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Black Widow [Update] - Second round official, 100 amps total, single chassis

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Oct 5, 2015.

Page 10 of 49
  1. Bourne Perfect

    Bourne Perfect Friend

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    Lol I haven't heard about my Studio status, hence the ZD itch, which may be the wisest route anyway since I pretty much spend 99% of my time with the HD800.
     
    Bourne Perfect, Jan 3, 2016
    #181
  2. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    Yeah- there are things about this amp that are practical + special + help DACs and headphones. Just today at the SBAF mini-meet, I found myself wanting to pair the BW with certain DACs and headphones. I am very glad that more of these will be made. (Am not letting go of mine.)

    2-chassis model works for my desk space but I may have to get a Jensen transformer to catch up with you new BW owners. Sounds like you might have an even better power supply though...
     
    CEE TEE, Jan 3, 2016
    #182
  3. Koth Ganesh

    Koth Ganesh Friend

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    Hola Marv:

    Is there such a thing as an upgrade to the PS for BW1? If yes, where do I order?
     
    Koth Ganesh, Jan 3, 2016
    #183
  4. mtoc

    mtoc SBAF's Resident Shit-Stirrer

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    Pardon me, what is PS in here?
     
    mtoc, Jan 3, 2016
    #184
  5. Ash1412

    Ash1412 Friend

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    Power supply
     
    Ash1412, Jan 3, 2016
    #185
  6. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    PS = Power Supply. BW was a great lesson in power supplies. The BW can run off of a 12V wall wart (if you pop the BW1 amp top plate and change the jumper settings). BUT: it sounds so much better with better power supplies.

    EC chose to sell the BW1 with a great power supply (I can attest). I currently have the 12V wall wart power supply and the BW1 final production power supply PLUS I had a prototype BW1 power supply. Was shocked at how much better the final production BW1 PS was to either. (I asked Craig if I could borrow and compare all three.)

    From what Marv is hinting at now- they are also planning to sell the BW2 with an <even better> power supply that runs a bit hotter than the one that I have. :rolleyes:
     
    CEE TEE, Jan 3, 2016
    #186
  7. jelt2359

    jelt2359 Friend

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    So with the BW1 (2-chassis), you can power-supply roll, but with the BW2 (1-chassis), you cannot?
     
    jelt2359, Jan 3, 2016
    #187
  8. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    ^This might be true. Seems like they are considering putting the very best PS in a single-chassis BW and calling it a run.
     
    CEE TEE, Jan 3, 2016
    #188
  9. jelt2359

    jelt2359 Friend

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    Thanks. Then I guess Koth Ganesh's question is extremely relevant :D
     
    jelt2359, Jan 3, 2016
    #189
  10. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    Koth already owns the BW1 with the separate PSU. So irrelevant for you maybe, but if I were him I would be wondering if I could get the BW1's PSU upgraded to that of BW2's upgraded PSU.
     
    songmic, Jan 3, 2016
    #190
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    For BW1 owners, I wouldn't bother with the newer hotter running power supply. 1.3% "better". It's a bit smoother up top.

    But if you insist, I might be happy to take your money.
     
    purr1n, Jan 3, 2016
    #191
  12. Smitty

    Smitty Too good for bad vodka - Friend

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    Hey @purrin, any news on an EC balanced to SE converter box?
     
    Smitty, Jan 3, 2016
    #192
  13. Koth Ganesh

    Koth Ganesh Friend

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    You knew you were setting me up ..|\/|. How much mate?
     
    Koth Ganesh, Jan 3, 2016
    #193
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I'm still sorting out the orders and reconciling them with the ones Craig and Judi received. Will confirm with everyone by next week. The CAD drawings are going to the metal house. Prototype boards are expected in less than two weeks. Stay tuned. Juggling several jobs, family, Legos, SuperBAF HD800 mod, etc.
     
    purr1n, Jan 5, 2016
    #194
  15. BioniclePhile

    BioniclePhile The Terminal Man - Friend

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    @purrin
    Could you give us a quick rundown of the Black Widow and the Copperhead so we know what each amp is about? I just realised that I might like the CH over the BW and thought it'd be cool if we had a simple comparison of the two so people can make a little better decision.

    And f**k.. The Balancing Act is sexy.. Almost sexy enough for me to want to save for five years and get it..
     
    BioniclePhile, Jan 6, 2016
    #195
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The CH won't be around until 2017 or later if ever. CH is more neutral and doesn't mimic the tube thing like the BW. BW is probably the warmest amp in the EC lineup at this time, which is ironic because it's a solid-state amp. CH probably needs a bit more work, but so far it's a little bit more resolving and a bit faster in the bass.

    The BA is mostly sold to Asia. I think Asia prefers a more organic tubey sound. The BA is probably the most tubey laid-back amp in the EC lineup. Even the ZD Super is more neutral than the BA. No one in the Americas or Europe seems to want a BA anymore. For the Americas and Europe, the BA will be replaced by the Studio Jr. Same chassis as BA, but it will use the output transformer from the Studio, be interstage cap-coupled, and use two output tubes instead of four.

    The biggest changes with EC in the past few years has been a move toward better transformers and more accurate sound reproduction. There are lots and lots of vendors who make warm tubey amps, and we'd rather not compete in that arena. I'm done babbling.
     
    purr1n, Jan 7, 2016
    #196
  17. Gravity

    Gravity Friend

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    Do you recon the BW would pair well with HD800S/HD650?
     
    Gravity, Jan 7, 2016
    #197
  18. jacal01

    jacal01 Friend

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    So somewhere between 1.251 and 1.349%. I suppose the element of subjectivity keeps you from being more precise. ;)
     
    jacal01, Jan 7, 2016
    #198
  19. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Whenever Marv quotes less than 5% difference, I call bullshit because I hear no improvement.
     
    zerodeefex, Jan 7, 2016
    #199
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    < 5% difference means I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference if someone came in the middle of the night and switched the units and never ever told me.
     
    purr1n, Jan 7, 2016
    #200
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