F4 - Factory Built- First impressions

Manolo47 · 23rd July 2008, 08:07 PM

I know this forum is a DIY one, but I have not seen too many posts on factory built units. A few impressions on my new F4 amplifier:

Well, it got shipped via USPS Priority from California to San Juan, PR in only 3 days . How is that for our postal service.

It is being used to drive a pair of Reference 3aMM DCapo's speakers, and itself driven by a Supratek Chardonnay preamplifier, which is a perfect combination because the Supratek is a very high gain preamplifier. Digital chores are taken care by 47 Labs electronics.

After less than 1 hour of first turning it on, (it really gets hot) the amplifier was producing a very detailed and sweet sound. I checked with Mark about break-in time but he mentioned the F4, according to Nelson, does not really need break-in time. Last night, however, after 30 hours of use I am sure I heard a definitive improvement, i.e., sweeter and smoother.

The inner detail this amplifier produces is amazing and what I like the most, is that one can hear everything there is in the mix at much lower volume levels than with my previous amplifier (Plinius P8, yes I know an overkill)

Nelson Pass · 24th July 2008, 12:19 AM

You understand that the amplifier is burned in and re-adjusted over
a several day period. What people generally experience is the
performance over the first couple of warm-up hours.

In any case, if you're happy, then I'm happy.

wirewiggler · 24th July 2008, 01:10 AM

not to mention the magical touch by Pass hands.

steenoe · 25th July 2008, 07:26 PM

The F4 does not need any magical hands, just build it yourself..... If you have the preamp to drive it fully into your chosen speakers, its simply a whopper..... I havent heard anything yet to match it...

albertli · 26th July 2008, 03:07 AM

Steenoe,

Is there any chance you have the F4 schematic handly?

Oh!! I like fly fishing too.

Albert

tms0425 · 27th July 2008, 11:33 AM

Schematics are here

F4 Schematic

albertli · 27th July 2008, 04:15 PM

Thanks

wirewiggler · 31st July 2008, 02:54 AM

Steenoe,
I built a pair and am fat dumb and happy with, however lacking the equipment , knowledge, and resources to swap components to achieve the optimal balance. I would be curious how our concoctions would sound next to a first watt product.

Bill

steenoe · 2nd August 2008, 03:40 PM

Hi Bill..
You are putting out an interesting question, indeed. I dont think that the factory made units sound better than the DIY ones, generally! Ofcourse it all depends on build-quality... If you skimp too much, the amp won't sound as good as it could. But: The average DIY'er doesn't need to care about a few dollars added cost, so if you build an extra fine PSU, for example, the amp might sound better than the original!! Ofcourse its nice to own a genuine and original product, but the sound of it will probably not be better than your homemade effort...

Magura · 2nd August 2008, 05:53 PM

It could be interesting to compare the Steenoe F4 to the Lykke F4.

Such a comparison should give a hint.

Magura

23rd July 2008, 08:07 PM	#1
Manolo47 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Juan	F4 - Factory Built- First impressions I know this forum is a DIY one, but I have not seen too many posts on factory built units. A few impressions on my new F4 amplifier: Well, it got shipped via USPS Priority from California to San Juan, PR in only 3 days . How is that for our postal service. It is being used to drive a pair of Reference 3aMM DCapo's speakers, and itself driven by a Supratek Chardonnay preamplifier, which is a perfect combination because the Supratek is a very high gain preamplifier. Digital chores are taken care by 47 Labs electronics. After less than 1 hour of first turning it on, (it really gets hot) the amplifier was producing a very detailed and sweet sound. I checked with Mark about break-in time but he mentioned the F4, according to Nelson, does not really need break-in time. Last night, however, after 30 hours of use I am sure I heard a definitive improvement, i.e., sweeter and smoother. The inner detail this amplifier produces is amazing and what I like the most, is that one can hear everything there is in the mix at much lower volume levels than with my previous amplifier (Plinius P8, yes I know an overkill)

2nd August 2008, 05:53 PM	#10
Magura diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Denmark, Viborg	It could be interesting to compare the Steenoe F4 to the Lykke F4. Such a comparison should give a hint. Magura __________________ Everything is possible....to do the impossible just takes a little while longer. www.class-a-labs.com

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24th July 2008, 12:19 AM	#2
Nelson Pass The one and only Join Date: Mar 2001	You understand that the amplifier is burned in and re-adjusted over a several day period. What people generally experience is the performance over the first couple of warm-up hours. In any case, if you're happy, then I'm happy.

24th July 2008, 01:10 AM	#3
wirewiggler diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bakersfield Ca	not to mention the magical touch by Pass hands.

25th July 2008, 07:26 PM	#4
steenoe diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004	The F4 does not need any magical hands, just build it yourself..... If you have the preamp to drive it fully into your chosen speakers, its simply a whopper..... I havent heard anything yet to match it...

26th July 2008, 03:07 AM	#5
albertli diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vancouver	Steenoe, Is there any chance you have the F4 schematic handly? Oh!! I like fly fishing too. Albert

27th July 2008, 11:33 AM	#6
tms0425 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ft. Wayne, IN	Schematics are here F4 Schematic

27th July 2008, 04:15 PM	#7
albertli diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vancouver	Thanks

31st July 2008, 02:54 AM	#8
wirewiggler diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bakersfield Ca	Steenoe, I built a pair and am fat dumb and happy with, however lacking the equipment , knowledge, and resources to swap components to achieve the optimal balance. I would be curious how our concoctions would sound next to a first watt product. Bill

2nd August 2008, 03:40 PM	#9
steenoe diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004	Hi Bill.. You are putting out an interesting question, indeed. I dont think that the factory made units sound better than the DIY ones, generally! Ofcourse it all depends on build-quality... If you skimp too much, the amp won't sound as good as it could. But: The average DIY'er doesn't need to care about a few dollars added cost, so if you build an extra fine PSU, for example, the amp might sound better than the original!! Ofcourse its nice to own a genuine and original product, but the sound of it will probably not be better than your homemade effort...

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