Laconic Lab Night Blues Tube Transformer Coupled Amp

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Jan 12, 2016.

  1. WNovizar

    WNovizar Facebook Friend

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    Made for EC from Laconic....err what!?
     
  2. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    I found multiple references to this when searching the web for more info on the NBM. Hadn't dug into it yet but most posts are from head-fi around 2006-07. I don't remember reading much about them back then, but being in high school still EC was well out of my price range.

    Edit: Looking into it further. Looks like EC partnered with Laconic on a couple devices back in 2006, the Lunchbox being one of them. Lots of info on it with a simple Google search.
     
  3. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    And here i thought he was joking...
     
  4. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Oh, so it's an old product? I shall calm down now, then.
     
  5. RKML0007

    RKML0007 Friend

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    Awesome detective work @Mystic !!!
     
  6. t3hwx9

    t3hwx9 Acquaintance

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    LaconicLab and Craig's relationship dates back to Moth Audio times.
    Another point: Laconic HA-08 was called ZanaDeux Micro.
     
  7. RKML0007

    RKML0007 Friend

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    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Super Best history!
     
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2016
  8. IceUul

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    Ok, now i understand where @Marvey got these 120v versions what other people unable to get.
     
  9. t3hwx9

    t3hwx9 Acquaintance

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    Order 6 is on its way to Northern Hell.
    Achievement unlocked: I'm out of bubble-wrap.

    Some info from the supplier:
    The next batch (I've bought 3 out of 4 last ones) will be a bit pricier. Up to $50, but it isn't final yet.
    There'll be a slight design alteration. New faceplate is made of acrylic instead of steel. Also twice as thick:
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2016
  10. perkele

    perkele Acquaintance

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    All hail t3hwx9! And thanks to @Marvey for bringing this exotic and affordable amp to the light. Will post impressions later. Now to play the waiting game.
     
  11. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    For 50 i would hope other changes and not only the faceplate, not complaining or anything though just surprised it will be still a steal for the price. Keep up the good work mate, you are helping a lot.
     
  12. t3hwx9

    t3hwx9 Acquaintance

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    It's not a "We have a new fancy faceplate" price change, but "We're out of pre-2014 spare parts and have to buy the new ones (RCA terminals and some other stuff I didn't remember)". Ruble devaluation, Crimea, Oil prices, blah-blah. In 2012 the price of NBM was about $600. I'm actually amazed it took them so long.
     
  13. WNovizar

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    Looking at the site, what is the difference between Laconic Night Blues and Laconic Night Blues Mini?
     
  14. t3hwx9

    t3hwx9 Acquaintance

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    It's bigger, heavier, pricier, but allows tube rolling.
    I'd add «and you can't obtain it anymore», but I've seen one in the wild yesterday:
    [​IMG]

    IMO, with almost 2x price difference, it's not worth it.
    NB-3A was quite popular as a modding platform: capacitor/choke tweaks, messing with internal wiring and such.
     
  15. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Oh dear, this is beginning to remind me of hunting down very specific classic Russian camera gear, which was a rabbit hole that I thoroughly enjoyed. You really needed to know what you were buying, but there was some great engineering to be had.

    That said, this is harder, so Our Friend In Russia is very much appreciated.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2016
  16. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    Thanks for explaining even more.

    To bad the big brother is so much more expensive.
     
  17. perkele

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    With the help of t3hwx9 I got my Mini Blue amp today. Total cost with shipping etc: 369€.

    LNBM amp is my first non integrated "big boy amp" and I could not be happier. Value seems to be excellent and there are no problems of build quality. It reminds me of miniature power plant. Amp runs pretty warm. What matters is the sq and compatibility with my headphones. I hit a financial snag and could not afford Gungnir Multibit (yet) to improve my chain so I'll be stuck with sbx7 dac for now.

    I'll be comparing Laconic amp to M-DAC combo amp and SBX7 combo amp.

    Synergy with my SD modded HD800 is really good. Warmth and tube wetness is heartily welcomed when using my Senns. Marvey and others have pretty much nailed all the tonal aspects already.
    Some light observations of 2 hours of listening:

    +music feels more livelier
    +music feels more believable to me
    +well shit music feels!
    +bright glare of mdac and sbx7 is gone
    +listening fatigue is pretty much gone
    +instrument separation improved
    -slight buzzing sound on background compared to almost total blackness of other amps, gotta check all the cabling etc later.

    I'm not sure about the soundstage. Feels kinda intimate but very well constructed overall. Need moar listening. And rolling with optional tubes which came for free (kudos to t3hwex). Gonna use LNBM for gaming too.

    As already said my main problem is my current DAC which will not reveal the whole potential of this exotic amp. Overall feeling ++ and strong recommendation for those looking for warm tube sound without destroying your wallet. Well done Laconic Labs!

    edit:

    Random listening addendum: NBM picks up the pace like a racing pig. I love this piece of metal.
    -Bass is really beautiful and has way more impact compared to my previous toy amps.
    -when properly warmed up I could pick up more resolution and feel the rhythm
    -I stand by my thoughts about the sound stage, it does not feel vast. Then again it does not feel stretched but very enticing and lively
    -suits my gaming needs like fist in the ass, Dark Souls 3 has never sounded this good.
    -have not rolled tubes, been listening to music and gaming a lot
    -really nice coupling with HD800, game over for me in the amp searching madness
    -needs the end game DAC.
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2016
  18. The Life

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    @t3hwx9 Have you shipped any LNBMs to the US? I'm thinking about adding this to my amp collection to compliment my Elise.
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    It actually sounds like a ZD, more ZDS than ZDSE. The circuit is the same, but uses other Russian tubes. A bit more feedback. In short, a ZDS with slightly less slam for 1/4 the price of a ZDS. Strange you guys found this because I was listening to it the other day. This might happen.
     
  20. The Life

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    [​IMG]
     

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