I'm partial to my FW SIT2.
The ACA Mini already has top quality parts including high quality 1% resistors. I doubt you'll hear any difference substituting a Mundorf for what shipped with your kit. No amount of upgrades will close the gap between a $135 amp and a First Watt amp. I suggest you build it the way it comes and enjoy it until you move on to your next project.
@Toys4Boys: I just looked at that preamp online. Very promising. However, get ready to roll 6SN7 tubes. There is quite a lot of variance in their sound, and it seems like the best tube for one preamp isn't always the best for another. So if you decide to experiment, look online for comments about tubes for your particular preamp.
I have a Schiit Saga+ preamp, which uses just one 6SN7. Thank goodness it's only one, since I've tried lots of them. My favorite is the RCA gray glass 6SN7GT (sometimes labelled VT-231) from the mid-1940s. But who knows how it would sound in the SP14?
Have fun!
I was given some Shuguang CV181-Zs, which from the research that I've done are actually 6SN7s and very well regarded.
@Toys4Boys: Are you getting the SP14 with exposed tubes? I assume you are. Those CV181Z tubes are taller and wider than 6SN7s.
Yeah, that style kind of grew on me. I ordered that prior to the official announcement of the SP20, which for even less $$$ looks interesting. No regrets coyote!
FYI, 200 more ACAmini kits just shipped to the store...
Had to play Roger Waters, Amused To Death, and the Q Sound on this is the best that I've heard, and I've been using this for demos since the mid nineties. Taking a guess the low noise allows more of the subtle cues to be heard, maybe the class A? No idea how Papa does it, so much fun for $135, well actual I think he uses FM 😉
Yes. The SIT is in my main system, the ACA Mini is in my office. 🙂
You know i would love to get hold of a SIT amp one day to compare to my Crayon.
The Crayon pretty much trumps ACA in every way tbh but for the amazing price and what it is i think ACA actually sounds pretty nice on my 115db horn mid-section even if it is rather lacking by comparison.
The Crayon also makes a very exceptional refined tweeter amp but it is hard for me to justify there and would like to place him back in the mid section covering the majority of frequency as it should.
I hope i can still somehow get away without spending too much on a tweeter amp....
Maybe i am just kidding myself ☕🤔
But yes i shall definitely give the ACA-mini a shot and see how it fares - as has been suggested.
And is the F5 worth considering at all or would i likely be experiencing most of the F5 HF sound already with the mini ?
The Crayon pretty much trumps ACA in every way tbh but for the amazing price and what it is i think ACA actually sounds pretty nice on my 115db horn mid-section even if it is rather lacking by comparison.
The Crayon also makes a very exceptional refined tweeter amp but it is hard for me to justify there and would like to place him back in the mid section covering the majority of frequency as it should.
I hope i can still somehow get away without spending too much on a tweeter amp....
Maybe i am just kidding myself ☕🤔
But yes i shall definitely give the ACA-mini a shot and see how it fares - as has been suggested.
And is the F5 worth considering at all or would i likely be experiencing most of the F5 HF sound already with the mini ?
The updated F5M kit is due to hit the store any day now. Flip a coin, then enjoy your choice.
Or build both, use the ACA Mini for your tweets and the F5M for your mids and be a very happy man. 🙂
Or build both, use the ACA Mini for your tweets and the F5M for your mids and be a very happy man. 🙂
Ha!
If a little pocket change amp can somehow dislodge such a revered amp as the Crayon
I shall personally send Papa Pass the most beautiful Christmas pamper
Hold me to it!!
If a little pocket change amp can somehow dislodge such a revered amp as the Crayon
I shall personally send Papa Pass the most beautiful Christmas pamper
Hold me to it!!
Patience Grasshopper. The F5M hasn't yet been released.
Damn! I have to keep reminding myself that this is a $135 amplifier!!!! So few parts, so affordable, so much fun and so damn good!
Yes and no! Compared to commercial amps, it is NOT a $135 amplifier! This is only the cost for the pcb and the parts.
Add all other costs to a commercial amp, like enclosure, work, marketing, distribution, point of sale then you will have at least a 600$ device.
But, yes! It is an absolute great amplifier, no doubt!
Add all other costs to a commercial amp, like enclosure, work, marketing, distribution, point of sale then you will have at least a 600$ device.
But, yes! It is an absolute great amplifier, no doubt!
My understanding is that one can expect about a 5 to 8 times cost to retail. Add in a chassis and some other niceties and you're cost is probably $250-$300, so more comparable with an amp retailing for $1250-$2400, likely closer to the higher number. Even at $2000+ I haven't played with any retail amps that I would own over this beauty!
Of course this doesn't take into account the learning and fun involved. I jokingly say to many clients there is only 1 spec that counts, the WAF 😉, not having to be concerned with that my gauge of value is how the system allows me to connect with my music. On it's own merits this is a very involving amplifier, add to that having built it and....
The other aspect of the amp is its aesthetics, initially I was thinking about putting it in a case, but the naked amp is really cool and has grown on me. So happy that I found this site and so thankful for people like Papa and the others here!
By the way jumpers out.
Of course this doesn't take into account the learning and fun involved. I jokingly say to many clients there is only 1 spec that counts, the WAF 😉, not having to be concerned with that my gauge of value is how the system allows me to connect with my music. On it's own merits this is a very involving amplifier, add to that having built it and....
The other aspect of the amp is its aesthetics, initially I was thinking about putting it in a case, but the naked amp is really cool and has grown on me. So happy that I found this site and so thankful for people like Papa and the others here!
By the way jumpers out.
I've gone thru these posts for a second time, which is probably good as I pick up things that make more sense after building/playing w/ my ACA Mini, and tried a ggle image search but can't find the wood base that someone crafted. I want to take another look at it to see if it gives me any ideas.Thx in advance!