Page 1 of 1

Transcendent Sound Mini Beast OTL

Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 6:54 pm
by SteveTheShadow
Started this project on Sunday for a customer of our Ant and finished it this afternoon.

The Transcendent Sound Mini Beast is a single ended output transformerless amplifier. It uses the JJ version of the EL509 TV line output pentode that was used for the line timebase output in colour TVs during the '70s.

The JJ version of the valve does not have a top cap for the high voltage connection, making the JJ much safer to use than old TV valves. It puts out 4WPC for 290W out of the wall. :lol:
However it sounds absolutely superb. Speakers less than 95dB efficient need not apply, and the speakers need to be an easy load. My big Fanes fit the bill perfectly.

Bruce Rozenblit, the designer behind Transcendent Sound is based in the USA and sells OTL kits for the adventurous hobbyist.

Below are the internals:
Image

Close up of the outsides:
Image

And with the system, being soak tested on music:
Image

Pity it has to go to its owner soon :cry:

Re: Transcendent Sound Mini Beast OTL

Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 8:29 pm
by Andy-831
Beautiful Steve, been fancying trying the grounded grid preamp for a while.

Re: Transcendent Sound Mini Beast OTL

Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 10:28 pm
by SteveTheShadow
Cheers Andy,
It was an enjoyable build. A valve NVA! :mrgreen:
Vintage JBE turntable, vintage Mayware Formula IV with Audio Technica VM540ML cart and NVA Phono1, Fane single driver speakers and OTL amp. Awesome combination! When you are able to build your own gear, or work from good kits, and fettle vintage stuff, you soon get to realise how right Richard is about most of the stuff that passes as hi-fi these days.

Bruce Rozenblit's OTLs sound fantastic with my simple sealed, single driver full range boxes. A Rozenblit "Son of Beast" 15 watt, push-pull OTL, sounded great at Owston with my Fanes. Even Richard was impressed.

Pity the newly built MIni Beast OTL isn’t mine.

I would go for the grounded grid preamp. Rozenblit's designs are excellent.