yes from the store kit. I did test it and it seemed functionally OK. Hoping for more robust feel I even bought a batch from Amazon and they feel better but still not up to what I would prefer. And the ones I bought turned out not be flat paddle but round, so it is harder to tell where it is set. I might revisit it at some point in the future- maybe buy two additional boards and try stuffing them with boutique parts (not that I would expect to hear any difference).
My first car was a Rover TC2000 and it had mostly toggle switches in the dash. Super high quality and it felt like being in a Jet cockpit so I guess I have been spoiled...
My first car was a Rover TC2000 and it had mostly toggle switches in the dash. Super high quality and it felt like being in a Jet cockpit so I guess I have been spoiled...
I will go ahead and install the output mode switches. Will be fun to be able to use both RCA and XLR inputs for bridged mode while I search for switch upgrade.
I learned a lot about the theory and topology of the amp from the first build and will post pics of the second unit's internals, and do a better job wiring and soldering (example LED pic).
Thanks to the mods and EVERYONE who gave me advice and encouragement! I learned something new from every posting.
And thank you Mr. Nelson Pass for sharing your excellent design!
I learned a lot about the theory and topology of the amp from the first build and will post pics of the second unit's internals, and do a better job wiring and soldering (example LED pic).
Thanks to the mods and EVERYONE who gave me advice and encouragement! I learned something new from every posting.
And thank you Mr. Nelson Pass for sharing your excellent design!
Full disclosure: Unfortunately my hearing at 72 is not what it used to be. In tests I never hear above about 11K (but my 19 year old son often chimes in with interesting listening comments).
Having said that, what I do have is 20+ years of extensive live performance listening experiences from my years living in Boston- often multiple live events per week. Every style from Horace Silver to BSO season tickets to Creedence to Alan Stivell to Arthur Rubenstein to Jimmy Cliff to The Chieftains to Taj Mahal. And everything in between. Boston is almost like a citywide live music venue!
Having said that, what I do have is 20+ years of extensive live performance listening experiences from my years living in Boston- often multiple live events per week. Every style from Horace Silver to BSO season tickets to Creedence to Alan Stivell to Arthur Rubenstein to Jimmy Cliff to The Chieftains to Taj Mahal. And everything in between. Boston is almost like a citywide live music venue!
I'm 72 as well, and also have hearing loss in the higher frequency ranges. Still, I can appreciate the sound of my ACAs. With my ACP+ preamp and Klipsch Forte IIIs, I love the tonal signature. It may not be everyone's choice, but there is something about the combination that just works for me.
Opinions on connectors?
Would using wago connectors for the signal and power wires to the front and back panels cause any distortion or allow noise? I assume the connectors have no internal shielding. The first unit I built using soldered wiring only had absolutely zero hiss or hum 🙂
I will be experimenting with components and it would be great to avoid repeated desoldering/soldering cycles.
Would sure make mods and experimenting a lot less hassle...
Would using wago connectors for the signal and power wires to the front and back panels cause any distortion or allow noise? I assume the connectors have no internal shielding. The first unit I built using soldered wiring only had absolutely zero hiss or hum 🙂
I will be experimenting with components and it would be great to avoid repeated desoldering/soldering cycles.
Would sure make mods and experimenting a lot less hassle...
I have always shied away from horns due to the fact I dislike high end glare/grit more than just about any other audio artifact. With tubed amps and the Ref 3A speakers I could - and often did on weekends - listen for 10-12 hours. Could not do that until I had the tube amps (Transcendent Sound's T8-LN OTL amp and GG preamp)...
While I don't typically listen for 10-12 hours, high end glare/grit has not been my experience with my system in general, but I do experience it with some recordings. For that, I blame the recordings, not the signal chain. For example, I'm listening to Samantha Fish - Black Wind Howlin' and I find it overly bright. With other recordings, that is not the case at all.
I have a Fisher X-101-B that is one of the easiest listening amplifiers I've ever experienced. The ACAs with the ACP+ are pretty much indistinguishable from the Fisher. Admittedly, I have not listened to many mega-buck systems and I'm very much a bang-for-the-buck kind of guy. I currently have about $6,000 in the signal chain I use regularly, and don't think I could experience an noticeable difference without a very significant outlay.
I have a Fisher X-101-B that is one of the easiest listening amplifiers I've ever experienced. The ACAs with the ACP+ are pretty much indistinguishable from the Fisher. Admittedly, I have not listened to many mega-buck systems and I'm very much a bang-for-the-buck kind of guy. I currently have about $6,000 in the signal chain I use regularly, and don't think I could experience an noticeable difference without a very significant outlay.
hmm, looks like I will need 11 or 12 connectors to make the back panel "removable" without de-soldering. The interior will be crowded. Now I know why molex is so popular...
The Fisher does sound really nice with the horns. I also have a Marantz 1060 from 1973 that pairs really well with the horns. There are definitely differences between the three (Fisher, Marantz and ACAs), but I wouldn't call them huge. I would describe the both the Fisher and the Marantz as having a slightly warmer sound than the ACAs, and the Fisher has a more robust bass output than either of the others. But, for day in, day out listening, I go for the ACAs. Running as bridged mono blocks, then have half the power of the others, but I think there is something about single-ended pure class A that just sounds really good. Isn't this hobby fun?
[[Isn't this hobby fun?]]
Yes, especially when we are lucky to have such great people on this forum who know what they are doing and are willing to help out less intelligent monkeys like me 😉
Yes, especially when we are lucky to have such great people on this forum who know what they are doing and are willing to help out less intelligent monkeys like me 😉
I hear you! I'm definitely in that "less intelligent monkey" category and have gotten great guidance and advice from other members.
Lever connectors seem to work fine. I did not perform before and after distortion, noise, power, etc. measurements with test instruments, just listening tests... If there is any added noise or distortion after adding the connectors I cannot hear it.
I did one at a time and powered up for listening tests each time to facilitate troubleshooting in case there was a problem.
I will add connectors from the boards to the front power switch and then I can change out the boards or back panel anytime with no resoldering.
Now it's time to get going with the second unit so I will finally have bridged stereo system.
I did one at a time and powered up for listening tests each time to facilitate troubleshooting in case there was a problem.
I will add connectors from the boards to the front power switch and then I can change out the boards or back panel anytime with no resoldering.
Now it's time to get going with the second unit so I will finally have bridged stereo system.
Second unit completed with no issues and both units now running with balanced XLR input as bridged mono pair. Will listen for a week or two with my testing speakers before moving into main system that has external speaker protection device and DeCapo I speakers. For me, the lever connectors are very convenient although it would not shock me (pun intended) if there was some miniscule increase in measured distortion or noise from using them.
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