Hafler 9303 and Transnova

Zen Mod · 9th July 2006, 10:51 PM

Comments?
I'm interested in difference comparing to "regular" amps,so asking is good enough ,for start ...

anatech · 9th July 2006, 11:48 PM

Hi choky,
I heard a Transnova not to long ago. A very odd sounding amlifier. I can't put my finger on it, but I didn't like it at all. It's a very simple, all mosfet design. It's still here, but I don't really want to listen to it again.

Sorry it's not the critique you were looking for, but there is my impression.

-Chris

Zen Mod · 10th July 2006, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by anatech
Hi choky,
I heard a Transnova not to long ago. A very odd sounding amlifier. I can't put my finger on it, but I didn't like it at all. It's a very simple, all mosfet design. It's still here, but I don't really want to listen to it again.

Sorry it's not the critique you were looking for, but there is my impression.

-Chris

no need for sorry;
one of this dayz I'll have opportunity to hear 9303 replica (don't know it's possible to steal,borrow or rape for schmtc)....
I dunno nothing about transnova except what I can see in patent and 915 schematic floating on the net....

can you define "odd sounding"?

I have few leftover pairs of 135 and 50s ,waiting for something small and portable (knowing me-portable will never happen ).....INPUT AND DRIVER STAGE OF THESE TRANSNOVA AMPS LOOK INTERESTING (lol-caps lock) if not from other reason ,then for eeeny weenny +/-24V supply...
mebbe I'm just foolin' around-but,hey,this board is exactly made for that

Dennis Hui · 10th July 2006, 12:40 AM

Choky,

I have the schematics for the 9300 somewhere.
Not sure how different it is from the 9303, but
if you're interested, I'll dig it up and scan it for you.

Cheers,
Dennis

Zen Mod · 10th July 2006, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dennis Hui
Choky,

I have the schematics for the 9300 somewhere.
Not sure how different it is from the 9303, but
if you're interested, I'll dig it up and scan it for you.

Cheers,
Dennis

tnx for offer ;
I'll be glad to see that schmtc.
just take your time and scan it when you can

anatech · 10th July 2006, 05:13 PM

Hi choky,
Man, I'd have to listen to it again!

I do remember it wasn't very realistic.

The best way to describe it was that it sounded odd. (not in a good way).

-Chris

Dick West · 10th July 2006, 06:39 PM

Anatech,

FWIW, I had an Acoustat TNT-200 amp back in the 80s that I used for several years with a pair of Acoustat IIa speakers. It sounded good with these electrostatic panels. But, when I used it on a pair of PolyNatalia 3-way speakers with regular dynamic drivers, I did NOT like its sound.

Hard to describe, but this amp seemed to add something to the sound. It was like it had some built in reverberation. Not an echo but a type of ambience that was not in the recorded material. This effect was noticed only on dynamic drivers but not on the electrostatic Acoustat panels.

Hmm. Maybe it would sound OK with open backed dipoles but not with direct radiating drivers?

This amp was designed by Strickland, the same guy who designed the Transnova amp. Maybe you heard what I heard.

anatech · 10th July 2006, 06:48 PM

Hi Dick,
I'll agree with your observations. I can't put my finger on teh sound, but it was weird. Just "off" sounding. I've never heard aything like it.

It is the TNT-200 I was listening to. Really odd sound on dynamic speakers.

Mind you, I'm not a Maggie fan at all. Possibly it's in that same direction.

-Chris

Dick West · 10th July 2006, 09:28 PM

Anatech,

A very hi-end EE I have corresponded with uses the TNT-200 for subs, nothing else.

Now that I think about my experience I want to add that the TNT sound was overly dramatic. Transients and gradations between ppp and fff seemed over done. It was like the amp was also functioning somewhat as an expander.

I think its sound was tricked out to enhance reproduction from the Acoustat speakers. This could be a legitimate design goal but perhaps it should have been stated to protect unwary users from applying it to other uses. But, this is just speculation. I know I sold my TNT-200 and never want another........

Nelson Pass · 10th July 2006, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by anatech
I can't put my finger on teh sound, but it was weird. Just "off" sounding. I've never heard aything like it.

IMHO, it's a fine circuit, but the one I played with did not appear
to have much bias on the output stage, and I speculate that
more bias and heat sinking would have improved it greatly.

9th July 2006, 10:51 PM	#1
Zen Mod diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: ancient Batsch , behind Iron Curtain	Hafler 9303 and Transnova Comments? I'm interested in difference comparing to "regular" amps,so asking is good enough ,for start ... __________________ my Papa is smarter than your Nelson ! tnx to clean thread ; Cook Book ; PSM LS Cook Book ; Baby Diyaudio FORUM ; Mighty ZM's Bloggg;I'm dumb

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9th July 2006, 11:48 PM	#2
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi choky, I heard a Transnova not to long ago. A very odd sounding amlifier. I can't put my finger on it, but I didn't like it at all. It's a very simple, all mosfet design. It's still here, but I don't really want to listen to it again. Sorry it's not the critique you were looking for, but there is my impression. -Chris

10th July 2006, 12:40 AM	#4
Dennis Hui diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada	Choky, I have the schematics for the 9300 somewhere. Not sure how different it is from the 9303, but if you're interested, I'll dig it up and scan it for you. Cheers, Dennis

10th July 2006, 05:13 PM	#6
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi choky, Man, I'd have to listen to it again! I do remember it wasn't very realistic. The best way to describe it was that it sounded odd. (not in a good way). -Chris

10th July 2006, 06:39 PM	#7
Dick West diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Illinois	Anatech, FWIW, I had an Acoustat TNT-200 amp back in the 80s that I used for several years with a pair of Acoustat IIa speakers. It sounded good with these electrostatic panels. But, when I used it on a pair of PolyNatalia 3-way speakers with regular dynamic drivers, I did NOT like its sound. Hard to describe, but this amp seemed to add something to the sound. It was like it had some built in reverberation. Not an echo but a type of ambience that was not in the recorded material. This effect was noticed only on dynamic drivers but not on the electrostatic Acoustat panels. Hmm. Maybe it would sound OK with open backed dipoles but not with direct radiating drivers? This amp was designed by Strickland, the same guy who designed the Transnova amp. Maybe you heard what I heard.

10th July 2006, 06:48 PM	#8
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi Dick, I'll agree with your observations. I can't put my finger on teh sound, but it was weird. Just "off" sounding. I've never heard aything like it. It is the TNT-200 I was listening to. Really odd sound on dynamic speakers. Mind you, I'm not a Maggie fan at all. Possibly it's in that same direction. -Chris

10th July 2006, 09:28 PM	#9
Dick West diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Illinois	Anatech, A very hi-end EE I have corresponded with uses the TNT-200 for subs, nothing else. Now that I think about my experience I want to add that the TNT sound was overly dramatic. Transients and gradations between ppp and fff seemed over done. It was like the amp was also functioning somewhat as an expander. I think its sound was tricked out to enhance reproduction from the Acoustat speakers. This could be a legitimate design goal but perhaps it should have been stated to protect unwary users from applying it to other uses. But, this is just speculation. I know I sold my TNT-200 and never want another........