The Bigblog!

In other news....I am now planning the Preamp build too.

I've been lusting after this enclosure for some time, so I've bought one.

You may notice that the AWM buffer board is about 5x3" and the PSU is even smaller.....so why such a large enclosure?

I'm going to be putting a SS Phonostage in there too.

Which one?

It'll be the Avalon Phonostage...when it's ready!!!!

I have wanted a High Performance reference level SS Phonostage to partner the BB3 for a while now, and based on the listening I've done with Angus, there is only one SS Phonostage on my list nowadays after eliminating the other other options.

Also going in here will be a Custom made stepped attenuator using an Elma switch, channel matched to 0.003%

The usual CMC pure copper sockets and a 3 position selector switch from EIZZ.

Looks like I'm gonna be busy for a few more weeks yet with Phonostages, but I wanted everything here and ready to go when I am.

This will probably become my Autumn project, along with the Bigbottlov.

Hi Oliver

I'm looking forward to this build.
I'll be following with great interest...

Good find but woefully absent specs on them.

They're new they just haven't characterised them yet. If you want a sota buffer then...


neurochrome.com/products/universal-buffer

Not cheap, but then again...

With the Bigman facing a BIG birthday (40!) the gaffer suggested it may be wise to order my present earlier, rather than later, due to all the postage issues.

After a wee bit of consideration, i opted for these:

www.marecordings.com/main/product_info.php?cPath=61&products_id=171

www.marecordings.com/main/product_info.php?cPath=61&products_id=172

I have wanted both of these on vinyl for a great deal of time, but when you are given free reign, i decided to go for it.

These have to travel here from the USA and this has been taking an age, so i think i have left enough time to get here for October.

I am also thinking about a couple of MFSL pressings to go with them.

We shall see.

SO, Whats the ONE vinyl you would love to pick up, if cost was no issue?

Yes, it is stunningly recorded. I have the Album on HiRez, but i wanted it on vinyl at the time but baulked at paying £130 for one album and one E.P

However, i have listened to that album about 3 times per week, as it is a wonderful set of music and so well recorded that nothing escapes the playback. I had to have the vinyl when the gaffer suggested some "special Vinyl"

The 45rpm EP, i have on digital, but it's a sample that was recorded from vinyl onto a CD. I believe you know this disc too. Good as it is, it ain't THAT good....Probably something to do with the Blacl Cat cables they used lol....Just kidding.

I have to wait until October to hear them, but as i haven't got a phonostage at the minute, and wont have for a couple of weeks at least, i am happy for them to be waiting in the wings.

By then the There will be a couple of mods done to my Tonearm, my Bigbottlov will be complete and the Preamp will be fully built too. I absolutely intend for this to be the final run at putting my system together. NO biscuit tins....no open top boxes...half assembled cables etc. This is it for me.

What did he say?
'I haven't got a phonostage at the minute'..

Hmm, wanna borrow a hybrid paradise? It's unique you know, unlike the Bigbottle   

Lmao...wait, who said the BB isn't unique???

Lol....what a wanker that guy is...

Anyway, thank you for the offer, but if I borrow one, I will listen instead of getting these BB3s out the door.

Hahaha,

No, I'm good. I have a top class Phonostage and another one made of SS on the way.

They will take some beating

The paradise is being built, but it will be sold pretty quickly thereafter.

We're gonna measure it, test it, evaluate it and listen to it and then make a decision what to do with it after.

BIGBOTTLOV - The story so far

This hasn't started entirely as well as I would have liked. A startling discovery has left me feeling a little.....short changed. You see, I bought a quad of Russian Capacitors for a very reasonable amount of money, so they are still a bargain in every sense of the word, but they were advertised as Copper Foil & Paper in oil.

However, I have just seen a Russian 'expert' describe them as this:

"Made in 1960's USSR. The KBG-MP are the best quality PIO capacitors that were made for the military. The conductor is made of aluminium foil, and the dielectric is oil saturated paper that is then sealed in glass and placed in a metal body. These capacitors provide excellent sonic characteristics. High tolerance is kept within a wide temperature range"

Obviously, that's not Copper foil.

I m a little disappointed but in truth I cant find a single bad word about them from anywhere and I have been looking. I will still used them and see how they go, and it's nice that I have pairs of Clarity Cap CMR, Janzen Silver z and Mundorf Supreme Evo oil, to fall back on. A detailed listen is always best to decide with so i'll look forward to it regardless.

Elsewhere on this build, I am going to use some 6N23P-EV valves, which are the Rusian version of the ECC88. These will be replacing the PCC88 valves I usually use. This will require a couple of small changes to the BOM so they are not direct drop in replacements. As advised by Alan, the 4.7ohm resistors will be left out and the 2v Zener will be replaced by a Red LED, which should give just about the right amount of Volts to make this work.

I will also be using some quite pricey 6N2P-EV-OS, which are a steroid version of the "EV" valve, so I am led to believe. The "EV" means it was military grade, so I am looking forward to trying those out.

Looking at about £150 for a matched quad of those btw....Pricey for Russian Gear.

The 6N23P-EV valves I have on the way, are from the Reflector Corp. based in Saratov, which judging from the little detail I can find online, has described them as "The Holy Grail" of Vintage Russian Valve manufacturers. Made in 1974.

The 6N2P-EV-OS are from OTK - Voskhod, Also made in 1974. The 6N2P-EV I already have are from the same plant and made in the same year, and as I am a fan of those I thought these were a good option.

I also wanted to see if I could find Russian resistors, to match the theme, but it seems they didn't particularly stay on script with the values, sizes or basically keep anything in line with the Western World. It's impossible to get the required values so I have relented and will stick to the Vishays, which I know won't let me down.

So on to the Power supplying transformer....

I will be sticking one of these in:

jamestransformer.com/en/transformer/O_core_transformer.html

I have now ordered one and will throw it into the mix. I am even going to (probably) build this in one box. Its the best test of my musings and if it doesn't go well, i'll flog it all on the cheap lol.

No, I have a really good feeling about this phonostage. It could be good and I may even spray the fron panel "Utility Grey", to match the Russian theme lol

Wow....that looks cool!

Does that come complete with the hairy arm from 'a comrade' Ivor?

It would go well with this, Lenin hip flask, Da!