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Post by sq225917 on Dec 30, 2019 14:17:30 GMT
Oli, I'm taking some time off next week if you're free.
I've owned some decent dacs, the current one's quite good, the Brooklyn was Ok, the Weiss 202 was superb. None of them make me think of giving up on vinyl.
To be honest I think you may be letting the lack of resolution with the BB cloud your vinyl judgement.
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Post by sq225917 on Dec 30, 2019 16:09:28 GMT
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 30, 2019 18:45:00 GMT
Oli, I'm taking some time off next week if you're free. I've owned some decent dacs, the current one's quite good, the Brooklyn was Ok, the Weiss 202 was superb. None of them make me think of giving up on vinyl. To be honest I think you may be letting the lack of resolution with the BB cloud your vinyl judgement. I may be free on Friday of next week. I'll let you know. |
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Post by sq225917 on Dec 31, 2019 15:58:43 GMT
Just ordered a bunch of obsolete 2sk170 bl and j310 for the output stages. The calvin boards arent available and the pf5102 that they use are as expensive as the 2sk170 but yield much poorer matches and need twice as many per build, so the 2sk170 make sense.
Spent all night searching, online seller has proven legit parts. Must have trawled near 100 sales, all fakes.
I'll keep you a set of j310 Oli.do you know what value your 2sk170 are?
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 31, 2019 17:09:02 GMT
Just ordered a bunch of obsolete 2sk170 bl and j310 for the output stages. The calvin boards arent available and the pf5102 that they use are as expensive as the 2sk170 but yield much poorer matches and need twice as many per build, so the 2sk170 make sense. Spent all night searching, online seller has proven legit parts. Must have trawled near 100 sales, all fakes. I'll keep you a set of j310 Oli.do you know what value your 2sk170 are? They have 10.71 written on the bag. I have no way of checking them. I think the best plan of action is to build it as it comes. Whilst I'm happy enough to stuff the PCBs and hook it all up, when things start veering away from the BOM, I'm lost. Calvin's all sound nice but I don't even know what they are lol. It's a bit scary this Paradise lark. I've drafted Angus and Alan in to help me get this done. |
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Post by rexton on Dec 31, 2019 18:51:04 GMT
My advice for what it's worth. Spend as much money as can on the best parts possible you'll only end up wasting time upgrading later and wondering how good the Paradise could be. I gave Simon free reign on parts selection and have spent more money than I needed getting various upgrades a good example was using silver plated Audionote RCA when I really wanted WBT RCA's. I now have 4 Silver note RCA;s sitting in my spares box (a waste of money). I did have look at spending several hundred quid on replacing some resistors for Charcroft Z-foils but was advised that it might not make any difference whatsoever so I skipped that "upgrade". Take it slowly and let Alan, Angus, and Simon help you out. I'd be interested to hear what improvements Alan and Angus have dreamed up.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 31, 2019 19:05:16 GMT
My advice for what it's worth. Spend as much money as can on the best parts possible you'll only end up wasting time upgrading later and wondering how good the Paradise could be. I gave Simon free reign on parts selection and have spent more money than I needed getting various upgrades a good example was using silver plated Audionote RCA when I really wanted WBT RCA's. I now have 4 Silver note RCA;s sitting in my spares box (a waste of money). I did have look at spending several hundred quid on replacing some resistors for Charcroft Z-foils but was advised that it might not make any difference whatsoever so I skipped that "upgrade". Take it slowly and let Alan, Angus, and Simon help you out. I'd be interested to hear what improvements Alan and Angus have dreamed up. I am going to build it to the standards I know work well. Obviously, I'd love to spunk £1k on parts, but it's entirely impossible for me at the minute. I was going to chuck it all in but a chat with Angus convinced me to get it built. There are a few sacrifices I'm going to have to make but the new plan is to build it and measure it. Then give it a good listen and see how it sounds in "Basic" form. Next up I'll then evaluate what could make a difference and see where that could take it. Its the only way I can build it ATM |
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Post by rexton on Dec 31, 2019 19:17:41 GMT
My advice for what it's worth. Spend as much money as can on the best parts possible you'll only end up wasting time upgrading later and wondering how good the Paradise could be. I gave Simon free reign on parts selection and have spent more money than I needed getting various upgrades a good example was using silver plated Audionote RCA when I really wanted WBT RCA's. I now have 4 Silver note RCA;s sitting in my spares box (a waste of money). I did have look at spending several hundred quid on replacing some resistors for Charcroft Z-foils but was advised that it might not make any difference whatsoever so I skipped that "upgrade". Take it slowly and let Alan, Angus, and Simon help you out. I'd be interested to hear what improvements Alan and Angus have dreamed up. I am going to build it to the standards I know work well. Obviously, I'd love to spunk £1k on parts, but it's entirely impossible for me at the minute. I was going to chuck it all in but a chat with Angus convinced me to get it built. There are a few sacrifices I'm going to have to make but the new plan is to build it and measure it. Then give it a good listen and see how it sounds in "Basic" form. Next up I'll then evaluate what could make a difference and see where that could take it. Its the only way I can build it ATM
A very sensible upgrade path. Don't sell the Paradise short by listening to it in it's "basic" form, mine resembles nothing like it did when I first purchased it and it's been through several variations over the years. It's up to date at this moment in time but as always future upgrades will probably occur.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 31, 2019 19:20:54 GMT
I am going to build it to the standards I know work well. Obviously, I'd love to spunk £1k on parts, but it's entirely impossible for me at the minute. I was going to chuck it all in but a chat with Angus convinced me to get it built. There are a few sacrifices I'm going to have to make but the new plan is to build it and measure it. Then give it a good listen and see how it sounds in "Basic" form. Next up I'll then evaluate what could make a difference and see where that could take it. Its the only way I can build it ATM
A very sensible upgrade path. Don't sell the Paradise short by listening to it in it's "basic" form, mine resembles nothing like it did when I first purchased it and it's been through several variations over the years. It's up to date at this moment in time but as always future upgrades will probably occur.
Fair point. |
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Post by sq225917 on Dec 31, 2019 20:04:49 GMT
Matching, matching, matching. Your 2sk170 at 10.6mA are fine, I'll sort you a sextet or j310 in the 3-5v range, spot on for the op stage right in the middle of the linear part of their curves.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 31, 2019 20:12:24 GMT
Matching, matching, matching. Your 2sk170 at 10.6mA are fine, I'll sort you a sextet or j310 in the 3-5v range, spot on for the op stage right in the middle of the linear part of their curves. Yup, Basic build doesnt mean skimping on effort. Just possibly not using the most expensive part available. It'll be a journey, rather than a race. I appreciate your help, Simon. I was hoping to be free this friday but alas, the Christmas decs are still up and will be so the listening room is like santas grotto and doesn't lend itself to a good session. I appreciate that offer though. karma67I am not sure if we could arrange everything required for a session at Angus's this week, as i'd ideally like his Avalon to be ready for a bit of A/B comparisons. Also don't know if he's available. |
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Post by karma67 on Dec 31, 2019 20:15:54 GMT
Matching, matching, matching. Your 2sk170 at 10.6mA are fine, I'll sort you a sextet or j310 in the 3-5v range, spot on for the op stage right in the middle of the linear part of their curves. Yup, Basic build doesnt mean skimping on effort. Just possibly not using the most expensive part available. It'll be a journey, rather than a race. I appreciate your help, Simon. I was hoping to be free this friday but alas, the Christmas decs are still up and will be so the listening room is like santas grotto and doesn't lend itself to a good session. I appreciate that offer though. karma67 I am not sure if we could arrange everything required for a session at Angus's this week, as i'd ideally like his Avalon to be ready for a bit of A/B comparisons. Also don't know if he's available. no worries mate,its can be on a weekend any time in the future if needed ok. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Dec 31, 2019 20:43:01 GMT
Yup, Basic build doesnt mean skimping on effort. Just possibly not using the most expensive part available. It'll be a journey, rather than a race. I appreciate your help, Simon. I was hoping to be free this friday but alas, the Christmas decs are still up and will be so the listening room is like santas grotto and doesn't lend itself to a good session. I appreciate that offer though. karma67 I am not sure if we could arrange everything required for a session at Angus's this week, as i'd ideally like his Avalon to be ready for a bit of A/B comparisons. Also don't know if he's available. no worries mate,its can be on a weekend any time in the future if needed ok. Top Man. I am sure we will sort something out sooner rather than later. I'll give Angus a shout and see when he thinks he'll have tuned the Avalon to a point he'd be happy to run some comparisons. |
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Post by electronumpty on Jan 13, 2020 21:12:30 GMT
Just scored some rocking horse Sh#t 😎
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 13, 2020 21:14:18 GMT
Just scored some rocking horse Sh#t 😎 Oh, and didn't share the pics!!! Outrageous lol |
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Post by electronumpty on Jan 13, 2020 21:27:05 GMT
incoming👀
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Post by electronumpty on Jan 13, 2020 21:35:47 GMT
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 13, 2020 21:36:38 GMT
Never thought I'd get a set of these me. Looks like a lot of reading ahead lol    That's it, just rub it in lol Arrrgh I want some |
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Post by electronumpty on Jan 13, 2020 21:40:54 GMT
Sure you'll manage it , isn't he ordering some more boards?
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 13, 2020 22:03:22 GMT
Sure you'll manage it , isn't he ordering some more boards? Yes mate, I'm on the list. Just massively impatient lol |
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Post by electronumpty on Jan 13, 2020 22:03:34 GMT
[/quote]That's it, just rub it in lol
Arrrgh I want some [/quote]
They look very cool, nice and shiny and red.
Come to think about it , it seems a shame to spoil the looks and effect by stuffing a load of components in them .
Think I'll frame them and hang them over the mantle piece or summat 😛😛
If you ever drop by you can have a look....
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Post by sq225917 on Jan 15, 2020 20:05:50 GMT
I'm not a fan of the dual psu boards but the main boards look solid, though they are missing the slots for for the 2.2n and 470pf caps that go on the transistors under the heatsink. So dont cut the legs off those when you fit them, and remember to push them through, theres precious little height between the tops of those transistors and the underside of the back of the heatsink.
You'll need an adjustable grip wrench to fit the spring clips to mount the 6 parts to the heatsink. Bolt it down first with 8mm m3 screws before clamping the parts down.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 15, 2020 20:48:11 GMT
I'm not a fan of the dual psu boards but the main boards look solid, though they are missing the slots for for the 2.2n and 470pf caps that go on the transistors under the heatsink. So dont cut the legs off those when you fit them, and remember to push them through, theres precious little height between the tops of those transistors and the underside of the back of the heatsink. You'll need an adjustable grip wrench to fit the spring clips to mount the 6 parts to the heatsink. Bolt it down first with 8mm m3 screws before clamping the parts down. Mind posting a pic of where this is? Might be beneficial |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 15, 2020 21:03:27 GMT
I'm not a fan of the dual psu boards but the main boards look solid, though they are missing the slots for for the 2.2n and 470pf caps that go on the transistors under the heatsink. So dont cut the legs off those when you fit them, and remember to push them through, theres precious little height between the tops of those transistors and the underside of the back of the heatsink. You'll need an adjustable grip wrench to fit the spring clips to mount the 6 parts to the heatsink. Bolt it down first with 8mm m3 screws before clamping the parts down. PS, what's up with the PSU board? |
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Post by sq225917 on Jan 15, 2020 22:21:47 GMT
Nothing really, loads of parts, no choke regulation. But it is full wave rectified.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 15, 2020 22:27:40 GMT
Nothing really, loads of parts, no choke regulation. But it is full wave rectified. Ah ok, so still worth perseverance or not? Will it be as good as an original one? |
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Post by sq225917 on Jan 15, 2020 22:35:22 GMT
The main boards are fine you can probably shoehorn a hammond 158t onto each rail before the last cap boards, just omit the resistors and film caps on the small board.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 16, 2020 13:25:03 GMT
I have had a chat with my goto solidstate expert and related your concerns over the PSU board.
He tells me that you're quite right in what you say and also that you fix would work, no arguments from me
But, I have a gut feeling that I wont be happy about it when I'm doing it. The big reason I am having my BB phonistage PCB redone is that the errors grate on me, even though they are simple to overcome.
I've messaged the guy making them and highlighted what you've said, but I don't think I'm gonna buy any PCBs unless they are 100% right. I'm funny like that.
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Post by electronumpty on Jan 16, 2020 17:01:19 GMT
Be interesting to see what he says. Will the difference in power supply be that material to the sound?
Anyway sounds like you can concentrate on the Avalon.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 16, 2020 18:21:57 GMT
Be interesting to see what he says. Will the difference in power supply be that material to the sound? Anyway sounds like you can concentrate on the Avalon. Apparently he's talking to Simon, or trying to at least, as I suggested. Yes, I will concentrate on the Avalon for the time being and wait and see what comes of the situation No rush from me these days. |
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