NKOTB - TTVJ/Millett 307A Headphone Amp

[postjack]

Originally Posted by Beefy

I don't think that it would be that much of an issue anyway. Most fluorescent tubes still contain a fair amount of mercury, and nobody seems too concerned about that.

PS..... bloody hell, this forum has the most bizarre selection of smilies I've ever seen!

Welcome to head-case!

[ojnihs]

welcome to head-case mate

[n_maher]

Update - post CanJam - this amp is much better looking in person than the original pictures would lead you to believe. Of course my taste is skewed but I didn't hear many complaints about the look after folks put the headphones on. A little visual evidence:

[jinp6301]

It kinda looks like a blinged out Menace

[EdipisReks]

i still don't like the faceplate, but it definitely looks a lot better in your pics, nate. i bet it sounds great.

[Jon L]

I think it looks nice in that Air Tight amplifier type of way.

But...$6000?! That's like Blue Hawaii SE + Stax Omega II

[Voltron]

Originally Posted by Jon L

I think it looks nice in that Air Tight amplifier type of way.

But...$6000?! That's like Blue Hawaii SE + Stax Omega II

Nate is right that the amp is better in person than the pics, but his are much closer than the original promo shots.

As for the cost, it is a low-production, hand-built designs and the transformers alone cost a shitload of money.

[n_maher]

Originally Posted by Jon L

But...$6000?! That's like Blue Hawaii SE + Stax Omega II

I think that given the chance to hear it you might think a bit differently about it.

[thrice]

Single or dual chassis?

[n_maher]

Originally Posted by thrice

Single or dual chassis?

[thrice]

Originally Posted by n_maher

Is it a single chassis amp or dual?.... is it all in one box or is the PS in a separate chassis? I know the pic only shows one chassis, but sometimes at meets a PS can get tucked under the table for space reasons and so forth..... I was just wondering.

[PFKMan23]

From the information given and the fact that theres an IEC inlet, I think it''s just a single chassis. On the TTVJ page, you can see the rectifier in one of the other pics.

[boomana]

I don't like the looks at all, but I loved the way it sounded. It was my first WOW moment of CanJam (with 650s) and one that has stayed with me. Wonderful amp, but also had a pretty intense source. I'm not trying to take anything away from the amp, but when you're hearing an amp for the first time along with a source for the first time, I'm hesitant to say what where etc. The rig was one of my favorites there, that's for sure.

[n_maher]

Originally Posted by thrice

Is it a single chassis amp or dual?....

Single chassis.

[recstar24]

Yeah I never thought it looked bad per se, just really practical and utilitarian. It appears that the tubes and transformers are located not by looks but by where they would sound and perform best located. I would love to hear it as I love the sound of a solid tube amp with killer iron. I bet it's heavy, those trannies look menacing.

[n_maher]

Originally Posted by recstar24

It appears that the tubes and transformers are located not by looks but by where they would sound and perform best located.

I believe that the layout is very much function over form. I don't know that he made every decision that way but it's easy to see the power and signal flow diagram just from the top panel.

I bet it's heavy, those trannies look menacing.

IIRC it's a 40 something pound beast.

I'll try and get an internal picture or two from Pete if I can.

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

Did anyone give this amp some grado love?

Biggie.

[recstar24]

Originally Posted by NotoriousBIG_PJ

Did anyone give this amp some grado love?

Biggie.

I think I read some impressions with balanced RS-1's and balanced PS-1's. I believe they were both thumbs up.

[Voltron]

Originally Posted by NotoriousBIG_PJ

Did anyone give this amp some grado love?

Biggie.

Originally Posted by recstar24

I think I read some impressions with balanced RS-1's and balanced PS-1's. I believe they were both thumbs up.

I had both balanced brown leather RS-1s with a 4-pin XLR and balanced PS-1 with Equinox 2x3-pin XLRs that made the rounds a bit and sat in front of my monster Rockhopper balanced B22. I was very pleased how they sounded from my amp, and I also heard my PS-1s and Craig's RS-1s from the EC Balancing Act. Craig's amps do great things for Grados in general, but the PS-1s sounded a little bloated from the EC/BA on the first track I heard them on. Good but not perfect. Then daveDerek put on a Linda Rondstadt with Nelson Riddles Orch disc and Craig, DD and I all thought it was amazingly perfect. The RS-1s were outstanding from the EC/BA and the TTVJ 307A also. Trying to remember what I heard on the Menace and grawk's mosfet amp but it seems like they were s/e Grados. Woody HF-1s? Anyway, both sounded great but my tube bent made me prefer the Menace and the immense power it threw into the drivers. Sweet.

[n_maher]

Originally Posted by NotoriousBIG_PJ

Did anyone give this amp some grado love?

Biggie.

Yes, I did - my balanced HF-1s. It drove them very, very well on the low-Z balanced setting.