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Re: JJ 2A3-40 DHT Single ended triode, power amplifier

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 7:04 am
by Lotus Seven S
Steve - do you still listen to your NVA amp, or is it tubes all the way?

Re: JJ 2A3-40 DHT Single ended triode, power amplifier

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 11:46 am
by SteveTheShadow
Lotus Seven S wrote: Wed Jan 10, 2018 7:04 am Steve - do you still listen to your NVA amp, or is it tubes all the way?
No I don't listen to the NVA amp at the moment. I use the P20 and the Phono 1 into the valve amp. Interestingly, the 2A3 valve amp was voiced, and A/B'd with specific reference to the sound of the A20. The sound of the A20, woke me up to the fact that the previous valve amp I was so proud of, was actually not very good; it was all hi-fi and very little music.

It was a hard lesson to learn, but it ultimately did me good, because, with the NVA amp, I now had a specific goal to aim for, in terms of the kind of sound I wanted my system to produce. As a consequence of this, the system has never sounded better, and I have to say that the NVA A20 was the best 200 quid I ever spent.

The thing is, that once you have the DIY valve amp bug, it is very difficult to let it go. There is just something "right" about valves, or should I say properly executed valves. There are plenty of blingy, expensive valve amps, that are nothing more than marketing bullshit intended to prise money from the gullible, so those who say, "valves good, transistors crap" are, I'm afraid, talking out of their arses big time, and probably have too much ego invested. Sadly, I ended up like that.

TBH, the sound character of NVA amps and the sound of a great valve amp is interchangeable, in that it is perfectly possible to enjoy either.
I would also say that having heard Nelson Pass and Nick Gorham's transistor amps, they too manage to pull off the same trick. I would also postulate the theory that Colin Wonfor's latest gear would do it too.

I do have plans for a study system, this year, that will use the A20, so it is not going anywhere.

Re: JJ 2A3-40 DHT Single ended triode, power amplifier

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 1:39 pm
by Lotus Seven S
Thanks for the reply.....

After a solid month of listening to the Starter Set, i have now plugged in the Tubes - and am enjoying them immensely (as I did the Starter Set)... But a day will come, when the NVA's return - and I am curious as to what I then will do.... My hope is, that they can be a supplement to each other. I am not really a tube guy - I have tried a couple and none have said me anything until I found the EL 84 tube - that brings a smile to my face and I had that one for 10 years. After a seven year gap this new one also makes me smile - and not many things do that. (The first one was a Synthesis and this one is a Leben.)

Re: JJ 2A3-40 DHT Single ended triode, power amplifier

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 11:33 pm
by SteveTheShadow
Leben.....now that's class! 8-) :guiness;

Re: JJ 2A3-40 DHT Single ended triode, power amplifier

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 6:13 am
by Lotus Seven S
Leben.....now that's class.
Thanks - and yes it is - but not for everbody. In many ways it is quite average and not exceptional at all. I think you need to appreciate the Japanese Aesthetic to really appreciate Leben and understand how "well-formed" it is. Understated Zen, and I will never part with it.

Re: JJ 2A3-40 DHT Single ended triode, power amplifier

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 10:33 am
by Lotus Seven S
After a week I returned to the P20/A20 and it was like a breath of fresh air. So much so, that I ordered the A60!

When someone new comes to the house, they always say: "Oh! You have a Leben". From now on I am going to say, "Yes. But I listen to NVA"

Quite a nice tag-line for Richard. :grin:

Re: JJ 2A3-40 DHT Single ended triode, power amplifier

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 9:16 pm
by MarcoPisa
For those interested in tube amps you may find interesting a small italian company that produces all in house(even trafo)for decent prices. I am not connected to the company:
https://www.gabrisamp.it

Re: JJ 2A3-40 DHT Single ended triode, power amplifier

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 9:52 am
by SteveTheShadow
Nice amps there. Marco

Re: JJ 2A3-40 DHT Single ended triode, power amplifier

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 9:56 am
by SteveTheShadow
OK, after a trip to Maplins the other day, I put in 2 x 47R resistors to make the two main smoothing cap banks proper dual mono.
Image

Works nicely and gives a better image and more width to the soundstage, slightly better treble definition. The Pink SET has now gone from great, to fookin' awesome ;)
Looking at the number of drawings I've done of this power supply, I'm now on the eleventh attempt to get it right. Must be a record. :lol: :lol: ......Crazy man.

Nevertheless I discovered a few comforting words from Herb Reichert of the now long defunct "Sound Practices" magazine, whilst I was researching this whole creation, he said:

If you want an exceptional music reproduction system in your home you must first develop your internal reference for natural sound. Then you must outline your aesthetic and make a series of design decisions that reflect that aesthetic. But remember, you won't be happy if you acquire your aesthetic from reviews and audio pundits. You must discover your own. Trial and error is tedious and it takes a long time to become a wizard, but I am sure you will look good in the wizard's cap.

That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it, if anyone asks why I'm p*ssing about yet again. :mrgreen:

Re: JJ 2A3-40 DHT Single ended triode, power amplifier

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 10:25 am
by Classicrock
Talking of Herb you might be interested in this video profile. Crazy guy!

[BBvideo=560,315]http://youtu.be/l_XdYtujyRc[/BBvideo]