I have no experience of this amp but I had a look at the construction manual (it's raining again!), and I'm not certain that stacking the OPTs directly above the power transformer (all toroids) is best practice - form over function?
I did a test with a loaded power toroid over a OPT toroid. I could not get anything through the speakers. So I came to the conclusion that's actually OK especially when NFB will also reduce the effect.
I happen to know both the designer and the guy who designed the kit.
I've been listening to this amp several times. No noise or hum with ear to the speaker.
It's all a matter of careful orientation and winding arrangements.
If you would know either Menno or Guido (did you Google Guido Tent?) you'd know these guys know their chops.
Jan
I should have added the /s tag to my reply 🙂
What were your impressions of the amp, particularly the midrange?
I'd ensure plenty of clearance underneath the amp... for that chimney-looking thingy to work at the top of the transformer stack.
Looks good though.
Looks good though.
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It does look very interesting. I've read all of the research/history/technical of the amp that van der Veen has published. I don't claim the expertise to understand well what he has done from a technical/electronics point of view.
What I'm most interested in hearing is responses from people who have heard the amp. In particular what I'm curious about is what effect on the midrange was obtained by all the things that van der Veen did to tame a KT88 amp down to only 10W per channel. Not that I need even that much power per se.
What I'm most interested in hearing is responses from people who have heard the amp. In particular what I'm curious about is what effect on the midrange was obtained by all the things that van der Veen did to tame a KT88 amp down to only 10W per channel. Not that I need even that much power per se.
I have the bad habit of actually looking up stuff people link to. ;-)
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/tentlabs-se10/
Jan
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/tentlabs-se10/
Jan
@jan.didden Thanks. I did read that. In fact, that was the only review I could find anywhere and it's from a self-admitted solid state aficionado.
I guess what I'm wondering is whether, in his quest to remove as much distortion as possible and make the amp super transparent, has van der Veen made it clinically antiseptic and removed the midrange "life" that we often associate with SE triodes?
I guess what I'm wondering is whether, in his quest to remove as much distortion as possible and make the amp super transparent, has van der Veen made it clinically antiseptic and removed the midrange "life" that we often associate with SE triodes?
Well, it's no effect box if that is what you are looking for.
The review says a lot of things, like that it makes the midrange 'a bit fatter'.
I think you really should read that review (I know, it's an excruciating piece of prose, but still ...).
Jan
The review says a lot of things, like that it makes the midrange 'a bit fatter'.
I think you really should read that review (I know, it's an excruciating piece of prose, but still ...).
Jan
I will re-read it (again) and see what additional info I can glean.
I am intrigued by and admire the thought process that has gone into this amp - for example, identify and remove issues at source rather than attempting to fix them after the fact with global negative feedback. Of course, I also like the greater extension (top and bottom) that a KT88 provides compared to an EL34 or EL84 (my present setup). But the "midrange" is where so much of our music happens, thus my questions.
I am intrigued by and admire the thought process that has gone into this amp - for example, identify and remove issues at source rather than attempting to fix them after the fact with global negative feedback. Of course, I also like the greater extension (top and bottom) that a KT88 provides compared to an EL34 or EL84 (my present setup). But the "midrange" is where so much of our music happens, thus my questions.
Yeah, it's hard to judge it without listening.
Low or no GNFB amps always interact with the speaker so that's a factor you don't know beforehand.
The advantage of Menno's technology is that the transformer impact is much lower than normal.
Trans allows to drive the transformer from a very low source impedance meaning that thransformer distortion is much lower.
The sound becomes much cleaner without transformer graininess.
I don't know what it does to the midrange but coloration should be low, don't know if you prefer that or not.
Jan
Low or no GNFB amps always interact with the speaker so that's a factor you don't know beforehand.
The advantage of Menno's technology is that the transformer impact is much lower than normal.
Trans allows to drive the transformer from a very low source impedance meaning that thransformer distortion is much lower.
The sound becomes much cleaner without transformer graininess.
I don't know what it does to the midrange but coloration should be low, don't know if you prefer that or not.
Jan
46dB + 30dB of negative feedback seem way too much ... The primary is part of the "iron" so those statements are half true .
Thanks for this. Mere words can be quite ineffective when we try to discuss music and sound 🙁 One person's coloration is to another person noise or distortion, and vice versa. I do prefer an uncolored presentation, as close as possible (within the limits of my little system) to what was originally intended by the recording and mixing engineers BUT not at the expense of the music sounding "clinical' and unengaging. I realize those are very nebulous and subjective terms.
I also note that we have not referred to the effect that the choice of ECC83 could have on the tonal character of the KT88s in circuit.
I have been aware of Menno van der Veen and Guido Tent for some years and I know that they have significant knowledge and experience. That said, the kit costs about 1,350 Euro plus shipping so it would not be an inexpensive leap of faith, based mostly on their reputations.
Still, I'm curious enough that I just must take the plunge.