All Activity

Great. My build is proceeding slowly but well under the safe supervision of MLA. Four Mullard E88CC lie waiting in the box.

Jury is still out on Pluribus for me. I trust Vince, so I’ll stick with it, but outside of that first episode it hasn’t really captured my interest… at least not yet. First part of the final Stranger Things season leaves me likewise cold. I feel like maybe I should have rewatched things to get caught up again? I feel lost and disengaged.

So I have spent the thanksgiving break playing around with ltspice, mainly wanted to do a 3-5W class A into 32 ohm balanced amp and started off with Kevin's CFA2/CFA3 design, and comes down to something like this, basically a slightly reduced CFA2: Just thought I want to put here for some input before trying to actually make it, which I'd much appreciate if any 🙂 I mainly have questions around: "floating tail" input (just like uberamp/preamp2025 input) instead of separate CCS (like dynalo/CFA3 input): Works in sim but in reality I don't know if I can just send feedback this way and make it fully differential with CF. When input is single ended where one side is ground, due to the feedback it seems to be amplifying the voltage disproportionally on two sides while overall differential gain is maintained. A problem or just an expected behavior that I can live with? (most of time I won't use single ended input) thermal: Is it essential to mount all the transistors in darlington triples to heatsink? Dissipation wise the inner ones don't really run all that hot. Im tempted to just mount the output pairs, planning to run them at around 200mA each phase margin: unsure if I'm measuring open loop gain correctly, am just doing vout / (vin - vfb) on one leg, where vfb is the feedback entry point. other suggestions?

Just a bit of nerd fun.

Such a nice touch on the piano. A well-chosen mix of works.

Yeah, I was just going to mention, I remember all the stories from Steve Hoffman about having to cook the tapes so they could at least be run through the player. Movies also have all their own issues.

I found another article covering the tape degradation: https://www.headphonesty.com/2025/11/worlds-important-master-tapes-lost-experts-warn/

I’ve been freezing my beans at three weeks post roast for years. Works great!

Sapphire Sandwich arrived. I neglected to make sure the stock bracelet had enough links, so it’s a good thing I had a Forstner Flat Link (which was a bear to size) ready to go. I’m very happy with it.

The ‘Race Against Time’ to Save Music Legends’ Decaying Tapes https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/arts/music/iron-mountain-audio-tape-preservation.html?unlocked_article_code=1.5U8.T2jL.WEmPfaX9fX5G&smid=nytcore-ios-share (Gift article)

Newb question: I just bought 10 lbs. of coffee (enough to last me a year). What's the best way to store it? Hermetically sealed, frozen, or other?

Some if not all 6dj8/ecc88 datasheet has spec'ed max plate voltage at 130V, which the top tubes operate right around that range, I'd think e88cc/6922 is actually safer bet.

yes ecc88, e88cc and 6922 can all be used. I believe the e88cc is similar to a 6922 - which is what I have been using in the T2 for years.

Is it possible to use E88CC instead of ECC88 in this T2? They have similar ratings but also some differences.

I “finally” upgraded my espresso grinder. Niche Duo with SSP MP. I wouldn’t say my espresso tastes any different, but the Niche Zero will sell on eBay fine. Pour over is greatly improved over the Niche Zero. Makes it worth it. Especially since the Zero will sell fine.

I got to handle a GFX100RF. It convinced me to buy one. I don’t know if I’ll keep my Q once it arrives. It’s brilliant, though. I got to handle a Hassy 907/100C, and it was cool, but very fiddly and fragile feeling. I bought a Nikon 810 with a 58 f/1.4 as well, in mint condition. I should be good on replacing my film photography.

Decided to have a go at Chicken Korma. Bites while seasoning were pretty great. Naan is staying warm in the oven to go alongside.

I just got a colnago c50 with super record 11, but no pictures until Christmas because it’s under the proverbial tree.

Starting to look the part!

Got a ride with the ANG two weeks ago to check out our remote project site in what southerners call Northern Maine (Bangor area). They had an issue with the first aircraft, but thankfully had a spare, and the delayed departure made for a convenient return time.

Violin repair:

Glad that you got to see Colin.

Had dinner with @cetoole and @MexicanDragon, who graciously drove out to meet me in Lake Forest Park. I am also convinced Seattle is entirely too cold for me. Get me back to sunny California!