recstar24

Read the review a couple of days ago. 43k is sure a lot of money for simply another form of sonic coloration. Drugs or even ice cream would probably be cheaper

Just got the hd30 in today - it is using 2 7233's for the output tubes and 1 6sl7 for the input. uses different polypropelene output caps than the zana, solid state rectified, but same circuit topology as the zana. And it sounds killer

He tried the 5842's, they didn't work the way he wanted them to. The output tubes that are in the proto and what will be in the final production I will see next week when it gets here from its transit. Pretty sure about my number, 50 seems a bit over the top. The last one to sell was the tube rectified version in Russia. Craig didn't sell a single hd25 for a year. So my number of 5, at most has a margin of error of about +/-1

Last time I checked with Craig he ditched the 7233's. They weren't working for him and in his words the sound was unengaging. He rewired for 5842's and that did not work out. Where the hd30 at is right now is using the exact same circuit topology as the zana, just different output tubes and output capacitors. 6sl7 for the input. And yes his hd30 proto sample is on its way to me to check out, should be here next week. From the picture he sent I couldn't see exactly what the output tubes are, but instead of 4 7233's there is now only 2 output tubes with the 6sl7 as the input. Will fill you guys in once i have some time with it. As a side note, a couple of weeks ago Craig wanted to send me the hd30 initially to compare with my hd25. Apparently he doesn't even have an hd25, as there are only a couple out there, maybe 5 total. He held it off sending it to me because the 7233's and the old topology wasn't satisfying him. Now with the new tubes and using the zana circuit topology he says its back in "goosebump" territory. I offered to send him the hd25 to him so he could listen to it and compare with the hd30 and he told me "don't bother, I already know which one I prefer"

Grado HP-2's for $600 HD-25 for $400

Not only good - the best, plain and simple. And pictures from my bachelor party can attest to that

According to Craig, "It is a different power supply, stiffer than Mikey01's, and it has better output coupling caps. The power supply has more instantaneous available energy to the load." That is an email he sent me to let me know the Zana was ready

Well, I would confront the ladies and say, "Ladies, stop this madness right now! Your behavior toward this poor man is totally unacceptable. You all should be ashamed of yourselves. In the good book, it tells us to do onto others as we would want done onto us, which I don't see happening here. I take pity on you all for your disgusting and despicable behavior, and I hope you all burn in hell." Then they would probably divert their action to me, and I would probably go ahead and tap that ass

Before I answer, serious question - could you please elaborate on the term "molested?" Thanks

Didn't you have the Moth Si2A3? I believe that was an integrated stereo amp in addition to having a headphone out. That seems to be a pretty good all-inclusive option for the few users out there. I may end up having Craig build me one so I can use that as the center of my rig, to drive my headphones and a set of cicadas I plan on getting. Other than that, the Cary is probably your best bet.

Tigther and deeper, seemed to have better control and grip of the wooliness of the 650 bass. That might just be a tube vs. solid state thing, but that is what i can recall

The GS-1 is simply a great overall performer that is quite versatile. It was one of the most enjoyable amps I haev reviewed so far, and probably sometime in the future will end up owning one. When I had it here it sounded great with the hd650's. The GS-1's top end is very refined, smooth, and silky, with great bass impact, slam, and depth. The 650's bass can sounda bit wooly but the GS-1 controls it very nicely, making it tight and impactful.

vatos locos forever essay

Unfortunately I could not nor do i think I have a chance getting out of my wedding in july JK august 5th sounds good, i should be able to make it this time

Nope, not at all - and remember the whole point of the batteries is that it sounds better in that particular implementation. Nothing wrong at all with huge capacitors and inductors, but those can color and congest the sound. DC is DC, doesn't get any simpler than that.

I believe that you kept it plugged in. When not in use, the batteries recharge. When an input signal is detected, the amp shunts off the AC recharging the batteries and the DC is used to power the circuit

The fact that it is cleaner power is only the first part of it. Really big, beefy power supplies have huge capacitors rated at very big values, filtering, inductors, so on and so forth. A lot has to happen to convert the AC to DC and even more to keep it clean and regulated. Those capacitors and inductors have a large effect on the sound. Using batteries its pure clean DC right there so you can avoid those issues with it sounding better and being cheaper to boot. Both parties win. However, it apperas Craig has found a way other than using batteries to power the JFETS without impacting the sound signature and sounding just like the battery supply with a normal AC-DC power supply. Can't wait to hear it myself personally

No, the Zana as far as I know is definitely going ahead. Craig is pretty hardcore about it and is working his butt off to get a production model ready for the stereophile show. He has set the price firm at 1800 and seems keen to let it go ahead.

Sorry guys, but I got bad news for you all. The EC-H is on hold. Craig had developed a stripped down version of the EC-H that didnt use lead acid batteries to power the JFET or the special coupling caps, which he would retail at 395. In his words, the version that 909 heard with the special coupling caps and battery power on the power JFET sounds "first cabin", and that the Zana was only slightly better for a grand more (Craig's words). Also, the stripped down version at 395 was superior by far to the EC-01, and would essentially kill it. Craig wanted to send me the hybrid to compare against my HD25, but that was put on hold... ...for a solid state amp Craig said he wanted to compare the hybrid to his all solid state design before going further with the hybrid. Well, he seems pretty keen about the solid state and should be sending it to me pretty soon to test drive. Here is a copy of the email Craig sent that highlights what it has to offer: "The problem with the JFET is getting it to work as a power device for audio service. np as he signs his emails makes his F3 with a slightly different approach than me. The problem I had was the power supply sonic signature. The current source np uses to get the JFET to work has a bad power supply rejection ratio, so you will hear it. I came up with DIB today, dual isolation buffer, for the power supply. It works well, and the battery supply sounds like the solid-state supply now. This means the amp can be all solid-state. I grew up in the sixties, and I had an LSD flash back listening to this all solid-state amp tonight. It is very good. The cool thing when you get the EC/DC is that the whole amp will fit in the same chassis. I need to try one more thing, and then I will layout a pcb and make a real sample. If I was np this would be in a hogged out solid aluminum chassis bla bla and sell over the pond for $3500.00. But because I'm EC it will be around $300.00. The topology is SE class A. It has gain with no feedback, and it is DC coupled on the input. " FYI, "np" is Nelson Pass. Craig got wind of the power jfet he has been playing around with through him, they live pretty close by and Craig has visited him and they have a pretty good relationship. Craig has told me personally that he has a lot of respect for Nelson Pass, which means a lot because Craig is traditionally a tubes guy and hardcore about it. The JFET that Craig uses is the same I believe in the FirstWatt F3. You can go to the Nelson Pass website under the FirstWatt banner and read all about the power JFET, sounds very promising. Will post here again when I have a chance to listen to it. I think its a good move. Not much available in terms of single ended class A solid state, which has some inherent advantages over a tubed single ended class a design. Exciting stuff nonetheless and for 300.

mmmmmm.....bunnies...... I mean.....ummmm...speakers

vinyl....yummy. Vinyl just can't be beat. The question for me is whether I get into vinyl first or speakers first. I am leaning a bit towards speakers of course, especially when my fiance and I move to a new house, but the lure of vinyl is calling, I am just worried that shopping for vinyl will be like crack - cheap, dirty, so much good shit available for dirt cheap, and such a good high too. Next thing you know I will run out of money and will have to suck dick for vinyl on the corner of Clark and Belmont or something. The best thing about vinyl? Unlimited dynamics, unlimited extension without ever feeling harsh or strained, and smooth and warm as apple pie. The comparison between vinyl and digital is like tubes to solid state - with digital and solid state it always seems like there is a ceiling to the music, where the music can't expand above or reach you. Vinyl grabs you by the balls and really reaches you from a musical standpoint, the air is breathtaking and it sounds so open and dynamic like there is no ceiling to the music, the closest I heard to vinyl is Meridian G08 but I have my eyes on a VPI Scout and I can tell you I would be listening to the Scout much more than the G08. As for the inconvenience of vinyl? No one said you didn't have to work to get closer to the music

congrats man, we are all proud of you! please let us know your future plans and update us on the job search

Actually your fine - I remember seeing that eric had measured the CNR on his TDR and it did not have any extraneous reflections, I believe according to his graph it was identical to his Nitrogens, so I believe you can assume the CNR has a very constant impedance down the entire length of the cable

How do you ensure the security of the connection of the resistor from signal to ground? I am a bit concerned with my soldering skills and maintaining that connection through repetitive plugging in and out. Do i just need to heatshrink the shit out of it to ensure the connection doesnt get jolted and broken off?

Thank you for your comments and your time for reading, I appreciate it. In fact, if you read a bit further, I mention that the sound with the senns was easily superior to the sound with the grados, and that i suspected it was a current issue. With the senn 600's the sound was very beautiful, and I made sure to comment on that pairing.