ECP Torpedo III [indexed in first post]

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

  1. TomB

    TomB MOT: Beezar

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    It's only four screws and it's the reason I supply that nifty little ball driver with all of the kits.

    I read Mister Rogers quote, but please, please be careful. If you're going to leave the top open when rolling, at least unplug the amplifier every single time you try to change tubes. (It would be better to leave the top screwed on.) There's still ~250V inside the amp and all you may have to do is brush the top of a capacitor to get shocked ... or worse.
     
  2. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Yup, good recommendation Tom. Probably better to put the top back on after the switch.
     
  3. HitmanFluffy

    HitmanFluffy Hoping to see real genitals someday!

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    Thanks Tom! I'm just always reluctant about opening something up after I finish building it and it works.

    I'm rolling some Sylvania 12AT7 Black plates and I like these better than the stock tubes. More agreeable tonally without a significant hit to clarity.
     
  4. HitmanFluffy

    HitmanFluffy Hoping to see real genitals someday!

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    Tom mentioned the 12AZ7s had really impressive distortion characteristics, have any of you guys tried those?
     
  5. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Not yet. I'm really trying to temper my tube rolling with this thing. I ordered a matched pair of Brimar 12AU7 / CV4003's. black long plate NOS. They're suppose to have the texture with a smidge of warmth like an Ediswan tube, with a bit smoother top end, better imaging than a Mullard 12AU7. The RCA 6072's I have in now are pretty damn good - I could almost hold with them. Almost :)

    Lost track of the hours on the EVO SGO's; they're sounding incredible (detailed, dynamic, very good imaging, texture). The TIII has become an amp that is sticking around in my amp collection.
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2016
  6. TomB

    TomB MOT: Beezar

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    I'm trying to build a stock of alternative tubes - the 12AZ7 is one of them. It tested lower in distortion at 300 ohms than any other tube I tried. The EH 12AY7 is still better at 32 ohms, though.

    All that said, distortion at this level (low) is not everything. Some tubes may sound better at slightly higher distortion values. I think the 12AT7 is one of those, assuming you like the effects. Many of the older NOS tubes do as well - as many of you have discovered. I'm strongly attracted to the 6829's. I'm trying to build a stock of those to sell, too. I think they're my favorite so far. (Keep in mind I am fickle, though, and may change my mind next week!)

    One caution about both of the tubes mentioned - they run around 225ma at 12V on the heaters. That's higher than the typical 12AY/U/T/X/7 at 150ma. So, I wouldn't leave the amp on unattended if you run one of these. I have left Torpedo I's on for a few days before without realizing - with no ill effects. Since you are stretching the heater current with one of these tubes (12AZ7, 6829, 6414), the PT would probably not live through several days of unattended power-in condition.
     
  7. SteelCannon

    SteelCannon Friend

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    Just put my order in with some Cinemags and white led. Thanks Tom :)
     
  8. Mr.Sneis

    Mr.Sneis Friend

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    Cinemags OOS! Very close to pulling the trigger for one of these, hopefully when the Cinemags come back in and Doug has the CCS board figured out.
     
  9. dsavitsk

    dsavitsk Friend

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    Transformers are on order, and we should have more in a few weeks.
     
  10. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Hope you're feeling better Doug; any progress with CCS?
     
  11. SteelCannon

    SteelCannon Friend

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    Has anyone had success using planars with the torpedo? I plan on using mine mainly with the hd650 and th-x00, but would still like to know.
     
  12. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    My modded one (regulator, caps) drives my HE1K very very well.

    I guess I'd say that it'll do reasonably efficient planars well. I believe it puts out ~1W into 32Ohms.
     
  13. SteelCannon

    SteelCannon Friend

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    hmm, I tried it with the vibros(50 ohms) and they weren't getting powered properly. I'm mainly thinking about paradox slants and maybe some hifimans. Your mods wouldn't impact current or power at all right? I know caps change sound signature, what is the purpose of changing the regulator, lower noise?
     
  14. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    Yep, lower noise, less sag under load, higher PSRR. Not that the circuit / BOM wasn't very good as it came, just wanted to try and improve it a bit. Power output for mine is identical as an unmoved TIII (give or take). Your choice of tubes will also have an impact in how it drives a planar.
     
  15. SteelCannon

    SteelCannon Friend

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    Any ideas for a good tube that would be better at driving planars than stock? And thanks for the help.
     
  16. TomB

    TomB MOT: Beezar

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    Try a 12AX7 ...
     
  17. HitmanFluffy

    HitmanFluffy Hoping to see real genitals someday!

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    For reference, the amp pretty much rolled over and gave up with my HE5LEs and HE560s when fitted with 12AT7s or the stock 12AY7s, I know those cans are quite further on the inefficient side and I never intended to use them with the TIII so it's not bothersome in the least.
     
  18. SteelCannon

    SteelCannon Friend

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    I think maybe you should take out the part about most planars, since it couldnt drive my he400s and that is about efficient as it gets for planars. I think this is a fantastic amp for dynamics but will only work with a few planars, probably high efficiency ones around the 32 impedance mark like he400i and he1000.
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2016
  19. HitmanFluffy

    HitmanFluffy Hoping to see real genitals someday!

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    It worked fine with LCD-3s with stock tubes when I tried, but I can't get it to work with any HFM cans. Up in the New Year's meet thread some people also remarked it didn't work too well with T50 variants either.
     
  20. MisterRogers

    MisterRogers Ethernet Nervosa

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    I've only tried the HE1K's (Planars), but it drives them very well.
     

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