Oh Sh#7! Eddie Current Studio B

Those are the best photos of an EC amp I have seen. Just beautiful and better than what Craig uses on his website

Congrats on the purchase!

 

I've been able to keep the power supply closer to the amp than I would have expected based on my previous experience with AF. Does the fact that the output transformers are inside the case in the Studio B make them less susceptible to coupling/hum from the power supply transformer?

 

So I got a new space heater in for the desk at home...



Wow, this thing is massive. I think its officially bigger than my PC.

Haven't had too much time with it yet but some initial thoughts and comparisons vs Mogwai SE (new to me, V1 with added 8ohm tap for HPs):

Using PC --> TT2 (via usb) --> amps

• Noise floor is pitch black once tubes are warm. A very nice change from the Mogwai SE (apparently noise floor was addressed in V2 but my V1 Mog is noisy unless I'm using 12au7/6384 combo)
• With the stock tube complement and Gold Lion 300b's, the Studio sounds less gooey/thick vs the Mog SE...
• The sense of spaciousness/air is much greater on the Studio. Having never tried anything else from EC or A&S at length, I'm not sure if what I'm hearing is more to do with the overall amplifier topology/design vs tube selection vs me being baked, but whatever, it's what I'm hearing.
• No reduction in bass impact vs Mogwai (8/32 ohm taps, 300 ohm tap makes a lot of things sound flabby).
• The cheapo Gold Lion tubes I have are very microphonic... I would love to upgrade these soon, just trying to figure out which set of 300b's are not going to break the bank...
• With TT2 in fixed output mode, the Studio B needs about 1/4 of the volume knob to drive the VCs to a nice volume. A little less on the Utopias. Need to see how this does with some planars.

 

I settled on the EML 300B. For the rectifier, consider using the Genalex GZ34.

off-topic: that liquid container next to the amp is very stressful

 

For those knowing internal details, how are the Studio B and Balancing Act 300B version similar and how do they differ?

 

I... I don't know what you're talking about...

Appreciate the recommendation for EML, will have to check those out. And I believe I already have a Genalex GZ34 kicking around from the Mogwai.

Does anyone know if a 5u4 is compatible in place of the 5ar4?

 

Thanks for the detailed response Marv! Reading this once again reinforces how little I know on the subject... Time to go do some research.

 

Thank-you, I did miss this due to skimming and thinking you were addressing a different issue. When I receive my unit I will put it through my standard measurement suite.

By now anyone paying attention knows my reason for measurements is primarily component characterization, not better / worse comparison. Comments that I find off-putting include "Amp A mops the floor with amp B." I've come to appreciate how personal preference influences perceptions. Individual perceptions do not necessarily extrapolate well to others. Learning to triangulate through reports is a helpful skill to develop.

 

Noticing you have the amp chassis right up next to the power supply. Do you get any humming/buzzing keeping the power supply that close? I've been able to keep mine semi-close but I never tried having them right next to eachother. (Other EC amps with exposed transformers tend to need much more distance)

 

I haven't noticed any hum coming from either unit (other than at power on), and its not noticeable thru headphones. This is with a maybe 1/2" gap between them.

 

Hi y’all, got a question for the group. I’m beginning the ordering process for a Studio B and contacted Mr. Craig to ask a question or two. Just on the off chance I asked if there were any secret menu options (there weren’t) but he said that some people prefer different coupling caps and volume pots in their builds. So my question to y'all would be don’t mess with perfection, or play around with it - and if so, what caps and pot would y’all recommend?

 

Get the amp as the manufacturer built it, don't try to be smarter than the man who designed it. The options of upgrading are reserved for the DIY knowledgeable types who know what they're after and what to change while accepting the risk of doing so. Asking for custom stuff may just piss off the builder. For my very personal preferences, I'd want Duelund CuSn coupling caps and TKD 2P65CS pot but that's at least 1K extra.

 

Thanks for the advice, I’ll go with the unit as is.

 

Decisions. I've admired both makers for some time. So now:

Get in on the probably last Eddie Current with this Studio B (on a somewhat shorter queue)
or
Get in the (longer) queue for a DNA Stratus? (I don't think I'll let myself go Stellaris yet)
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I'm using ZMF Verite Closed.

I've got a Glenn OTL and more recently added a 1101 Audio Blue Halo (I have 2 listening locations). I'm looking to get a transformer coupled amp - something different - which could power efficient speakers (unlike the OTLs).

Any thoughts from you informed people?

 

^Studio B now, Stellaris later!