EC’s next headamp?

Discussion in 'Eddie Current' started by jowls, Mar 31, 2018.

  1. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    @purr1n has mentioned a potential 300B headphone amplifier that Craig may be working on and I’m hoping any further information can be discussed in this thread. I have decided to take a hiatus from SBAF and setting up email notification will enable me to still keep up to date regarding development of the amp. I look forward to dropping back in if/when the amp becomes a reality. Thanks.

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  2. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    Might as well ask this, but has there been any discussion of a 845 tube based amp?
    I hear they may be a step up from the 2A3/45/300B tube sound?

    Yet no one outside of Viva Egoista made one for headphones. I think Viva Egoista sells it for $14k or so. Having Eddie Current direct prices would be great alternative.
     
  3. Xecuter

    Xecuter Brush and floss your amp twice a day

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    I actually think the 211 is my favourite tube type. the 845 has really strange stage. I compared the studio to the viva 845 recently and preferred the EC overall, however the viva has a lovely sweetness with vocals.
     
  4. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Seeing as though the conversation has already deviated from 300B I have amended the thread title.

    You contrary sons of bitches ;)
     
  5. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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  6. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    I'm curious what kind of finish this is going to have. Also, I thought the Aficionado was Craig's farewell amp?
     
  7. Xecuter

    Xecuter Brush and floss your amp twice a day

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    Also I prefer 211 with speakers, I have never heard a 211 headphone amp, pretty overkill.
     
  8. Muse Wanderer

    Muse Wanderer Friend

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    I for one am waiting for EC's next dedicated speaker amp. ;) Monoblocks would be so yummy!
     
  9. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    Well 845 & 211 put out a lot of watts. They are primarily speaker amp tubes, though how they sound for headphones, I'm curious. I would think planars would benefit the most from them, dynamic headphones not so much?

    Xecuter impressions of the Viva Egoista could have been specifically their tuning & maybe not necessarily the tube characteristics?
     
  10. Xecuter

    Xecuter Brush and floss your amp twice a day

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    I'm more interested in Craig designing a speaker amp, head-amps beyond what is already available in the EC stable is just asking for more flavours.. I would much prefer the EC mono blocks or a powerful SET..


    I did hear a 845 line magnetic tube amp, staging was actually more normal on this, so fair point.

    Edit: I mean I can understand that a lot of people are interested in new EC headphone stuff, but I think the EC line really needs a dedicated speaker amp.
    We all know EC represents unparalleled value and as this community has matured more and as more users are moving towards speakers, I feel it more logical to put effort into this.

    I understand the studio was designed with a speaker focus, however after auditioning a lot of stuff that can be driven by 10 watts or less, I found the speakers were always compromised. Also the non-terrible high efficiency speakers were all in the 10-20k budget area. Or some pretty wild DIY.

    My 2 cents
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2018
  11. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    I'm still hoping it becomes a reality. Mixed with the Yggdrasil A2 and something akin to the Clears or Auteurs, and you'd have one fraking epic combo.
     
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The only experiment that is working in the "lab" right now is the 300B amp. Very similar to AF, in fact uses pretty much the same power supply. The major difference is this new transformer. We sourced it from China, and even then it wasn't cheap at $400. It's got sheshal laminations and all that jazz. It's was only a matter of time until the Chinese started to figure this stuff out.

    Being 300B, different sound from AF, although I'm betting most of the difference is because of the transformer. Good robust bass, more slam than AF, not especially warm, but with a sense of body in the lower mids (the true trademark of 300B IMO.) The great thing about it? Sounded awesome with 300B's that were not WE.

    No idea if this will go into production.
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2018
  13. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Bottlehead makes a custom 845 headphone amp. I think it's $10k

    http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/bottlehead-neothoriator.5341/

    Ever try the Silk transformers? They seem to have good reputation for the price.
     
  14. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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  15. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Why are 845 amps so god damn expensive
     
  16. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    That's the issue with dealer-sold products; they are also considered luxury products and thus any expectations that the retail price reflects the cost of manufacture is unrealistic.

    Maybe give the armchair amp designing a rest, BTW. Marv & Co. have better transformer hookups than any of us. I know Chinese manufacturers have essentially cloned Hitachi cores, though, and this could be a real cost effective opportunity at obtaining summit-fi.
     
  17. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    China usually sells at 1/3 the price from NA & Europe. So that's like a $1,200 transformer?
     

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