ECP Torpedo III [indexed in first post]

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

  1. TomB

    TomB MOT: Beezar

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    Not unless you're interested in a Starving Student. ;)

    Too many people could not build the T3 (I repaired several of them). There are just too many pratfalls in a DIY kit where investment > $1K. I used to lose sleep over PupDAC customers when basic PCB investment in parts was $75 and they could not get the PCM 2707 and 1794 soldered correctly.

    However, we're very close to having production ready for the T4 (not a kit).
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2018
  2. Mr.Sneis

    Mr.Sneis Friend

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    Anyone have tube recommendations to lean out the t3? Looking for tighter bass and neutrality for the most part.
     
  3. famish99

    famish99 Friend

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    I thought that the GE 12AZ7 that @ColtMrFire has in his T3 had really well controlled bass and was fairly neutral, but I haven't heard other tubes for it yet.
     
  4. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    Westinghouse 12az7. But bass is slightly lacking and technicalities aren't as good as GE 12az7. Haven't heard many other tubes.
     
  5. TomB

    TomB MOT: Beezar

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    While others seemed to like it, I thought the 7062/E180CC mentioned early on in this thread sounded lean to me. The good ones are the long tubes similar to the 6829 or 6414. Looks like they run the gamut in prices on ebay - $10 up to $50/tube.

    Here's what Brent Jesse says about the 7062:
     
  6. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    So sometimes the headphone jack of the T3 will give some hum/feedback through the headphones. It goes away if I jiggle the connection a bit, but it's a bit concerning. Any idea of what the issue could be?
     
  7. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    Okay so turns out it was one of the RCA cables. The connector part that screws open to expose the inside of the cable was loose. 99 percent sure this was the issue. Carry on.
     
  8. TomB

    TomB MOT: Beezar

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    Doug and I have a small opportunity to produce another batch of T3 amplifiers - maybe 4-6 of them. I just wondered if there was any interest. :)
     
  9. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    Man using the HD600 with the T3 is like rediscovering this amp all over again and just how stupid good it is. The smoothness and lively engagement really comes through with this pairing. Just heavenly.
     
  10. TomB

    TomB MOT: Beezar

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    Dang, guys. ColtMrFire's latest post drew attention to my last post.

    I'm sorry, but after investigating another small batch of T3 amplifiers, we decided NO. There are various reasons, mostly because it's a really poor business choice to get rid of some left-over Cinemags (Doug has them, not me!). Done in a small batch, they were needing to be priced at over $1500 each. That's kind of stupid when the T4 is better sounding and better looking for $2200.

    So, we decided to head in another direction. A type of mid-level amp may be on the horizon, but I can't say anymore until after our Atlanta Meet in May. ;)
     
  11. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    I've been getting some pretty bad hum through my headphones lately. Adjusting the RCA cables would usually make it go away but sometimes it would grow worse or just quieter. It seems like the RCA jacks are the culprit because it happens with different cables as well. What should I do about this?

    EDIT:. Now the right channel cuts out intermittently, no hum, just cuts out.

    EDIT 2: Seems the cutting out is due to the right headphone connector into the 600. Hum is still a different issue.
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2019
  12. dsavitsk

    dsavitsk Friend

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    Did you check for continuity in the jacks? Resoldering them is a reasonable first step.
     
  13. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    Been enjoying this amp with my new Auteur for the past week or so. Wonderful lush, organic tone mixes well with the ZMF house sound.

    Threads been quiet for a while. I feel like I'm one of the last people on this site to own this incredible amplifier! Anyone else still rockin' a T3?
     
  14. JeffYoung

    JeffYoung Friend

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    I'm so far behind I still haven't even finished mine. The boards look great, though. ;)
     
  15. elmoe

    elmoe Friend

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    I'd love to build one but afaik PCBs are no longer available
     
  16. k1arg

    k1arg Facebook Friend

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    I still love my T3 and spend many hours each day with my it, though that may change in a bit due to a DSHA-3F...
     
  17. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    I feel like alot of people have moved onto the 3F or Aficionado. If I had the money I'd probably spring for a 3F. But T3 is still extremely resolving (especially when Gungnir Multibit is back in my stable)
    ... enough for me not to lose any sleep over it.
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2019
  18. JeffYoung

    JeffYoung Friend

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    Having had to admit that I had never finished mine, I decided it was time to correct that. Unfortunately I didn't get very far before realizing I had either never finished buying parts for it, or had misplaced them along the way.

    Hopefully Mouser will come to the rescue shortly....

    Torpedo3b-board-stuffing-1.jpg
     
  19. JeffYoung

    JeffYoung Friend

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    Got the first stage of the PSU done and ran it up on the variac.

    Voltages are within the realm of expected, so next step is to build up the regulator stages.

    Torpedo3b-board-stuffing-2.jpg
     
  20. JeffYoung

    JeffYoung Friend

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    I did the regulator stages next and ran it up on the variac again: 223V B+, 6.3V heaters. Woot.

    Here it is with the CCSs, tube sockets and output stages:

    Torpedo3b-board-stuffing-3.jpg
     

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