Listened some more with my new build last night. First I have many SE tube amplifiers and I love the sound. To me the Aleph needed something to get to the level of my SE tube amplifiers. Then I decided to hook up one of my Tube linestages and boy did it make a difference. In NP's description of this amplifier he noted how this amp with it's high input impedance was excellent for a tube linestage. One must remember that this amplifier was introduced almost 20 years ago. Excellent sounding with my tube linestage.
Maybe but then NP designed the SIT amplifiers. Many reviewers considered the SIT-1 sounding much like the SE 300B amplifier. Being that mosfets have the same curves as a pentode amplifier and NP designed simple circuits for them they have a lot in common with a tube amp. All the tube amplifiers I have built have a different sound compared to each other as well. There are no culls in the FW designs. A lot comes down to customers favoring SS over tubes.
I finally had the chance to test my build for the source of transformer hum (new baby {5/23} =no free time) Without the amplification boards connected to the power supply the transformer is still humming quite loudly. I will next try to dis- and re-connect the transformer and the other power supply elements and remount the transformer. Then I’ll remeasure the voltages and listen for hum. The current voltages are consistently 24.8V in both channels which I believe is about right for the amp based on NP’s article for the amp. I also measured the temp of the thermistors. Right after power up they reach 114F,which, surprisingly, is only slightly higher than my M2x with the same power supply. Not what I was expecting. Any suggestions on what to check with the power supply, in particular, is appreciated. Thanks
I first listened to my new amplifier with the B1 version2 and stated in a previous post I thought it would sound better with a tube pre and it did. Last night I listened to it with Wayne's linestage and the sound was much the same as with the tube pre and possibly better. The linestage given to diy'ers by Wayne who designs linestages for Passlabs is a blessing. Everyone needs to build at least one. This Aleph J is a keeper.
And the output limiter is removed. This won’t effect operation.
I must admit, in my experience Black Gate caps are awful (YMMV) and anytime I see them specifically called for I twitch a little... that said there’s no reason why the changes won’t work. I personally, however, would not omit C1. I want no possibility of DC on that side of the diff pair.
I must admit, in my experience Black Gate caps are awful (YMMV) and anytime I see them specifically called for I twitch a little... that said there’s no reason why the changes won’t work. I personally, however, would not omit C1. I want no possibility of DC on that side of the diff pair.
