AmpsandSound Amplifiers and Speakers builder

[MokhaMark]

Congrats! You are going to be very happy.

[Cryptowolf]

@MokhaMark

I would also never call the Ovation “dark”. My experience with the amp was that it is a very quiet, clean, 3D sound with body, but never dark. In fact, I often switched between different solid state amps and the Ovation and heard more detail and air in the Ovation than any of them.

This could very well be a misunderstanding on my part. When I say “dark” I mean that the treble doesn’t seem sibilant or thorny in any way. I’m also over 40 so I have, shall we say, natural roll off over about 12kHz. I love the Ovation and especially appreciate the texture of notes across the entire musical spectrum.

And @MokhaMark, I’m always looking to learn and appreciate the polite discussion. I have greatly benefited from your thoughts on the forum and enjoy your posts.

[Roikyou]

A couple things that stuck out in my head was that the mogwai se and bigger ben have more tube rolling options. (thought it used the same tubes)

The ovation is good where it’s at with the tubes it has, less flexible in the tube options.

The ovation and bigger ben have two transformers.

The ovation and bigger ben have more resistance options than the mogwai se.

[MokhaMark]

@Cryptowolf

I don’t recall the member who described the Ovation sound as warm and dark

Hi @Cryptowolf I did not take from this that you had, I was agreeing here with your other comments for sure, sorry if it sounded like a contradiction!

I emphasized my point about “dark” because I think the Ovation is different from what many associate with tube amplifiers, overly warm, rolled off FR, etc. I found the Ovation to be absolutely incisive in its detail, so sought to contrast my experience with the use of the word dark. We all use words sometimes to mean different things in this hobby and I did not mean to diminish another’s use of English. I don’t go to other forums for that very reason!

Also, thank you for the kind words, I have enjoyed your contributions here also. This forum has been a silver lining of covid times since I joined in May 2020. I look forward to continued shared learning with all of you.

[PaisleyUnderground]

@Cryptowolf

I have my Kenzie Ovation sitting near two computer monitors, a Bifrost II DAC, and another headphone amp. I used modestly priced shielded RCA cables for all connections. The only interference I get is when I place my cell phone too close to the amp. Otherwise I have no audible interference.

@ktc , I have a similar setup to @Cryptowolf, with similar results.

I have 2 Justin-built amps (Nautilus and Pendant), both within a couple of feet of my router, 2 monitors, a BF2 DAC and assorted other amps. I haven’t noticed any noise/interference at all, other than when I put my phone on the same shelf as one of the amps. I don’t know how much my shielded cables have helped, but whatever it is, I’m very happy.

[rrwwss52]

The 1626 are a better sounding tube IMO than the 12B4A.

The 1626 output tube will output enough power except for demanding headphones.

[jthvac]

I like the 12B4A when I’m listening to my planars, but for ZMF the 1626 definitely sound better to my ears as well.

[rrwwss52]

Which planars do you have? I ended up buying a GSX-mini for my HE6se to push a little more output.

[jthvac]

LSA HP-1s . I actually have them listed in the Buy and Sell right now.
They’re Underwood HiFi’s version of the Kennerton Odin.

[rrwwss52]

My Kenzies run my other planers (Dan Clark) pretty well with either type of output tube.

Good luck with your sale.

[archer88]

Has anyone had a chance to listen to Leeloo and Pendant and can offer impressions as to how they compare.

[MRHifiReviews]

Happy weekend guys! I hope you enjoy this one.

AmpsandSound Mogwai OG Tube Amplifier, Dynamic Slam of a good time?

[Earmuffs]

Anybody interested in some vintage tubes for their mogwai?

[gugges]

I have a Mogwai SE coming Friday (can’t wait!) right now I have these tubes below, but curious to see what you have. Will want to try KT88s at some point.

RCA 6L6GC Black Plates
Tung Sol 6SL7WGT
RCA 5U4GB

[MRHifiReviews]

AmpsandSound Rockwell Tube Amplifier First Look

@ampsandsound

AmpsandSound new amp the Rockwell! Never before seen footage of this beast in the wild! LIve stream this Friday 4/30/2021 at 6 pm PT with Justin discussing his new creation!

[splayname]

Love the name! And looks.

[andris]

I’m so intrigued!!!

[Roikyou]

Not sure where to post but since I’m using the Bigger Ben, thought I’d land it here.

Noise. I’ve been chasing a very mild static once in a while, very minor and the last tube I’ve yet to change is the rectifier tube. Is it just the nature of the beast (and beast meaning tubes) that there will always be some kind of noise, they’re not dead silent like solid state, 1’s and 0’s.

Is it worth chasing this noise or accept the trade off for the use of tubes?

[generic]

First, is you amp located near your phone or another electromagnetic radiation source? If so, move it or shield it.

It could be a tube too, as they are all different and all age. They can be weird and noisy.

[Polygonhell]

@Roikyou

Noise. I’ve been chasing a very mild static once in a while,

If it’s intermitent static, and possibly occasional very quiet high pitched squeals, It’s probably not the tube, it’s probably RF, probably from a wifi source.
Try shutting your WIFI router off, make sure it’s not near a phone or computer, and see if it goes away.

If that is the issue, there are things you can do to reduce the impact.