Hiraga The Monster... - Page 2

massimo · 18th February 2003, 12:37 AM

I'm old enough (unfortunately!) to perfectly remember that famous 8 W pure class A amplifier.
I still keep some original articles published on the magazine "L'Audiophile" around '83-'84.
I also remember that all the transistors were carefully choosen for their sound, not only for specs.

Probably you don't know that the preferred PS was using two large batteries (12 V / 45 A) bypassed by several big caps!

The original schematics came from a prototype made by a famous Japanese company (could be Accuphase, but I'm not 100% sure) and never launched on the market. The idea was to develop a SS amp that could compete with the famous tube WE 300 B in SE (that's why the output power was 8 W)

J.Hiraga simply "imported" that idea in Europe and wrote some articles introducing few mods and a beefy PS with car batteries and huge caps. A "C" core trafo was used to recharge them after few hrs.

P.S. Sorry, just read again the first article: the manufacuter that introduced the prototype was Stax and not Accuphase

fdegrove · 18th February 2003, 12:44 AM

Hi,

Quote:

Probably you don't know that the preferred PS was using two large batteries (12 V / 45 A) bypassed by several big caps!

Oh,yes...and I have the magazines under my bed...most of them anyway.

And they didn't like the battery PSU on its' own either...no,no, they bypassed all that lead.

Those were the days...guess I am getting old too.

Ciao,

jam · 18th February 2003, 01:46 AM

Frank,

You mean that you can't teach an old dog new tricks.........like solid state

Jam

fdegrove · 18th February 2003, 01:51 AM

Hi,

Quote:

You mean that you can't teach an old dog new tricks.........like solid state

LOL.

Can I have my coockie and eat it too?

Sorry,pal.

jam · 18th February 2003, 01:58 AM

Frank,

Just doing my bit to make you see the light (glow)....more in jest really.

Jam

P.S. Most people stash old issues of Playboy under the bed.

fdegrove · 18th February 2003, 02:03 AM

Hi,

Quote:

Just doing my bit to make you see the light (glow)....more in jest really.

You're just pulling both my legs,aren't you?

Once you know a bit about electronics you can explore the field...

BTW,did you know Mr.Kaneda has produced some fine hybrid OTLs?

No kidding....

grataku · 18th February 2003, 02:12 AM

DISCLAIMER THIS IS MY HONEST OPINION THAT HAS ONLY TO DO WITH THE FACT I BUILT ALL THE AMPS I AM GOING TO TALK ABOUT.

I built both the Hiraga amps (Monstre and le classeA)and the AX and while the Hiraga do sound very nice the AX simply blow them out of the water.
I don't know if it's because of the balanced AX vs SE hiraga, the different trannies I used for the hiraga, the SANKEN 2sc2922/pnp? pair that are said to be the among the best bjt out there, the regulated PS of the hiraga vs the 1F pi filter in the AX.

I believe I used better components than were used on the original Hiraga, and I got a little bit harder time to get the 0 DC offset. As of right now it starts at 120 mV and goes to ~0 during the course of 1/2 hr.
I am just gonna throw it out there, you make whatever you want out of it.

jam · 18th February 2003, 02:13 AM

Frank,

Sorry, I could not resist. There seems to be a lack of humor in the forum these days.

I built the Monster a few years ago (many) and it was a great sounding amp, being a current feedack device we can convert it into a x-amp. ( See other thread) Maybe we could convince you to build one.

Jam

jam · 18th February 2003, 02:15 AM

Grataku.

I believe you but what about the Hiraga Monster-X?

Jam

fdegrove · 18th February 2003, 02:18 AM

Hi,

Quote:

I believe I used better components than were used on the original Hiraga, and I got a little bit harder time to get the 0 DC offset. As of right now it starts at 120 mV and goes to ~0 during the course of 1/2 hr.

Le Monstre wasn't born yesterday,was it?

I can only hope more modern designs surpass it hands down.

If not, I certainly stick to my trusty old tubes.

Ciao,

18th February 2003, 01:58 AM	#15
jam diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Charlotte,NC,USA	Who are you calling Mr. Kaneda? Frank, Just doing my bit to make you see the light (glow)....more in jest really. Jam P.S. Most people stash old issues of Playboy under the bed.

18th February 2003, 02:15 AM	#19
jam diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Charlotte,NC,USA	What is old is now new! Grataku. I believe you but what about the Hiraga Monster-X? Jam

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18th February 2003, 12:37 AM	#11
massimo diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Milan, Italy	I'm old enough (unfortunately!) to perfectly remember that famous 8 W pure class A amplifier. I still keep some original articles published on the magazine "L'Audiophile" around '83-'84. I also remember that all the transistors were carefully choosen for their sound, not only for specs. Probably you don't know that the preferred PS was using two large batteries (12 V / 45 A) bypassed by several big caps! The original schematics came from a prototype made by a famous Japanese company (could be Accuphase, but I'm not 100% sure) and never launched on the market. The idea was to develop a SS amp that could compete with the famous tube WE 300 B in SE (that's why the output power was 8 W) J.Hiraga simply "imported" that idea in Europe and wrote some articles introducing few mods and a beefy PS with car batteries and huge caps. A "C" core trafo was used to recharge them after few hrs. P.S. Sorry, just read again the first article: the manufacuter that introduced the prototype was Stax and not Accuphase

18th February 2003, 02:12 AM	#17
grataku diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: -	DISCLAIMER THIS IS MY HONEST OPINION THAT HAS ONLY TO DO WITH THE FACT I BUILT ALL THE AMPS I AM GOING TO TALK ABOUT. I built both the Hiraga amps (Monstre and le classeA)and the AX and while the Hiraga do sound very nice the AX simply blow them out of the water. I don't know if it's because of the balanced AX vs SE hiraga, the different trannies I used for the hiraga, the SANKEN 2sc2922/pnp? pair that are said to be the among the best bjt out there, the regulated PS of the hiraga vs the 1F pi filter in the AX. I believe I used better components than were used on the original Hiraga, and I got a little bit harder time to get the 0 DC offset. As of right now it starts at 120 mV and goes to ~0 during the course of 1/2 hr. I am just gonna throw it out there, you make whatever you want out of it.

18th February 2003, 02:13 AM	#18
jam diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Charlotte,NC,USA	Frank, Sorry, I could not resist. There seems to be a lack of humor in the forum these days. I built the Monster a few years ago (many) and it was a great sounding amp, being a current feedack device we can convert it into a x-amp. ( See other thread) Maybe we could convince you to build one. Jam

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