shaizada

I'll take a few snaps for you...no problem Seems like they got shipped the next day after I ordered. I'm waiting on them right now. Honestly....looks like a VERY straightforward procedure. Just going to replace the stock coupling caps with the Ampohm ones....pictures will be forthcoming. The Almarro sounds fantastic with the Super 8's. I absolutely love what it is doing and once a listening sessions starts, I don't really miss my monoblocks all that much. That is huge deal for me...as it just tells me how good this little Almarro is But..... once I switch back to the monoblocks....its game over. They really are much superior to the Almarro in ALL respects. Of course, they are tricked out to the 9's. Completely retubed to taste and (don't shoot me for this as it made a significant difference) I swapped in some Furutech rhodium plated fuses for an absolutely stunning effect. I couldn't imagine a silly little fuse having a significant impact on the sound of the monoblocks. I ordered some Furutech fuses for the Almarro as well....let's see what happens there. Its funny...I had a completely skeptic, non believer in tweeks audiophile buddy come over. I already told him that the resolution of the system is such that even a small change in power outlets would make quite a difference. I just switched the duplex receptacle from the Oyaide SWO-XXX to the regular one in the Exactpower EP15a that goes into the Almarro. Should have seen the expression on his face! Highs muffled in, soundstage narrowed, instruments blurred in with each other, bass became muddier....I could go on. I went back to the regular configuration, and things went back to the high resolution sound he was originally hearing. Then we switched power cords (on Almarro) and fuses in the monoblocks (first both of them, then one in the left channel and Furutech in the right channel and it was a total mind fuck for him). He couldn't believe it like so many others. I just told him one thing...try things BEFORE you dismiss them. We think we know everything but we really don't. Oh well... I'll step out of the spot light now. Will keep you posted. ~G

Esoteric and EMM labs stuff has always sounded too dry and digital to my ears. Detail retrieval is phenomenal, but I'm always chasing musicality. EAR Acute, Audio Aero Capitole SE etc. is the direction that seems to work best for me. Very musical players. Reimyo CDP-777, AMR CD-77.....notice a trend here?

ok...I'm going to order two Ampohm caps of 0.22uF, 630V values. Thanks! I'll report back once I get a chance to hear them.

I'm confused about a few things. First, from audiocircle, Response Audio says the following: So what is the proper capacitor value then? Do these guys mean .68 uF or 0.068 uF? I have a pair of Omega Super 8 (Alnico Magnets) and a pair of deephemp subwoofers. I don't need more bass "quantity" but an improved bass "quality" and texture would be great. Do you still recommend the 0.22uF (not a 0.022 uF right?) Ampohm Paper in Oil, Tin Foil Capacitors? If I need one or two of them depends on your reply to my questions. I just want to make sure I change the appropriate capacitor(s). Also, from the circuit diagram, changing C1 means getting TWO capacitors (left and right) to solder in between the 12AX7 and the EL84 tube sockets. Am I correct? Just want to make sure. Thanks!

LOL!!!

Yoda buns....hahaa

She came in today..... and swept me off my feet! What a beautiful seductive sound that can stir your soul. Seems to be best with acoustic and small jazz ensembles so far. The intimacy is wonderful! Using Mullard EL84 (much better sounding that the somewhat brittle stock tubes). Driver is Amperex 7062 or Tungsram E80CC. Just fantastic! This is not just a good amp for the price, it is a great amp period.

I love push pull topology as well. I also own a pair of Consonance Cyber 800 Monoblocks...78 watts push pull with a quad of EL34, pair of 6922 and a 5687 on each monoblock. Sounds unbelievable. Using some Svetlana Winged "C" EL34 right now from Upscale Audio, Amperex 7119 (5687 substitute) and Tungsram PC88 (6922 sub). Sounds like love

Heya, I also have dual deephemps to help with the lower end. I'm very excited about the Almarro just because I hear so much about this little amp. Also, I'm guessing that in your setup, you now have 2 volume controls correct? One from the GSX and the other from the Almarro. I'm doing near field listening as well, just because there is such amazing resolution and soundstage that it really connects me with the music being played. I love this perspective as opposed to the sit back and watch what is happening on stage (though that is also nice sometimes ) Tube rolling is what I am really wondering about. Tube rolling and capacitor rolling.

I'll have some pictures once I get the unit. It's supposed to ship on Monday JimP....this should be pretty fun. I just realized that you have the EXACT same speakers that I have....the Omega Super 8 Alnico. Great minds think alike buddy. Since you already have this setup, tell me about the sound....how do you like it? Did you try any C1 cap rolling? I have an audience cap ready to go in once I get a grasp of the stock units sound signature. Looking forward to your impressions.

OK, I picked up an Almarro 205a MKII brand new in black. Seems like it will do the magic. I'm crazy buying an amp just to use my Mullard EL84 tubes. I hate to see them sitting there idle

Cut/paste from official A-10 thread: The A-10, Electrostatic Amp/Pre-amp has a fully balanced input to output circuitry, with two balanced inputs, XLRs, and three SE, RCAs The input/gain stage incorporates two 12AX7 tubes that handle a balanced input signals via four section balanced DAC attenuator. In the Pre-amp mode, the signal is passed to two 6SN7 tubes, via relays, which are used as pre-amp output stage ONLY. If electrostatic phones has been selected, the input of the two 6SN7 is grounded to minimize noise and the signal is routed to four 5687 tubes, via relays, which are used as drivers for the phones. When single ended signal is used, it is routed, via relays, to a single 12AX7, center tube. This tube is used as phase splitter with a gain of two for both channels. Then the signal is routed to the balanced attenuator which passes it to the two 12AX7 in the gain stage. Because of this design the pre-amp XLR output, will always be in balanced even though the SE input source has been used. Also the SE outputs will be available at all time. The A-10 has a balanced and a SE tape loop. The selected source input will be present at these outputs with out pre-amplifications to the signals. More to come…. END Looks like KG owes Billy some money and coffee. Starbucks sucks though (having owned a few coffee shops and knowing a little about coffee beans; they over roast their beans! All dark). Dr. KG, I still have mucho respect for your tube circuit knowledge, but mistakes can be made by the best of us

The output tubes that are on the right are 6SN7 tubes. They are for the preamp section only. Also, the reason this amp has 3 single ended and 2 balanced inputs is because it is a full function preamp as well. Pretty much like the B52.

Hey there...didn't you just purchase an AR CD7?

The Beta22 really drives the Omega Superhemps very nicely (96db efficient). Sound was actually very nice. Clear, strong, linear and articulated. But thats also the reason I sold the Beta I just wanted tubes that much more, though I had a newfound respect for solid state done right.

Hey Guys, I came across a pair of Mullard EL84s from the good old days. I understand these tubes to be awesome and I think would be fun to listen to hooked up to my single driver crossover-less speakers. I'm looking for a EL84 based amp and was wondering if anyone has some nice recommendations? Since I have a pair of EL84's, it would be best to suggest amps that use just 2, and not 4 el84's (I am guessing those amps would work in a push pull configuration). Amps can be integrated OR plain jane amps. I see that the Almarro 205mkII is well regarded which sparked my interest. Any others that you guys like? Thanks!

Picked up the Exactpower EP15a in silver. Success...no more popping from the bathroom so I guess it really works out for me. Added benefits, seems like a whole new presentation to the sound. I can hear deeper into the recording and seems like this inky black background from wherein the sounds emerge. I would say a very nice overall sound upgrade and isolation from the annoying circuit adjoined to my stereo room. Happy camper here. Oh before I forget, turned out that my friend has a Power Plant Premier which I had no idea about. I had brought that home to test it out. Its built beautifully, but the thing runs quite hot and has a fan in it as well that would go off when I plugged my monoblocks in it. Apart form that fan annoyance, I liked the multiwave settings, but I think the exactpower had an edge in the audio presentation. Exactpower stays in the system and topic closed

Hey guys, Looks like I might be picking up an Exact Power EP15...will post later if it does happen. Can't wait to be completely isolated from the bathroom

You have no idea....it's driving me bezerko! If I were to look into conditioners, what do you suggest? I can go up to $2k max. I like buying used.

Beefy, maybe you're right... but having said that, if I have an appreciable change in sound, I like keeping the tweak. Otherwise, it gets moved out. Simple experimentation and simple pleasures.

Augsburger... truer words have never been spoken I perceive very small changes in sound, so tweaks are very annoying and rewarding at the same time. As for dedicated lines, seems like you had very good power to begin with and maybe didn't get much of a benefit. I have one my my bathrooms attached to my audio circuit and it drives me nutsssssssssssss with the popping sound if a light/fan is switched on in there. I'm still evaluating my options, but seems like dedicated line is the intelligent way to go. The audio nut in me want to buy a component for power conditioning, but I'm weighing the pros and cons here

Testing was easy. I both duplex's set up (my Hubbell wall duplex and my Oyaide SWO-XXX) next to each other. I had a friend change the power cord connection without me knowing which one he plugged into. I picked out the one with clearer details and a larger soundstage 6/6 times. It was quite obvious to me actually. I repeated the same thing with the Oyaide R1 and now have both in my system matched up to the right component. It's really like salt and pepper...add to taste. There are no radical changes in sound, just a different presentation with each. Anyhow, tweaks are fun especially the ones that work and you keep in your system. Like I mentioned before, I enjoy this hobby and approach it with a very OPEN mind. Hmmmmm almonds.....why didn't I think of that one!

Hey guys, I'd be more than happy to share my perspective with Cryo treatment that I've had so far. With Cryoed stuff, there is definitely some changes in the sound. I have a matched quad of Sylvania 12BH7A tubes. So, I had one pair Cryoed just to play around and learn. The Cryoed set used in my preamp gain stage gave me a somewhat wider soundstage and more high end details. I did lose out on some bass bloom, but I would say the bass became more articulate compared to the non-cryo set. I've had similar experiences with the whole power outlet phase I was going through. Played around with different power outlet platings and had very unique experiences. I was able to tailor the sound to my liking and it was definitely a fun and learning experience for me. Again, don't shoot me ( I now we have some very strongly opinionated members on this board), but I love to learn and try to keep a very open mind for my audio hobby. I used to just dismiss things on theory before, but getting my hands dirty definitely gave me a lesson or two about preconceived notions.

A subpanel thats dedicated for audio would be awesome. I guess run all the required lines from there. Now, about wiring...I'm thinking it might be a good idea to pick up some Romex and have it cryoed at some local Cryo facility. Thoughts? CD44hi, from what I've been reading, people actually even use the Audience units in front of their dedicated lines and have gotten much benefit. Need to get my head wrapped around this thing. Please do continue to throw in your thoughts here. Thanks!

Frankly, Grawk....I've really been thinking of just doing the dedicated circuit and completely separate myself from the darn bathroom circuit sharing business. If I were to go the dedicated circuit route, how should I have them distributed? Digital all on one line, preamp on another and a third line for the amps? I do plan to have a decent vinyl source down the line. My understanding is that 3 or 4 lines isn't that much more than just having one line put in. I don't know why I'm avoiding it, but dedicated lines really seem to be the real way to go. I'm all ears.