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Re: Another DIY SS Amplifier with NVA Boards

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 6:05 pm
by Dr Bunsen Honeydew
Well I have found some scruffy original LS5 that I can cut out 2m lengths and re-terminate. Not like ordinary cable so a fair bit of stripping cores etc. The cable is scrap so you can have that for free but the termination cost as listed is £40 + £10 P&P = £50

Let me know if you want it.

Re: Another DIY SS Amplifier with NVA Boards

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 6:12 pm
by SteveTheShadow
Aye, I'll have that.

Thanks. :)

Re: Another DIY SS Amplifier with NVA Boards

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 6:15 pm
by Dr Bunsen Honeydew
When you are ready paypal gift to nvahifi@gmail.com

Re: Another DIY SS Amplifier with NVA Boards

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 6:17 pm
by SteveTheShadow
Money sent.

Cheers Richard.

Re: Another DIY SS Amplifier with NVA Boards

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:45 pm
by SteveTheShadow
I thought I'd give the amplifier, the ultimate test today and played a Northern Soul playlist at high volume. Hi-fi systems and Northern Soul are often mutually exclusive elements, as the much of the music of the genre was often recorded quickly in cheap ass studios and sometimes is downright nasty sounding...up to now that is.

To say that my Northern Soul records have never sounded as good, is a bit of an understatement!
The amp obviously can't make silk purses out of the sow's ears recordings that comprise much of the Northern Soul experience, but the damn thing cuts right to the heart of this wonderful music, revealing subtleties in these ratty recordings that I and most Northern Soul fans, I'll wager, have never heard.

It is revealing and exciting whilst avoiding the shriek and screech completely, something I have not heard any system pull off as successfully. I have been close with my valve amp, as I have believed for years, that there are no unlistenable recordings, only lousy systems, that make them unlistenable and have developed my system sound, with that thinking at the forefront of every design decision. This amp proves that this theory is sound, as it seems it has no limits to what it will play. It takes what it is given and shows you what is good about it rather than what is bad.

Re: Another DIY SS Amplifier with NVA Boards

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 9:10 pm
by Chunk McDaniel
Well done Steve. I love a bit of Northern Soul too. Nothing better to put you in a good mood especially if going out for a night out. Enjoy the sounds and Keep the Faith.

Re: Another DIY SS Amplifier with NVA Boards

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 7:21 pm
by Dr Bunsen Honeydew
Cable sent - Royal Mail 1st Class.

Re: Another DIY SS Amplifier with NVA Boards

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 7:33 pm
by SteveTheShadow
Thanks Richard. Looking fwd to getting it in the system.

Again I'm afraid, I have to sing the praises of this marvelous amplifier.

For someone like me, who is a huge fan of 60s pop music, this thing has no equal at putting the sound of the 60s into the living room. Way too many examples to list, but "Happy Together" by The Turtles, produced string and brass textures like I've never heard before, simply sublime. "California Girls" was so harmonically rich in both voices and instrumentation, it was crazy.
Nothing shouted and track after track, it was just wall-to-wall tunes; none of that forced "listen to the tune" Linn/Naim type bollocks; this was tune playing and harmonizing in a different league altogether. The Doc said it would get better at playing tunes as it ran in and that is exactly what it is going on.

Wonder how much better it'll get.

Re: Another DIY SS Amplifier with NVA Boards

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 10:30 pm
by valvesRus
It was interesting that Steve found the DIY version sounded slightly better than the A20.

I'd like to get similar results at home but my pension does not allow for many luxuries. :cry: :cry:

Re: Another DIY SS Amplifier with NVA Boards

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 10:33 pm
by Dr Bunsen Honeydew
Much bigger power supply is the reason, the same reason why a A60 is better than a A20. Why do you think we do a range of amps the A20 is the starter amp.

The magic is in the circuit, all the power supplies do is help it breath better and let more of the magic out. Are you like Steve do you build your own valve gear.