LM3886 : which design ?

[Volta]

Hi all,

I 've already built a GC lm3875 dual mono bought from chipamp.com. It sounds great.
But, now, I have to build an amp (LM3886) for my brother and I hesitate between Mauro Penasa's design and the one on chipamp.com with snubbers.
Which one might sound better ? Have anybody built both ?

Thx
Volta

 

[Garnett]

Hi there Volta. When I was considering them I was recommended Twisted Pear. I'm still building a basic LM3875 but I intend to build a kit from there next...

 

[lazyfly]

They sound different, and depending on your preference one may not sound better than the other or something else...

With that said I loved the snubbered 3886 but then built Mauro Penasa's My_Ref (rev C) and compared. With a passive in both there's not alot in it. Don't confuse that with thinking I mean they sound the same, they don't. What I mean is the 3886 for me is a little more musical - an easier listen, because the amp compared to Mauro's is quite lazy. And what does that mean? Well I found Mauro's design quite a bit more accurate and therefore not as easy a listen as more things grab you by the ghoulies and demand your attention - obviously this will suit some more than others. The 3886 is a little laid back, or lazier and so the music flows a little easier.

To throw this on its head I changed the input and feedback cap on Mauro's amp to auricap and black gate which changed the bugger quite dramatically. Added a 627 pre (cheers Rabbitz!) and that made things better again.

Anyway, this could go on forever and you still wont know which you or your brother like as you haven't heard them 😉

Either is a winner in my books.

 

[rabbitz]

Added a 627 pre (cheers Rabbitz!) and that made things better again.

Anyway, this could go on forever and you still wont know which you or your brother like as you haven't heard them 😉

Either is a winner in my books.

Ah..... what would you know you chipamp junkie? 😉
[looking over the shoulder for the knife]

Have you had a look at the pics I sent you of the FE127E speakers?

 

[lazyfly]

Just to clarify between the 2 amps, I do prefer the Mauro by some margin but not with a passive pre - then it's very close and mood dependant.

Ah..... what would you know you chipamp junkie? 😉
[looking over the shoulder for the knife]

Have you had a look at the pics I sent you of the FE127E speakers?

Chipamp junkie eh... Aside from the GK-1 / AKSA combo nothing else (so far) has really grabbed me 😛

Yep, seen the pics. Who built them... No really... who..? hehehehe 😛

 

[Volta]

Ok thanx LazyFly, now I understand they sound different. 😀
I think I will go first for Mauro Penasa's My_Ref but with passive Pre. If I'm not satisfied, I'll build an active pre.

What improvements can we get with an active pre ?

Volta

 

[Russ White]

What improvements can we get with an active pre ?

Volta

Hi Volta,

I have tried the My Ref with my new Joshua Tree attenuator which has a constant output impedance of only 750ohms. It works extremely well alone in front of the power amp. But you if you need more gain (not likely but possible) you might try the Kookaburra without the output buffer (it is not needed for a 100K load like the MyRef)

The main advantage of a preamp into the MyRef is a low output impedance into the amp and some gain. MyRef already has a lot of Gain so you really don't need a lot more.

I alternate between listening with just the attenuator and with several preamps I have. I can't seem to decide which I like best, but I would say it sounds excellent either way. If I had to say I would say that the attenuator input is just a tad more laid back, but I think this is largely a function of gain.

Cheers!
Russ

 

[lazyfly]

What improvements can we get with an active pre ?

Volta

For my tastes the 627 added a liquid element to the music while at the same time giving the amp a little more bite. It still retains the attack, speed, accuracy and control (something the GC lacks) inherant to Mauro's design. Lets put it this way, for my gear things aren't going to get alot better without major upgrades to partnering equipment - I love it, but not straight out of the box.

PS, tried the 2134 in the same circuit and didn't like it nearly as muchand in that case I prefer the passive.

 

[rabbitz]

Chipamp junkie eh... Aside from the GK-1 / AKSA combo nothing else (so far) has really grabbed me 😛

Yep, seen the pics. Who built them... No really... who..? hehehehe 😛

I will have to admit, the chipamps have gotten to me as well the freaky things. The AKSA combo I have certainly has the edge and is more versatile on harder loads but chipamps always bring a smile and make the foot tap.

It was me... I built them.... me.

 

[Nordic]

You will do good in remembering the Rev C also includes softstart and DC protection...circuitry...

I have a set, and although was not completely happy until I got an active pre, I wouldn't part with it easily, I have allready been offered like 4 times what it would cost for a new one after someone heard mine. As I sayd though, I didn't always like it as it seemed too detailed in sound. Now I immediatly notice the LACK of detail on other systems.

 

[Volta]

Ok thanx for your answers.
I'll go for it without active pre, then build one when I get some money.