Well, to be clear, I borrowed (very, very, liberally) from Mr. Pass's F5. I couldn't possibly take credit for the sound. The Circlotron article is a bit of a curiosity piece and I really enjoyed writing it as much as building the amp.
Having said that, it sounds very good indeed. The F5 has better measured performance for sure (and a little more OFB).
I listened to the F5 with Lowthers, and I was really astonished that a solid-state amp sounded so good with full range drivers like those.
Having said that, it sounds very good indeed. The F5 has better measured performance for sure (and a little more OFB).
I listened to the F5 with Lowthers, and I was really astonished that a solid-state amp sounded so good with full range drivers like those.
I haven't heard them side-by-side, but I'd guess they have a lot in common.
The circlotrons sound great. I've been listening to them for almost a year now. They have nice presence, a very black background, and great dynamics. A good balanced source is important.
That's as close to auto-review as I'll go.
The circlotrons sound great. I've been listening to them for almost a year now. They have nice presence, a very black background, and great dynamics. A good balanced source is important.
That's as close to auto-review as I'll go.
I think a chip would work fine providing it has enough output.
There's a JFET version of Nelson's Balanced Zen Linestage around here somewhere that would make a nice preamp.
I have a few Jensen transformers on hand but I haven't tried them yet.
If possible, I recommend building a nice (discrete) balanced preamp. It woud require only slightly more effort than adding a front-end and will prove more versatile in your system.
There's a JFET version of Nelson's Balanced Zen Linestage around here somewhere that would make a nice preamp.
I have a few Jensen transformers on hand but I haven't tried them yet.
If possible, I recommend building a nice (discrete) balanced preamp. It woud require only slightly more effort than adding a front-end and will prove more versatile in your system.
Ok one last question about the 2sj74. How well would a 2sk170bl work as a substitute? I already have a number of 2sk170 on hand.
BTW If anyone is looking for either type www.bdent.com has them in stock. I've ordered from them in the past with good results.
BTW If anyone is looking for either type www.bdent.com has them in stock. I've ordered from them in the past with good results.