Ultimate Pass amp.

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cringvig

Member
Joined 2013
Hi everybody

I am new in here but have been watching for a while :)

During the years have I been building the A40, A75, Bride of son of zen and B1 Now I am in the situation that I have to built another amp. (The last one if such really exist:)

I have had the XA 30.5 and I am looking for a sound like the XA 30.5 and the strength of A75, to be honest is it to long ago I have had the A75 to compare it to the XA 30.5 but what is printed in my soul is the feeling of endless power with a total black background.

A very good friend of mine have just finished the BA-3 single ended version and it is just missing something in the voices and upper midrange like everything has been pulled into the speakers again.
I do not know if it is because it is not DC coupled or maybe I am spoiled with the XA 30.5

Then I was looking at the F5 turbo in balanced version but it seems hard to find others who have done this at the moment.

At the moment I think I will go the A75 way but if you guys have other suggestions I am full open.

Have I missed something or is the A75 still the ultimate DIY Pass amp ?

Thanks

Best regards
Chris
 
C

cringvig

Member
Joined 2013
Hi

Not much the speakers are these DIY:

http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/download/Humble Homemade Hifi_Soup Ceramique Mk-II_copy.pdf

In the area of 30Watt kl. A is fine I think.

I have just ordered the big Hifi2000 cabinet 500mm deep so this is the limit when it comes to heat sink.

The only "problem" with the A75 is that it has to be on all the time in order to perform on its max, I can hear the difference up to a week after cold conditions.
I don´t know if this is the front-end or output stage or both but as I do not have my own new clear power plant in the backyard (yet:) then my plan was to have it on all the time and then make a relay for decreasing the bias to a minimum when not in use and then let the front-end be warm at all time.

What do you think ?

Thanks

Chris
 
Zen Mod

Zen Mod

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Joined 2003
zenmod.in.rs/
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cringvig said:
....... I can hear the difference up to a week after cold conditions.........

What do you think ?

Thanks

Chris
Click to expand...

I think you're wakoo :clown:

cringvig said:
.........
In the area of 30Watt kl. A is fine I think.

......
Click to expand...

either F6 or appropriate dimensioned BA-3 ballanced

they're at least my fave in last time , considering your power range
 
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cringvig

Member
Joined 2013
Wakoo :)
Carefull mate, you think you are safe behind the curtains but I have visa to go behind the iron curtains :)

I have not been looking closer to the F6 but as I understand is there a long way for the F5 in the balanced turbo version.

Before was my first choice the BA-3 in balanced version but i am not sure that my head can handle the capacitor in the output of the front-end :)

Have anyone tried how big difference the capacitor can make in this circuit ?

Br
Chris
 
Last edited:
C

cringvig

Member
Joined 2013
??? Because I am putting stupid questions on the board or ?

I mean I don´t throw one line question about "how to" but trying to get input for the selection of the next project.

I am a newbie on the board but I have been building for many years and maybe I could come with some inputs regarding other things or details.

When it comes to the capacitor then I have tried many cheap and expensive in the B1 and just want to know if others had done the same in the BA.

But thanks guys, for the warm welcome.

Chris
 
sakellogg

sakellogg

Member
Joined 2008
chris. welcome.

i hope the thanks wasnt sarcastic. if so.. welcome anyway.

you asked for opinion so here is my humble one.....
the caps you tryied, did you hear any diffrence? if so and you think it will bother you dont do that amp.

if you have fond memories of A75 and, belive that is the best you have heard, build it.
it will give you a 0 point to compair others to.
you can then build others to compair too.

just for info.....the "last one" dose not exist!
 
Zen Mod

Zen Mod

Official Court Jester
Joined 2003
zenmod.in.rs/
Paid Member
cringvig said:
Wakoo :)
Carefull mate, you think you are safe behind the curtains but I have visa to go behind the iron curtains :)

I have not been looking closer to the F6 but as I understand is there a long way for the F5 in the balanced turbo version.

Before was my first choice the BA-3 in balanced version but i am not sure that my head can handle the capacitor in the output of the front-end :)

Have anyone tried how big difference the capacitor can make in this circuit ?

Br
Chris
Click to expand...

do not worry - you don't need visa for my neck of wood :rofl:

whatever - I don't think that you need to worry about cap in signal chain , if BA-3 balanced is in question ; don't be so sure that there are none in XA30.5 , which you cherish

having caps in that sort of circuit (BA3 ball) doesn't do much harm ; nature of the Beast , in fact
:clown:
 
C

cringvig

Member
Joined 2013
Biju55: Thanks I don´t know these amps but I will take a closer look.

Sakellogg: A75 is the best DIY I have heard but I have not heard them all, therefore my post here :)

Zen Mod: Yes it was a big difference like with the crossover caps in the speaker.
I don´t know if you have seen this test that Tony has done for caps to the loudspeakers:

Humble Homemade Hifi

There are most likely capacitor in the XA 30.5 and then the big question is what capacitor and only one person knows... :)

Nelson Pass: Agree and always looking for the next and better maybe because:

THE FIRST WATT IS THE DEEPEST :)

Thanks

Chris
 
Zen Mod

Zen Mod

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Joined 2003
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cringvig said:
.........
Zen Mod: Yes it was a big difference like with the crossover caps in the speaker.
I don´t know if you have seen this test that Tony has done for caps to the loudspeakers:

Humble Homemade Hifi

There are most likely capacitor in the XA 30.5 and then the big question is what capacitor and only one person knows... :)
........
Click to expand...

yup - I read that ;
whatever - in some circuits caps are more important than in other ones ;
as I said - you have some caps ( and I know where and which - you can , too , just looking at highres pics everywhere on net ) in XA30.5 ;

from same reasons few caps in BA3 ball will not have harmful influence on sound - circuit is symmetric and any possible distortion from cap will be nulled from other side .

OK - it's better without them , but sometimes you must choose entire package

or construct your own , without caps ;)

whatever - nice circuit , having decent cap , bypassed with small MKC (polycarbonate) is always sounding better than DC coupled circ , of lesser quality

so , if you really don't like them - then make EUVL's X F5 - power is adequate for your needs , it's DC coupled .....
 
PKI

PKI

Member
Joined 2011
Paid Member
I do not see a problem here: make a F5 and if you feel like you want some more after, just make an Aleph J or 30 using the same chassis and PSU. Thanks to Nelson's FW chassis concept :). Doing this you can answer your question if caps in signal path still bothering you in Alephs :)

BTW, I like your speaker! Accutone drivers are my dream... Never had chance to hear them, though :-(.
 
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CHA

Member
Joined 2005
Hello cringvig,

It's quite funny you start this thread..:)

I mailed you when you had your amp for sale. I would have bought it but you were waiting for money from another buyer, so I missed it. Crap..:)

And the reason for wanting the XA30.5 was/is to compare it to the BEST amp I've heard, the Pass Son of Zen..! My friend has recently built a watercooled SOZ and so far, it destroys every amp we have compared it to, by quite a margin.

Tomorrow I'm gonna borrow a XA30.5 to compare...:D

I can report our findings in this thread, if anybody is interested..?

CH
 
C

cringvig

Member
Joined 2013
Hi All

Sorry for not reply until now but I have been down with Pneumonia, the good thing is that I have had time for reading :)

Thanks for all the inputs and I am very interested in the Aleph´s I don't know why they have never caught my attention, big mistake :)

I have a 5U 500mm hifi2000 cabinet as the limit and my speakers are 4 ohms with peak at 250Hz on 3.8 ohm.
First I was thinking at Aleph 5 but I like to more output devices parallel so now I think at the Aleph 2 with only 30V rails and maybe 4 amps bias.
Or the Greys Apleph X version 15V rails and around 6amp bias.
Both would be within the heat sink specs but what will handle the 4 Ohm speaker load best ?

CHA: Yes that funny :)

The XA30.5 is a wonderful amp and I bought it so I did not have to think about amplifiers again (so naive) but it did not make me happy like when I had my A40 or A75, there is just something about the things you built yourself.
The A75 is at my friends house and he won´t let it go, so I have to built a new amp :)

But don't no what way to go....

SOZ is nice as well and when you have been around in the amp jungle, Pass is like coming home, you realize how much you have been missing it.

Chris
 
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