N.E.W. DCA-33 amp

triodesteve · 13th October 2002, 10:35 PM

I've been listening to an amp (the DCA-33) from the defunct company Nirvana Electric Works. This amp runs off of lead acid batteries and it's really a wonderful little amp at 33 wpc. I've been told that it's a Nelson Pass DIY amp that was made into a commercial product (with permissoin) Does anyone know what diy design this was based on?
Thanks,
Steve Brooks
Decatur,GA

Nelson Pass · 13th October 2002, 10:41 PM

Don't look at me!

I am told, however, that it was loosely based on the
A40, which was published in 1978, and can be seen
at www.passdiy.com under Legacy. No guarantees
as to its actual similarity.

triodesteve · 13th October 2002, 10:57 PM

Hmmm....I should of known...damn internet...so much information and most of it bad! So he didn't even get permission to use the circuit? Nice.
I wonder why more manufacturers don't use DC for their amps and preamps..or at least give the option like Rowland. So far it's as easy to use as any other piece of gear (well easier than my tube amp) and it sounds so nice. If it is fact an A40 )or close enough to not get in trouble) then you dun good!
Thanks,
Steve

Steve M · 4th November 2002, 08:47 AM

From One Steve to Another Steve:

I've owned an N.E.W DCA-33 power amplifier for a few years now, and it is a phenomenal little amp!!

Like you, I have also heard that it is a Nelson Pass design. If it was indeed based on the A40, then it comes from a good pedigree, but I suspect much of it's hi-end character is a result of the Pure D.C battery power supply designed by Nirvana Engineering Works. Think about it, a pure Class 'A' High Current, 33w/ch amp(doubles to 66w/ch into 4ohm & 132w/ch into 2ohm), powered by four 12v car-type batteries (with auto self-charging), pure d.c power isolated from the dirty mains wall socket...there's no other amp quite like it!

I've had a lot of amplifiers through my house including some some excellent valve monoblocs such as the Jadis JA-30, and the N.E.W DCA-33 more than keeps up with them!! Sure the valve amps are lovely sounding and can be more 'enjoyable' with the added valve harmonics, but sometimes the N.E.W shows them up to be a bit rosey and not quite as tonally accurate. This little amp confuses me quite a lot, just when I think it's time to trade it in on something more fancy and expensive, it's sonic attributes keep pulling me back! It has a very clean, beguiling, Single Ended Triode sound with a treble that is extended and valve-like ...more so than other transistor amp I've heard.

Some who have heard the amp complain about the lack of bass and a two dimensional quality, but this doesn't bother me. When you sit with this amp for a while and compare it to others - it is JUST ACCURATE, and all that is missing is the distorted bass bloom that everyone seems to have become used to and calls it good bass when in fact it's colored bass that pervades and spoils the mid-treble.

In fact the only transistor amp that I've heard that is better than the DCA-33 so far, is the Tripath based 100w/ch Belcanto EVo200.2, which is even more neutral and detailed .

Regards,

Steve M.

Nelson Pass · 4th November 2002, 03:21 PM

As much as you might like the amp, I am unaware of
what, if any, similarity the DCA-33 has to the Pass A40,
and I have not seen the schematic.

When NEW was in existence I had some difficulty with
their claim of association with me. On one company info
listing at CES, they actually had the nerve to list me as an
employee.

triodesteve · 4th November 2002, 03:28 PM

And I thought I was in a nasty profession, full of back stabbing and cheating (TV journalism)! Well I used to be anyway, I'm moving on. Nelson, as an employee, I hope they provided you with good benefits...!!!!!!
Steve

Steve M · 4th November 2002, 10:44 PM

That is VERY CHEEKY of them Nelson, and I fully understand your agitation at such a scenario!!

Regards,

Steve M.

PS: I have also compared your Aleph 3 against the N.E.W and it (the Aleph) is better being sweeter in the treble, although the N.E.W does provide more current on more difficult speakers. Also, if I get a chance I will post a picture of the innards of the N.E.W, from which you may be able to tell if it is one of your designs?

triodesteve · 4th November 2002, 11:12 PM

Steve, I've not opened up the 33, but I just got hold of a dca-66 (completely different circuit) and the wiring from the boards to the speaker binding posts seems like it could be improved greatly. Most of the connections use tin push- ons and where they all meet, the tin ring terminals are joined together by a bolt and nut..I don't know much about solid state amps, but there must be another way!
Steve

Steve M · 5th November 2002, 12:52 PM

Steve: How is the sound of the DCA-66 compared to the smaller DCA-33 ? I've heard that the bigger amp is warmer sounding and good if you need the extra power, but it is not quite as 'special' as the DCA-33...

Regards,

Steve M.

triodesteve · 5th November 2002, 02:21 PM

I don't know....one of the wires in the battery box had snapped during shipment (it weighs 138lbs!!!) After fixing that I hooked up the battery cable to the amp and poof....something fried. I'll let you know when I get it back from Cary.
Steve

13th October 2002, 10:35 PM	#1
triodesteve diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Walla Walla. WA USA	N.E.W. DCA-33 amp I've been listening to an amp (the DCA-33) from the defunct company Nirvana Electric Works. This amp runs off of lead acid batteries and it's really a wonderful little amp at 33 wpc. I've been told that it's a Nelson Pass DIY amp that was made into a commercial product (with permissoin) Does anyone know what diy design this was based on? Thanks, Steve Brooks Decatur,GA

4th November 2002, 10:44 PM	#7
Steve M diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Perth, Western Australia	Steve M That is VERY CHEEKY of them Nelson, and I fully understand your agitation at such a scenario!! Regards, Steve M. PS: I have also compared your Aleph 3 against the N.E.W and it (the Aleph) is better being sweeter in the treble, although the N.E.W does provide more current on more difficult speakers. Also, if I get a chance I will post a picture of the innards of the N.E.W, from which you may be able to tell if it is one of your designs?

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13th October 2002, 10:41 PM	#2
Nelson Pass The one and only Join Date: Mar 2001	Don't look at me! I am told, however, that it was loosely based on the A40, which was published in 1978, and can be seen at www.passdiy.com under Legacy. No guarantees as to its actual similarity.

13th October 2002, 10:57 PM	#3
triodesteve diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Walla Walla. WA USA	Hmmm....I should of known...damn internet...so much information and most of it bad! So he didn't even get permission to use the circuit? Nice. I wonder why more manufacturers don't use DC for their amps and preamps..or at least give the option like Rowland. So far it's as easy to use as any other piece of gear (well easier than my tube amp) and it sounds so nice. If it is fact an A40 )or close enough to not get in trouble) then you dun good! Thanks, Steve

4th November 2002, 08:47 AM	#4
Steve M diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Perth, Western Australia	From One Steve to Another Steve: I've owned an N.E.W DCA-33 power amplifier for a few years now, and it is a phenomenal little amp!! Like you, I have also heard that it is a Nelson Pass design. If it was indeed based on the A40, then it comes from a good pedigree, but I suspect much of it's hi-end character is a result of the Pure D.C battery power supply designed by Nirvana Engineering Works. Think about it, a pure Class 'A' High Current, 33w/ch amp(doubles to 66w/ch into 4ohm & 132w/ch into 2ohm), powered by four 12v car-type batteries (with auto self-charging), pure d.c power isolated from the dirty mains wall socket...there's no other amp quite like it! I've had a lot of amplifiers through my house including some some excellent valve monoblocs such as the Jadis JA-30, and the N.E.W DCA-33 more than keeps up with them!! Sure the valve amps are lovely sounding and can be more 'enjoyable' with the added valve harmonics, but sometimes the N.E.W shows them up to be a bit rosey and not quite as tonally accurate. This little amp confuses me quite a lot, just when I think it's time to trade it in on something more fancy and expensive, it's sonic attributes keep pulling me back! It has a very clean, beguiling, Single Ended Triode sound with a treble that is extended and valve-like ...more so than other transistor amp I've heard. Some who have heard the amp complain about the lack of bass and a two dimensional quality, but this doesn't bother me. When you sit with this amp for a while and compare it to others - it is JUST ACCURATE, and all that is missing is the distorted bass bloom that everyone seems to have become used to and calls it good bass when in fact it's colored bass that pervades and spoils the mid-treble. In fact the only transistor amp that I've heard that is better than the DCA-33 so far, is the Tripath based 100w/ch Belcanto EVo200.2, which is even more neutral and detailed . Regards, Steve M.

4th November 2002, 03:21 PM	#5
Nelson Pass The one and only Join Date: Mar 2001	As much as you might like the amp, I am unaware of what, if any, similarity the DCA-33 has to the Pass A40, and I have not seen the schematic. When NEW was in existence I had some difficulty with their claim of association with me. On one company info listing at CES, they actually had the nerve to list me as an employee.

4th November 2002, 03:28 PM	#6
triodesteve diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Walla Walla. WA USA	And I thought I was in a nasty profession, full of back stabbing and cheating (TV journalism)! Well I used to be anyway, I'm moving on. Nelson, as an employee, I hope they provided you with good benefits...!!!!!! Steve

4th November 2002, 11:12 PM	#8
triodesteve diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Walla Walla. WA USA	Steve, I've not opened up the 33, but I just got hold of a dca-66 (completely different circuit) and the wiring from the boards to the speaker binding posts seems like it could be improved greatly. Most of the connections use tin push- ons and where they all meet, the tin ring terminals are joined together by a bolt and nut..I don't know much about solid state amps, but there must be another way! Steve

5th November 2002, 12:52 PM	#9
Steve M diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Perth, Western Australia	Steve: How is the sound of the DCA-66 compared to the smaller DCA-33 ? I've heard that the bigger amp is warmer sounding and good if you need the extra power, but it is not quite as 'special' as the DCA-33... Regards, Steve M.

5th November 2002, 02:21 PM	#10
triodesteve diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Walla Walla. WA USA	I don't know....one of the wires in the battery box had snapped during shipment (it weighs 138lbs!!!) After fixing that I hooked up the battery cable to the amp and poof....something fried. I'll let you know when I get it back from Cary. Steve

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