Hello everyone,
What can you guys (gals) tell me about this F2 Zen type amp? I purchased this from an individual who makes many types of Fx amps and chip amps. I'm just looking for comments about the tranny quality, caps, and any other info concerning quality or upgrading potential.
Thanks
Spiro
What can you guys (gals) tell me about this F2 Zen type amp? I purchased this from an individual who makes many types of Fx amps and chip amps. I'm just looking for comments about the tranny quality, caps, and any other info concerning quality or upgrading potential.
Thanks
Spiro
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Why so impatient?
Well, anyway, here are my rather harsh comments:
Starting with the transformer...it doesn't look too big. 130VA seems pretty low. Toroidals are usually preferred due to their lower stray field.
The PSU's caps are standard Nichicon. Can't say anything about the resistors, at least the power rating should be okay.
The wiring is really bad, inputs in parallel, small diameter all over, nothing properly twisted or shielded and crossing at arbitrary angles. And whats with the cut wire (green-yellow) coming from the PSU board?
Is there even an earth connection? It looks like the chassis is floating. If this is the case it's very dangerous as this constitutes a shock hazard. I also don't see a fuse. This and the bare contacts on the transformer's primary make this amp a deathtrap. You seriously have to fix this if you want to use this amp. I wouldn't plug it in before these problems are solved.
The soldering looks looks sloppy, no trimming of excessive leads, no love.
Who builds something like this?
Well, anyway, here are my rather harsh comments:
Starting with the transformer...it doesn't look too big. 130VA seems pretty low. Toroidals are usually preferred due to their lower stray field.
The PSU's caps are standard Nichicon. Can't say anything about the resistors, at least the power rating should be okay.
The wiring is really bad, inputs in parallel, small diameter all over, nothing properly twisted or shielded and crossing at arbitrary angles. And whats with the cut wire (green-yellow) coming from the PSU board?
Is there even an earth connection? It looks like the chassis is floating. If this is the case it's very dangerous as this constitutes a shock hazard. I also don't see a fuse. This and the bare contacts on the transformer's primary make this amp a deathtrap. You seriously have to fix this if you want to use this amp. I wouldn't plug it in before these problems are solved.
The soldering looks looks sloppy, no trimming of excessive leads, no love.
Who builds something like this?
Unfortunately it really loks like his work. Disgusting.
Might be a first for the usage of wood though...
How does it sound?
Not too good. Highs are distorted, bass is loose...mids suprisingly are ok.
Not a NP worthy device...this is what I feel like after listening to it
WHAT TOOK YOU GUYS SO LONG...jeez...
Anything I can do to improve it?
ya made my day with another TR drek
you nailed it. What are they doing over their in the USSR? ESP?
USSR...man thats something you don't hear now anymore.
Dang...give me tips then. I'm here to learn from the masters.
And no...I'm not going to
it in the head. Yet.
I have doubts that your palm will have greater resolution
anyway - looking at this schematic - can you spot some differences ?
working voltage etc ?
in any case - be sure that case is grounded on safety gnd - it's sorta unclear from pictures
Attachments
![f2r1 sch[1].jpg](/community/data/attachments/151/151241-e5d98b5d3e6d592c8f6cf67850ae277b.jpg)
I have doubts that your palm will have greater resolution
anyway - looking at this schematic - can you spot some differences ?
working voltage etc ?
in any case - be sure that case is grounded on safety gnd - it's sorta unclear from pictures
palm...LOL....
Listen...didnt anyone tell you that I'm a complete NOOB? I'll look at the schematic...but don't expect me to not fall into a trance while doing so. I'm not sure about the grounding either...but I will check. HELL, should I take the thing apart? Out of the case???
Spiro
Not too good. Highs are distorted, bass is loose...mids suprisingly are ok.
Not a NP worthy device...this is what I feel like after listening to it
WHAT TOOK YOU GUYS SO LONG...jeez...
Anything I can do to improve it?
Nelson,
I have an update...
I hooked the amp to my audio nirvana speakers and my impression are much better. I didnt want to carry the speakers from the workshop to the house. Those DIY cabinets weigh 80 pounds! I had it hooked to my Thiels before...yea, i know...I'm a putz. Not a good combo. The overall signature improved DRAMATICALLY. I kinda forgot that this little sucker needs efficient speakers. No wonder it sounded horrible...it must have been clipping the whole time!
Please excuse my ignorance. I'M LEARNING DAMNIT!
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go to FIRST WATT HOME , and download every pdf file you can find
read ....... then come back in a month or two
maybe then you'll know something more so we can fix what's broken in first place ( with beancounter's choice of crucial parts )
read ....... then come back in a month or two
maybe then you'll know something more so we can fix what's broken in first place ( with beancounter's choice of crucial parts )
go to FIRST WATT HOME , and download every pdf file you can find
read ....... then come back in a month or two
maybe then you'll know something more so we can fix what's broken in first place ( with beancounter's choice of crucial parts )
Trust me I have been reading allot. The problem that I have with my brain is that...it has to click. Once it clicks...I'm good to go. No clicking yet. It gets aggravating honestly.
thanks
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