With the ladies out of the house I can test the high SPL performance. Here is the Emerald Physics 600.2SE amp with hybrid tube buffer built in. It’s capable of 600w peaks. I have it turned up to about 6Vrms and it’s loud but clean. Even though not much power is required as it is 91dB sensitive, having a powerful amp gives huge dynamic headroom for some songs. This speaker can really party or be used as a home dance floor speaker. It’s got the goods to pack it in.
This was just a short test. Any longer and I would have to get earplugs.
This was just a short test. Any longer and I would have to get earplugs.
On the bench tonight is the Bob Carver Reference Preamplifier Model V12, or RPM V12. That’s 12 valves for V12. JPS64 and I have the opportunity and privilege to help Bob Carver and Jim Clark on some of their new upcoming projects. The first one is the RPM V12. We have been working on this project for the last 10 weeks and helping Bob Carver design the integrated preamp system and chassis around his circuit design for an all tube MM/MC phono preamp and general all tube preamp. We developed the overall system and integration of the all components custom chassis, the PSU, relays and MCU for remote control with TFT display and motorized pot. Also, we provided the SE Class A hybrid headphone amp. This is going to be a very cool preamp with 3 selectable inputs plus phono, tape monitor pass thru, and two outputs. I am building the show and tell prototype for Axpona 2022 (Chicago this week). Tonight I am soldering the tube sockets and RCA jacks. Still waiting for the chassis prototype to show up. Some delays with a lot of couriers lately.
This is a render of the RPM V12:
Chassis prototype:
If anyone is going to Axpona, let me know and l will get the room number for the exhibit. Coming up in the future is a 200w push pull tube amp and a 350w push pull monoblock tube amp (6x KT120’s).
This is a render of the RPM V12:
Chassis prototype:
If anyone is going to Axpona, let me know and l will get the room number for the exhibit. Coming up in the future is a 200w push pull tube amp and a 350w push pull monoblock tube amp (6x KT120’s).
Attachments
Very nice industrial design/construction X! Hopefully you and JPS can help in the electrical design and execution of their products!
Best,
Anand.
Best,
Anand.
The Bob Carver exhibit at Axpona will be in the Renaissance hotel and convention center, Schaumberg, IL, room 1410.
https://prairieaudiomancave.com/reviews--reports/bob-carver-back-showing-at-this-weekends-axpona
https://prairieaudiomancave.com/reviews--reports/bob-carver-back-showing-at-this-weekends-axpona
The chassis arrived today and it looks absolutely gorgeous. I’ll have the mechanical model ready for the display on Friday.
12 lbs of custom CNC satin anodized bead blasted finish. I’ll be installing the PCBs and jacks and other hardware tonight.
12 lbs of custom CNC satin anodized bead blasted finish. I’ll be installing the PCBs and jacks and other hardware tonight.
We are working on the MCU and remote control in parallel on a separate pathfinder chassis. Making sure al the relays ‘click and clack’ and the motorized volume pot works and the TFT screen works. We need to upgrade the MCU to something more powerful as this is a graphical display and will show volume position. We even have the ability to go directly to a volume level based on remote control input.
Luckily, we have great expert help here on MCU hardware and programming from Neil. Same with the mechanicals, superb design work from Darko - we have a superb team that made this possible.
Luckily, we have great expert help here on MCU hardware and programming from Neil. Same with the mechanicals, superb design work from Darko - we have a superb team that made this possible.
Hi Chris in Milwaukee,
What were the exhibits or manufacturers that impressed you most on the first 6 floors? Too bad you did not see it.
What were the exhibits or manufacturers that impressed you most on the first 6 floors? Too bad you did not see it.
I'm sure I'd have made it up there if I had another day. Alas, Friday was it. 🙁
To be honest, many of the vendor's setups were suboptimal and you really couldn't get a good feel for what they were capable of in a lot of cases. A lot of flash, however. More $$$ required there than I'll ever have or be inspired to spend any of it on. There were a few that stood out to me, though.
One of my friends stayed a bit longer than @dBel84 and I did and got to see the Linkwitz display. He enjoyed it very much. And he was also a fan of the Meze headphones today.
All in all a great way to spend a cold rainy day!
To be honest, many of the vendor's setups were suboptimal and you really couldn't get a good feel for what they were capable of in a lot of cases. A lot of flash, however. More $$$ required there than I'll ever have or be inspired to spend any of it on. There were a few that stood out to me, though.
- Meze headphones - My favorite of those that I could actually listen to reasonably in the noisy environment
- Muraudio ESL/dynamic speakers - Either they "just worked" or the vendor took the time to optimize to the small room they were in. Stunning speakers, visually and audibly, for me.
- Borresen speakers - Unique use of alternative materials in their speakers. They never told me the price, but esoteric materials like titanium and others tell me they'll never make it into my house. But they sounded amazing.
- Maggie LRS+ - We were able to score an invitation for a private showing. I'd never heard Maggies prior. It's quite an experience. Lovely, lovely, lovely, and probably the only thing I listened to speaker-wise today I thought were actually attainable by the average human from a $$$ standpoint.
- Sadhan Audio - He brought a pair of prototype speakers that were truly built in the DIY spirit. Sadly they were broken in transport, but he had them held together with duct tape and binder clips and was proud of his speakers. I really enjoyed speaking to him and listening to his speakers.
- T+A Elektroakustik - My favorite all-arounder at the show. They're honestly the entire package. They build the electronics, the speakers, the headphones, all in a variety of price points and architectural styles. Maybe more $$$ than I'll ever spend on gear, but best execution in my opinion.
One of my friends stayed a bit longer than @dBel84 and I did and got to see the Linkwitz display. He enjoyed it very much. And he was also a fan of the Meze headphones today.
All in all a great way to spend a cold rainy day!
I’ve heard the Meze Classics (wooden ones) before and they do sound great. I have heard the LRS’s are great and might make a sub for them soon. Thanks for sharing your highlights!
The LRS plus are a newer version of the LRS. The panels are not idenital. The one side is split into 3 smaller sections with the high frequency ribbon on the side while the other is divided into 2 larger panels with the same high frequency section. They dig much deeper as a result of the larger panel and do not sound unbalanced. Very clever trickery.
Hi dBel84,
Thanks for the report on the LRS+. Looks like they addressed the lack of bass issue of the original LRS.
Did you get to see the Bob Carver RPM V12 preamp yet?
Thanks for the report on the LRS+. Looks like they addressed the lack of bass issue of the original LRS.
Did you get to see the Bob Carver RPM V12 preamp yet?
On the bench tonight is repainting the removable baffles a dark metallic bronze color to sort of blend in the drivers more like a “grille” and give it a more modern look. I really like this color. Maybe the whole front baffle should be painted?
Thanks! I used the opportunity to swap out the tweeters for cherry-picked low distortion units. I have an assortment of 8 of them. Some are better than others. It makes a difference now and the clarity is even better. Maybe the new paint sounds better? 🙂