Anyone who is following my thread about building a fully active Wilmslow Audio Prestige Platinum speaker pair will appreciate where I am going with this thread.
In order to tri-amp the WAPP I need six amplifiers.
I've got a DIY Pass Aleph 4 which is probably the best amplifier that I have ever heard. It effortlessly drives my old B&W 683s and sounds BRILLIANT.
In the tri-amp set-up I aim to use the Aleph to drive the Volt VM752 drivers as that is where there is the most information and the human ears are most critical.
I thought I would use an F5 to drive the Scanspeak R2904/7000.0 tweeters. The power requirement is low which suits the F5 and the load is fairly simple. There is no crossover as the Xover is active and before the amps.
Now, I've just hooked up the F5 to test it with the B&W 683s (all in full bandwidth), its playing music but the midrange is just flat and dead. The Aleph 4 is so much more vibrant and exciting to listen to.
I appreciate that the B&W are a complex load but I didn't expect such poor results.
With about 70000uF x 2 of cap in a single PSU I'm getting an almost inaudible hum at the speaker, I'm not too fussed about that as they will be driving tweeters.
In order to tri-amp the WAPP I need six amplifiers.
I've got a DIY Pass Aleph 4 which is probably the best amplifier that I have ever heard. It effortlessly drives my old B&W 683s and sounds BRILLIANT.
In the tri-amp set-up I aim to use the Aleph to drive the Volt VM752 drivers as that is where there is the most information and the human ears are most critical.
I thought I would use an F5 to drive the Scanspeak R2904/7000.0 tweeters. The power requirement is low which suits the F5 and the load is fairly simple. There is no crossover as the Xover is active and before the amps.
Now, I've just hooked up the F5 to test it with the B&W 683s (all in full bandwidth), its playing music but the midrange is just flat and dead. The Aleph 4 is so much more vibrant and exciting to listen to.
I appreciate that the B&W are a complex load but I didn't expect such poor results.
With about 70000uF x 2 of cap in a single PSU I'm getting an almost inaudible hum at the speaker, I'm not too fussed about that as they will be driving tweeters.
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Gain is not the issue. I've got a B1 which is attenuating the signal for normal listening levels.
Ah-hah! I'd say gain is your issue. You might want to substitute a preamp with some gain, and see how it sounds.
The CD player is outputting over 2V RMS which is more than sufficient to drive the F5. I need the B1 to attenuate the signal to normal listening levels. Taking the B1 out of circuit just drives the F5 to deafening level.
I would agree with your assesment when compared tot he Aleph 4. You must also consider that you have listened to the Aeph 4 long enough that it has shaped your desire in amps and the F5 is just something different. I felt like the F5T was a more enjoyable amp than the F5, but the BA3 trumps them both, IMO. I think based on your like of the ALeph, the BA series is a better bet. Still plenty of oomph for you.
No, it doesn't. But it does not sound "flat and dead" either. Apart from gain, other things could be your sources, or the build itself.
Did you see I say that? 🙂 You know me, nothing sounds like an Aleph for me... hope something will beat it soon 🙂
I think it does sound flat, but you assume that is bad. Some folks say ruler flat is the way to go. I like a little bloom. Aleph give bloom. Tubes tend to give bloom. F5 is precise. It does not add, it does not take away. Whether it is good is purely subjective. More gain will not change it's sonic signature. It may improve the sound, but it will not sound like an Aleph. I am just saying maybe he likes a little honey with his ice cream🙂 I got something to bet them both, IMO, of course
Is there a link to a working BA3? AFAIR the BA series was more a concept than a finished design but I might be wrong.
I've found this snippet. As I've got the chassis, heatsinks and PSU I might give it a go.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/diyaudio-com-articles/194809-burning-amplifier-ba-3-a.html
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/diyaudio-com-articles/194809-burning-amplifier-ba-3-a.html
Anyone with the BA-3 with the Complimentary Push-Pull output stage.
What is the dissipation of the IRFP240's compared to the F5 ?
My F5 is running very cool so I'm hoping the sinks will be sufficient for a BA-3.
What is the dissipation of the IRFP240's compared to the F5 ?
My F5 is running very cool so I'm hoping the sinks will be sufficient for a BA-3.
Before I go the trouble of converting the F5 to a BA-3 I'll give it a go, it might just excel with it's tweeter only duties in my new set-up.
I have the BA-3 with complimentary output stage, it sounds wonderful.
If you keep the rail voltage and total bias current the same as for the F5 you will have the same dissipation.
Mine are biased as recommended (1.3A). The heatsinks are huge which keeps everything fairly cool.
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