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#1
Posted to rec.audio.tubes
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Heathkit A7 amps meet TFTF V-Caps :)
Hi RATs!
OK, these little amps have been thrashed by yours truly I ran what had been the number 2 RCA direct to the volume pot (1 Meg) and from the pot wiper direct to the 12SN7 VA grid. The VA is direct coupled to the signal splitter, other half of same 12SN7. The only caps in the circuit go from the splitter anode and cathode to the 12A6 output grids. I replaced 0.1uF Illionois Capacitor with V-Cap, same value. In this amp. the metallized polyprops did not sound like the tin foil and teflon do. Chris VenHaus is a man of genius. In my opinion, the $100. per amp (which only cost $20. each, new) for coupling caps is money VERY well spent. You should hear! Happy Ears! Al |
#2
Posted to rec.audio.tubes
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Heathkit A7 amps meet TFTF V-Caps :)
"Here in Ohio" wrote in message
On 7 Nov 2006 20:27:39 -0800, "tubegarden" wrote: I replaced 0.1uF Illionois Capacitor with V-Cap, same value. In this amp. the metallized polyprops did not sound like the tin foil and teflon do. Chris VenHaus is a man of genius. In my opinion, the $100. per amp (which only cost $20. each, new) for coupling caps is money VERY well spent. "Magic" caps, huh? Did you verify that the new caps were identical in real value to the old ones? Otherwise you just changed the circuit and that could account for a change in sound. Also, he needs to verify that the old caps were performing nominally. My recollection that most Illinois caps were paper dielectric based. I imagine that we should also ask for evidence that off-the-shelf mylar or polypropalene caps from say Mouser or DigiKey wouldn't work as well as the *magic* caps. Also, since coupling caps don't actually charge and discharge, why would a "better" dielectric make any difference? Ask Marsh and Jung. I personally asked Jung this question and got an answer that was something like I don't know everything there is to know about caps, but I do know that they sound better. Personally, I'll buy some more music instead of wasting my money on "better-sounding" parts. :-) My take would be to run a comprehensive set of tests on the equipment (e.g., Audio Rightmark) and then address such problems as were found. Once finished with that phase, I might be prone to do a level-matched DBT comparing the amp to a straight piece of wire, while driving a speaker load. |
#3
Posted to rec.audio.tubes
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Heathkit A7 amps meet TFTF V-Caps :)
Arny Krueger wrote: "Here in Ohio" wrote in message On 7 Nov 2006 20:27:39 -0800, "tubegarden" wrote: I replaced 0.1uF Illionois Capacitor with V-Cap, same value. In this amp. the metallized polyprops did not sound like the tin foil and teflon do. Chris VenHaus is a man of genius. In my opinion, the $100. per amp (which only cost $20. each, new) for coupling caps is money VERY well spent. "Magic" caps, huh? Did you verify that the new caps were identical in real value to the old ones? Otherwise you just changed the circuit and that could account for a change in sound. Also, he needs to verify that the old caps were performing nominally. My recollection that most Illinois caps were paper dielectric based. I imagine that we should also ask for evidence that off-the-shelf mylar or polypropalene caps from say Mouser or DigiKey wouldn't work as well as the *magic* caps. Also, since coupling caps don't actually charge and discharge, why would a "better" dielectric make any difference? Ask Marsh and Jung. I personally asked Jung this question and got an answer that was something like I don't know everything there is to know about caps, but I do know that they sound better. Personally, I'll buy some more music instead of wasting my money on "better-sounding" parts. :-) My take would be to run a comprehensive set of tests on the equipment (e.g., Audio Rightmark) and then address such problems as were found. Once finished with that phase, I might be prone to do a level-matched DBT comparing the amp to a straight piece of wire, while driving a speaker load. Hi RATs! Not magic. Just better. I said you should hear. You said you would rather doubt. Whatever. I ain't sellin' nothing Happy Ears! Al |
#4
Posted to rec.audio.tubes
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Heathkit A7 amps meet TFTF V-Caps :)
"Here in Ohio" wrote in message ... On Wed, 8 Nov 2006 13:14:56 -0500, "Arny Krueger" wrote: Also, since coupling caps don't actually charge and discharge, why would a "better" dielectric make any difference? Ask Marsh and Jung. I personally asked Jung this question and got an answer that was something like I don't know everything there is to know about caps, but I do know that they sound better. Yeah, that old nonsense. :-) Tubegarden seems to be copying that schtick. I'll let Jung have my Wonderbread film cap design if he wants it. They sound... well... wonderful! hehe Ha! ;-) |
#5
Posted to rec.audio.tubes
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Heathkit A7 amps meet TFTF V-Caps :)
Hi RATs!
These old, cheap amps drive these new speakers very well. I like hooking stuff up and listening to Music. Changing little pieces is fun, too. Sometimes I listen to test tones and 100% pure, laboratory grade white noise and pink noise, but, not often enough to really understand white noise nor pink noise, just yet. I have noticed I can detect things listening to noises that I don't notice listening to Music. I am not sure it matters, much. It is an interesting change of pace, occasionally. I also have a CD of "ocean sounds wallpaper" that I enjoy. It is just waves and stuff from some shore, somewhere, but, I like the sounds of the waves and the birds and the passing boats I hear different birds, here, but boats and waves are not common in Phoenix Oh, the excitement of foreign background noises 8^0 A guy stopped by to drop off some little chokes I bought from him on Ebay. He liked some of my old amps It is fun collecting old junk and showing it to the 'tourists'. I am enjoying the A7 Heathkits, They are small and easy to work on. I have a monster P-P 2A3 amp with enough iron to build myself a Dump Truck, but, it is so heavy, I haven't even tried to learn how it works, yet. If my health ever improves, I have lots of challenges and adventures waiting. I am not much interested in explaining how or why I enjoy this hobby. Just like doing it and listening to stuff. It is OK, I worked hard for a long time for idiots who thought I should explain everything to them. Everybody thinks a well phrased question makes them look smart. Me, I like useful answers. Putting V-Caps in a simple amp sounds wonderful. You may ask any questions you like. I may not get around to answering them. When I was working, the morons asking stupid questions were paying me, so I did my best to explain stuff to them. You guys will gey what you pay for, but, your general tone implies you know everything and don't want to learn anything, so I simply will ignore you. Us old guys like to express our disdain. We are still stupid after all these years. No big deal Happy Ears! Al |
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