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#1 |
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Melbourne (Oz, not Florida!)
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The 'TLP' is a tube buffer which Hugh produced before he developed his GK-1 preamp ... which then led on to the GK-2, which I have. So it's a product from long ago ... which languished, after the GK-1 came out.
![]() Now, I have just dipped my toe into the digital waters ... replacing the 3-way analogue active XOs I've been using with my Maggies for 15 years with a miniDSP unit (10x10Hd). I did this because I added a pair of subs to my Maggies, so: 1. I needed a 4-way XO, and 2. I needed to use DSP to delay my Maggies, to line up with the subs which are about 1.3m further away from my ears. As a result, I have just bought 2x TLP kits! ![]() Now, my system currently is: sources --> GK-2 --> miniDSP --> power amps. The beauty of the GK-2 is that it has 2 outputs: 1. the ss (sub) output. (This bypasses the unity-gain tube output stage of the GK-1/GK-2.) 2. the tube output. If you are running active speakers, it is a well-known fact that you should feed your woofers from the 'sub out' and your tweeters (& mids) from the 'tube out'. The reason is: * ss out gives better definition of the leading edge of bass transients (than the tube does), and * tube output gives a more entrancing delivery of mids & HFs than the sub out does. So currently: * my sub out feeds subs + bass panels, and * my tube out feeds mid panels + ribbons. This is fine ... but as the next component in the signal chain is my miniDSP unit, it is possible I don't hear the full beauty of the 'tube out' coming from the speakers that I did when I had analogue active XOs? ![]() So I am going to re-arrange my component chain and remove the GK-2. This is not a simple exercise as I need to have: * source selection, and * volume control. My component chain now becomes: * phono stage ---> ADC * 4x digital sources (phono ADC / CDP / DAB+ tuner / Foxtel box) to digital source selector (Audio Authority 1177A-1) * output from 1177A-1 ---> miniDSP (digital input) * 8x RCA outputs from the miniDSP 10x10HD ---> an 8-channel volume control (DIY "Relaixed", out of Holland) * 8-channel output from the Relaixed volume control ---> -- 4 channels of TLP, for mids & ribbons ---> power amps -- 4 channels direct, for subs & bass panels ---> power amps. So, this way, I should really be able to hear the 'tubeyness' of the TLP, as it is directly feeding the mid & ribbon power amps ... in contrast to my current situation where, really, I am "listening to the sound of" the miniDSP output DACs (which cannot be very good, given the price of the miniDSP!). I will report back when it's all come together! ![]() Andy |
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#2 |
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
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I am curious to learn your impressions.
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#3 |
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Melbourne (Oz, not Florida!)
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#4 |
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Melbourne (Oz, not Florida!)
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No listening impressions, yet, but the 2 TLPs are built and tested with sig-gen and CRO ... they are working to spec.
I will add a pic, later. Andy |
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#5 |
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Melbourne (Oz, not Florida!)
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Pic is here ... the space in the middle is for my 2 RelaiXed PCBs - which give me an 8-channel, digitally-controlled analogue volume control.
These 4 channels are for mids & ribbons - they are fed by one of the Relaixed boards. Subs & bass panels are fed directly from the other 4-channel Relaixed board. Andy |
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#6 |
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Hi Andy,
I can see the custom EI transformers set up for the two TLP - four channel - preamps, what are the toroids being used for? Smallish, too, maybe 25VA? Hugh |
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#7 | |
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Melbourne (Oz, not Florida!)
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Quote:
Each powers 1 RelaiXed 4-channel volume control board. Yes, I think they are 30VA. There is a 3rd small toroid mounted on the case side - this powers the digital control circuit. Andy |
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#8 |
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Melbourne (Oz, not Florida!)
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Well, it's taken 14 months - not 6!
![]() ![]() First impressions are: * it sounds great! ![]() * but I can hear some hash on the mids & ribbons - not hearable at the listening position but certainly noticable when your ear is right at the driver. I was afraid this might happen so I think I know how to solve this problem. (Put an earthed shield over the 6v & 15v feeds from the power transformers that run close to the I/O wiring, on the other side of the steel divider between transformers and signal boards). Monday is the "real test" - when my panel of 'golden ears' (including Hugh) comes round for a listen. ![]() Pics attached. Andy |
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#9 |
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Belgium the land of chocolate
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Which tubes are you using ?
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#10 |
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Melbourne (Oz, not Florida!)
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