EC Aficionado (was: The Studio Jr.)

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by AppleheadMay, Nov 10, 2015.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Got asked some questions on tubes, here are the answers:
    1. PSVANE WE275 391.00 is bloomy. I have a pair when I am in the mood. Sort of a cross between 300B and 2A3.
    2. PSVANE 2a3B 145.00 better quality version of the Shuguang 2a3B. Worth is so you don't have to waste time sanding off the solder gunk on the Shuguang pins.
    3. Shuguang 2a3B 125.00 decent tube, great price, possible solder gunk on pins may require effort to sand off.
    4. PSVANE 2a3TII Really smooth and gentle on the ears - baby butt smooth.
    I'll get back with more comparisons time permitting. Don't want to say anything unless I can get a one to one comparison with know tubes and can triangulate. I'm still a fan of the sound of American vintage tubes.
     
  2. Galm

    Galm Still looking for Little Red Riding Hood

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    Someone in the thread mentioned a couple pages back that the full set of tubes can be included for an extra fee.

    For ease of access if that's true can you post what would be included here? That's something I'd likely be interested in.
     
  3. Xecuter

    Xecuter Brush and floss your amp twice a day

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    2a3 NOS break down

    Thought I would provide some info on different 2a3 NOS from mine and a few friends experience with EC studios.
    In Ascending price..
    RCA silver wavy(bi) plate: good, a bit lean and hard - great value

    RCA Black wavy plate: good, also fairly lean and hard - exceptional detail - exceptional value

    RCA/GE/Sylvania Black Wavy plate Spring: a bit warmer than regular wavy plate - I think these lose a little bit of treble crispness, but are more inviting.

    GE Black glass dual mono plate: Bass is a bit more pronounced, well balanced top to bottom

    Fivre Black Wavy plate Spring: Still listening

    RCA/Fivre/Arctarus mono plates: Warmest of the 2a3 NOS family, great bass response, very good detail

    AVVT mesh. Really neutral, tonality is spot on. Maybe a touch more forward and bass shy than mono plates.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2017
  4. Peti

    Peti Facebook Friend

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    I was wondering if someone can provide me with specific figures on the dimensions of the main unit of this amp as I'm trying to obtain a dust cover for it. Thank you!

    P.S.: I have found a comment saying it is ABOUT 14" deep by 12" but I need exact figures.
     
  5. MrButchi

    MrButchi Gear Master Europe

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    It's barely smaller than my Yggdrasil.
     
  6. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    Is it still two separate chassis?
     
  7. Peti

    Peti Facebook Friend

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    Yep, I saw your image posted here but I can only make a properly fitting dust cover for the main chassis if I know the exact figures. I am familiar with the metric system; if you can measure your unit for me (width, depth, height including the tubes) I'd be eternally thankful!
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    It's four now.
     
  9. 2chinzz

    2chinzz New

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    2 x Shuguang 2A3b
    1 x Reflektor 6N3P - I can't tell if this is nos or just a new tube
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2017
  10. kirayamato

    kirayamato Friend

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    I liked the PSVANE 2a3Tll description by marvey so am planning to go with that

    this is what was listed on the email i recieved from eddicurrent


    1 PSVANE 2a3T $269.00


    is the 1 PSVANE 2A3T's full name the PSVANE 2a3TII
    just a plain question will I need any other tubes to get the amp running or is that one enough thanks (first time getting a high end tube amp)
     
  11. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    I went ahead and picked up some. Sophia Electric Princess 2A3 mesh plate tubes. If anyone has heard them I'd love to read impressions with comparisons.
     
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2017
  12. bigfatpaulie

    bigfatpaulie Tried to screw other friends while playing victim

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    I've had them in my stratus. I really liked them. They lush and full sounding without being overly rounded. They are probably the best looking 2A3 around.
     
  13. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Is Craig experimenting with fonts?

    IMG_1344.PNG
     
  14. Xecuter

    Xecuter Brush and floss your amp twice a day

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    heresy

    [​IMG]

    Photo originally taken and posted by @MisterRogers
     
  15. bigfatpaulie

    bigfatpaulie Tried to screw other friends while playing victim

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    Hey, if I could get a pair, I would comment on them. But as far as I'm concerned AVVT is a company that never existed.
     
  16. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    The Aficionado is in the house with my new rack, ordered just to raise it to the pinnacle of my auditory experience.

    IMG_0365.JPG

    Hahaaaa, gotcha, that rack will be in another thread...

    I picked it up from the Post Office on my way home from the Airport, after assisting the hurricane stricken Gulf area. I've only had it playing through my HD600's for 30 min or so, but already after quick A/B with the Black Widow 2, the AF is leaner, cleaner, deeper, and has better separation. Those are my quick and dirty impressions so far. It will most likely be goodbye BW2...

    It will be plumbed into the speakers later today, when I have a minute. The AF was dead silent when fed balanced from my Freya in passive mode from my Sony ES DVD player.

    I'm using the stock made in China tube for the power supply, Marconi Canada 2A3, and Western Electric 396A tubes.

    As I listen through the current album playing ("Thriller", hahhaaaaa) while typing this. It is quite apparent this amp has a deft touch and conveys the texture of the music (vocals/instruments) being played.

    I can't wait to spin some vinyl (60+ Discogs order came in as well), and let the speakers do their thing.

    Very nice, thanks EC crew, the wait was worth it !!!

    IMG_0366.jpg
     
  17. MrButchi

    MrButchi Gear Master Europe

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    I second your BW2 impressions - leaner, more transparent / less frontal / more air, deeper bass.
    Jury still out for microdetails/plankton, but I also expect a lot from improving on the Shugangs.
    A European BW2 will be on sale shortly too. I do want to keep it a month or two to write up a proper comparison for folks to have.
     
  18. Peti

    Peti Facebook Friend

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    Wonderful! Looking forward to receive mine. I was wondering if the power cord connecting the amp with the power transformer is included? I just wanna know b/c if not, I want to get one by the time the amp gets here.
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The umbilical from the power supply to the amp is included. Not sure if Craig threw in an IEC power cable in there. Sometimes he does weird stuff like throw in 2 prong cables.
     
  20. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    I call first dibs on the M22 if you decide to punt it :)

    Congrats! I have to say watching your system evolve has been pretty awesome over the last couple of years. The speakers and the super tweeter you brought to the meet were pretty damn amazing and it's been interesting to see the other parts of your system all come together over time.
     

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