View Full Version : 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.
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walpurgis
04-11-2016, 10:54
I like the look of those Chris. Nice uncluttered appearance.
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.
walpurgis
04-11-2016, 11:18
silver output transformers are available from Jack Elliano.
Nice. But sounds like mega bucks though.
Nice. But sounds like mega bucks though.
I know, It gets a bit frightening. :eek:
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.
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
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Few more
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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
look very nice... there were some grundig alnico tweeters like that on the bay earlier. seem nice magnet housings
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
Interesting question Macca.
In the past I have played a lot with digital crossovers and bi-amping of subs with main speakers etc. I mainly used the TACT 2.2X pre-amp for this purpose with an EAR 861 power amp driving the main speakers and a Class A Sugden A21 driving the subs. The system sounded beautiful, but I found myself being slowly dragged into becoming a reluctant programmer rather than just enjoying the music. What compounded this problem ten fold, was that I was a founder user of computer based music using Phasure XXHighend software. Anyone that has tried that will know its a nightmare to get right.
Fed up with all that fiddling of controls I lost interest in Hi-Fi for a couple of years, until I heard the system in Slawa's house and fell in love with music all over again. for me the essence of what I am doing is KISS (keep it simple stupid). Fewer components higher quality.
look very nice... there were some grundig alnico tweeters like that on the bay earlier. seem nice magnet housings
Been keeping an eye on those for spares but the seller has failed to respond to any of my question about further details. He is either away on holiday for a month or totally incompetent. I do however have a pair of Greencone tweeters in store in case anything nasty happens.
Been trying to get a good photo of the open baffle speakers. Quite difficult with shiny surface and lots of reflections.19328
walpurgis
11-02-2017, 15:12
Try using an LED torch or worklamp a few feet away from the speaker at an angle where it won't reflect towards the camera. I find that works.
Try using an LED torch or worklamp a few feet away from the speaker at an angle where it won't reflect towards the camera. I find that works.
Thanks Geoff. Will give it a go later - listening to football at present :)
My system has been improved still further by the installation of SW1X silver cabling throughout. This includes:
USB cable
All interconnects
Speaker cables
All mains cables
The high pass capacitor on the Saba Greencone has been bypassed to allow that driver to run full range. There is no fear of over extending the Sabas as my amps max out at 2 Watts but the improvement to SQ is great, with added gravitas in the lower midband.
Nice system, showing evidence of a goodly dose of lateral thinking. Looks great Chris, and I'm sure sounds it, too!
Just one thing - you need to learn to use Photobucket or Imageshack, and post properly enlarged pics... I bloody hate thumbnails! ;)
Marco.
Just treated myself to the SW1X Universal Music Server UMS1 Signature, and its matching Power Supply UPS1 Signature. These are recently released products from SW1X and have serial numbers 02 - Slawa has 01 :). Because of this, there are no reviews yet so I will add one later.
Still struggling with the structure here, so can you tell me which section to post it in
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb81/chrisv48/UMS.jpg (http://s210.photobucket.com/user/chrisv48/media/UMS.jpg.html)
Review is here.
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?50920-Review-of-SW1X-Universal-Music-Server-UMS1-Signature-and-Universal-Power-Supply
A passive preamp slips seamlessly into the system.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb81/chrisv48/P1080003.jpg
I am into classic cars and have recently discovered the best polish I have ever used, so it seemed rude not to give my open baffles a once over.
Now they're beginning to really shine visually.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb81/chrisv48/P1080006.jpg?t=1494009200
Hi Bumpy. Lovely looking setup. I've often been tempted to see if I could use some quality car wax I have to bring a bit more shine to my lacquered speakers but have never been brave enough, nevermind polish. What was it you used?
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Hi Bumpy. Lovely looking setup. I've often been tempted to see if I could use some quality car wax I have to bring a bit more shine to my lacquered speakers but have never been brave enough, nevermind polish. What was it you used?
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Hi Peter. I'm no professional at polishing but I am a scientist (chemist) so take more note of how things work than perhaps many people do.
Most painted surfaces (including clear coatings) get dull over the years due to cleaning and dusting. Microscopically there is a build up of tiny swirls on the surface that diffuse light and make the finish progressively more dull.
Most polishes cut away the surface of the paint until it has been reduced (by a few microns) to the depth of the swirls which then obviously disappear. You will note that much of your valuable painted surface ends up on the polishing cloth. T Cut is a classic example, but the majority of other polishes act similarly, though not as harsh as T Cut.
Recently I bought a black classic car, and this colour is very demanding of a perfect finish, so I spent some time Googling about polishes and discovered Auto Balm by Bilt Hamber Laboratories. It is in no way an abrasive polish,so you cant cause any damage to a paint surface. I tentatively tried it on a small area of the wing of my car and all swirls disappeared, so next up were my open baffle speakers where the paint finish was looking a bit tired. Again it worked great.
Sorry, but this is beginning to sound like an advert, so I'll leave it at that.
Bilt Hamber Double Speed wax is the best car wax I have come across. Both my Porsche and Apogee speakers are coated in the stuff.
The double speed bit is bullshit though it is quite hard to apply.
I'll order some of the polish.
Bilt Hamber Double Speed wax is the best car wax I have come across. Both my Porsche and Apogee speakers are coated in the stuff.
The double speed bit is bullshit though it is quite hard to apply.
I'll order some of the polish.
Apply very sparingly from damp sponge. The sponge should almost take it all off as you go. It seems expensive, but a little goes a long long way :)
Apply very sparingly from damp sponge. The sponge should almost take it all off as you go. It seems expensive, but a little goes a long long way :)
I have something similar so I'll give it a whirl. Knowing my luck I will forget they're slippery next time they're moved and promptly drop them.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
A passive preamp slips seamlessly into the system.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb81/chrisv48/P1080003.jpg
The pre amp has been upgraded by using Audionote non magnetic tantalums as the shunt resistors. All other resistors remain as Charcroft Z foil resistors. Performance clicks up again. :)
Finally got to take a half reasonable photo of my speakers. Photographing gloss black is not easy.
Have no idea where all the other pictures have gone. :(
The Transcription Audio 211 amp joins the system.
NOS GE 211s.
That system looks good. I reckon I'd like it
NOS GE 211s.
They are GE and labelled VT-4-C :)
They are GE and labelled VT-4-C :)
Yup I have a quad;). I use Amperex 211s though.
If you like that amp then I'd recommend trying to get hold of some.
The pre amp has been upgraded by using Audionote non magnetic tantalums as the shunt resistors. All other resistors remain as Charcroft Z foil resistors. Performance clicks up again. :)
Ah, so now I know where Ian Walker's 'souped up' passive went!:)
I know the sound of that pretty intimately, Chris, as I used it for long periods in my system. I'd be interested in specifically what way the tants improved matters?
Oh, and the rest of your system looks fab and is clearly very well thought out. Would love to hear it sometime!:cool:
Marco.
Actually I have just bought and have had installed 4 Audio Note level 6 2 Watt tants in my Lampizator DAC. At stupid cost - for resistors. See here (http://www.audionote.co.uk/comp/resistors.shtml).
Not got the DAC back yet, though. Also had to go for some AN UX4 valve bases. Pretty costly too. CMC ones I had bought turned out to be a risky fit.
Actually I have just bought and have had installed 4 Audio Note level 6 2 Watt tants in my Lampizator DAC. At stupid cost - for resistors. See here (http://www.audionote.co.uk/comp/resistors.shtml).
Not got the DAC back yet, though. Also had to go for some AN UX4 valve bases. Pretty costly too. CMC ones I had bought turned out to be a risky fit.
not so dear considering the work to make.
not so dear considering the work to make.
£32.95 plus VAT each must be close to world's most expensive, though.
It was Slawa's (SW1X) recommendation to replace the bypass resistors and yet again he was right. The sound is more relaxed and natural, qualities demonstrated in all his kit. We debated going for AN silver tantalums, but his experience is that this often leads to a need to re-balance the whole system.
At the moment the passive reclines in my cupboard as the Transcription Audio 211 amp is an integrated
Justin have you evaluated Psvane 211's. They seem to come out well in this review (albeit by the seller).
http://www.aa-acoustics.com/psvane/
Justin have you evaluated Psvane 211's. They seem to come out well in this review (albeit by the seller).
http://www.aa-acoustics.com/psvane/Not really. I own quads of RCA, GE, Amperex and Chinese. I put Amperex up against KR 211s and in my opinion and that of others the Amperex were better.
Heard ELROGs against Psvane WE 211s briefly in an AN Tomei but not for long enough to really do a compare.
I have some Psvane 2A3s which are OK but not great when it boils down to it. Pretty OK VFM though.
Justin have you evaluated Psvane 211's. They seem to come out well in this review (albeit by the seller).
http://www.aa-acoustics.com/psvane/They are Psvane dealers. Beware I think it's biased.
jandl100
07-09-2018, 19:43
Beware I think it's biased.
Was that a valve joke? :scratch:
:D
Was that a valve joke? :scratch:
:DYou saw what I did there... cos I didn't really:)
Bit more info about the amp for anyone interested.
Half wave rectification
Massive mains transformer wound to Transcription Audio's spec
Oil filled 2Kv capacitor nearly the size of a house brick
Inter stage transformers
C core output transformers
Output about 20 watts
Driver valves are RTC E182CC
Valve rectifiers are CV187
Triodes are GE VT-4-C (211s)
Nipper seems quite impressed :)
Get some Audionote molybdenum 211s and see if Nipper likes them.
Get some Audionote molybdenum 211s and see if Nipper likes them.
Look very interesting, but suddenly the price doubled due to a misunderstanding :(
Managed to grab a picture of the main capacitor in my amp.
422uF and 1800volts
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Look very interesting, but suddenly the price doubled due to a misunderstanding :(What do you mean?
I had heard they were quite reasonable. But then I spoke to a chap who reviewed them for a magazine.
He said they were £800 plus VAT a pair. Not so reasonable. In fact, quite pricey.
He reckons they are better than ELROG and Psvane WE replica.
What do you mean?
I think the first reviewer thought the price he had been given was for a pair, but later it turned out to be just one:(
You need to be pretty serious, or minted, to spend nearly a grand on consumables.
Bought a pair of Psvane 211 TII valves for insurance.
At about £230 a pair they are excellent value. Bass is deep and firm and the mid range is opening up beautifully as they run in.
Hi Chris,
How would you compare the Transcription Audio amp to your 45's ?
kind regards,
Joolz
Hi Chris,
How would you compare the Transcription Audio amp to your 45's ?
kind regards,
Joolz
Sorry Joolz I missed this .
I think its mostly about the power. 45's deliver a very sweet 1.8 watts, but the 211s push out about 20 watts and always give the impression they are 100% in charge. They are slightly less sweet than the 45s, but make up for it in reserves of drive.
I generally compare a mini and a Roll Royce at 70 mph. Both are very comfortable at that speed but the Rolls Royce performs in a much more relaxed way.
Thanks Chris,
I think that's a very good analogy, and bears out what i believe i have heard.
I am in the process of rebuilding and hopefully improving my open baffle speakers. All changes are reversible if it goes awry.
1. Out go the Saba 8" Greencones to be replaced with SEAS Alnico W8 drivers. These are so good that I have done away with upper and lower crossovers so they run full range. There is an additional bonus for SQ by removal of the passive crossovers.
2. Out go the Grundig 4" Alnico high frequency drivers to be replaced by Klangfilm Alnico 4" drivers. Comparison of their weights Grundig 330g and Klangfilm 555g, roughly reflects the improvement in SQ.
3. The mid and high frequencies are left exclusively to the 211 triodes and the 15" Altec Alnico drivers are fed independently by an ICE amp (1000ASP) through a MiniDSP to set the low pass filter and equalisation. They seem to be best crossed over at about 100Hz so not far off being subs :)
Tuning is ongoing
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New addition to my amps.
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That's a nice looking amp, you must have got in pretty quick with that one, how's it sounding?
That's a nice looking amp, you must have got in pretty quick with that one, how's it sounding?
I wanted a 300b amp that captured all the essence of this single ended triode and it certainly does that. It is the Elekit with improved transformers etc. For a kit amp the build quality is exceptional.
It came with Softek 300Bs of unknown age, so I am looking to replace them with good quality valves up to about £500 a pair.
I wanted a 300b amp that captured all the essence of this single ended triode and it certainly does that. It is the Elekit with improved transformers etc. For a kit amp the build quality is exceptional.
It came with Softek 300Bs of unknown age, so I am looking to replace them with good quality valves up to about £500 a pair.
Glad that it sounds good, I have it on my wish list to match up with my preamp
Glad that it sounds good, I have it on my wish list to match up with my preamp
You wont be disappointed. Highly recommended.
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