I am not really surprised with Marius' findings. A 'classic' GC can sound pretty pathetic on less than friendly speakers. In fact i believe the majority of speakers to be unsuitable for GCs.
analog_sa said:
You are absolutely right, and I've been saying that for ages...😎
PS: Just to clarify to those in doubt: the "classic" GC is the low capacitance unregulated copy_of_the_Gaincard.
sam9 said:
Most Japanese brands have their products produced in China. I meant mass produced low budget gear of the Chinese/Korean variety, not the stuff some Chinese companies produce for the big brands.
What I see is that gear produced for the big brands like Sony and Philips fails prematurely whereas the unknown cheaper Chinese/Korean products live longer with more than average quality. Some produce terrible products however so one must be careful and willing to take the risk. The Koda amp I mentioned is an example of how things can be done, I would dare to compare it to amps twice ( or more ) as expensive easily. However I would not use them on Magnepans as those need much current of amps in the same price region 😉
In other words, some cheapos offer more value for money and in some cases they even offer better quality and longevity than the well known brands. This phenomenon will kill the audio branches of the big brands I think and they can only blame themselves if so.
grege said:
jean-paul said:
Thanks jean-paul for posting the schematics for the KD-269. The amp I was talking about in the above post was the KD-260. By the look of it, the 260 is very similar to the 269 if not identical. Rail voltage on the 260 is 44VDC, the heatsinks are undersized and the pre-amp doesn't have relays for input selection.
What other mods have you done other than the cap replacement.
Apart from the possibility of the impedance matching, speaker matching could be a factor why your GC is 
Not to change the topic, but this question is for carlos:
Do you use zobel on your 3886? I saw an EPOS ES11 speaker for sale and deciding if its worth the upgrade.
Not to change the topic, but this question is for carlos:
Do you use zobel on your 3886? I saw an EPOS ES11 speaker for sale and deciding if its worth the upgrade.
skyraider said:
Yes.
2.7R + 100nf.
skyraider said:
I don't know what you are upgrading from and I'm very biased towards the Epos 11.😀 😀 😀
Listen to them, please.
Don't buy anything without a listen.
Now and then you run in to an experience like that.
Some time ago, taking a few days off, I spent the time in a summerhouse on the Danish westcoast. There was an old radio
in the house, like 40 years old or something. It was a tube radio.
The sound of that radio was so pleasent that I couldn't believe my ears! Later the radio was dumped for a B&O "hifi",
because it was "too old"! What a mistake from the owner
The sound of the new "hifi" was terrible in comparison. Sad story.I guess you are right Jan, But you have got to love this 17 year norwegian, for his fresh thinking. Don't you? Replies? This is #47
I think😉
Nonetheless, the GC has its virtues as a nice starting project, in to this DIY thing. A generic Gainclone is not much of an amp IMHO. Implemented in the right way, it can sound pretty good.
(Read: CarlosFM's Snubberized high-cap thing) 🙂
All the best
Steen.
grege said:
Let us not pollute this thread, please start a new thread if you wish on this subject.
I like this thread, the main topic. And I appreciate very much young people, having interest/knowledge in the audio topic.
And my posting, about alot thd in the bass region was not offensive:
This Saba Meersburg W4 is renovated by myself. And I love the bass!
But, in fact, this radio is not playing any bass below 100Hz. But, why do I like it, the bass reproduction of this radio?
You can find the answer in this experiment:
When you play the even harmonics of a bass frequency and cut the original bass frequency itself, our ear/head does recognise the original frequency!
Franz
And my posting, about alot thd in the bass region was not offensive:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
This Saba Meersburg W4 is renovated by myself. And I love the bass!
But, in fact, this radio is not playing any bass below 100Hz. But, why do I like it, the bass reproduction of this radio?
You can find the answer in this experiment:
When you play the even harmonics of a bass frequency and cut the original bass frequency itself, our ear/head does recognise the original frequency!
Franz
Franz, what a beauty. It looks a bit like the radio I mentioned!
Wondering why these old things sound so good
Still, after so many years the speaker suspension must have gone tired? Or was it built to last, in those days?
I figure I might be a "tubedude" after all🙂
Steen.
Wondering why these old things sound so good
Still, after so many years the speaker suspension must have gone tired? Or was it built to last, in those days?
I figure I might be a "tubedude" after all🙂
Steen.
Franz
Once i've had a similar or even identical radio to yours and i know very well what you mean. I also believe such antique radios are largely responsible for the renewed interest in single ended amps.
What's not to like? Nice single driver, probably single ended penthode amp. No attempt to deliver too much bandwidth - just perfect for music.
Once i've had a similar or even identical radio to yours and i know very well what you mean. I also believe such antique radios are largely responsible for the renewed interest in single ended amps.
What's not to like? Nice single driver, probably single ended penthode amp. No attempt to deliver too much bandwidth - just perfect for music.
Short answer: Yes. And that goes for everything made in those days.
The Garrard 301 was made for the average British household. "Translating Garrard's original prices into modern money, a deck with a modest arm would cost the equivalent of £1000." Quote snatched from Loricraft Audio's web site. And that's probably not far from what the radio above once cost.
I'm quite sure if you buy a new radio today for £1000, it will be of the same quality. That is, if it has the same simple mono construction. And there aren't any. Instead you probably will have to spend several times that money paying for bling-bling and other useless stuff. What they these days call "high-end." Don't you feel cheated?
Maybe best sound had Saba Mammoth, which was most favoured radio of old neandertalensis. Lets turn back time axis 😀 !
I feel an irresistable urge to be on the lookout for such a specimen, when I visit the regular fleamarkets, going on next summer😉 Any other good suggestions on what to look for?
I am serious😉 Franz, any suggestions? I have got to have one of those old things. Yes I know it is a bit OT, but not totally anyway
Maybe I should open a new thread on the tube forum? If restoring is needed, I count on the help of all you splendid guys, around here🙂 Steen.
Franz G said:
My father once made a pair of speakers with very old tweeters and fullranges scavenged from very old radios.
You should listen to those speakers.
Beautiful.
Btw my grandmother had a Loewe-Opta that sounded marvelous.
My father repaired that thing many times over the years just to keed her happy with her favoutite radio.😎
... BTW
at the ETF 04, last years European Triode Festival, Jo Lebong showed very good high end sound, with old Saba Speakers and small triode/pentode amps (sorry, link is in german, not english):
http://www.lebong-audio.de/saba/index.htm
It was, at relatively low sound levels, absolutely perfect, the sound quality!
Franz
at the ETF 04, last years European Triode Festival, Jo Lebong showed very good high end sound, with old Saba Speakers and small triode/pentode amps (sorry, link is in german, not english):
http://www.lebong-audio.de/saba/index.htm
It was, at relatively low sound levels, absolutely perfect, the sound quality!
Franz
Amazing, isn't it? And look, what the prices are at eBay for Saba Alnico Greencone Speakers!
But, now it is really going off topic, sorry.
My intention was, to show, that even harmonics of a non existing bass can make the illusion of good bass. What I think,what happens with the mentionned Panasonic chip.
But the speakers from Jo Lebong: they REALLY reproduce bass!
Franz
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