EC Aficionado (was: The Studio Jr.)

Just received my Aficionado, the sound is truly extraordinary!

Only have one one problem, Is it normal that the power transformer gets very hot ？The kind of temperature is I can only only my finger on it for 1 second. Is it the same for every one?

Also there's some mechanical noise from the transformer during heat up, probably lasts for 20 mins, I think this might be the fault of the power of my house or it might because of the new cv1377 I'm using.

Anyway the sound is insane, just need more time to listen and feel the details.

 

A typical transformer temp rise spec might be +40C at full load, so if ambient temp is 20C, then 60C is feasible. One second at 60C sounds about right.

That's not to say it's normal, I don't know for sure. Just that it isn't necessarily technically outrageous.

 

Thank you very much for your reply!
I think I need to order an IR thermometer to see the exact temp then. Just hope this masterpiece can last longer.

 

You might find this post useful.

 

Just found out the mechanical noise of the power tranformer is because of the cv1377 tube. I have a shuguang and a fat base mullard and both have no noise, still hot though.

It's weird since cv1377 should be identical to 5ar4. Is this because this tube is broken/not well or maybe this kind of tube just doesn't work with Aficionado.

Any experienced friend can send some opinions or solutions?

 

Sometimes tubes are randomly noisy. I've had otherwise identical tubes produce very different noise floors.
Have you made sure the pins are clean?

 

A bad rectifier might also make the transformer resonate.

 

One funny thing, I just changed the fuse of Af to a SR purple. Gotta say the improvement is actually quite large. I got more details more impact and more smoothness, while cutting some "tuby" feeling. Considering the price is just over 100 bucks, its quite worth it. I think the improvement is larger than changing rectifier tubes and its cheaper than power cords. Kind of interested in other fuses, ph0 amu brimar, which is the best match for Af.

 

That is funny, but not as funny as turning the fuse around...just don't turn it upside down when you turn it around...birth of new worlds baby, birth of new worlds...

Down crenca, down! bad crenca, bad!

 

Sure! I should have quite a lot spare time in July (as long as its not on Wednesday). Let me know when you have the exact date.

 

No idea, good thing I returned it with no problem. I also have 4 bendix 2c51s no idea if they are robust or not. Any recommendations on tube tester? (cheapo ones)

 

I just bought @earnmyturns 's Afficianado here

I LOVE it with my sensitive Audeze's like my modded LCD-X and LCD-4z so far, it's the best I have heard them. It's also silent with them.

But it has a very low volume noise with my modded S12 ortho iems. But they otherwise sound sooo good on the AF. They just keep scaling.

Can anyone give me any tips for how to make the AF just a bit quieter? I'm open to mods. I'm currently using RCA black plate 2a3 tubes and a WE 396a tube and a Mullard rectifier.

Someone knowledgable told me that a lot of ortho-heads using sensitive headphones modify their tube amps with these Neurochrome HV Regulators. Does anyone have any thoughts on that to make the amp a bit quieter? And would it change the sound if I implemented them?

Thanks everyone! I'm happy to be using an EC amp

 

@purr1n @CEE TEE

 

Foton 6N3P

I've been using the WE396a in my Aficionado for the last few years, sometimes a Tung-sol for fun. However my 396a is giving up the ghost - and though I have a spare, looking on Ebay I'm pretty horrified at the prices these days and I don't trust the OS to be N at all. So I figure time to find an alternative. The Tung-sol is good and not insane prices yet. However the 1950s Foton 6N3P is a famous meme tube on Headfi and I figure why not give it a go. Actually, it's pretty good.

The WE definitely has a sound, great macro and microdynamics with upper bass bump, and a top end which is both a bit rolled off and a bit scratchy. Also slightly murky compared to most alternatives.

By contrast, the 6N3P is crystal clear, laser focused, super fast. Unlike a bunch of other russian tubes the treble is not scratchy and the midrange is not weird honky or flat and I think trades blows with the 396a.

The 396a has a tubey acutance which brings out microdynamics and that is missing here, definitely more on the dry side. However I am a microdynamics whore and I don't feel that short-changed by the 6N3P. What is most important is that there are heaps of legit NOS tubes still out there.

The main point to warn is that it is definitely not flat FR. Biggest no-no would be if you hate low/mid-bass bumps because it definitely has one. I turned my subs down by one click and it's fine. Also if you hate extended treble, it's not bright but it does not roll off. Overall effect is mild U-shape and with the dryness you might find it a bit crispy. But there is still heaps of midrange colour and definition so I give it a pass. BTW, quite a long break in. Midrange sounded like shit for 40 hours and then suddenly switched.

Jeebs that was supposed to be a quick FYI, excuse the wall-o-text.

 

Thanks @purr1n !

I found that the noise was likely caused by the input 2C51 tube. I have some GE 5 star 2C51 tubes made in the early 50's and they are quiet with my RD-S12 iems. But no other 2C51 tubes I've tried are quiet. Good thing I have a pair of them.

I'm finding my Aficianado sounds a bit dry with NOS RCA black plate 2a3 tubes. A pair of the boob shaped Linlai "global elite" tubes seem to give the amp more natural wetness but there's something kind of artificial about how they sound that seems wrong to me, it's almost digital sounding.

Any recommendations for 2a3 tubes to try? Assuming that's what's causing it and not the transformers or amp design.

Is the AF associated with a slightly dry sound?

 

AF is a bit dryer than Stellaris. I agree that it sounds a bit wetter with the Linlai tubes. With the usual caveats ( my ears, sources, music, headphones) I preferred them to the RCAs. But I’m probably a lot less discriminating than you are.

 

Or I’m just a big asshole