I like the Fonken Style cabinet, but...

[wcwc]

Which driver would you recommend, since Fostex discontinued the FE127? I was thinking of getting a 2W SET amp, so I would like one that is fairly efficient.

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by wcwc

Which driver would you recommend, since Fostex discontinued the FE127? I was thinking of getting a 2W SET amp, so I would like one that is fairly efficient.

Unfortunately, the Fostex driver / enclosure that would most likely be suited to a low power SET would be the FE126En in something like the FH3, or BK12

That said, the current FF125WK definitely works well in the appropriately sized/tuned Fonken enclosure, just don't expect high SPLs or gut wrenching bass

[vinylkid58]

Isn't Dave working on a Fonken box for the FF165WK?

jeff

[planet10]

He is. 1st pass done, and a boxy prototype for a very specific application underway somewhere near east coast USA. A medium wide trapezoid or regular Fonken165 are not far from usable in a beta build.

dave

[vinylkid58]

Cool.

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by planet10

He is. 1st pass done, and a boxy prototype for a very specific application underway somewhere near east coast USA. A medium wide trapezoid or regular Fonken165 are not far from usable in a beta build.

dave

great, another design for the prototype list - a guy could get twisted around trying to remember the names


Depending on your definition of moderately efficient, and listening levels, the low 90's sensitivity (92?) could be sufficient. I know that I dropped a pair of 165s into floorstander Fonken 167 boxes, and while this older enclosure design is actually oversized and mistuned for the new driver, it certainly worked quite well.

[wcwc]

Originally Posted by chrisb

Depending on your definition of moderately efficient, and listening levels, the low 90's sensitivity (92?) could be sufficient. I know that I dropped a pair of 165s into floorstander Fonken 167 boxes, and while this older enclosure design is actually oversized and mistuned for the new driver, it certainly worked quite well.

Not real sure how efficient I need. I just was looking at building a SET amp (2 W, just to see if I like it), and most of my research from people is that full range speakers work well with SET amps. Not real sure of my listening levels, I checked it with an app on my iPad which showed dBs in the high 70s, but I was not sure sure if that was accurate or not. I would be putting these speakers in my Basement HT and can connect them to a sub (once I build one in the future) for the low end frequencies. I would only use them for music, I will keep the current speakers for HT duties. Room is 18' x 20', the main listening location is 8' from the speakers.

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by wcwc

Not real sure how efficient I need. I just was looking at building a SET amp (2 W, just to see if I like it), and most of my research from people is that full range speakers work well with SET amps. Not real sure of my listening levels, I checked it with an app on my iPad which showed dBs in the high 70s, but I was not sure sure if that was accurate or not. I would be putting these speakers in my Basement HT and can connect them to a sub (once I build one in the future) for the low end frequencies. I would only use them for music, I will keep the current speakers for HT duties. Room is 18' x 20', the main listening location is 8' from the speakers.

Definitely sounds like a candidate for FE126En and 2A3 DHT to me. (something like the Bottlehead Stereomour, perhaps? ) There are a lot of choices of excellent sounding low power tube amp projects, particularly if don't mind using something like an EL84 or 34 in SE Triode mode.

[wcwc]

Originally Posted by chrisb

Definitely sounds like a candidate for FE126En and 2A3 DHT to me. (something like the Bottlehead Stereomour, perhaps? ) There are a lot of choices of excellent sounding low power tube amp projects, particularly if don't mind using something like an EL84 or 34 in SE Triode mode.

I like the Stereomour kit except for the price.

I was thinking something less expensive to start with like the Decware kit.

You said the FE126En is best in a FH3 enclosure, which won't really work in my room. Components are in one corner and the other corner is behind the bar. I have my HT speakers sitting on the fire place mantle which is elevated by 1 foot and is also 1 foot deep. So a book shelf style speaker would work better. I do like the looks of the Fonken style enclosure.

[chrisb]

Originally Posted by wcwc

I like the Stereomour kit except for the price.

I was thinking something less expensive to start with like the Decware kit.

You said the FE126En is best in a FH3 enclosure, which won't really work in my room. Components are in one corner and the other corner is behind the bar. I have my HT speakers sitting on the fire place mantle which is elevated by 1 foot and is also 1 foot deep. So a book shelf style speaker would work better. I do like the looks of the Fonken style enclosure.

To be clear, the suggestion of the FE126En/FH3 combo was to meet the sensitivity required for matching with a low powered SET ( not all are low powered , BTW - but horsepower ain't cheap), and since I'm fairly familiar with both the drivers in a range of enclosures, and the FH3 enclosures with a range of drivers.

If you like the Fonken style, the FF125WK in the smaller Fonken box would likely best suit a "bookshelf style/size" application. The FF165WK- enclosure design which I've not seen yet but I can probably imagine, would have advantages in terms of sensitivity and bottom end, but at the cost of increased size.

The Decware is a simple and sweet little amp - it was one of the inspirations for me to tackle building the first of my own tube amps over 10yrs ago. Only you can decide if 2W would be enough power for a speaker with sensitivity in the low 90's - but based on my own experience, unless you've got room to support a large BLH type of enclosure, I suspect it wouldn't take long to lust for more with the Fonkens.

It appears from Steve's website that they've dropped all full parts kits, and are selling only the PCBs and provide a list of recommended parts, including specific Edcor OPT. Personally I find that a bit interesting, as one of the "secret ingredients" that Steve touted for 15yrs was the in house hand-made scramble wound OPTs. Be that as it may - I'd be inclined to buy a pair of boards and plan towards a mono bridged pair, yielding "approx 6 watts".