Ian's new copper amp. [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

Ian Walker

24-01-2011, 15:43

Hi All,

I thought you might all like to see my long awaited new,yes brand spankin new copper amp!.

I ordered this way back in May 2009 and fair play to Anthony he did say i'd have to be patient,errr yes very patient.

The reason for this was he already had a full work schedule and would only do it when he had a whole week to dedicate to this and this only.

I got(begged)Anthony to build me this btw after hearing Marco's copper amp in my system,the way it transformed my already pretty good setup was quite a revelation.

The sound i was getting was pretty damn good as i say but i always felt it was a little thin and lacking in weight and scale.

Anyway Marco brought his amp to my house and after listening to my system for an hour or so we took out my Berning amp and in went Marco's.....

HOLY HELL the transformation was total,every aspect of the sound was massively improved,bass impact drive ,scale along with midrange clarity and top end finesse i never thought possible.

I just turned to Marco and said "thats it,that is the sound ive been trying to get for years,ive gota get one".

So after all this time i finally have that final piece of the jigsaw in place and my system just amazes me everytime i use it now,the realism this amp has brought is bloody staggering.

A big thanks to Anthony for all his work on this including quite a few trips up and down the motorway for fine tuning :-),thanks also to Marco for his help and multiple trips over with his amp(gota be at least 10 times you lumped it to my house,Cheers daftee).

Thanks too to Dave Hewitt for his help in getting his mate Dave Bennett to build the chassis,nice one Dave if you could find out the name of DB's firm i'll put it up here.

Well thats it folks here it is my new copper amp.

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/8752/dscn0285y.jpg (http://img203.imageshack.us/i/dscn0285y.jpg/)

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/7836/dscn0279u.jpg (http://img526.imageshack.us/i/dscn0279u.jpg/)

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4210/dscn0276m.jpg (http://img141.imageshack.us/i/dscn0276m.jpg/)

Ian.

Ian Walker

24-01-2011, 15:47

Here's a few piccys of the chassis and trannys.

Ian.

Rare Bird

24-01-2011, 16:00

looks nice Ian, any specific reason for the maroon transformer caps?

Techno Commander

24-01-2011, 16:01

Mmm, shiny:eek:

I now feel woefully inadequate.:ner:

Ian Walker

24-01-2011, 16:07

looks nice Ian, any specific reason for the maroon transformer caps?

I did want blood red but thats the nearest we could get from Halfords:)

We may change that later if i can be arsed..

Dave Hewitt

24-01-2011, 16:27

Hi Ian,very nice but you already know that skirting board is best for chassis;)
Dave.

DSJR

24-01-2011, 16:37

Ooooh, that looks sexy. A week's work eh? I shudder to think how much it cost, but glad it works right for you :)

Ian Walker

24-01-2011, 16:47

Hi Ian,very nice but you already know that skirting board is best for chassis;)
Dave.

Yes Dave, in fact i may get it re-clad with a nice bit of pitch pine at a later date:)

Ian Walker

24-01-2011, 16:50

Ooooh, that looks sexy. A week's work eh? I shudder to think how much it cost, but glad it works right for you :)

Thanks Dave,yes i know it took a week cos i stood behind him watching every soldering move:)

Ian.

Reid Malenfant

24-01-2011, 16:53

Very nice Ian :) It's great to finally get what you have been after for years, glad you are enjoying it to :)

Lovely looking bit of kit by the way :cool:

Ian Walker

24-01-2011, 17:13

Very nice Ian :) It's great to finally get what you have been after for years, glad you are enjoying it to :)

Lovely looking bit of kit by the way :cool:
Thanks Mark,yes its taken a long time to get the sound ive wanted.

The photos btw dont do it justice,it looks far better in real life:)

Regards,

Ian.

Beechwoods

24-01-2011, 17:46

Really lovely Ian. Mind you don't get RSI keeping that shine!

Jonboy

24-01-2011, 17:52

A thing of beauty you lucky boy

Ian Walker

24-01-2011, 17:53

Really lovely Ian. Mind you don't get RSI keeping that shine!

Cheers Nick...No Worrries Marco said he'll come over once a week to keep it shhhineee.:)

Ian.

Ian Walker

24-01-2011, 18:02

A thing of beauty you lucky boy

Couldnt have said it better myself Jon :)

Beechwoods

24-01-2011, 18:03

Cheers Nick...No Worrries Marco said he'll come over once a week to keep it shhhineee.:)

He does have a very special stock of Chamois he likes to get out for just such an occasion! I hear the goats are hand-reared and he gets to pick the softest one :)

Marco

24-01-2011, 18:15

Yesh, did he tell you about the special little glove-ettes he shlips on when handling his new baby - I won't tell you what he uses to rub it all shiny! :eyebrows:

thanks also to Marco for his help and multiple trips over with his amp(gota be at least 10 times you lumped it to my house,Cheers daftee).

S'ok, the bill's on its way from my chiropractor!! ;)

Anyway, looking good (and sounding amazing), daftee... I knew you'd get there in the end! :)

For everyone else, here's its big brother, sporting a little green bib:

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/2237/img0026sd.jpg (http://img207.imageshack.us/i/img0026sd.jpg/)

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/660/img0025ffo.jpg (http://img84.imageshack.us/i/img0025ffo.jpg/)

Marco.

Welder

24-01-2011, 18:19

The big questions then; how much did it cost? ;)
How often do the valves need replacing?
How much to replace a full set?

Just out of interest what other amps had you tried?

Marco

24-01-2011, 18:36

Hi John,

A gentleman never reveals such information, but just for you....

The big questions then; how much did it cost?

£49.99, plus a raspberry lollypop.

How often do the valves need replacing?

Every time there's a full moon.

How much to replace a full set?

Nothing - just a trip with some pliers and a gimp mask to a funny man who lives up a dark alley.

Just out of interest what other amps had you tried?

Various - but none were shiny enough.

Next? :)

Marco.

Welder

24-01-2011, 18:46

Hmm, see Marco, I’m no gentleman and you didn’t buy it.
I do hope nobody is going to go all coy and girlie about the price ;)

Dave Hewitt

24-01-2011, 18:47

Right,got me raspberry lolly can you lend us £49.99?
Dave.:)

John

24-01-2011, 18:59

Its almost like a piece of art Looks great and sounds like it sounds great too

The Vinyl Adventure

24-01-2011, 19:00

Oooooooooo perdy

SPS

24-01-2011, 19:34

that looks fantastic Ian, having heard marco's amp next to one of mine i know how good they are,

it looks a very nice job..well done anthony

I would guess that will keep you happy for a while..

Ian Walker

24-01-2011, 19:42

The big questions then; how much did it cost? ;)
How often do the valves need replacing?
How much to replace a full set?

Just out of interest what other amps had you tried?

Hi John,
Put it this way,Anthony charged me no more per hour than i get to do my job..a qualified tradesmans rate:)

Based on Marco's amp the valves should last for 10 years.

I would think depending on where you source the valves,i would think around the £600 mark.

And amps ive tried, bloodyell are you ready:)

Naim 135s
crown K1 and K2
Hypex UCD 400
Meridian 556 and 557
Dynavector pre/power
Quad 909
Bel Canto evo 2?
Ecs EA monos
Yaqin mc100
Yaqin mc110
Mr Liang 845
Primaluna 5 i think.
EAR 509 monos(2 pairs)
Mcintosh 2275
Albarry 100 watt monos x 4
David Berning ZH270

There's probably more but i cant think what at the moment...must have been crap:lol:

Ian Walker

24-01-2011, 19:46

that looks fantastic Ian, having heard marco's amp next to one of mine i know how good they are,

it looks a very nice job..well done anthony

I would guess that will keep you happy for a while..

Cheers Steve,yep its great mate,its got my Tannoys really singin a song:)

Come over sometime for a listen.

Ian.

Ian Walker

24-01-2011, 19:47

Oooooooooo perdy

Whats Perdy Hamish?:)

Ian Walker

24-01-2011, 19:51

Its almost like a piece of art Looks great and sounds like it sounds great too
Thanks John,
It actually is a piece of art when you see it in the flesh..bloody eavy too!

SPS

24-01-2011, 19:56

Cheers Steve,yep its great mate,its got my Tannoys really singin a song:)

Come over sometime for a listen.

Ian.

I may just hold you to that ian... i would like to hear your speakers too.

i have a few spare saturdays in Feb /march if thats any good... i'll pm

The Vinyl Adventure

24-01-2011, 19:59

Whats Perdy Hamish?:)

http://www.urbandictionary.com/iphone/#define?term=purdy

If anyone wants an amp some way on the way to this I might know of one available that someone might be willing to move a bit on the price...

As for Anthonys prices ... I have one of his valve pres as some of you might know ... I'd never tell anyone what it cost me but I will say one thing it was 4 figures and it was cheap at the price!

MartinT

24-01-2011, 20:03

thanks also to Marco for his help and multiple trips over with his amp(gota be at least 10 times you lumped it to my house,Cheers daftee).

Preferential treatment, eh? I've only had Marco's copper amp in my system once but it was a memorable experience - and this coming from a solid state sort of chap ;)

That's a hell of a design you have there, Anthony. Enjoy, Ian :glug:

Techno Commander

24-01-2011, 20:03

£49.99, plus a raspberry lollypop.

Marco.

OK, you have a deal.:lol:

Welder

24-01-2011, 20:06

Thanks for at least a partial answer Ian ;)
I can see you like your valves and have tried out some rather expensive amps.
Got a bit of a ATD copper amp feeding Tannoy cult going on here it seems :eyebrows:
Still, at least you’ve got a digital front end ;)

Good luck with it anyway :)

Mark Grant

24-01-2011, 20:10

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4210/dscn0276m.jpg (http://img141.imageshack.us/i/dscn0276m.jpg/)

Nice looking WBT phono sockets and speaker terminals,

It does sound excellent :) :cool:

Marco

24-01-2011, 20:18

Got a bit of a ATD copper amp feeding Tannoy cult going on here it seems :eyebrows:

Wot - all two of us? :lol:

;)

It is a MAGICAL sounding combo, though!

Marco.

Ian Walker

24-01-2011, 20:34

Nice looking WBT phono sockets and speaker terminals,

It does sound excellent :) :cool:

Yikes! i forgot to thank you for them Mark :)

Marco

25-01-2011, 11:17

Hi Martin,

Preferential treatment, eh? I've only had Marco's copper amp in my system once but it was a memorable experience - and this coming from a solid state sort of chap...

Lol - and the scary thing is that both Ian's amp and mine (after having a newer and bigger mains transformer and new output and driver valves fitted) sound an order of magnitude better than what you heard that day in your system! :eek:

;)

Marco.

Welder

26-01-2011, 17:29

I know I probably shouldn’t do this and you’re the boss of the forum and all that Marco but………………..:doh:
Your description of the improvement of your amp, well frankly, I think it’s misleading, or at least I hope it is, coz if it isn’t then the amp wasn’t much good to start with or you didn’t have it switched on ;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_magnitude

Just saying and all that.
:sofa:

DSJR

26-01-2011, 17:46

Big boys toys John..... Big boys toys...... :lolsign:

I'm sure there's a difference, but owners of such hobbyist kit are inclined to exaggerate. I mean, I fixed a problem with the auto mech on the Balfour deck fitted to the HMV record player I'm currently enjoying and this enabled me to take the playing weight down from ten tons to around five - MASSIVE difference in transparency and detail retreval ;) Still has the frequency response of a telephone though :D

JOE!BLOGGS

26-01-2011, 18:32

I've got to be honest these look a bit antiquated in the year 2011.

hands up who's got a class d amp somewhere in the house? or car.

cool, power, liquid highly detailed, no hum, safe and reliable.

joe

Mark Grant

26-01-2011, 18:42

I've got to be honest these look a bit antiquated in the year 2011.

When you see one in real life they look fantastic :)

Marco

26-01-2011, 18:57

I've got to be honest these look a bit antiquated in the year 2011.

So do you, but your wife puts up with it, right? ;)

Marco.

Reid Malenfant

26-01-2011, 18:58

Your description of the improvement of your amp, well frankly, I think it’s misleading, or at least I hope it is, coz if it isn’t then the amp wasn’t much good to start with or you didn’t have it switched on ;)

Just saying and all that.
:sofa:
:lolsign: I guess you have a point John, if you went from an Amstrad to a system costing a couple of thousand then yes, i'd say that would be an order of magnitude of difference in quality of sound all things being equal :eyebrows:

If i said that this new dCS kit i was using was an order of magnitude improvement over my previous DAC i'd be telling porkies :eyebrows: Definately a decent upgrade though, no doubt about it - much better in every respect but only by a noticeable margin even though these cables are still pretty new & might have seen 20 hours so far.

More than definately worth the outlay imo, so i'm happy :)

Marco

26-01-2011, 19:00

DSJR

26-01-2011, 19:06

Anthony knows what modern transformers to use, the casework is lovely to look at (although I wouldn't bother with copper unless absolutely necessary - tarnishing and mitt marks) and he's obviously got a decent design going there...

I wish to ask about J-FETs or similar.. Apparently, these devices can be used in high impedance buffers (they can, I've made one for ceramic pickups) and the circuitry around them looks quite simple. What are the cons and why have designers not bothered overmuch with them, unless it's in a high gain phono stage? The little buffer I made up is incredibly simple, runs off DC 9V (so the aborted Lentek power supply can easily be overkill) and this circuit can easily offer 1M input impedance and offer gain too with a very few extra bits added...

JOE!BLOGGS

26-01-2011, 19:41

Seen one, heard one, got the t-shirt:)

Marco

26-01-2011, 19:46

Hi "Joe",

Are you on this thread (or this forum) for any constructive purpose? If so, perhaps you could let me know what it is?

Ta!

At the moment, you're tripping my troll radar.....

Marco.

Welder

26-01-2011, 19:50

“LOL! Well, iz a lot betta noo than wot it woz b4, innit? ”

:lolsign:that’s better. I can understand that no problem Marco :lolsign:
So, allowing for big boys tales, erm toys ;) there was an audible improvement then.
Fair enough, I understand now:cool:

Marco

26-01-2011, 20:00

Hi John,

With a brand new (bigger) mains transformer, brand new output and driver valves, and an increase from 30, to 40W Class A, as a result, it was hard for there not to have been an improvement....

Let's call it 'significant'! ;)

Ian's amp, of course, has all that as standard :)

Marco.

Welder

26-01-2011, 20:07

I bet they sound great :)

Marco

26-01-2011, 20:30

They do indeed, John. Bristol ain't that far away, so we should arrange a sesh sometime, maybe after I secure the purchase of Wynn Hall?

You could be the first to 'christen' the new listening room! :eyebrows: :cool:

Marco.

Welder

26-01-2011, 21:10

Ali Tait

26-01-2011, 22:07

Maybe we should get the two amps together to try on my OB's. That could be interesting!

Marco

26-01-2011, 22:20

Yup, that would be fun, so we must do it! :)

Btw, Ian and me are going up to Nick's on Saturday for some preamp shenanigans - should be fun!

John, lol, you'd be welcome to bring some file music, but I'm not sure what you'd be able to play it on - unless you brought your gear with you, which would be cool :cool:

Marco.

Ali Tait

26-01-2011, 22:27

Good stuff, have fun! Let us know what you get up to.

Ali Tait

26-01-2011, 22:29

Marco, John could plug into your dac via SPDIF, assuming he brings a laptop and USB/SPDIF converter.

DSJR

26-01-2011, 22:35

...And what are your better halves going to be doing while you boys play with your stereo's? :lolsign:

Marco

26-01-2011, 22:59

Well, knowing Del, she'll be right in amongst it, enjoying the tunes! :eyebrows:

I can't speak for John's good lady, should she be coming (and she would be most welcome) :)

Ali, that would defo be a plan, as long as they're not hi-res files (as the DAS-R1 won't do 'em). It'd be up to John what he wanted to bring, kit-wise.

Marco.

Ian Walker

27-01-2011, 08:19

For anybody interested Dave Bennett did the chassis and his company is:

T Eccleston and Son. The address is 1 Welch Hill St, Leigh, Lancs WN7 4DU.

Telephone 01942 672993/Fax 01942 261964. Ask for Allan Duckworth.

I thought i'd share this as we had a lot of trouble trying to find someone who would take this on,but these guys came up trumps..recomended:)

Ian.

Ian Walker

27-01-2011, 08:27

Here's a few more piccys.

aquapiranha

27-01-2011, 11:45

Hi Ian, sounds like you have found the last amp you will ever buy. ( I will remind you of that when you buy another one :lol:, just kidding)

Looks like it is worth more as scrap than the whole of my system, and then some :)

chris@panteg

27-01-2011, 11:48

Hi Ian

That looks gorgeous and yes i am just a wee bit envious :) just have to make do with my crappy Cambridge ,lol . its ok really .

alfie2902

28-01-2011, 00:10

Beautiful amps these!! :stalks: Both visually & sonically!! :eyebrows: & That's with only a couple of breif listens at both Scalfords!

You're a lucky man Ian!!!

Ian Walker

28-01-2011, 08:17

Cheers Alfie and Chris,thanks for your coments lads.

Steve,i sure as hell hope this is the last amp mate....if not i'm definately seriously ill:lol:

E.

shahsy

29-01-2011, 01:51

Looks great..........sounds great........how much for one?

s

Marco

29-01-2011, 07:50

It's a bespoke amplifier, mate, so it depends what spec you want. If you're interested in one, contact Anthony TD by PM and he'll give you a quote :)

Marco.

The Vinyl Adventure

29-01-2011, 10:57

That’s very kind of you Marco and just out of curiosity I may well take you up on your offer :cool:
Problem is I would want to bring lots of horrible file audio with me….:eek:
Well, you know how it is; you have a selection of tracks you use to assess audio kit and given I’m never going back to analogue and valves…:eyebrows:
You know how that is as well I expect. Once you’ve heard a top class digital set up and assuming you like that type of sound, there’s no going back to the designer distortion of valves and record players :lol:

Just teasing ;)Love to see the place if you get it all sorted. I love old houses and architecture in general. I hope it all goes well for you.

If you do go, let me know .. And if it's ok I'll hitch a lift if I'm free ... Youd go past my hood enroute if you go m5 :)
I'll be intending on taking my linn ds ... So you could bring a hdd ... And I want to hear my new tt in compared to a tricked out techie ... See what I have lost out on ...
If that's alright with you Marco and your self :)
I wanna hear Marcos speakers ... I doubt they are much cop really - big drivers flapping about in the breeze an all ... But after someone has gone on about somthin so much ... ... Its just intrigue really, ha ha ha :lolsign:

DSJR

29-01-2011, 12:15

Looks great..........sounds great........how much for one?

s

Thousands rather than hundreds methinks :)

Ali Tait

29-01-2011, 13:59

Indeed. I reckon the chassis alone would be 3-500 quid.

hornucopia

29-01-2011, 14:25

Yes Dave, in fact i may get it re-clad with a nice bit of pitch pine at a later date:)
I agree! I made my PAWO side horns from Pirana Pine from my ceiling cladding!
Lovely Amp to look at.....and great that the sound is good - which is really what it's all about!

Bring it down sometime! (As if!.....!!)

Welder

29-01-2011, 17:40

@ Hamish

Lotsa ifs here mate ;)
I was thinking about going up by bike if I go. One of the advantages of file, just need my dac, lappy & PS plus a USB stick
If I went by bike would you feel happy about being on the back?

Reid Malenfant

29-01-2011, 18:10

What bike have you got John, your still here so that speaks volumes :)

If I went by bike would you feel happy about being on the back?
Come on Hamish, i would but i'm a biker :eyebrows:

3616

:sofa:

Marco

30-01-2011, 07:46

Yo, daftee....

If you do go, let me know .. And if it's ok I'll hitch a lift if I'm free ... Youd go past my hood enroute if you go m5 :)
I'll be intending on taking my linn ds ... So you could bring a hdd ... And I want to hear my new tt in compared to a tricked out techie ... See what I have lost out on ...
If that's alright with you Marco and your self :)
I wanna hear Marcos speakers ... I doubt they are much cop really - big drivers flapping about in the breeze an all ... But after someone has gone on about somthin so much ... ... Its just intrigue really, ha ha ha :lolsign:

Arf!! You'd be most welcome.... I can just see you hanging onto the back of John's bike as he hares it up here - you'd probably need a wee lie down when you arrive :eyebrows:

Marco.

The Vinyl Adventure

30-01-2011, 12:49

Welder

31-01-2011, 22:43

That's a no then basically then Hamish :lol:

WAD62

31-01-2011, 23:03

I need a lie down thinking about going on the back of a motor bike ... Its more the lack of control involved for me than anything else ... I'm fairly happy riding the things ... As long as I dont have to go to fast ... Sitting on the back ... Blimey ... I'm not sure ...
Oddly enough, cars I'm fine with ... Going fast in a car is fine, aeroplanes fine ... Not rollercoasters though ... They are bad ... And anything known by hospital staff as a "donor cycle" well just asking for trouble ... Especially if I have to rely on someone else
Judgement ...
I'll think on it shall I :)

As a biker myself I'm always a bit wary of being a passenger, but one top tip...if the bike rider's going too fast, or showing off, just start leaning the wrong way round corners, that usually calms them down a bit...;)

However I'm sure John is one of the responsible ones...:)

The Vinyl Adventure

01-02-2011, 10:14

I like the idea that I might have my wits about me to do such a thing as that, but in reality my response would be a "aaaaaaaaahhhh fucking slow down ... I can't get purchase on the seat now there's a layer of turd between me and my trowsers!!!!"

Welder

01-02-2011, 11:42

I can’t really say much Hamish. You wouldn’t get me on the back of a bike in a hurry and I’ve ridden bikes most of my life. There are only a couple of riders I would even consider it with.
I don’t crash much though ;)

Spectral Morn

01-02-2011, 14:46

Many, many years ago I bumped into two mates while i was waiting to take a bus to a party a few miles away from where i lived. I invited them and after awhile waiting for the bus (they were going to follow it) a helmet was thrust in my hand. I looked at Steve and said "What do want me to do with this"? "Stick it on your head"

His plan was I would ride on the back and take him to the party, his mate would walk and he would come back for him.

I was not keen on going on a bike, as when i was a child my right foot was nearly sliced off in the back wheel of a bike. I was riding with my Dad who had picked me up from school. My foot slipped off the foot rest into the back wheel. Only a very heavy pair of shoes saved my foot. Lots of blood though and a semi destroyed shoe.

It was the ride from hell :eek:

We arrived, my legs like jelly :lol: and my wits left back at the bus stop. Later was funny though when Steve explained that the bungy cabling he had with him was for securing his mate to the bike. That's exactly what he did, i have never seen anything like it since. A regular occurrence too, or so i was led to believe. His friend was fond of ummmmm smoking ;)

Regards D S D L

radio

01-02-2011, 19:23

on the subject of bikes,i thiought abought a yamaha virago,bought a shiny ayon amp instead,i,m much safer on the couch with a large red wine,listening to music than flying round the streets on a moterbike:eek::cocktail::cocktail:cheers maria.

Reid Malenfant

01-02-2011, 19:39

<snip> Later was funny though when Steve explained that the bungy cabling he had with him was for securing his mate to the bike. That's exactly what he did, i have never seen anything like it since. A regular occurrence too, or so i was led to believe. His friend was fond of ummmmm smoking ;)
:lolsign: :D

Rare Bird

05-02-2011, 22:04

I've been scratching my head for days but can't think of the company that makes a full copper amp..2A3 i think it uses. :scratch:

roob

07-02-2011, 00:23

Have you stocked up on Duraglit?

Rare Bird

07-02-2011, 00:31

Absolutly something what i can't get my head around is the raw copper with no finish :scratch:

Ali Tait

07-02-2011, 08:05

It's laquered is it not?

Ian Walker

07-02-2011, 08:26

It's laquered is it not?

Laquer...LAQUER! Do you realize what that would do to the sound:lol:

Ali Tait

07-02-2011, 09:15

:lol:

Marco

07-02-2011, 10:15

I've been scratching my head for days but can't think of the company that makes a full copper amp..2A3 i think it uses. :scratch:

You remembered and sent me a pic ;)

Here is is:

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/359/amp1c.jpg (http://img821.imageshack.us/i/amp1c.jpg/)

Wonder what that would sound like? :)

More info: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~valveamp/

Marco.

Mark Grant

07-02-2011, 13:05

Absolutly something what i can't get my head around is the raw copper with no finish :scratch:

Same here, I dont understand why they stay bright.

Are they bare copper ?, most bare copper usually tarnishes quickly, maybe its high quality copper with a good finish that keeps it bright ?

anthonyTD

09-02-2011, 16:54

Same here, I dont understand why they stay bright.

Are they bare copper ?, most bare copper usually tarnishes quickly, maybe its high quality copper with a good finish that keeps it bright ?
hi mark,
before i build them i polish the whole chassis with a fine cutting paste and afterwards i apply a polish with a high PTFE content.
they will eventualy tarnish, especialy if fingerprints are left on, but when fully clean and left for a while they go a lovely deep copper colour which wouldnt happen if they were Lacquered.
Anthony,TD...

Ian Walker

09-02-2011, 20:05

hi mark,
before i build them i polish the whole chassis with a fine cutting paste and afterwards i apply a polish with a high PTFE content.
they will eventualy tarnish, especialy if fingerprints are left on, but when fully clean and left for a while they go a lovely deep copper colour which wouldnt happen if they were Lacquered.
Anthony,TD...

You big fibber...you told me you shprinkled shome shpecial shinderella dusht on it:lol:

Reid Malenfant

09-02-2011, 20:13

You big fibber...you told me you shprinkled shome shpecial shinderella dusht on it:lol:
Well if it doesn't turn into a pumpkin at 12 midnight you know he was pulling your leg :D

Mark Grant

09-02-2011, 20:24

hi mark,
before i build them i polish the whole chassis with a fine cutting paste and afterwards i apply a polish with a high PTFE content.
they will eventualy tarnish, especialy if fingerprints are left on, but when fully clean and left for a while they go a lovely deep copper colour which wouldnt happen if they were Lacquered.
Anthony,TD...

That explains it :)

Never knew copper could stay so bright,

Thanks,

Ian Walker

09-02-2011, 20:34

Well if it doesn't turn into a pumpkin at 12 midnight you know he was pulling your leg :D

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:I'll have to sit up tonight now to see if it does...welcome to the daftee club

anthonyTD

09-02-2011, 21:23

You big fibber...you told me you shprinkled shome shpecial shinderella dusht on it:lol:
I did,
but Bex wiped it off when she was dusting,i didnt want to say anything as she was on a mission!:lol:
A...

Ian Walker

10-02-2011, 10:03

I did,
but Bex wiped it off when she was dusting,i didnt want to say anything as she was on a mission!:lol:
A...

OO was she now...and what was she going to polish nexsht t tttt ttttt:lol:

anthonyTD

10-02-2011, 12:56

OO was she now...and what was she going to polish nexsht t tttt ttttt:lol:
The mind boggles.:eek:
A...

Marco

10-02-2011, 17:28

The badge he wears with 'I am a Daftie Bodger' on it, of course! :lol:

Marco.

anthonyTD

10-02-2011, 18:25

The badge he wears with 'I am a Daftie Bodger' on it, of course! :lol:

Marco.
indeed!!!
:lolsign:
A...

WOStantonCS100

20-02-2011, 21:45

Ummmm... I think I need an education on this amp? I've been considering building the Dyna mono blocks; but, this thing is gorgeous! Can one get this as a kit??

Alex_UK

20-02-2011, 22:49

Can one get this as a kit??

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/2467960738_1737279f3e.jpg

WOStantonCS100

20-02-2011, 23:24

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/2467960738_1737279f3e.jpg

Why do I get the feeling the answer is "No" and someone is not too happy with me right now.

Alex_UK

20-02-2011, 23:26

Sorry Biff - that's not a noose - its "a frayed knot" :lol: (been waiting 18 months to post that!)

I stand to be corrected (well, sit, but you get the idea) but the copper amp is a handmade, bespoke special order item only.

WOStantonCS100

20-02-2011, 23:33

No apology necessary... that pic reminds me of a bad omen or the after math of someone who was dangling over a cauldron... cooked alive by the valve lords! :lol:

Nonetheless, "wow" is all I could muster after I saw the pic of the copper amp. Beeyooteeful. I'm not sure I'll have the funds for that; so, I guess I'm left with building something like it. I'll probably end up spending just as much cash and time in the process. :rolleyes: I just looked it up... a 120W version... I'd even settle for the 60W (me drooling).

SPS

08-03-2011, 20:33

I had the chance to listen to ian's new amp last night, what a nice sound,

His big tannoys really rocked.. what a system. moby dick sounded like we had the drums in the room.. fanastic

i was dead jealous of his listening room too,

I drove home in the early hours wondering if i've gone the right route with my system...

thanks Ian.

resistors will be in the post!

cheers
steve

Marco

08-03-2011, 20:43

Ian Walker

08-03-2011, 22:12

Great to see you last night Steve and glad you liked the amp/sounds.

I hadnt played that track since i had my Naim system so wasnt sure what to expect but HOLY SHIT it rocked,them drums were on the verge of makin me sweat:lol:.

No need to be jealous of the room mate,just pack the missis off for a week and get to work on your garage:).

Cheers Steve and thanks again for bringing MR PLANK with you.

Ian.

SPS

09-03-2011, 20:53

Nice one, Steve... I can see you ending up with a pair of huge Tannoys at some point! :eyebrows:

In my view, they straddle the line between (almost) imaging as well as statics/OBs, and having their wonderfully open and expressive midrange, but packing a punch and sheer scale that neither of the above can manage quite to the same degree.

I remember Mo said something to me once at one of the Owston meets, which went along the lines of "All roads in hi-fi lead to SE amps and high-efficiency speakers". Well for Ian and me he was half right! ;)

Marco.

I do have a single pye 15" corner speaker, its very close to a tannoy silver

I have quite a few pairs of large speakers in the garage.. i really doubt if i'd go the tannoy route, but the thought has crossed my mind !
I can see what you both like with the big tannoys, in many ways its very close to what i have and like

my latest baffles may be bridging that gap..... hopefully
I'm never confident till i try them.. unfortunately i doubt if they will be easily transportable just too heavy. so if any one wants a listen they will have to visit..

For me Mo was right, although not every one wants to up that road, especally when you hear some of the commercal amps.

ps Ian, the new dac i had in the car really worked well with my kit, its only got a few hours on it... but wow!
it sounds like the m3d version of a dac if you know what i mean.. i'll post about it in the next few days..

SPS

09-03-2011, 21:00

No need to be jealous of the room mate,just pack the missis off for a week and get to work on your garage:).

Cheers Steve and thanks again for bringing MR PLANK with you.

Ian.

you have not seen my garage... there are 2 very narrow walkways with most things stacked very high.. theres an old car in boxes, 3 bikes, lots of tools, a lathe.. then there's the hi fi stuff....

we need to get the kids bedrooms back.. they have nearly all left home but not quite.