Hey guys, I'm just starting my journey. I've been dabbling with 3116 amps a little bit, and just got a little Audio Source amp100 with the intention of modifying it as per the "Paying it forward" thread at parts express. So far I prefer the Audio Source amp.
I have a good friend who has been collecting high end vintage gear for a while(McCintosh tube gear, Marantz model9 mono blocks, Altec model 19s, JBL 4343 etc). I bought a pair of Altec 605a duplex speakers and just finished assembling some cabs for them. They sound really good on my little amps, but they sound noticeably better on his gear. I'm trying to decide whether to try the Nelson Pass ACA mono blocks, or shop for an old kenwood/pioneer/Marantz, etc integrated amp. I have done countless hours of reading and can't decide which way to go. I would really appreciate any opinions.
The Altecs wiped most of my budget for a while, so while I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I build my first amp, it would be easier financially to get an older piece and tinker. The little NP mono blocks are sure tempting though. How good are they really?
I have a good friend who has been collecting high end vintage gear for a while(McCintosh tube gear, Marantz model9 mono blocks, Altec model 19s, JBL 4343 etc). I bought a pair of Altec 605a duplex speakers and just finished assembling some cabs for them. They sound really good on my little amps, but they sound noticeably better on his gear. I'm trying to decide whether to try the Nelson Pass ACA mono blocks, or shop for an old kenwood/pioneer/Marantz, etc integrated amp. I have done countless hours of reading and can't decide which way to go. I would really appreciate any opinions.
The Altecs wiped most of my budget for a while, so while I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I build my first amp, it would be easier financially to get an older piece and tinker. The little NP mono blocks are sure tempting though. How good are they really?
I am a fan of exotic tube set with lot of iron and less capacitor to be "pure" again , sony Vfet single ended amp with transformer output again to get rid of the infamous output capacitor. An what are we talking now ? a 5watt amp with a usual mosfet, horrible input AND output cap and peanuts on the cake two crappy smps power supply to feed it 😱
Just build it and you will see 😀
Just build it and you will see 😀
The Altecs are rated at 99db/1watt I think, another reason I was looking at these amp choices. I guess it kind of boils down to how good is properly executed DIY vs vintage gear? I would also have a pre with a phono stage with vintage integrated. I'm sure I would be building a power supply to replace the smps supplied with the kit, and a pre, and a phono stage, and.....lol.
I have basic soldering skills, but haven't built anything as involved as an amp before. Thanks to all the awesome tutorial threads about the Pass amps I'm not too worried about attempting it. Just thought I would ask the guys who have already been down this road what they would recommend for a solid, first listening setup.
I have basic soldering skills, but haven't built anything as involved as an amp before. Thanks to all the awesome tutorial threads about the Pass amps I'm not too worried about attempting it. Just thought I would ask the guys who have already been down this road what they would recommend for a solid, first listening setup.
Ignoring the power (shouldn’t be an issue with those Altecs) the ACA is notably better than any vintage kit i have heard, and that is lots.
dave
dave
With efficient loudspeakers, simple Class A has the advantage. The ACA
does a nice job on my Tannoys.
does a nice job on my Tannoys.
Another option is to try some nice simple class AB discrete amps. Ones by Apex are simple and sound great. Look at FX8 and FH9. I have ACA and like it, but really find that my rather inefficient FAST speakers need a 50w amp. At least 25w makes a big difference. Also look carefully if your system has enough preamp or DAC power to drive these 14dB gain designs. Whereas most of the class AB stuff in SS forum is around 27dB to 30dB gain - you could drive it with your smart phone.
One thing i wonder is the use of the ampcamp with a passive preamp ( a simple 10k volume pot ). Going directly from the low output impedance of my dac sounds far more juicy and Live. Is it possible to remove the 10k series input resistance in case of using a volume pot before the ampcamp or put a 100k to ground at the input?
nope
you're stuck with 10K in series , as input impedance defining part
so , ACA is pretty much Black Box ........ you need to please it
you're stuck with 10K in series , as input impedance defining part
so , ACA is pretty much Black Box ........ you need to please it
ok so to drive this 10K resistor in series i need a low impedance source , hello B1 or B3 buffer 🙂
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