Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 1, 2021 16:42:07 GMT
On thing I love about having my own forum, is that the membership here get the exclusives! For a while now I have been mentioning the Avalon. So, with confirmation that the prototype has passed the Quality tests, both Aural and measured......I can finally start a thread. Angus has now successfully finished testing the prototype and has built my set of PCBs up, which should be here Tuesday. Case is ordered and has been despatched. I am now just waiting for everything to arrive. I am just waiting on a copy of the final results for SNR etc, but as a taster: In these measurements there are two channels (L&R). With most phonostages there usually would be two square waves visible due to deviations in matching between the channels. However, the Avalon is so closely channel matched that the second channel is nigh on invisible.        As you can see, the form of the measurements means it's also incredibly accurate in terms of the RIAA curve. Remember, the squarer the 1khz wave, the more accurate the RIAA equalisation is. I am awaiting a full set of measurements and results, but i think as you can see here, this phonostage is already hitting parameters that most others don't reach. You may also be wondering why i would be so excited about another phonostage. Well, i am pleased to announce that the Avalon will be constructed by Bigbottle Audio  Soon to be followed by another of Angus's designs, the BT2 Preamp. Anyone need a job?  |
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Post by rexton on Aug 1, 2021 17:26:01 GMT
Great news. Looking forward to this one.
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Post by gninnam on Aug 1, 2021 17:26:32 GMT
Looking forward to the full stats and build you achieve - where will this end......
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Post by electronumpty on Aug 1, 2021 17:48:35 GMT
Very cool.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 1, 2021 18:08:27 GMT
Thanks Gents.
I am excited for this one too. Be great to finally be able to sit down and do a few comparisons.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 1, 2021 18:43:29 GMT
A little bit more as I'm excited. Here is the casework it's going into. High grade Aluminium chassis, which will only be 61mm high. Just high enough to accommodate Avalon signal and power PCBs. Being a Dual Mono design, the signal PCB was designed to be compact and due to wanting to make this unit quite diminutive, both channels were kept on 1 PCB although they are totally separate. Angus designed the PSU specifically to suit this phonostage and the BT2 preamp. Finely tuned to pull out the maximum performance.  |
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Post by rexton on Aug 1, 2021 19:41:14 GMT
Lame question No.1 is this SS or Valve?
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 1, 2021 20:40:46 GMT
Lame question No.1 is this SS or Valve? It's Solid state, Andrew. Opamps 🤯 |
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Post by rexton on Aug 1, 2021 21:07:16 GMT
Lame question No.1 is this SS or Valve? It's Solid state, Andrew. Opamps 🤯 Oh! There's me thinking you were doing a deluxe version of the BB3, man I really do need to keep up with the times. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 1, 2021 21:16:06 GMT
It's Solid state, Andrew. Opamps 🤯 Oh! There's me thinking you were doing a deluxe version of the BB3, man I really do need to keep up with the times. Hahaha, no, that's later this year when Alan And i get the Gerbers for the PCB. Lots of delays to that project too. |
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Post by electronumpty on Aug 1, 2021 21:46:49 GMT
Lame question No.1 is this SS or Valve? It's Solid state, Andrew. Opamps 🤯 From valve to op amp rolling. 😉 |
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Post by rexton on Aug 1, 2021 21:53:48 GMT
Oh! There's me thinking you were doing a deluxe version of the BB3, man I really do need to keep up with the times. Hahaha, no, that's later this year when Alan And i get the Gerbers for the PCB. Lots of delays to that project too. Aha! I thought I was correct, hurrah, the looney bin can wait for another week or so.  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 1, 2021 22:08:33 GMT
It's Solid state, Andrew. Opamps 🤯 From valve to op amp rolling. 😉 No opamp rolling i'm afraid, the opamps are soldered directly to the PCB to remove any chance of intermittent break of connection. The Opamps in this unit (top secret) are the best of the best for this particular circuit. As you know Andy, if there were any better, we'd have found them |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 1, 2021 22:09:34 GMT
Hahaha, no, that's later this year when Alan And i get the Gerbers for the PCB. Lots of delays to that project too. Aha! I thought I was correct, hurrah, the looney bin can wait for another week or so. lol, yep...the BBu is still on the agenda and hopefully will be ready for listening tests by the end of the year. |
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Post by antonio on Aug 2, 2021 0:04:17 GMT
I like the dinky case
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 2, 2021 6:06:48 GMT
It's not *that* dinky, but it's nicely sized. No need for a ginormous case. |
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Post by rexton on Aug 2, 2021 7:39:43 GMT
Why not rename the BBu to the BBc (Big Bottle CLIMAX).....I'll get my coat............!
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 2, 2021 7:58:18 GMT
Why not rename the BBu to the BBc (Big Bottle CLIMAX).....I'll get my coat............! 😂 |
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Post by misterc on Aug 2, 2021 8:47:03 GMT
Looks like it's all coming together rather well Oli nice work from yourelf and Angus 
Below is a frequecny response curve for a phono stage design I completed for a well know company not so long ago, this is 'considered' the ideal flat response for what ever that is worth 
My own one is somewhat different shall we say but we all like different traits ad that is what makes the world go around looking forward to seeing and hearing this new one great stuff.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 2, 2021 9:12:38 GMT
Looks like it's all coming together rather well Oli nice work from yourelf and Angus
Below is a frequecny response curve for a phono stage design I completed for a well know company not so long ago, this is 'considered' the ideal flat response for what ever that is worth
My own one is somewhat different shall we say but we all like different traits ad that is what makes the world go around looking forward to seeing and hearing this new one great stuff.
Cheers T. Its all Angus on this one mate. I'm just doing the grunt work 😂 |
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Post by sq225917 on Aug 2, 2021 20:26:12 GMT
@mrc, Flat's, not where it's at. I agree, life requires just a little more- funk.
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Post by antonio on Aug 3, 2021 0:16:27 GMT
You'd be shot for saying that on that ASR forum
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 3, 2021 6:38:30 GMT
You'd be shot for saying that on that ASR forum You get shot for saying that here. Very surprised by that "flat" comment. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2021 7:35:37 GMT
I've been lucky enough to hear lots of Angus's work, including his system transitioning over time, and lots of comparisons of various equipment.
That's includes his SP10 Mk2, with various iterations of the PMAT AT1010 tonearm. Various cartridge's from AT-33? / OC9 Mk2 / and Ortofons : Upgraded Kontrapunkt b / Upgraded Vienna and Per Windfeld.
These went with various SUT's. Hashimoto HM7's > Ortofon ST80e > Avalon.
The SP10 Mk2 / PMAT Mk6a / Per Windfeld > Avalon is in a league like nothing i have ever head before, and i have heard quite a bit i think.
I have ordered an Avalon :-)
There is nothing in this for me by posting. Just thought I'd share my love of what I think is great design and craftsmanship in the Vinyl world.
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Post by firebottle on Aug 3, 2021 16:25:47 GMT
Hi Keith, ahh so that's what you are after. Seen all the kit up for sale.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 3, 2021 19:20:56 GMT
PCBs have landed here. Now I'm just waiting for the casework to arrive.  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 3, 2021 19:24:27 GMT
Signal PCB  |
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Post by gninnam on Aug 3, 2021 20:09:02 GMT
Very nice indeed
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 4, 2021 6:53:17 GMT
Not bad is it! Casework has landed in the UK! Time to get excited |
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Post by gninnam on Aug 4, 2021 18:31:47 GMT
I am excited  |
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