ECP Torpedo III [indexed in first post]

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by FlySweep, Nov 2, 2015.

  1. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    For those of you who've tried many different headphones with T3, which headphones do you think are an optimal pairing with it?

    So far I've tried HD650, HD800 and K1000 (via an XLR-to-1/4" adapter) with the T3. The K1000, as I expected, was a no-go with it. The HD650 sounded great, but it was the HD800 that truly shined with it. I think many people here can agree that T3 is one of the best amps for HD800 not only in its price bracket but also regardless of price.

    But what about other headphones generally regarded as solid performers around here, such as Focal Elear/Utopia, ZMF Atticus/Eikon, some Hifimans including Code-X, Audio Zenith PMx2, etc? Is the T3 optimized for HD800 only or could it drive other headphones nearly as well? I've heard people saying the T3 is comfortable around TOTL tube amps when it comes to HD800, but I'm not sure the same could be said for other phones. Unfortunately, I couldn't find much specifications info (e.g. output impedance, power output) for the T3 on its product page.
     
  2. k1arg

    k1arg Facebook Friend

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    I don't know about 'generally', but I've been very happy running Utopias off a T3 for numerous hours per day lately. Modded HD650 also work well, but don't really get any head time.

    Output power is 200 - 250mW and impedance is <10R on low and ~20R on high.
     
  3. Daveheart

    Daveheart Friend

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    I've found it works well with modded HD800s, HD650, and the THX00. The only other thing I've got around here that would work is the HE-6, and I'm not even going to try that.
     
  4. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    I own HD600, HD650 (stock and modded) and Utopia and the T3 and used to own HD800/SDR. I think the T3 meshes with the Senns better, likely the best with the HD800 because the T3's narrower stage isn't as noticeable given the HD800's extremely wide stage. Later this year, I'll be receiving the Atticus, Elear, and PMx2 through our loaner tours and can update with impressions then. EDIT: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...mf-eikon-zmf-atticus.2929/page-31#post-150106.

    With Utopia, I don't think the T3 is the best match. Using hi Z out, they sound boomy and much less enjoyable to me. Lo Z works better IMO, but the narrower T3 stage coupled with the Utopia's slightly narrow stage and comparative lack of density doesn't mesh perfectly for me. Though the T3 has better technicalities, with Utopia I preferred the slightly wider stage and increased tonal density from the PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP headphone out when directly comparing. I'll post impressions at some point.

    Some have tried the DSHA-2 with the Utopia and proclaimed it a wonderful pairing: http://superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/ecp-dsha-2-balanced-amplifier.3081/ (see @MisterRogers' posts in particular).
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2017
  5. a44100Hz

    a44100Hz Friend

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    Would anyone mind loaning me one of these...? I'm in NYC, will pay shipping.
     
  6. ghoti

    ghoti New

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    I GOT IT I GOT IT I just bought the LAST beezar TomB T3 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA IT'S MINE MY PRECIOUS IT'S ALL MINE
    My first tube amp ever. I'm so excited I'll be holding my breath until it arrives.
    I guess if you don't hear from me again you'll know why.
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2017
  7. e.schell

    e.schell Friend

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    Congrats! Gotta admit, i'm a little jealous!!
     
  8. ghoti

    ghoti New

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    Mmmm ... well this is interesting ... sound stage ey. This will take some getting used to. I could get to like this, but how did my ears get outside my earphones? TomB, your last puppy has fledged the nest and will not be coming back. It has found a home here with me.
     
  9. TomB

    TomB MOT: Beezar

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    That's great! :)

    Unfortunately, one of the T3s did come back to me. I'm still evaluating things, but will put it up for sale again at some point.
     
  10. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    @TomB - any tips on removing the print from the case? I'm thinking acetone or mek, but not sure if you've had good experience with anything specific?
     
  11. TomB

    TomB MOT: Beezar

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    Not sure what you're really asking, but the Beezar T3 casework is laser-etched. Acetone or MEK is not going to do anything. You'll have to sand it down to the bare metal, deep enough to get past the etching, then re-anodize it. You'd have better luck ordering an original end plate from Context Engineering. The drawings are on the T3 website: T3 Drawings & Templates
     
  12. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    @TomB - Thank you for the clarification. I was going to attempt removing the L / R markings.
     
  13. TomB

    TomB MOT: Beezar

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    I have put the last T3 that was returned to me back up for sale. It had a problem with the PT buzzing. I've replaced it with a brand new PT from Edcor and tested it extensively. Since technically it's been "used" for a week, I'm including 5 pairs of all different tubes for it, including a pair of gold-pinned Electro-Harmonix 12AT7s and a pair of the newly discovered 5965. The tubes are worth at least $120.
     
  14. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    Before I pulled the trigger on my own T3 - I was able to hear a maxed out version at a local meet. I had no intentions of purchasing one at that time and for shits and giggles I tried my Andromedas out with it - expecting the worst. Surprisingly, it was one of the best matches I had heard at the meet. The only other amp that seemed to pair decently was a Schiit Asgaard 2. What I mean by "pair well" with brief meet listening is good channel balance, lack of hiss, and something that did not make me want to run away.

    Now that I have my own T3 at home for proper listening, I'm pretty confident in saying that it pairs surprisingly well with balanced armature headphones. In particular, the UERM. I'm not sure the Zout on the T3, but it takes some of the treble bite out and a little bit of the hardness. They currently sound like proper studio monitors. The current tube I am running is a 12AZ7. There is a very small amount of tube noise that is non-issue for me, but I will try out my 6072 and see if that gets rid of it.

    If you still have your UERM - I recommend giving them a try.
     
  15. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Screw it. I bought the Torpedo 3 from @Greed. Looks like it's pretty maxed out with the possible exception of whatever "AMRG R23-R26, electronic choke" means (will probably be searching the thread for instructions unless someone can point me at that--yes, I can solder).

    This thread is bonkers. I'll try to get through it over the coming week or three.

    I'm going to be pairing it with Sennheiser HD650s.

    I hate upper mids and treble glare. Grain offends me. I love sub-bass but don't love when upper bass crowds lower mids. Smooth treble is a must--rolled is okay as long as it doesn't go super soft and swooshy in the process.

    I value bang for the buck with tubes.

    Should I be trying to find 12AZ7 tubes? Any recommendations of tubes or where to grab some good ones?

    It looks like this:

    IMG_2368.JPG
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2017
  16. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    I'd replace those amrg resistors with some metal film ones like stock. If your T3 indeed has all the upgrades i found them to be detrimental.
     
  17. Melvillian

    Melvillian Friend

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    I would suggest listening with the EH 12AY7 for a while and then see where you want to go with the sound. I don't have a T3 anymore so my impressions are from memory. The EH Tube has a good amount of bass and slam. More than the Brimar CV4033 and Mullard CV4024 I tried, but it's not as refined as the older tubes.

    This thread has a wealth of information and it's all indexted. You have hours and hours of good reading ahead.

    Also, I tried a 12AZ7 tube, I forget which brand but I remember it making the T3 more neutral with lots of detail but ultimately found it a bit fatiguing. They're not that expensive so it's worth checking out.
     
  18. JeffYoung

    JeffYoung Friend

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  19. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    It looks like it has the stock resistors. The Beezar upgrades do not include those for the reasons you stated.
     
  20. philipmorgan

    philipmorgan Member of the month

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    @brencho @drfindley @bazelio and I did a big T3 tube comparo last year some time. I don't remember our findings, but if you search the T3 thread for Brimar you should get relevant hits, including us all posting our impressions.
     

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