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Post by pre65 on May 14, 2015 15:22:39 GMT
What is this cable that you like ?
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2015 16:00:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2015 22:33:24 GMT
The odd bit has come and gone recently but One imminent arrival is eagerly anticipated.   I have always loved Audion amps so this KT120 version is hopefully a keeper. |
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Post by ChrisB on May 21, 2015 22:38:53 GMT
Nice.
Any news on the Kelvin Labs amp yet?
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2015 22:51:16 GMT
I failed to fix the issue so I moved it in to a nice guy who repairs TVs. I changed the bits I suspected to be the source of the problem but it was actually a simple resistor at fault (doh!). The Kelvin wasn't easy to work on because the main board had about 25 wires to de/re solder. I also have nerve damage and hand injuries that aren't healing, so working on it was a royal pain.
The chap who got it seemed delighted and was kind enough to let me know it was a simple fix. Good luck to him. I'm glad he was able to get it working. I'll pick up a working one although I may have to be patient.
Edit: just like the issue with my Exposures, turning up the volume with music on drowned out the noise. That meant I was able to listen to the Kelvin. Even with the fault, I thought it was a beautiful sounding amp.
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Post by ChrisB on May 21, 2015 23:14:40 GMT
Great - I like your last sentence! Let us know when you find another.
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Post by MartinT on May 22, 2015 5:49:02 GMT
The Audion should have a bit of welly behind it. Is now the right time to discuss the relative sound of EL34 / 6550 / KT120 valves?  |
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2015 8:43:46 GMT
I'd love you to, because I have limited experience with valves: EL34: AI series 500, Apollon Apache, Dyavox VR70e....... All a bit soft sounding for me 6550: Puresound A30 ....... Clearer and cleaner bit lacking in kick ECL86: AI series 300......... Mighty with Snells, Impulses and efficient speakers, all but disappeared with others. Reminded me of "Scrappy Doo"  KT 90: Audion Sterling......... Definitely the pick of the bunch. Sweet, open, tremendously clear and also livelier than the rest. Didn't seem to care about speakers. I also had an Arion Elektra but I don't remember the valve compliment. Used in an all Naim system when I was a flat earthier, so hard to judge. |
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Post by julesd68 on May 22, 2015 9:34:09 GMT
I've been very impressed by the Audion Sterling that a friend of mine bought a while back - it has the midband lucidity you'd expect from a good tube amp but not syrupy at all, very dynamic performer ...
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2015 11:24:13 GMT
I'm only going on my old mk1 sterling, but I was surprised by how much better it was than all the other valve amps I'd owned. The sound was as "Nude" as I think it's possible to get. It sounded like 8 veils had been stripped away rather than seven. For all that clarity, there was no price to pay in terms of thinness, hardness or lack of bass. It also drove every speaker I tried it with and went loud enough for all my needs.
In the UK it remains an irrelevance and sells for far less than I feel it's worth. I'd be interested to hear from our France based members if Audion are any better known over there
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Post by southall1998 on May 22, 2015 22:20:55 GMT
I used to chat with a guy, that is (was) based in North London.
He told me about his 300b Audion Sterling Knight Integrated...Along with a big boarder patrol power supply.
The sound he described from the above amp was mainly ''soft'' I can't remember weather if he tube rolled, or not!
I find the appearance rather pleasing from these Sterling amps.
S.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2015 22:29:54 GMT
It arrived today and I am surprised by both the size and build. It's quite a bit bigger than my last Sterling and far better built. I haven't tried it yet but Inahve spent a pleasurable eveNing staring at it. I'll post some pics early next week when I get my iPad mini back. My wife has take. It abroad with her and the camera on the iPad 2 is near useless.
I'm not sure about the sound of 300b but the Sterling I had with KT90s was pretty lively and crystal clear. This one may differ but I hope it sounds good because it's physically gorgeous.
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Post by southall1998 on May 22, 2015 22:36:40 GMT
Interesting to hear your thoughts on this acquired Sterling amp.
S.
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Post by MartinT on May 23, 2015 7:18:57 GMT
By far my favourite output valve is the little EL84 which, in the Leak Stereo 20 with modified input stage sounded staggeringly good in the midrange. Not much welly though, so the amp that Jerry acquired with paralleled outputs would be very interesting.
The EL34 in my Croft, when it was a series 4, had far more welly but was soft and didn't have the magic of the Leak.
When the Croft was upgraded to 4S with 6550 valves, it gained control but also had a hardness I've always associated with that valve.
I've heard lots of KT88s but not a KT90 valve. The KT120 sounds to my ears similar to the 6550.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2015 10:08:57 GMT
Thanks, Martin. I assume I can just change it back to KT90s if I don't take to the KT120 but I will check first.
I'm still suffering a migraine so I haven't tried it yet, I want to be able to enjoy it properly and get a fair first impression. I get migraines regularly and the "cures" for me always seem to be plenty of strong coffee and lots of chocolate. My coffee machine broke yesterday morning and I think the lack of black gold probably triggered the migraine. It's happened before. I force myself into town this morning to buy another machine so I'm hopeful of a recovery soon. If not, I will be off out to get some chocolate!
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Post by southall1998 on May 23, 2015 10:22:21 GMT
Migraines can really delay a persons schedule. So I understand how you feel, singularity.
But with me, some chocolates can give me annoying headaches. ''Dark'' chocolate being one of the culprits!
S.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2015 10:28:01 GMT
Yep most people find Coffee and Chocolate to be triggers. For me they have the opposite effect, I think it's better that way round because I have a good excuse to indulge I saw an A21a come up this morning, Shane. I was very tempted but it was a black one and they don't look anywhere near as nice, Besides, I don't like having too much stuff. I am looking out for a Copland CD player at a good price as I love the look of things like the CDA 266. Nicely built inside too. Might not float my boat but will look fab beside the Audion and a nice thing to own. |
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Post by southall1998 on May 23, 2015 11:40:49 GMT
I don't own Sugden amplification anymore. The Series 2 A21a I had is long sold now.
I'm currently using a Quad 303, and thinking about getting high impedance speakers to use with it.
I've also acquired another Naim Nait 5i....Very musical sounding thing!
S.
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Post by MartinT on May 23, 2015 12:38:09 GMT
Yep most people find Coffee and Chocolate to be triggers. Coffee can certainly trigger headaches for me, not helped by too much staring at a computer screen. I try to vary my day as much as possible, doing lots of walkabouts to stay active. Sometimes I'll sit outside with my tablet and do some replying to e-mails. |
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2015 16:07:35 GMT
A dozen cups of coffee and a short nap later...... Migraine is gone and I fire up the Audion. Unfortunately I can't really tell much at all because I lent my CDX to a mate and all I have around is a Pioneer DV-717. I've tried this before as a stand alone player and it's utterly dismal. To me it's sub-MP3 quality and really lifeless. All I learned today is that the Audion doesn't make it sound any better. For anyone who thinks all players sound pretty much the same, seek out a DV-717. The good thing is that it reminds me how good the CDX is.
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