fierce_freak

I'm considering it, though I'll need to sell everything I'm currently trying to sell plus some other things.

^x2

I'd be interested, as well.

Thanks for the further info guys. I just say that Jay now has a cd player with transformers on the output and likes it pretty well, but I'd love to hear any impressions on comparisons anyone else has done between different I/V solutions like discrete vs. opamp vs. transformer/passive. On a side note: the Buffalo DAC, even with no I/V stage (it can operate as voltage out with decreased specs) sounds really incredible. Really, really nice. Did I mention that the sound is killer?

Where do you get your boards made, naamanf?

For any of the discrete current conveyor types or any other stage you believe may be better than zapfilter.

THS4131. I'll have to take a look into those you mention, Pars. Do you have any links?

Renato, that's more along the lines of what I was thinking. My first thought was more or less that exact output stage, followed by thoughts of premium resistors (even roll your own) then things like the zapfilter.

You know what's funny...I was thinking about doing just that last night while I was laying in bed O.o -edit- of course, in their IVY stage they've recommended using 178R for the actual I/V resistors. might have to use a less conductive metal for resistors that big

Oh, I don't doubt it at all. I think it will actually perform really, really well. It's just the curiosity in me wanting to see what I could realistically improve.

Yeah, right? Of course, I've already disassembled the whole thing and tried to do something else with it. I ended up just getting pissed off and doing the mogami cable super quick so I could actually listen to music (I sent the cable I had been using to John Broskie as he wanted to try his HD-650's balanced).

Here's a copy/paste of an email I sent to the TPA guys: That was last night. Today I took it all apart and reflowed all the solder on the IVY. After I put it back together, it just burns up the fuse when I power on. I haven't had time to look any further than that as I had to get to work. I'll figure it out, but I'm in no rush (not like I have time to do anything, anyways ). I'm not asking about I/V options due to those problems, though. I'm just interested to see how other stuff might compare. I'll look forward to your impressions, grawk.

I got my Buffalo DAC yesterday. I'm having a few problems with the IVY stage, but when I've had it working correctly it sounds flippin' sweet. I do wonder, though, if I can do better for an output stage. Of course, there's the zapfilter, but I imagine using some nice transformers for the I/V conversion or maybe some autoformers would be pretty tops. Anyone have any experience on best sounding method for I/V conversion? Tubes? Opamps? Transformers? Simple resistor (and differences between resistor brands)?

I made a headphone cable using the silver IC recipe with some 26ga jupiter cotton-covered copper, wrapped in teflot tape. It was super flexible, but then I realized I couldn't fit the whole assembly through the boot of the 4 pin neutrik xlr. me-> <-me Talk about hours of lost time. I'm just using some Mogami w2893 for the 650 cable for now. I'm not complaining I've thought about using some of the Neotech stuff, but I hate to use any solid conductor bigger than 26ga.

I've only seen about an episode each of Buffy and Angel (mostly because SMG generally drives me nuts), but I've been considering giving both a shot again for the past couple years. I'm a Browncoat (big Firefly fan), so I suppose I should give some of Whedon's other works a shot.

lol, leave it that way just for him

haha. I know, it kills me to see them sitting there but not have the time to check 'em out. Those huge Zen caps are calling me...

I actually haven't had a chance to try any of them yet Between work and other projects I've been a busy guy. I do plan to do some testing either tomorrow or more likely on Monday.

Thanks for the answers/support guys. I think I'll go ahead with the TubeLab as soon as I have the funds (will probably need to sell both my single-ended and balanced b22's). Anyone have any idea on my questions about transformer ratio?

Somebody double check me on this. I haven't really ever tried calculating impedances across a transformer before. Say I use the 2.5k primary impedance transformer I mentioned before. Off the 16 ohm tap, the impedance ratio is 156.25, correct? So I multiply that number by the 300 ohms of the HD650 to get an impedance of 46,875 ohms reflected back on the tube. I know some run their tubes into high impedances, but that seems a bit too high. Will that just kill voltage output? For a 300 ohm load, to get 5k reflected back on the tube I'd need roughly a 4:1 primary to secondary turns ratio, if I'm calculating right. Can anyone tell me how far off the mark I am?

It was confirmed last season during Claire's flashback episode "Par Avion." I'm a Lost geek

Ok, as I'm sure everyone is pretty tired of this topic, let's put it to rest. I've added a poll asking which amp I should build. I think I'm leaning towards the tubelabse. I think the combo of 45 tubes with a good OPT could be pretty good. I see OPT's with a 5k primary impedance recommended for 45's, but of course those OPT's only have 4/8/16 ohm secondary impedances (if you're lucky enough to get all three). I plan to use the HD650's, so is my best option to get some transformers custom wound, or can I use say a 2.5K impedance primary OPT and use the 16 ohm tap and be ok? For Aikido, that could mean adding OPT's to my current 24v aikido, building a balanced Aikido, or just going crazy with a regular high-voltage aikido. I could go with an over the top Morgan Jones or Van Waarde amp, like the singlepower amps or the Menace. Lastly, there are the differential amps like the Raven pre-amp, the first two stages of the Karna, or the differential L'espressivo. Whatcha think?

Did you get a chance to make any comparisons in regards to this, Voltron?

Awesome, I definitely look forward to more impressions on this amp.

Looks really awesome, Nate! Also glad to hear you worked those last bits of noise out of the amp...that has to be really satisfying!