ECP Torpedo III [indexed in first post]

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by FlySweep, Nov 2, 2015.

  1. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Thank you kindly to TomB for getting out this amp to me so quickly. I have only spent about an hour going through usual test tracks so it's early, but I want to say that incredibly impressed with the performance of the Torpedo...wow. :) I have owned many flagship amps and I couldn't be happier with what I'm hearing so far.

    DAC-19>Tiii>hd800/hd650
     
  2. TomNC

    TomNC Friend

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    @Ice-man

    If Taurus Mkii is among the amps you have owned, could you make some comparative comments on it vs T3? Contrast to other amps is also welcome. My main phones are also HD800/650.
     
  3. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    First off, the Taurus Mkii is a very nice amp. I had it for almost a year and enjoyed it. But I'd pick the Torpedo any day over the Taurus. It comes down to tonal accuracy and enjoyment for me. And the tone of the Torpedo is just spot on. There is a nice dash of tube wetness to go along with that tone that puts a big fat smile on my face as I cue up the music. Dynamics are impressive even at lower listening levels. Sound staging is expansive width and depth.

    I'm only a couple hours into the Torpedo, so I'll see how it pans out over the course over the next several days. But right now I'm like a kid at Christmas!! The sound right out of the box is exceptional.
     
  4. TomNC

    TomNC Friend

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    Thanks. The T3 sounds promising. One of the things I like about the Taurus is that it is great in instrument separation and imaging precision. Hope the T3 can do as well.
     
  5. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    At this stage I'd say "on par" with regard to imaging and instrument separation. My opinion could change as the amp burns in. What I'm also enjoying with the Torpedo is that I'm comfortable listening to it at higher volumes than what I would normally. Not sure why though. The Taurus and other amps could be a little shouty at higher volumes but the Torpedo just seems to fill in as I raise the volume. I have no better way to describe this. It's just smoother and fully in control.
     
  6. TomNC

    TomNC Friend

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    Sounds great. Actually the treble brightness when pairing with HD800 is the single major concern I have over the Taurus. Looking forward to your further impressions after a couple weeks.
     
  7. FlySweep

    FlySweep Friend

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    Thanks for your preliminary impressions, Ice-Man.. I'm interested in how the DAC-19 pairs with the TIII (and the HD650/HD800). I'm looking for a desktop DAC to pair with my TIII.. and the DAC-19 (do you have the 10th anniv edit.?) is on my shortlist.

    Tone, tube wetness, slam, plankton, and soundstage.. man, I'm psyched to hear this beast with the HD650m!

    BTW.. does your TIII have the Cinemag or Edcor OPT?
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2016
  8. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    My dac-19 is 10th annie edition. My Tiii has Cinemag. Need some more time to flesh out my thoughts, but I will definitely share them.
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2016
  9. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Has anyone received there CCS boards yet? I'm on a flight inbound for home, was hoping to install / test this weekend.
     
  10. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    I received mine :)
     
  11. FlySweep

    FlySweep Friend

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    Fellas.. I'm adding posts from other threads (that have TIII impressions) to the index. A couple of very well respected ears (drfindley & purrin) had some very complimentary things to say about the TIII they heard at the recent OC meet.. and there were some seriously nice amps there. The TIII did not shrink in the face of such competition.
     
  12. badf00d

    badf00d Friend

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    I received mine, and my parts from Mouser. Thanks Doug!
     
  13. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Parts, check. Boards, check (thanks Doug!), coffee, working on it.

    Get my eyes open, and I'll go drop these suckers in.
     
  14. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    Exit stage left....
    looks like it's time to pitch that tent on Mister R's front lawn again and wait for the amp glory!
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2016
  15. Ice-man

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    I was hoping to get some feedback from the group on an issue with this amp. Can anyone hear a mild hum coming from the power transformer? I have my amp on my desk just a few feet away, and when the room is quiet I can hear the hum. Just wondered if anyone else was experiencing the same and if it was a normal function of the amp. Cheers...
     
  16. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Ok - one pair of CCS boards built and installed. The boards needed to be installed on the bottom half of the board, as the EVO SGO caps leave zero room for board installation. Needed to pull the nearest caps off to have room to work. Otherwise, it was a very straightforward assembly and installation.

    Only some 10 minutes listening, and I'm perceiving a small improvement. Tonality is notch better, tightness, separation of notes is a notch better. Need to head out for some errands with the wife, I'll come back later for more listening and installation of the CCS board and caps into FlySweeps TIII. I just held off on the caps as I knew they'd have to come off anyway for the CCS install.

    Doug & Tom - your work is very much appreciated. With the reg, caps and CCS upgrade, TIII has at this point edged out my old mainline (from perishable audio memory).

    Ice-man: No hum at all, from any distance.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2016
  17. TomB

    TomB MOT: Beezar

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    Wow, MisterRogers - that Torpedo PCB is spotless! Very nice quality work!

    Ice-Man, we'll replace the PT. It must be louder than what anyone else has experienced. No need to settle for less than what it should be. I have a whole bunch of new Edcor PTs coming in a day or two.
     
  18. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Thanks Tom :)

    I hope you (and Doug) plan on offering the CCS boards to Torpedo III buyers; just board or kit. I've got a bit more listening in, and yea - it's a very worthwhile upgrade. I'm enjoying it now with a NOS pair of Brimar long plate (black) 12AU7's, and it sounds fantastic! Of course, I've upgrade caps and regulator too, but collectively this thing is giving a stunning performance.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2016
  19. dsavitsk

    dsavitsk Friend

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    I think we'll put together a CCS kit before too long. This probably does not apply to Mr. Rogers, but I have been surprised that nobody seems to have tried bypassing the coupling caps. There are lots of 0.1u/300+V caps out there in the $3-10 range to try. I found a quad of old Cardas caps in a drawer and they seem to have made a positive difference.

    Oh, and I have another mod in the works. More on that when I get the daughter boards to try it out :)
     
  20. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    I'm in for whatever madness you entertain Doug :)
     

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