EC Aficionado (was: The Studio Jr.)

I did try rca vs xlr with the jensen transformer thing but the differences weren't nearly as big as you stated. And this was with the same cables as I have two pairs of the same. Furthermore I'm quite happy using just single ended from Yggdrasil. This is with the Stratus not AF.

 

Ya'll should try the Sylvania 2C51...

 

Well, the Yggdrasil is balanced and the AF is single ended, so I have to sum the signal somehow. Both active summing as in the Yggdrasil or transformer summing as in the AF have their disadvantages. I hear the former as worse than the latter right now, but it could just be my cables, hence the question.

The practical reason I would want to use SE output from the Yggdrasil is that it only has one balanced output which my speakers already use. I could get a goldpoint switch but $$$

 

Another pic

Super cheap, shipping cost half the price of the tube. Total $21.50

Bass is really tight, no bloom, but sound stage is just incredible!
mids and highs are appropriately placed, amazing depth
I'm using it with the FIvre 2A3 which are clean and neutral
RCA 2A3 have a slightly bloomy bass, warm/sweet mids, and slightly rolled treble
The Bendix 2C51 and Fivre was too neutral, no emotional engagement, this is just right!

 

I picked up one of each of the 'le cheap' ones, aka Sylvania, GE and Tung-Sol.

Also have a few WEs, I skipped on the bendix though, pretty sure that'd be too much of one thing with EML outputs.

 

I still want to try the Tung Sol. I liked the stock brown base Tung Sol on the Zana Deux quite a bit.

 

You might just use a splitter.

 

I would be very interested to hear what Purr1n has to say on this. My EC doesn’t have balanced in so I’ve been transformers rolling to see what I can get.

But I think the important thing is all EC amps I know of are single-ended design, and the Yggdrasil (Gungnir Multibit) is fundamentally differential/balanced (both lines carry a signal). How you bridge the two can impact the sound, for better, worse, or different.

If the AF is using transformers then I’d like to see about getting my hands on a pair to test against what I’ve been playing with. The Studio uses I think Cinemag ones with low 600ohm primary impedance that Purr1n says is one of the best he’s heard, but that may not play nice with Yggdrasil analog 1 and Gungnir Multibit. And it’s very expensive and probably out of AF price range. Heck, Donald’s input transformer add on for the Stellarus is a $2k upgrade, so you’re paying basically for over half the AF price just on a pair of transformers.

The Yggdrasil and Gungnir Multibit I think does the signal summing using FET chips (based on Purr1n post), so that also has an effect on sound. So @Garns this is probably why you do hear a noticeable difference.

In the end, all this may be not worth the effort. As @MrButchi mentioned just stick with AF XLR input and be done with it.

 

From what I understand the XLR output is simply because Marv/Craig prefers the connector over TRS, and an additional TRS is just redundant.

 

No, the reason is that SET (single ended triode) is driven by one hot signal, hence SE, other is usually signal ground.
It can be through input transformer that's input is balanced, but the other side of the transformer, by definition is not.
The balanced part is the transformer output to your transducer. Every conventional transformer is inherently balanced voltage source, when both sec leads are flying. Once one of the transformer outputs is tied to ground (for example in some cases when TRS jack is plugged in, L and R 'cold' outputs are tied together) it becomes SE output.

When thinking of amp by it's active devices (here tubes), I can't recall otherwise either.
Maybe inside some dark cabinet in EC warehouse corner there hides a circlotron prototype

 

Hey guys, is the 5R4GY/ CV717 a compatible rectifier for the Aficionado?

 

what do you guys think of the EH 2a3 tubes also the JJ 2A3 ?

https://www.tubedepot.com/products/electro-harmonix-2a3-eh-gold-power-vacuum-tube

 

I have both and I think I prefer the JJ's. I hear them as having a bit fuller sound with possibly a little more low end than the EH's. @Melvillian found the JJ's to be 'Warm' but if that's true, it hasn't bothered me. For the price though, The EHs don't suck.

 

I would love to see a comparison between the JJ-40 and RCA grey plates.

 

I have a set of rebranded RCA's also but I'm not sure which ones. I'd be halfway tempted to drive to Tempe for the chance to compare the Af with Duelands to the Af with Jupiters and hear the Auteurs on Af/Yggdrasil A2.

Between the rebranded RCA's, EH's and JJ's I use the JJ's.

 

Oh, that's good to know! It's great to have a current production 2A3 that isn't shit. I'll be checking those out next.

If you're serious about coming down, let me know and we can possibly set something up.