used to sell his amplifiers, lovely fellow, easy to get on with and his amps were superb, very musically connective IMHO, glad you're back in tune.

Enjoy your music :)

cheers Al

[Audio Al]

I'v had my beard for over 40 years now , Oh hang on not that type pf beard :doh:

[ReggieB]

On Mark's recommendation, I've replaced the main valves on my Beard P35. I've got some Russian tubes from vseste via The Bay of E (http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/vseste/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=). They've only been in for a few hours, but I'm very pleased with the results. The only way I can describe the improvement, is that it is as though my Hi-Fi has disappeared. Just leaving a wonderfully details and natural sound. Love it!

Turntable is the next target for upgrade I think. I'm seriously considering getting a Hana Moving Coil cartridge (http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/home/1295-hana-.html).

[User211]

Russian EL84s are super reliable. The JJs sounded very good in my Bill Beard BB100 with some NOS Mullard CV types in the preamp section. JJs not so reliable, but they really were a notch above Russian types in the BB100 circuit.

Good amps. Kept mine for 25 odd years and tried to sell it on here. I did eventually but ashamedly it went to France.

Here's the sale thread with lots of nice pics (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?32655-FS-Bill-Beard-BB100-50-Watt-Valve-Integrated-Amplifiier). Apparently it wasn't worth the money. I absolutely guarantee you it was worth more than was being asked to my mind. Great amp.

[ReggieB]

my Bill Beard BB100 ... Great amp.
That looks like a lovely amp Justin.

Buying my Beard was one of my best Hi-Fi decisions.

[petrat]

I've never heard an EL84 amp I didn't like tbh, and ime these Beards sound truly wonderful. Must keep a look out for one :D
The Malvern Mighty Ming Man knows his stuff, too. Mark is a true enthusiast and very experienced valve amp engineer.

[ReggieB]

The Malvern Mighty Ming Man knows his stuff, too. Mark is a true enthusiast and very experienced valve amp engineer.

I must try to refer to Mark as "Malvern Mighty Ming Man Mark" in all future correspondence. A lovely chap and as you say a true enthusiast. The 5M!

[Kolledog]

Hello Rob,

I recently acquired a Beard P35 amplifier similar to yours. My needs some repair, and I have a question you may know the answer to....

What is the function of the "half-power" switch and the "full-power" switch? Mine seem to be in disrepair.

Also, I'm wondering if you have an owners' manual and schematic that I might get a copy of.

Thanks in advance for any information.

Jefferson Kolle

[ReggieB]

Hi Kolledog,

I believe it changes the voltage (or power) supplied to system. Mine too had this section disabled, but it was re-enabled in the recent work I had done on the amps. Mark who did the upgrade told me that the unit will use more power when the switch is changed to high (make sense!), and as I can't hear a noticeable difference (I have a small room, tend not to listen at high volumes, and don't think my speakers are a particularly difficult load), I tend to leave mine in the low position.

Mark's a very approachable chap so I'd suggest you drop him a line via http://www.mingda.co.uk/contact.html he may well be able to give you some more insight.

[ReggieB]

Oh and by the way - there is Beard P35 on the bay at the moment (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beard-P-35-mk-11-valve-amplifier-/332060137569).

[Pete The Cat]

...all of which give us the opportunity for...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0kSuZFOwFE

Pete