"Shortest Way" SW51 Amp Impressions (Simple SET Amp)

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Hands, Jul 12, 2019.

  1. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    To make them jealous? (joke)
    Not saying we should, just that it would be doable. I rarely even go there at all nowadays. Couldn't give a f**k either way.
     
  2. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    In purely FR profile terms, with something like HD6X0 there'll be only a very small difference between the two outputs and between 'low' and a typically low solid-state or hybrid amp in the mid-bass. Here's an indication, although not with quite the right numbers:

    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...ier-output-impedance-calculator-for-rew.7008/

    With something like the Clears, though, which have a c. 6x impedance vs frequency variation vs the Senns' c. 1.5x, the boost will be more pronounced - and in the low bass; see the impedance profile here: https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FocalClearsnA1BRQE000007.pdf . Other Focals don't swing as much as this; Tyll's measurements of the Utopias and Elears show about 3x variation.

    In general though if using high-impedance phones, the higher power from the high gain output would likely be preferable regardless of the FR effects.
     
  3. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    Background information on shipping

    There are three types of sending:
    1. Usual. For the USA, Canada and Australia - it is shipping by sea. For European and Asian countries - by land transport.
    2. Accelerated. For all countries - air delivery
    3. Express (EMS). For all countries - air delivery, expedited customs and home delivery.

    The weight of the amplifier with packing -4400 grams

    Shipping cost for different countries:
    Country - Usual / Accelerated / Express
    Australia - $83,00 $83,00 $83,00
    Canada - $35,00 $51,00 $60,00
    Finland - $35,00 $36,00 $49,00
    Germany - $36,00 $38,00 $49,00
    India - $27,00 $38,00 $72,00
    Singapore - $37,00 $55,00 $60,00
    Spain - $30,00 $37,00 $49,00
    Sweden - $34,00 $35,00 $49,00
    Taiwan - $33,00 $55,00 $72,00
    Thailand - $25,00 $36,00 $72,00
    USA - $31,00 $51,00 $60,00

    Of course, you will decide which delivery you choose, but I would recommend Express.
    Australia seems to have no choice but to deliver by courier.
    If there is a need to specify special information for the customs Declaration - please let me know.
    Today, there are enough amplifiers for everyone. I will be posting several pieces a day.

    Please do not send money without receiving a separate confirmation letter for you.
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2019
  4. BlizzardiCleric

    BlizzardiCleric New

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    Should we now reply to the order confirmation email that you sent a while back and indicate our choices?
    • Which of the two front plate appearances
    • Which of the three shipping options
    Or how should we proceed?

    Secondly, are all the shipping options tracked? I wouldn't mind waiting for ground shipping, but just want to make sure all are equally safe options. :)

    Thank you!
     
  5. Sqveak

    Sqveak Friend

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    Is the EMS service both tracked an insured?

    Do we wait for an email reply to our order forms or PM you?
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2019
  6. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    Now that right there is a real, old-school instrument, very valuable in the hands of someone that knows for what it is used and how to use it.
     
  7. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Do any experienced rollers have an idea of how these tubes would sound in the amp? I'm thinking of grabbing a few to play around with when the Shortest Way arrives.

    Edit: @atomicbob I know what you're thinking. But if nothing else it's useful to have some spares on hand in case of issues or slippery fingers.
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2019
  8. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    I started sending the final order form. It lists all the parameters that interest me and you.

    Of the three options, the most reliable is courier delivery. But all types of delivery are tracked. I certainly can not give 100% reliability of delivery, in the process of delivery involved a mysterious organization for me, but I'm sure that any problems can be solved.
     
  9. Ulises

    Ulises Friend

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    @Zampotech by chance can you share final dimensions of the amp including height?
     
  10. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    Certainly. All dimensions are in millimeters

    [​IMG]
     
  11. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    No one in topic there is no....



    I will conduct a small photo tour. Some photos will be repeated.

    The initial concept of the amplifier. Appearance.

    [​IMG]

    Laser-cut steel.



    [​IMG]



    Processing covers transformers

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Preparing the chassis

    [​IMG]

    Painting

    [​IMG]

    The parcel with the ALPS potentiometers

    [​IMG]

    Potentiometers are made in Japan

    [​IMG]

    Output transformer.

    [​IMG]

    Laboratory of the company, where the output transformer was developed. It was late in the evening and I did not get to the winding shop.

    [​IMG]

    Power transformer

    [​IMG]

    Also laboratory workshop winding of the enterprise

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    PCB

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Drawing and text

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Amplifiers in different phase of manufacture

    [​IMG]

    Made amplifier

    [​IMG]

    The first to were manufactured by amplifiers on 220 volts. So it turned out faster for verification and testing. Most of these amplifiers are already going to the new owners
     
  12. Ash1412

    Ash1412 Friend

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    Can you show a picture of the ALPS version? Wanna see the different volume knob is all. Great work.
     
  13. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    SW51 with ALPS looks like this

    [​IMG]
     
  14. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Maybe that one is mine! :D

    Got your invoice, will send tonight.
     
  15. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Just curious, what was the breakdown in numbers of each version ordered?
     
  16. Zampotech

    Zampotech Friend

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    Statistics are already known

    1. "Shortest Way" = 0%
    2. "Shortest Way+" = 92%
    3. "Shortest Way L" = 8%

    "Shortest Way L" ordered for self replacement with another potentiometer, probably better than the ALPS RK27.

    Edit:

    Found another pattern.
    This is a function of the number of music lovers from the power voltage.
    The number of music lovers at AC115 volts is five times the number of music lovers at AC220 volts [​IMG]
    Scientists around the world should investigate this phenomenon [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2019
  17. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Most likely representative of the geographic distribution of SBAF members vs. mains voltage.
    So either 12.5 or 25 amps were ordered ;)
     
  18. Partytime

    Partytime Facebook Friend

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    I just ordered one. Very excited!

    This is the perfect example of why SBAF is great.
     
  19. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Nobody'd posted, so I thought I might have been first, even though that seemed unlikely. @Sqveak put paid to that since he's had his since Monday. But I couldn't resist posting some pics. Very very initial impressions soundwise are "effortless" and the "bouncy" extended bass @Zampotech promised. I played some tone sweeps and in the upper octaves the perceived fundamental rolled off per usual with the limits of my hearing, but I could hear "artifacts"(?) sweeping upwards and downwards from around 8kHz to 22kHz. It's been on 15-20 minutes.

    Was it excessively brave to ship with tubes inserted? Packing was solid so I guess not.
    1569588227261.jpg

    I'm allergic to cats.
    1569588229289.jpg

    Zero resale value on Head-Fi.
    1569588231178.jpg

    Almost a magenta glow from the 6Z51Ps.
    1569588233588.jpg
    Thank you, @Zampotech!!!
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2019
  20. fierce_freak

    fierce_freak Friend

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    Awesome! I’m mildly allergic to cats but I have 4 of them anyway ;D

    very excited to see impressions on these. I ordered a couple weeks ago, but I suspect I’m fairly far back in the queue.

    Effortless sounds promising! How would you describe the “artifacts?” Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s just early hours on the amp but curious nonetheless.
     

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