EC Aficionado (was: The Studio Jr.)

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by AppleheadMay, Nov 10, 2015.

  1. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,051
    Trophy Points:
    113
    No, some of us want it as our amp. I suspect those three watts per channel will outperform the first three watts of the monoblocks.
     
  2. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,066
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, ME
    I agree with zero on this one, I'm in the camp who likes the idea of a studio Jr type amp, less powerful but a bit warmer and euphoric. Speaker taps would seal the deal.

    I see the mono blocks head amp/ pre amp as a separate idea, which I also like and would approve of.
     
  3. brencho

    brencho Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,978
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    LA
    Well folks could use ZDS preamp/head amp to mono blocks on one hand or studio jr as headamp and efficient speakers on the other.
     
  4. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,637
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Rochester, NY
    You shut your whore mouth!!!

    Kidding, us folks who might not be able to afford an Aficionado are banking on a slew of ZDSs to hit the market soon. Quit making arguments for keeping both please :)
     
  5. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,723
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Home Page:
    plus one here. Drop the speaker amp. Especially with monos in the vision. I would get a catheter and call out from work if it arrived with a preamp.
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2017
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,771
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    The Af will have a set of SE line outputs and banana outs for speakers. Speaker outs were a consideration for half of the dozen people who have expressed interest / prematurely contacted Judi asking to her to take their money. The idea is a headphone amp -or- HE speaker amp with sub outs.

    The banana outs can also be used as a preamp out with appropriate adapters. However, the initial requirement was always for an integrated tube headphone / high efficiency speaker amp. A dedicated preamp would have totally different requirements.

    The Af will be no frills. Things that could impact sonic quality have been taken out. For example, there will only be two sets of inputs. One balanced and one SE, with the switch on the back (to avoid lengthy wire runs). There will be another switch on the back to kill speaker outputs. There will be exactly one four pin XLR jack on the front for headphones. There will be no phono jack. A four pin XLR to phono adapter will work (keep in mind such a adapter will cause balanced bridged amps to explode).

    This amp was named the Aficianado for a purpose. Craig said he made it for people "who knew exactly what the f**k they doing" and could deal with the aforementioned inconveniences I mentioned above. Think purist. No air conditioning, no power windows, no power seats.

    Also, the balanced to SE line level transformers will be 10k ohm Jensens, so they will work with the Schiit DACS.

    EI core power transformer is back in the mix. We found a supplier that will make smaller quantities. The PS is old school brute force. After the rectifier, CLCLC. Two 5H chokes. The voltage is 50V higher than any prior EC amp.

    After dicking around with many permutations of the circuit, we decided on no feedback, or found out how to get no feedback to sound right with good bass quality and low enough distortion. Think Balancing Act Mk2, but with 2A3s, speaker output, and higher voltages in a much simpler chassis. Tried LCDr2, HD600, HD650, AD2000, and HD800. Works great with everything except stock HD800 was a bit bright with some recordings.

    Tentative price is $2900 for early birds who mention special code: Super Best Audio Friends

    This price will not hold.
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2017
  7. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,066
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, ME
    So is this permission to email Judy orders? What if we previously emailed saying we were interested? If so, off to the races...
     
  8. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

    Staff Member Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    8,145
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Exit stage left....
    there's so much here over my head in amp-design, love the focus goals and only comment on the simple stuff:

    1. love the lone XLR output. heck- I'd be fine with no SE inputs as well but realize that reduces market adoption / user / DAC flexibiltiy.
    2. any fly time with Utopia + Aficionado ? if stock HD800 could be bright, supposing this could happen with Utopia (some) as well.
    would the 50V and tubes prevent a dead quiet background for the ultra sensitive Utopia ?
     
  9. ald0s

    ald0s Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2015
    Likes Received:
    110
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Sounds great. Im not sure if I should check / make a relevant thread for this but any update on the mono block idea?
     
  10. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

    Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,999
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Tempe, Arizona
    I can guarantee @Marvey and Craig will update this thread when relevant information is available. Until then, don't you have some gear, errr music, to listen too? :p
     
  11. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,102
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Seoul, South Korea
    I second this. I ended up preferring ZDS to Studio with Utopia despite the latter being a superior amp. Ditto for HD800. Of course Utopia isn't as bright and as HD800, but it could definitely use some warmth. Depending on the final voicing of Af, it may or may not win me over ZDS with Utopia.
     
  12. ald0s

    ald0s Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2015
    Likes Received:
    110
    Trophy Points:
    43
    I have some great music to listen to on some great headphones. Currently lacking in the speaker department :)
     
  13. khragon

    khragon Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2015
    Likes Received:
    37
    Trophy Points:
    18
    So, I can call and put in the order now?

    What's would be the output impedance? also external power chassis?
     
  14. yzap

    yzap New

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Just to confirm, this warning is just letting us know that while adapting the four pin XLR output to 1/4" SE output will be supported with the Aficionado, if we stop using our brains for a bit and try doing the same with other amps, we're likely signing ourselves up for a Very Bad Time™?

    Edit: Or perhaps I misread this... I'm now guessing you probably meant there will be no phono input. Will there be a 1/4" SE output on the front in addition to the XLR output?
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2017
  15. TheloniuSnoop

    TheloniuSnoop Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2015
    Likes Received:
    588
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Gold Canyon, AZ
    High freq heaters I assume? I have a BA now, but this is tempting.
     
  16. Cakecake

    Cakecake Guest

    Which style chassis will be used?
     
  17. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,201
    Trophy Points:
    93
    wow, really interested

    what is the power output of the speaker outputs?
     
  18. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,771
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    2A3 mk2 style. BA chassis it tough to make.

    Yes to HF filament heaters.

    You can e-mail Judi. She will probably send you a form. Might be good idea to get in line since first run is 15 units. I think first run will sell out fast, if not already sold out (depends how many who expressed interest dropped out). Not taking deposits now, but at least you can get in line. I expect deposits to be taken in a week or two. Output transformers from Cinemag are 6-8 weeks out. Those are the hold up. I need to whip up Craig to ensure he places the parts orders.

    Output Z I guess is would about 2-3 ohms. Need to measure it since we've been taking all these changes.

    Power chassis will be external with the power transformer and rectifier tube on top.
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,771
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    Proto power board from spare parts. The production power transformer will be a bit bigger. 20170502_130704.jpg
     
  20. bigfatpaulie

    bigfatpaulie Tried to screw other friends while playing victim

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2016
    Likes Received:
    194
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
    I couldn't seem to find it so I apologize if it has already been mentioned but I was wondering a few things.

    First, the Aficionado is supposed to be more lush than the Studio, but not as lush as the ZD (correct?). What is the sound stage like? Is it wide open like the Studio or more intimate?

    Is there an estimated date for the amp to start shipping?
     

Share This Page