edward
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Post by edward on Aug 30, 2022 22:14:01 GMT
Occasionally I recycle audio stuff (don't we all?  ) Anyway for the past several months I've used a Neurochrome 686 power amp driving Tannoy Berkeleys and that has been delightful. But just for the lolz I plugged in a Trilogy 968 with brand new EL34s the other day thinking that it would be all mushy and ill defined (it being a valve and all). And yes it was! The amp has also just been sitting unused for well over a year. But I persisted and let it run for a few days. I'm glad I did as it has come 'on song' (is that the right expression?) and sounds magnificent. Different to the 686 (natch!) but also with loads of texture, layering and detail. It has that 'organic' and 'rich' feeling, a deep sense of 'being there'. (I put some words in quote marks as I appreciate such words are very subjective.) Not better or worse than the 686, different. It is really good to hear familiar music having a different presentation. A re-discovery if you will. Anyway just thought I'd share the good news.  Here are some pictures.    |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 30, 2022 22:34:22 GMT
That's a really good looking amp!
I like it
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edward
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Post by edward on Aug 30, 2022 22:50:48 GMT
That's a really good looking amp! I like it It will do. Lol It is microprocessor controlled. Constantly monitoring various elements and will shut down if any out of condition situation is detected. Takes EL34s or KT88s and operates in either Pentode or Triode mode. Switchable via front button. Biasing is a dream. Correct bias is shown for each valve by twin leds on front with bias pots next to each twin leds. 20kg. Always catches me when lifting it, looks much lighter than it is. |
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Post by misterc on Aug 30, 2022 22:58:14 GMT
So you are rediscovering texture and fuildity; its a good feeling getting reacquainted with old friends then Edward  |
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edward
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Post by edward on Aug 30, 2022 23:11:28 GMT
So you rediscovering texture and fuildity its a good feeling getting reacquainted with old friends then Edward Indeed Tony. It gets me about half way to what your amps do. About 3 years ago I thought there was an issue with the 968. Nic P (I guess you may know him) kindly looked at it, actually used it it in his home system for a couple of days. Turned out one valve was a bit wonky. Anyway he said he loved building the 968 and mine was sounding just fine. Only thing he did was to change the feet to Krion ones. Hope you are well. Sorry I did not make Steve's BO last week. It would have been good to catch up. E |
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Post by lurch on Aug 31, 2022 5:16:21 GMT
Edward, I think that amp needs to make a trip to Lurch towers for my next BO in November. It would be well received and work a treat in the playroom system.
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optical
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Post by optical on Aug 31, 2022 6:50:27 GMT
edwardI really like the look of that amp too. Like really REALLY! EL34's were my first valves I had in a system so I have a rather soft spot for them and the circuit looks clever. Some MCap's and SOlens in there too by the looks of it. Good having a little contrast sometimes too, nice work.
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Post by misterc on Aug 31, 2022 8:54:19 GMT
So you rediscovering texture and fuildity its a good feeling getting reacquainted with old friends then Edward Indeed Tony. It gets me about half way to what your amps do. About 3 years ago I thought there was an issue with the 968. Nic P (I guess you may know him) kindly looked at it, actually used it it in his home system for a couple of days. Turned out one valve was a bit wonky. Anyway he said he loved building the 968 and mine was sounding just fine. Only thing he did was to change the feet to Krion ones. Hope you are well. Sorry I did not make Steve's BO last week. It would have been good to catch up. E
Morning Edward Would have been nice to see you, however life does intervein on occasions, however I'm sure we shall catch up in the not to distant future. I did meet Lurch and some other new faces which we great, also to catch up with Ian, Maybazza and George 47 again was also great. It was a very relaxed and informal day, great hospitality and guests’ music was also top draw and most important it was fun. Jessie is great lady and her valve phono and pre amp designs are very good indeed, nice to meet a fellow engineer who is passionate about audio and knows her onions. Mr Poulson is quality engineer and as it's his design I'm sure he would have rectified any issue with no problem as at all It's good to obtain other perspectives from time to time having another quality piece to which to ascertain your point of view I find refreshing and sometimes grounding. Keeps you in focus so to speak. We have progressed the amplifier design envelope but a pretty significant margin now and we are happy with its current performance this year, I suspect you have seen that with the current crop of trade in's. Interestingly I am listening to some Kondo equipment this week to re-acquaint myself with it (another trade in) I still cannot understand what all the fuss is about, it’s a beautifully sweet open and natural sound no question, but real musical insight and involvement sorry a way off. Its uber polished wonder hifi nothing more. Maybe the owners had crappy SS in the mid to late 80 and early 90's and it was like a breath of fresh air. Am I a Philistein? according to so internet residencies I should have my tongue removed for blasphemy (lol) sorry music some be articulate, engaging and revealing yet in a natural and fluid manner, Kondo is supreme at a couple of those things, but falls way short in others. Its personal. I suspect we will catch up soon Tony |
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Post by antonio on Aug 31, 2022 17:04:21 GMT
misterc Do you have red wine when you eat fish Tony? If the answer is no then you then you're ok and not a philistine Spectre spy.
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Post by sq225917 on Sept 2, 2022 14:36:26 GMT
I had the VTC, previous el34 model, god that ran hot
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edward
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Post by edward on Sept 3, 2022 15:40:57 GMT
686 driving some lovely recycled Yamaha NS-1000.  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 3, 2022 16:42:21 GMT
686 driving some lovely recycled Yamaha NS-1000. How did it all sound? |
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edward
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Post by edward on Sept 3, 2022 16:44:44 GMT
Now the Trilogy 986. Nice noises. Thanks Jamie for the chance to hear your Yammy's. Love your John Wood amp. Beautiful build with lots of drive and emotion.  |
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edward
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Post by edward on Sept 3, 2022 16:45:55 GMT
686 driving some lovely recycled Yamaha NS-1000. How did it all sound? Oh I let Jamie come back on that. I am impressed. |
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Post by karma67 on Sept 4, 2022 6:12:44 GMT
Thanks to Edward for bringing some great amps over so i could listen to them in my system. The 686 was as i expected having heard 2 others in the past, a touch cleaner in the delivery compared to my John Wood amp,the 686 was used with a valve pre amp,(cant remember the make)which was a nice combination and suited my taste well. The other amp was a back breaker,i know because i carried it up my stairs! A Trilogy 986 valve amp,very nice and i liked the easy bias feature on the front,a great touch by the designers.Another nice touch was the switch between triode and pentode mode,something ive read about before but never heard in operation. Switching between the 3 amps the differences were subtle to my ears with no clear out right best. It really boiled down to personal taste between the 3 and id be happy to live with any of them.
One of the best things about these meets is apart from hearing other peoples hifi is the chance to hear music id never would have heard,i have 2 lps now on my radar!
Good to meet you Edward and you're welcome anytime. |
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