Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 27, 2020 9:50:02 GMT
Hi all, With Jaysons ( iceman16) agreement, I have decided to chronicle the build process once again. Apologies if this feels very familiar, but its nice for Jayson to see how the build is going and it also makes the wait seem shorter somehow lol. First order of business while I await the plethora of delivery men and women, who are bringing the necessary bits and pieces, is to pick a suitable set of valves to go in this phonostage. After speaking to Jayson, and building an idea of what music floats his boat, i decided to give the following combination a try: 2x National PCC88s 1x 6N2P-EV With some fine Jazz and Classical stuff to try them out with, I have to say that this is a very fine combo. Zero Microphony, liquid Midrange, and very emotive. String instruments carry the resonance of the wooden body really well, and woodwind instruments are throaty, just as they should be. I am really liking this combination very much. The HF is silky smooth, detailed and non fatiguing. Bass is very well balanced and integrates nicely in the overall sound. I recently heard a Tung-Sol 803e gold pin, and thought that to be an excellent valve for this phonostage, so I have ordered one of those to try too. As you'll see from the pictures, I am also trying some Janzen Silver Z capcitors too. Ill talk more about those separately, but i am more than happy to use them for this valve rolling experiment. Pics of the valves:     |
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Post by iceman16 on Jul 27, 2020 12:44:56 GMT
Wow this is very interesting. Thanks Oli. It’s like a movie in the making lol..👍
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 27, 2020 15:38:08 GMT
Wow this is very interesting. Thanks Oli. It’s like a movie in the making lol..👍 HA! Yes, it's good to see how they go from boxes of bits into a fully functioning phonostage. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 28, 2020 6:57:00 GMT
Really impressed with these. Worked a treat. They are definitely contenders.  |
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Post by firebottle on Jul 28, 2020 7:32:57 GMT
I have the very same one in V1 position in mine. Noticed slightly higher gain than others.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2020 7:38:16 GMT
That's what I have in mine, excellent news given my trials and tribulations....
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 28, 2020 8:17:59 GMT
In all honesty, i only bought them to try them in a reliability capacity after your issues @scotty38, but i have been pleasantly surprised by their sound!
Straight off the bat, the valves have sounded beautifully fluid and offer a great deal of lucidity, which i hadn't expected. They are silent in operation and have absolutely no issue being driven by 7.6v....which i have deliberately done, to check for microphony and ringing. I will return the phonostage to 7v for the PCC88's later today.
Even with the volume turned to full, when i flick the valves they are absolutely oblivious to it, and that for me is the mark of a rock solid valve.
Seems they are available for the long term too, which always a bonus.
I have no issue recommending a pair of these to anyone....now....do they do a ECC83?
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 28, 2020 15:41:22 GMT
More shenanigans I LOVE THIS VALVE...... iceman16 one of these will be definitley going into your phonostage.  |
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Post by iceman16 on Jul 28, 2020 16:17:42 GMT
Nice Oli, I think Kevin Deal of Upscale Audio (U.S.) rate these TungSol 12ax7 highly.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 28, 2020 17:15:12 GMT
Nice Oli, I think Kevin Deal of Upscale Audio (U.S.) rate these TungSol 12ax7 highly. Hes a wise man. mikeyb tells me hes also very complimemtary of the National PCC88/7DJ8 which i am also trialing. Seems we agree! |
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Post by mikeyb on Jul 28, 2020 19:50:24 GMT
Nice Oli, I think Kevin Deal of Upscale Audio (U.S.) rate these TungSol 12ax7 highly. Hes a wise man. mikeyb tells me hes also very complimemtary of the National PCC88/7DJ8 which i am also trialing. Seems we agree! |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 29, 2020 10:00:08 GMT
PCBs are now on their way to me....finally.
The build we start as soon as they arrive!
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 30, 2020 14:15:53 GMT
With Valve selection now well and truly nailed down, it was nice to get this through the door. I am totally loving the Silver on Black combo Jayson picked. This is gonna look tidy!   |
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Post by iceman16 on Jul 30, 2020 16:12:31 GMT
Hi Oli, That would blend nicely to the rest of my gear compared to the silver facia. Thanks mate.  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 30, 2020 16:31:54 GMT
Hi Oli, That would blend nicely to the rest of my gear compared to the silver facia. Thanks mate. It's gonna fit perfectly...great choice, Jayson |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 30, 2020 17:16:01 GMT
Just working on a few pairs of MultiFET PCBs. I have a few builds lined up so thought I'd better crack on, rather than sit here admiring the front panel lol  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 1, 2020 11:00:34 GMT
Cap selection is now also nailed on. I am loving these Mundorf caps. They are so good with texture and detail that I am finding myself really engrossed in the music. I have a really nice matched pair of caps for this build.... can't wait to get them in!     |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 1, 2020 11:58:54 GMT
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 1, 2020 13:42:01 GMT
All precision capacitors are now in place. I normally do the resistors first but opted for a change round. Keeping things fresh and exciting lol   |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2020 21:29:10 GMT
Hi Oliver
My board is finally finished and looks great, just need to put my sides on and job done.
I even managed to solder both fet boards on.
Will post pics as and when I learn how to or I might send you the pics to post for me
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2020 21:31:39 GMT
Hi Iceman.
Nice looking setup.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 1, 2020 21:47:35 GMT
Hi Oliver My board is finally finished and looks great, just need to put my sides on and job done. I even managed to solder both fet boards on. Will post pics as and when I learn how to or I might send you the pics to post for me Ye, no worries |
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Post by iceman16 on Aug 1, 2020 22:07:20 GMT
Hi Iceman. Nice looking setup. Thank you Sir.. |
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Bigman80
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Posts: 16,401
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 2, 2020 12:06:34 GMT
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 3, 2020 19:37:52 GMT
PCB now has Mundorf Supreme EVO oils installed and I've finished the wiring looms. All that's left for the Phonostage box is the actual assembly.... Hoping to have this up and running tomorrow in my system, with my Traffo box as the transformer for this one isn't here yet.    |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 4, 2020 12:24:15 GMT
Getting close to the Phonostage box being finished.   |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 4, 2020 14:14:39 GMT
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 4, 2020 14:21:15 GMT
iceman16 It's alive!!!!!! Just waiting for your transformer for the Power supply. I'll update here when it arrives. Until then I'll leave it in the system to soak.
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Post by stevew on Aug 4, 2020 15:54:33 GMT
Excellent!
Been really great to watch the build in real time.
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Post by iceman16 on Aug 4, 2020 16:22:23 GMT
iceman16 It's alive!!!!!! Just waiting for your transformer for the Power supply. I'll update here when it arrives. Until then I'll leave it in the system to soak. Im so excited Oli.. well done Sir. Can’t wait!! lol...  |
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