Crazy Frank Van Alstine lives not far from me, he has been selling revamped toob halfer amps for many years now. He takes the chassis, transformer and output devices and puts a tube front end on them. I have listen to several of his amps as well as a few counterpoints and Conrad Johnsons and Personally i have never liked hybrid amps. BUT, i have yet to hear a good one.
In all the years i have been studying schematics, the thing i have noticed is that the mosfet amp designs that sound good to my ears, all have large driver stages. For example, the Soundcraftsmen amps use 1 amp rated devices (2N3440/MM4003). Pretty heafty, and the mosfet amps i dont like all seem to have weak driver stages.
Now i dont know much about tubes, but the hybrid designs i have seen seem to have weak tube stages that just complicate the mosfet mist syndrome.
SO, i will be excited to here the Tube stage GR is working on compared to the magic PASS front end.
Zc
In all the years i have been studying schematics, the thing i have noticed is that the mosfet amp designs that sound good to my ears, all have large driver stages. For example, the Soundcraftsmen amps use 1 amp rated devices (2N3440/MM4003). Pretty heafty, and the mosfet amps i dont like all seem to have weak driver stages.
Now i dont know much about tubes, but the hybrid designs i have seen seem to have weak tube stages that just complicate the mosfet mist syndrome.
SO, i will be excited to here the Tube stage GR is working on compared to the magic PASS front end.
Zc
Current? Yes, there will be drive current available. I figured that if it was worth doing, it was worth doing to excess. The bloody thing is the equivalent of a small power amplifier. Stick an output transformer on it and A/B the front end against the full amp. (At drastically reduced volume, of course...)
As I have said elsewhere, I've never been super-impressed with the hybrid circuits I've heard. They've always struck me as being neither fish nor fowl. This will be an interesting experiment. The sad part is that I'll never hear the thing, as it will live in Montana or some equally remote corner of the planet, permanently installed on a six-inch thick reinforced concrete pad with its dedicated power generating station conveniently located next door. The Federal Government will send the Men In Black to dress the owner in 'the last suit he'll ever wear' and use the thing to blast invading aliens from the skies. That's assuming that the aliens don't land with a keg of illicit hooch from Tau Ceti IV and commence to party like it's 19,999.
I will be satisfied if my contribution behaves politely and sounds at least as good as a Wal-Mart boom box.
Grey
As I have said elsewhere, I've never been super-impressed with the hybrid circuits I've heard. They've always struck me as being neither fish nor fowl. This will be an interesting experiment. The sad part is that I'll never hear the thing, as it will live in Montana or some equally remote corner of the planet, permanently installed on a six-inch thick reinforced concrete pad with its dedicated power generating station conveniently located next door. The Federal Government will send the Men In Black to dress the owner in 'the last suit he'll ever wear' and use the thing to blast invading aliens from the skies. That's assuming that the aliens don't land with a keg of illicit hooch from Tau Ceti IV and commence to party like it's 19,999.
I will be satisfied if my contribution behaves politely and sounds at least as good as a Wal-Mart boom box.
Grey
I personally do not create high current drive stages for
the output Mosfets. I much prefer a well behaved 20 mA.
the output Mosfets. I much prefer a well behaved 20 mA.
Smarmy feels most grievous, sire. Bad Smarmy, BAD Smarmy! His underling WAS laboring dutifully back in October of ’05 when mischievous sprites disrupted the chi of this otherwise complacent DIYer. Somehow the Goblet of Infinite Hobby Funds became less giving than in ages prior. No magic was to be found in the Kingdom of the Central California Coast powerful enough to bring life back to the Goblet, so the hinterlands were painstakingly scoured for new magic. Alas, new employ was to be recently acquired in a biotech region of La Jolla, CA, along with the promise of New Magic!
The Monsters remain partially assembled – confined within a secure edifice located in Smarmy’s old country. In the times present, the Goblet is gradually beginning to glow with the Hope of New Funds.
A portrait of The Monsters’ body parts shall be forthcoming sire.
-The Dog
The Monsters remain partially assembled – confined within a secure edifice located in Smarmy’s old country. In the times present, the Goblet is gradually beginning to glow with the Hope of New Funds.
A portrait of The Monsters’ body parts shall be forthcoming sire.
-The Dog
Worried
Recently discovered this monstrocity of a project. I pray that the Gods of DIY allow the good people here continue this project.
Recently discovered this monstrocity of a project. I pray that the Gods of DIY allow the good people here continue this project.
I am here as well. Still digging out from a mountain of debit from last years hospital bills but there is a glimmer of light ahead. I have paid off at least ONE major bill and i have a just a few more payments on another.
In the meantime i hav been collecting a small stock of parts and have been desperatly trying to clear out some stash to make funds.
I have recently met a local audiophile type machinist and we are currently co-conspiring on some parts. and through a recent connection i met a toroid transformer maker that might be able to help with a few parts. Nothing solid yet, but im working my mojo the best i can.
Zc
P.S. those that want to help can buy some of my parts so i can send Smarmy $$$
In the meantime i hav been collecting a small stock of parts and have been desperatly trying to clear out some stash to make funds.
I have recently met a local audiophile type machinist and we are currently co-conspiring on some parts. and through a recent connection i met a toroid transformer maker that might be able to help with a few parts. Nothing solid yet, but im working my mojo the best i can.
Zc
P.S. those that want to help can buy some of my parts so i can send Smarmy $$$
hmm those pictures stir something in me i haven't felt since i was a teenager 
how thick are those PCB tracks?
how thick are those PCB tracks?
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